Thursday 22 May 2014

Boxed-In Quilt Block Variation Tutorial


Just a little tutorial on how we made a mini-quilt recently, using part of a Jelly Roll from Lewis & Irene. You could easily use a Scrap Bag or cut the strips from your stash/scraps.

This is great for beginners, you don't have to be too precise, so great for getting some piecing and cutting practise in, but also nice for a quick and easy project when you don't want to have to think to hard! These are the measurements to make 1 block. Make as many as you want for the size you want your finished project to be.



So, lets get started.

What you need:
Cut 4 - 2½"x4½"
Cut 1 - 2½"x2½"
Basic sewing kit
Extras (for a quilt) - Wadding
           - Backing fabric
Seam allowance ¼"

First off, cut your fabric -4 - 2½"x4½" strips and 1 - 2½"x2½" square.
 

Now arrange your strips the way you want to piece them

First off take your centre block and the right-side strip. Right sides together, stitch them together. So you have something similar to this.



Take your top strip and stitch to the centre block and top edge of the right strip.



Now attach the left strip in the same way.





So all we have to do now is stitch the final strip. Stitch your final strip to the bottom edge of the left strip and the centre block. Then fold the block in half so you can stitch the side of the bottom strip to the right strip.




Your block should now all be stitched together. You may need to trim it, so make it into a perfect square.

Repeat this for as many blocks as you want. Quilts would definitely look good using this, but if you wanted to try a smaller project first, cushions would look fab also.



So, really rather simple, hey?!





Pepper thought he was missing out on the action.

Wednesday 7 May 2014

3rd Birthday Giveaway

Not seen our newsletter yet?
To Celebrate our 3rd Birthday we have a giveaway!
Everyone who spends £10 online or in the shop will be entered.
For every £10 spent, you will receive an entry - for example - £50 - 5 entries.
The prize includes:
-£30 Gift Voucher
-4 FQ Bundle - Lewis & Irene - Town & Country
-8 FQ Bundle - Dashwood Studio - Prairie
-Charm Pack - V&Co Color - Me Happy
-Jelly Roll - Studio M - Mixed Bag
-Washi Dress Pattern
All worth over £100
More info can be found here:
Happy Shopping & Good Luck

Monday 12 August 2013

Festival of Quilts 2013

A few snaps of some of our favourites from this years Festival of Quilts. Excuse the rubbish lighting!













Thursday 11 July 2013

UK Fabric. Really?

So, just over a week ago we took a little trip down South and came home with the new collection Enchanted - Forest by Phyllida Coroneo for Dashwood Studio - a new UK based textile design company, based in the UK, yes, that's right, UK BASED! Very exciting. And it's a double winner that the first collection is absolutely gorgeous!

The company's Creative Director, David Sweet has bundles of experience and knowledge around this field, most recently, he was the Creative Director of P&B Textiles in the US. But now he's showing what the UK can do. And boy, looks like they can do it rather well!

Enchanted Forest is inspired by 'Phyllida’s colour palettes and bohemian florals are influenced by her love of interiors and fashion styling, photography, culture and the British Landscape.‘The Enchanted Forest’ Collection was inspired by childhood memories of the Somerset Countryside and the magical series of ‘The Faraway Tree’ books by Enid Blyton'
 
 
 

We have completely fallen in love with this collection and couldn't resist a little make of our own. So here's Jo's mini quilt. And if you check out Phyllida's blog, you can see some other gorgeous makes using this collection.

The next collection is Petite Street by Wendy Kendall, which, guess what, is utterly stunning too. This collection is due in August and we cannot wait to get out hand on them!
 
 
 

It's brilliant that Dashwood Studio has offered a platform so the talent of British designers can be shared across the quilting and home-sewing communities. 

We cannot wait to see what comes next from Dashwood Studio, I have an inkling its going to be good.

Saturday 1 June 2013

The dates for our Kids Summer Holiday Workshops are as followed:

Friday 26th July - Cupcake/Robot Cushion. Ages 7-11. 1:30-3:00. £6.50

Using felt as a base along with buttons, ribbons, embellishments, hand and machine sewing to make a shaped cushion.

Tuesday 30th July - Owl Beanies. Ages 7-11. 10:30-12:00. £5.00

Make a small owl using fabrics with hand and machine sewing.

Thursday 1st August - Fabric Collage Pictures. Ages 9-13. 1:00-3:00. £6.50

Create pictures using fabrics, stitching and lots of embellishments.

Tuesday 6th August - Hanging Charms. Ages 7-11. 10:30-12:00. £5.00

With different shapes such as birds, stars, hearts ect, with beads and ribbons to make a charm to hang.

Thursday 8th August - Pencil Cases/Make-up Purses. Ages 11-16. 1:00-3:00. £8.50

Chose your own fabric to make an individual pencil-case/make-up purse with a zip.

Tuesday 13th August - Pencil Cases. Ages 7-11. 10:30-12:00. £5.00

Stitch and then embellish your own individual pencil-case with a zip.

Friday 16th August - PJ Shorts. Ages 11-16. 1:00-3:30. £12.00

With fabrics of your choice make a pair of pyjama shorts. Using a pattern and machine sewing

Wednesday 21st August - Drawstring Bag. Ages 9-13. 10:30-12:00. £6.50

Make a drawstring bag to keep all of your sewing supplies. Embellish with buttons, ribbons and machine sewing.

Friday 23rd August - Tote Bag. Ages 11-16. 1:00-3:00. £8.50

Pick your own fabrics to make an individual tote bag with an applique design.

Tuesday 27th August - Animal Softies. Ages 7-11. 10:30-12:00. £6.50

Create your own animal friend with different fabrics and embellishments to personalise your creature.

Places are limited to 6, so booking is essential. All materials are included in the price.