New Patterns!

I am delighted to announce that I have got 3 new pattens available in my Etsy shop:

My First Quilt:

This is a great starter quilt for someone who knows how to sew but hasn't attempted a quilt yet.  The pattern is designed around a Layer Cake (usually 42 pre cut 10" squares), which means you get to sew up the quilt top quickly.  The pattern has full colour pictures & will also take you through basting the quilt, simple quilting & making and attaching the binding.

Placemats & Coasters:

This pattern provides the measurements & instructions for making 6 placemats and matching coasters.  The pattern also includes a storage basket to keep your coasters in.  Again full colour pictures guide you through step by step, and the pattern gives you the design flexibility to choose from a range of quilting techniques and whether to bind or not bind your placemats.

8 in 1 Zippy Pouches:

If you've always wanted to have a go at a range of different zippy pouches, then this pattern is for you!  There are 8 types of pouches you can make, as shown above, from coin purses, to make up bags, pencil cases to project pouches.  The pattern covers a range of techniques such as how to create boxed corners, how to make covered zip ends, making a wristlet or hanging loop, which means you can customise the design of your pouch!  Once you have the hang of making zippered pouches, you'll never be stuck for gift ideas again!

I have lots more patterns in the pipeline, which I'm still working on!  I'll keep you posted!

Come Dine With Me!

I promised to show you more photos of the placemants and coasters I was making as class samples.

The classes start on Friday 9th March, and here's what folks will be making:

Finsihed size approx. 16" x 12"

This is a set of 6 placemats, each made slightly differently to give folks a range of creative options.  For example, they can be quilted different ways:

 

Some are finished in the same way you would bind a quilt, or for those who haven't learnt that yet, they can be made with no binding.  And they can be decorated with handstitching or ribbon/trim in any way you like.

All the placemats are made with heat resistant wadding, which makes them practical and slightly structured.

The coasters are simply mini versions of the placemats.

We will also be making this handy storage basket.

And why not finish the set with a cutlery storage basket.

There is a tutorial for this basket available here.

So there you have it.  A set of 6 placemats and coasters.  I think these would make a lovely house warming or Mother's Day gift!  

Hope you are having a great Tuesday!

Something New!

I'm currently working on class samples for up and coming projects, in both this term and next term's programmes.

I'm getting a little excited about some placemats I've designed for my Friday morning class, with matching coasters.

I'll reveal more when I get the full set finished.

I'm also working on a quilt for my new beginner's class, starting after Easter.

This will be a simple design, but will teach the key aspects of quilting making. 

Again, this is still a work in progress, so can't show you much just yet!

Finally, one of my lovely followers, Di, has just set up her own blog, called Willowbeck Designs.  Di's husband is from my neck of the woods, so we're practically related!!

Please hop on over to Di's blog and give her a great big blogland welcome!  She makes wonderful creations AND she's in the Mouthy Stitches Swap!

Hope you're having a fab Tuesday!

Wee Blocks!

I love the opportunities that this blogging community offers us to help and care for others.

A friend of mine, Karen (Listen to the Birds Sing) is a very talented patchworker, who is going to Thailand in November.  Karen is appealing for block donations for patchworked bed covers she is bringing out for the child victims of sex trafficking.  Have a look at her original post here, launching her charity bee Kind Stitches.

These wee blocks are super quick and easy to make (only 6.5").  Why not rustle up a few for Karen, and have a look at what others have made in the flickr group.

Here's a few I've made:

Today I was on the receiving end of this blogging community goodness.

Thank you to Leanne for these fab wonky star blocks for Bee Blessed, all the way from Canada, and the adorable coasters for me and Sarah!  

I saw these on Leanne's blog when she made them and drooled over them!

Folks from my church are amazed when I tell them that Bee Blessed is supported by blogger friends from all around the world!

Finally, photographic evidence that I have been working on my Across the Sea QAL back.

I really don't want to apologise for the sun shining in, but it doesn't make for a great pic!

One of these days I'm going to reveal to you all the other delights I've been making and squirrelling away, but I think I'll hold off a little longer!

Christmas Classes 2010

After 6 weeks of amazing creativity and energy, my 2 Christmas classes came to an end.  Well done to them all for their commitment in braving the ice, snow and busy pre-Christmas schedules. 

It's amazing what Christmas does to people!  The productivity & enthusiasm from the class was inspiring and I was humbled by and proud of what they achieved.  Like the tiny sunflower seed which yields the towering flower, a morsel of guidance and a few simple ideas can unleash wonderful creative results from minds and hands that are passionate to learn.  I think next year we'll start our Christmas projects in August!!

My Friday morning class made gorgeous table centres, some Christmassey, some not.  A special well done to those who were first-timers to a Rags to Bags class (not to mention not having used a sewing machine in quite a while!).  You all did brilliantly and I hope these amazing creations are in full view of all residents and visitors to your homes over Christmas!  Showing off is permitted!

Thursday night-ers got busy making scrappy stockings (large & small), gift bags, bunting (large & mini) and cornets!  Phew!  Busy Beavers!  I had a job keeping up & I'm the tutor!  I don't have many pics of their wonderful achievements, but check out Thursday night-er Sew Me who has some fab photos of her Christmas sewing fest.





Great way to use up your scraps!

 And now that classes are finished, I get to make my own Christmas presents.  My youngest daughter's teacher gets a vintage style stocking (filled with a bottle of mulled wine - yum!).  Classroom assistants, form teachers, piano & flute tutors all get gift bags filled with old fashioned jars of sweeties (double yum!).



Cream & gold scraps with vintage ribbon & lace worked in.



Awful picture!! Camera problems - booooooh!



I recently discovered the concept of patchwork coasters.  These have made great gift ideas for some of my friends and family members.  They are quilted and machine washable - fab!  Here are some of the log cabin ones I've made so far, using 1.5" wide scraps - throw nothing in your bin!!!!!



The other present projects I'm working on can't be revealed yet.  They're surprises & I can't risk any nosey family members finding out what they are before the big day!  I might post pics of them in the new year.