Disappearing Quillow!

First up, I'm delighted to finally announce my Autumn programme of In Stitches classes!  It's a varied programme this term - hopefully something for everyone!

You can check out all the details here, and email me if you'd like to sign up for any of them. But be quick!  Places are limited!

One of the projects I'll be teaching is my Disappearing 9 Patch Quillow.  A quillow is a quilt with a hidden pocket in the back, which you can fold the quilt up into to make a pillow!  Clever eh?!

I've taught this sashed version before, a couple of years ago:

 Now that I'm introducing it to a new class I thought I'd offer a non-sashed version:

I love how different the design becomes when you take away the sashing and allow 4 of the D9P squares become the 'background'.

Learning how to sash a quilt is a great skill to learn, however if you feel it is a step too far, you can stick with the simpler, non-sashed version!

Quillows provide a practical and fun way to make your quilt transportable and extra snuggly! They are great for kids and big kids adults alike!

The 2 versions of this quillow will soon be available in the one pattern in my Etsy shop.

Quillow Class: (8 weeks) Monday evenings, starting 2nd September.

Jxo

Ain't nothing going on but the rent!

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

Well it's back to school time in our house this week!  Some of us are smiling more than others!

I'm aware I have been a bit more silent than usual on my blog recently.  I prefer to keep the majority of my blogs about creative things, and as I haven't made much recently, there hasn't been much to blog about!

This is the first summer I have worked right through.  The classes have been well attended and great fun, and it's been lovely getting to know some new folks too.

But now it's admin time, getting ready for the new term of classes and projects which start next week (you can get the full list of classes here).

This will mean lots of pattern writing, as well as testing new patterns and ideas for the 2013 programme (which usually comes out after Hallowe'en).

And I'm not the only one who has been industrious this summer.  Shannon, my eldest daughter has been beavering away on her fimo creations, and has some new stock in her Etsy shop, some of you quilters might want to have a peek at!

Quilting row markers!

I know what's going on my Christmas list this year!

She returns to school tomorrow, so won't be able to take custom orders during term time, but she will still be keeping the shop stocked up in fimo goodness!

Well, I will be posting about some new bee blocks for September over the next few days.  I might even get something made!

I hope my international friends are staying safe from bad boy Isaac, and that those closer to home are enjoying the last official week of summer!

Stack 'n Whack Cushion

I while ago I had bought the Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 layer cake to use for the designing of 'My First Quilt'.  When I made the quilt top, I really didn't like it - too busy and clashing without any sashing in my opinion.

Never one to waste fabric, I unpicked it all and reused most of it to make this:

This is a floor cushion, made using the Stack 'n whack patchwork method, which I'll be teaching in class this Autumn.

The black sashing really lends itself to this fabric collection and seems to calm them down somehow!

The stack 'n' whack method of piecing is great fun too, and I love the crazy patchwork effect you get from it. 

This is another great project to use with a layer cake.  Even though the blocks finish at approx. 7", they need to start off at 10" due to the number of cuts and seams allowances that go into them.

I feel much happier now that I've used Cosmo Cricket in a way that suits the fabric.

Autumn Classes Preview 1

I will be publishing my Autumn programme of classes on Friday, so I thought I'd do a few preview posts on some of the projects we'll be making in class.

First up is something you have already seen this week in my new Blog Header:

Due to popular demand, I will be running an Applique skills class, where we will be learning 4 main types of applique.

1. Satin Stitch (machine applique - as shown in the Love cushion above)
2. Free Motion Sketching (machine applique - see below)

3. Needleturn (hand applique):

Inspired by this picture.

These cushions are approx. 18" x 14", which means those super mini quilts hanging on the washing line are less than 4" finished!

4. Reverse Needleturn (hand applique)

The class will be mainly techniques based with the option of making 1 cushion. 

The cushion borders have been mitred at the corners, which is another technique I've been waiting to teach.  I used recycled denim for my borders, and I think the mitred corners help to frame the applique pictures.

Applique is a lot of fun when you find a technique and style that works for you.  The creative possibilities are endless!