Nearly there......

Well here we are, in two weeks time we'll all be on our way to the glorious Eaton Manor Country Estate ready to enjoy the first Sewing Shindig.

Two weeks...…

Fourteen days....

And in the words of Chris Tarrant as he used to say in the lead up to THAT time of year 'You're not ready, are you?'

So here's some info that you might find useful while getting everything prepped.

Class Specs – Quilt As You Go Cushion


QAYG basics – completing cushion front


Cushion finishing – how to make portholes, add details with perle cotton hand stitching, cushion back (envelope or hidden zip)


Completed Cushion – 18” square

Supplies –

-          Plentiful bag of scraps of makers choice – coordinating colours, or lots of fussy cuts, or a rainbow of different scraps, selveges, whatever appeals

-          Wadding scrap at least 22” square

-          Backing for cushion front – fabric scrap at least 20“ square

-          Sashing (if that is the chosen finish) – 1 FQ per sashing (more than one sashing may be used)

-          If doing a porthole finish instead then a piece of fabric at least 20” square (plus a piece of muslin at least 20” square) (if the maker wishes to make more than one porthole then double the fabric requirements)

-          Cushion backing – 1/2 yard of fabric

-          20” (or longer) plastic zip if wishing to do a hidden zip

-          Neutral coloured thread for the quilting; makers choice of thread to match the fabrics used to finish their cushion

-          Perle cotton or 12 weight thread if the maker wishes to do some hand stitching to finish the cushion

-          A finger pressing tool can be handy but not necessary

-          Pencil

-          Sewing machine – 1/4” foot, zipper foot if a hidden zip is being used, regular or walking foot that allows for a zigzag or overlock stitch

The aim of the class is to complete a cushion cover over the weekend but if the project is not finished then the participant should leave with the knowledge and ability to do a scrappy QAYG cushion front and finish it with some or all of the following skills – a porthole (reverse applique) to set the QAYG panel in, how to make either a envelope or hidden zip cushion back, how to add hand stitching to their project to enhance the finish. 

Quilting Design class

This is a hands on free motion quilting class,  looking at the different options for quilting a block/quilt design.  Well look at the different options, explore how they might look, and how we could enhance a basic design. 

Some preparation is required before the class if you wish to quilt out your design during the retreat weekend, (or at least make a start on it).

We can discuss the basics of free motion quilting if you need a quick refresher or some encouragement, and we will do lots of playing with designs on paper before finally hitting the fabric up.

Class requirements:

Sewing machine (complete with power lead, presser foot and manual)

Free motion quilting foot for your specific machine

prepared quilt sample

Wadding and backing for sample

and/or Fat quarters/wadding for playing/practicing on

Threads appropriate to your fabric choices.

Basic sewing kit

Fabric marking tool of choice (no Frixion pens)

Pencils/rulers for designing on paper

Basting pins

Quilting Design Class Sample Piece - you will have received class specifications with instructions of how to construct this - you will need to do this before the retreat.

Aneela's class specs: 

The project is a great way to learn and practise stitches, explore ideas and inspire your projects.  It is also a helpful exercise in finding and developing your own personal embroidery style.  Once completed - anytime you need a dose of inspiration, flip through the pages and revisit your ideas to kick-start your creativity.  
This is a great beginner to intermediate level class.  Please see the materials list for items to bring (page 2) and ensure you have everything you need on hand.  It is very important that you arrive with your fabric pieces cut as there will be plenty to cover during the class. 
We will be looking at embroidery basics including tools, stitches, application of patterns and more.  We will learn how to use basic stitches to explore techniques and create fun new textures and patterns.
During the class we will be stitching the embroidered pages for your sampler notebook.  You will be able to continue your stitching and complete the notebook at home.  

 Materials list
For the class, you will need fabric for the 'Pages' part of the project only.
Please cut your fabric pieces at home and bring them with you on the day. 
To cut your Pages, you will need 5/8 yard of any of the following fabrics (see note below) -
- Unbleached cotton calico (this is what I used for my project in the book).  This can be found in the haberdashery department of John Lewis.
- Cotton - white, cream or very pale colours.
Note - When selecting your fabric please ensure that you will be able to see through it to trace the designs during the class.  You can check this at home by placing your fabric over any of the patterns in the book to see.  If you wish to use a fabric that you can't see through enough to trace the patterns you will need to print a few of the designs onto some sheets of Stitch Stabilizer such as C&T WashAway Stitch Stabilizer.  To do this, please see Printing on Stabilizer on page 15 of the book.

Please bring the following materials with you -
Copy of Stitch And Sew by Aneela Hoey published by Stash Books(C&T Publishing)
Fabric (see note above) - Cut into 6 rectangles 11" x 9"
Embroidery floss such as Aurifloss, Cosmo, Anchor, DMC or similar - at least 6 different colours
Optional - Aurifil 12wt Wool Thread (in addition to floss)
Embroidery needles - can be found online, John Lewis etc.
Size 24 Tapestry needle
5" embroidery hoop
Small pair of sharp scissors
Embroidery marking pen such as Prym aqua trickmarker or Clover water soluble marker
Thimble
Pincushion
Long ruler marked with inches

Additional items
If using fabric that is difficult to trace through -  a few sheets of Wash Away Stitch Stabilizer printed with designs (see note above)
If using dark fabric  - you will need a chalk marker for marking page edges
 

More information will follow this weekend about all the fabulous sponsors who have generously donated goodies for you all! Now, I bet you're all ready for THAT!

Learn to embroider with Aneela Hoey

At the Fat Quarterly Retreat in June, I was lucky enough to get a place on Aneela Hoey's embroidery class, and a great time was had by all there!  So, after much deliberation,  Aneela has decided to run another class, scheduled for 15th September.

The details are up on her blog, along with the opportunity to book one of the 10 spaces on a first come first served basis.

The class fee includes a signed copy of her fab new book (I've had a sneaky peak, and trust me, it is FANTASTIC) along with a proper lovely catered lunch and the best chocolate brownies in the universe.

Of course, the best bit is probably the 5 hours or so of one-to-one attention and guidance from an embroidery whizz, and the chance to learn new skills and stitches.

So, please hurry on over to Aneela's blog now and book your place.

Look forward to seeing you there......

Getting ready to convalesce in a treasure trove...

I'm a terrible patient!  From mid-August I will need to be off work for a whole month, and when combining my huge levels of impatience with my control freakery tendencies, it's going to take something pretty amazing to keep me out of the office. (Granted the inability to drive will help - I will be quite easily left stranded!)


Anyway, I am making a list of projects to work on to try and keep me busy.

Firstly, towards the end of this month, beginning of August I should be able to get my sticky mitts on the much coveted Ruby Star Vinyl and I have a couple of things in mind for that. Thinking about that made me remember I needed to go and check if The Village Haberdashery's pre-sale offer is still on....


while I was thinking about that I got an email from Annie about Cherry Christmas, another covet, and if there was anything I specifically wanted.... 'where should I start?' I thought. So off I went to check the website and see what there was to choose from...

While I was there, I started exploring - what else could I find that would be useful... I started thinking about my two on-going projects, one a Christmas present for someone, and the other my colourful, migraine-inducing raw circles quilt!  They both need wadding purchased for them so I can hopefully have them in a suitable state that i can do some hand quilting on them during that month.  Lucky for me Annie has that in stock too, and just the right size, much more reasonably priced than I've bought it in the past, too!

Then I spotted the embroidery and needlepoint section.  I was thinking about taking some embroidery into hospital with me to while away the 3 days.  I've got a Sew Stitchy plan for my niece's quilt which would include some embroidery of Aneela's designs, but I don't think that fabric will be here in time.  I wondered what kits Annie had, and was besides myself with excitement to spot these Emily Peacock 'Kiss' and 'Hug' kits - I've been coveting these since I saw them on the Kirsty Allsopp TV program, but I thought I'd missed out on them.  Not sure I can afford the two of them, but might stretch to one to keep me occupied!


What can I say?  It has become clear this afternoon that whatever you need for all kinds of projects, Annie is your woman!  Her customer service levels are second to none, and your stuff is sent out super-quick in fantastically cheerful dotty bags that you just can't help but smile at.  So if you're a fan of internet shopping or have never tried it before for your fabric and quilting supplies, do go on over and give The Village Haberdashery a try.  


I, meanwhile, have to go off and negotiate a small mortgage so I can place my order for all the things I just won't be able to get through August without.....