Log Cabin Day

Had a really good day making Log Cabin quilts today - one of the ladies had been told Log Cabin is neither easy nor particularly quick.  We proved it is fairly quick and fairly easy!!

Ted has been finished:

and here he is sitting beside my 'Little Betty' sewing machine!

And whilst on the subject of bears........we now have Helene's 'Bear Paw' hanging in the workshop so people can see what they are signing up for!

As you can see - Helene used up lots of little scraps for this and, as usual with her work, it is really neat and precise.  If you aren't keen on wall hangings, it would make a lovely cushion.

And Sandra and I have finished the Beginner's Sampler quilt top.  I think it's really pretty and anyone making it is going to learn loads of different techniques.

Below you can see some of the details - people don't have to make the same stitchery blocks as us.  One lady who is coming is making it for her daughter who has been travelling - she will use pictures to represent this. (We love anything adaptable!!)
Well - you won't be able to see the details yet - I didn't realise what time it is and have to get going!  I'll post them tomorrow!

Log Cabin

Pitch and Stitch was very busy - with a few of us putting the finishing touches to our bears!  Mine still needs a face but I'll take a picture when he's done.

We are also finishing putting together the sampler quilt for the series of classes starting on the 21st March - Sandra's done a really good job designing it, and it covers so many different techniques including stitchery, applique and piecing.  Just got a couple more bits to do then I'll put up a picture of it.

Finished the Log Cabin quilt top we'll be making in the workshop on Wednesday 22nd February - there are still places if you want to come along.  Log Cabin is really quick and easy to do - I managed to make 4 blocks in two (very much interrupted) hours - so it should grow very quickly working undisturbed in the workshop.

I added a border to make it a bit bigger and to use up some of the left over fabric.




Pauline's quilt is now completely finished and we think it looks really lovely.  Pauline planned it and selected all the fabric and embellishments, and had started most of the blocks.  It is based on the Anni Downs' Angel quilt, but Pauline made it for her little princess of a grand-daughter, so instead of wings and haloes, all the figures have little crowns!  Five of us worked on finishing the blocks and then after we'd put it all together we had it professionally quilted at Fir Tree Quilting, and then we did the last bit of hand-quilting around the pictures.

Very pretty!

I also received a photo from Christine Brewster showing the sort of things we will be making when she comes to us on the 28th June:

Tempted?  - We have already taken quite a few bookings for this class so take care you don't miss out!



New Workshops

Well - we had the Teddy Bear workshop today and it was hilarious!  Mine isn't finished yet - he's still in pieces but Sandra assures me that once he's put together he'll stop looking like a fat mouse: when he's finished I'll put up a picture and you can be the judge!!

On a more serious note, we are really pleased to be able to add two more workshops to our Spring/Summer Schedule.

First, on Thursday 28th June we have a willow weaving workshop with Christine Brewster.  Sandra, my husband and various other Morris Dancers met her at the Newbury Coat Festival and everyone insisted we had to get her here.  Christine is a very busy lady and has her own workshop at Englefield, where she makes baskets, plant supports and sculptural weaving projects with living and dried willow.  Take a look at her website, http://www.stripeybasket.co.uk/ for more information. Happily, though, she can fit us in.  She plans to do three projects she usually covers as part of a series of 5 evening workshops - so we will be kept very busy!  We will be making  a willow trivet, a simple basket and a simple sculpture.  If the weather is fine (will it ever be fine again? - I don't think I've ever been so cold in my life as I've felt this week) we will work in the garden.

The second workshop is Mariner's Compass with Ann Jermey.  Ann has run loads of brilliant workshops and comes highly recommended, but, as with all the best teachers in my experience, was very loathe to toot her own trumpet.  I asked for some info I could quote and she sent this:  An experienced quilter who stitches by hand or machine depending on whether she is in a hurry!  She is happy with hand or machine quilting and now has a Long Arm quilting machine.  Ann has taught patchwork and quilting locally and nationally for many years and enjoys the experience of teaching.

Every year she tries to put a quilt into the three main quilt shows, consquently she has had a quilt in Quilts UK ever since it started.  

Anne actually is a very experienced teacher who has a wealth of knowledge she takes pleasure in sharing.  She had a long list of classes she gives, and we were very tempted by some of her quilting classes but decided the Mariner's Compass block would be a great challenge for all you more experienced (or brave) quilters out there.  She has sent this picture and we will have sample pieces in the workshop shortly:

If you decide to hand stitch, you will manage to get at least a quarter of the 12" block done on the day.  For those who are machine stitching, you may well get half or more done.  You will also create templates for this design.

We have already started taking bookings for these workshops - so try to book as early as possible.  And remember, for visiting teachers we can only reserve places on receipt of payment.

Workshops

Lots of news!  Sandra and I have practically completed the schedule now - with just a couple of classes to be confirmed.
So, coming up soon:

• Wednesday 8th February

Valentine Bear workshop:  Make a delightful country teddy bear as a non-fattening Valentine gift or just because!  Hand stitched, he’s about 9 inches tall and all materials will be provided.

·        Saturday 18^th February

Knitting with Amanda Bond: Still feeling chilly?  Come along and spend the day knitting a trendy collar (like a short scarf with a button fastening) with designer Amanda – and brushing up on your cable skills!  No more stiff necks from sitting in a draught.

Other classes added to the schedule are include a Beginner's knitting course starting on Tuesday 24th April.  An evening workshop, it is from 6pm to 8pm every Tuesday for six weeks, and covers everything from casting on, garter stitch, stocking stitch, ribbing - knit and purl stitches, increasing and decreasing, adding colours and casting off.

We also have a Beginner's crochet day on Saturday 5th May and a second Bag Day on Wednesday 23rd May.

I will be mailing out the schedule, but keep your eye on this blog for updates.

Finally, I received this picture of the lovely quilt Helen made on the last beginner's machine quilt workshop -

Isn't that fantastic! - and it's absolutely HUGE!!

Spring Schedule Preview!

As those who came along to Pitch and Stitch this morning are aware, Sandra and I have scheduled quite a few of the Spring/Summer Workshops, although some workshops with visiting teachers are still to be confirmed.
All workshops are £30 for the day, including morning coffee and afternoon tea and a light lunch. 
Here's what we have so far:

Wednesday 25th January       Medallion Quilt Day with Lynne Johnson

Come the last Wednesday of every month to work on a fabulous Lynne Johnson Medallion Quilt! This is an on-going course which you can join at any time.   After competing the central motif (and Lynne has plenty of designs for you to choose from), you add a border at each subsequent workshop.  You can skip months if you need more time, and stop when you feel your quilt is big enough for you.  This quilt was made  over 12 months.
Wednesday 1st February       Hatched and Patched and Art to Heart Day

                                             Choose a project from these two series of books, it can be anything from a a needlecase, to a hanging....... to a quilt!

Wednesday 8th February       Valentine Teddy Bear

Make a cute teddy bear for your Valentine 

Wednesday 22nd February    Log Cabin Quilt

Every home should have one!  This traditional, versatile block is deceptively easy to make and a few blocks  soon become a quilt.

Wednesday 29th Februay       Medallion Quilt Day
Wednesday 7th March           Hatched and Patched and Art to Heart Day
Wednesday 14th March         Celebration Bunting

Bunting to customise for any occasion - from birthdays and homecomings to Diamond Jubilees!



Wednesday 21st March          Beginner's Sampler Quilt

A five session course - so by July you will have made a unique quilt top - which involves hand and machine sewing.  The first day you will make a start on all the stitchery blocks.  (If you don't want to make a whole quilt - but would like a go at stitcheries, you can just come along for the one session)

Saturday 24th March              Bag Day for Beginners - WORKSHOP FULL - SEE 23rd MAY

Your chance to make two make two bags - the first a lined handbag:

- this you'll do in the morning, and then a handy shopper in the afternoon.



Wednesday 28th March          Medallion Quilt Day
Saturday 31st March               Easter Pitch and Stitch

Choose an Easter project from our wide selection of Springtime patterns - including fabric eggs, little bunnies, fun egg cosies and seasonal hangings.

Wednesday 4th April               Hatched and Patched and Art to Heart Day
Wednesday 11th April             Beginner's Sampler Quilt

The second session covers pieced blocks - again, come to just the one session if you want some tips on rotary cutting and piecing - hand or machine sewing.

Wednesday 18th April             Trip Around the World

Using a quick and easy machine method, make a traditional quilt of squares:

Learn all the tricks on how to make your squares match perfectly - including rotary cutting and machine peicing.

Saturday 21st April                  Bear's Paw Quilt with Helene Burgess

Make this child's quilt in a day; small and easily finished, a very traditional quilt block inspired by the children whose parents were the pioneers in the mid west.

Wednesday 25th April             Medallion Quilt Day
Saturday 28th April                  Celebration Bunting
Wednesday 2nd May               Hatched and Patched and Art to Heart Day

Wednesday 9th May                Beginner's Sampler Quilt

 This third session covers the appliqued blocks - learn how to machine or hand stitch applique, bond-a-web or needleturn.  Again, the session can stand alone.

Saturday 19th May                   Mini Sampler Quilt with Helene Burgess

9 tiny blocks joined as mini quilt or cushion cover.

Use up your scraps to make this foundation pieced unique minature quilt .

Wednesday 23rd May               Bag Day for Beginners

                   Your chance to make two make two bags - the first a lined handbag  which you'll do in the morning, and then a handy shopper in the afternoon.

Wednesday 30th May               Medallion Quilt Day
Wednesday 6th June                 Hatched and Patched and Art to Heart Day
Wednesday 13th June               Japanese Folded Patches

A fantastic quilt-as-you-go method that you can do anytime, anywhere.

Wednesday 20th June               Beginner's Sampler Quilt

Putting the blocks together and in-filling.  You will be taught rotary cutting and chain piecing with your sewing machine to complete your quilt top.

Wednesday  27th June              Medallion Quilt Day
Wednesday 4th July                  Hatched and Patched and Art to Heart Day
Wednesday 11th July                Beginner's Sampler Quilt

By now your quilt top will be complete, so you will be layering your quilt and starting on the quilting!

Wednesday 25th July                Medallion Quilt Day

Hope there's something here that catches your eye - please contact us for any more information on the workshops, and keep your eye out for the workshops we have yet to confirm.               

By the way...

Here are a bunch of Angels we made at the 'retro Angel' workshop.  Everyone brought in lovely old christening gowns and pieces of silk to make these beautiful dolls - except for one person, who meant well by using the lovely red fabric Jackie had brought her back from Keepsake Quilting in America, but the angel ended up looking like the country cousin visiting her sophisticated friends.  It got worse when later on I decided to give her an apron (well - of course it was me) - how could I have so completely ignored the remit?
Here's Linda with a couple of ladies from her wreath-making class -

Beautiful wreaths and mine still looks as good as new on the front door!

Finally, and most importantly,

Tuesday Morning Pitch and Stitch 

will start again on 

Tuesday 10th January

10.00am to 1.00pm

£4 for refreshments

and

Sandra and I will be drawing up the Spring Workshop Schedule over the next couple of weeks - if you know of something you'd really like to do, let us know and we'll try and put it in. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all you crafty people out there! - Hope you have enjoyed the holiday you hoped for!  I am feeling a bit weary of all the festivities - so much food!! - but it has been a lot of fun.
I have been doing quite a bit of sewing in the quieter moments - but no photos to show.  Lindsay finished the lovely wreath she started at Pitch and Stitch:

 and when I get a few minutes I'll post pictures from some of our Christmas workshops.

Our main Christmas present was the lovely window Mark Brock made for us which is now in our porch - so much work, he completely dismantled the old window from Jonathan's Grandfather Pratt's Butchers shop in Hungerford that had sat in the barn for more than 20 years, and re-made it.  The top and bottom 'filler' sections (quilters know all about fillers) he made from the red glass that made up the original border, and the green and purple glass he chose to represent the Garston Gallopers - so the old has been united with the new!

we are so pleased with it.  If you want to see more about what he did to make it, take a look at his website - http://www.brocksdown.co.uk/ and if you have leaded windows in need of repair - you know where to go!