A Special Quilt!

One of goals this year is to only buy fabric for my classes and to make quilts from the fabric in my stash and scraps buckets.

One of my lovely friend's had a big birthday this year and I wanted to try the Marcelle Medallion quilt by Alexia Abegg's book Liberty Love. When I bought the book and then watched the QAL on Instagram I was hooked.

I decided that I wanted to make this quilt for my friend, so set about making the centre last summer. I will admit it was a frustrating process that was not fun. The Y seams and the small pieces not connecting properly left me really annoyed! Since then I have found this paper piecing tutorial for the block which would make the process much easier!

I put it aside for a few months whilst I started my City and Guilds, but dug it out 5/6 weeks ago and started working on it for the friends birthday.

Work in Progress, and Lego in as usual in the background.

Because my centre block was the wrong size I had to adapt the pattern in a few places, but overall it worked well!

Once the patchwork was finished I set to work machine quilting it, but loads of safety pins where involved first!

Lots for lovely safety pins!

I decided that I would quilt each border with a different pattern:

Lots of tiny pebbles, swirls and star bursts!

As the borders grew I increased the size of the pattern to include a tree bark pattern and the some love heart paisley in the final border, along with the family names of my friends family.

On the back I used fat quarters from my stash. The quilt patterns show up really well on the backing. It is lovely!

I found some fabulous little houses for the binding, which made me smile and fitted in perfectly with the colours in the quilt top.

The finished quilt is so totally gorgeous, and it did cross my mind to keep it for myself!

Luckily I didn't and it is now living in my friends house and very much loved!

Sewing Info:

Pieced and quilted with Aurifil 2024.

Pieced and quilted on a Janome CXL301.

Oilcloth Bag Making

I am bringing my most popular workshop to Tetbury in June - Oilcloth Bag Making!

I have taught this workshop 3 times and each time there has been a waiting list of people who want to join the course.

At the weekend I taught he workshop at Prema Arts in Uley, Gloucestershire:

This is my favourite teaching space. Just look at all that space and huge windows with lots of natural light!

I but the oilcloth needed for the course. I try to pick a variety of spots, owls and camper vans.

It was a fun day!

The workshop involves:

Learn to sew oilcloth.
Sewing a zippered internal pocket.
Learn how to box the bag corners.

At the end of the day everyone leaves with a gorgeous new bag!

It is a wonderful way to learn how to use oilcloth!

The next 2 dates for this workshop are:

Saturday 14 June 2014 in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Email me for more information.

Sunday 13 July 2014 at Prema Arts, Uley. Email Prema for more information.