I think it’s ‘sew’ important to have your your own project/projects to work on no matter what other commitments you have. Even more so when your hobby and work cross over. I’m currently taking part in a QAL (quilt-a-long). QALs vary greatly from time frames, instructions, tutors, requirements and final outlay. The one I’ve joined is the #cutandalterchristmas18qal which is being featured on the UKQU website. Our lovely tutor is Abigail Sheridan de Graff who is also a Handi Quilter owner and has recently become a HQ (Handi Quilter) Ambassador. The QAL is for 16 weeks (we started on the 5th Septe ..read more

The quilt sizes in the USA vary quite considerably to those in the UK as their bed sizes are generally bigger. For years I carried around a little chart with the sizes on so I knew how to calculate how much fabric to buy for a specific project. I always seemed to over buy (ok, so this is a quilters habit!!) but unnecessarily, until I realised the sizes where American ones. As we know quilts come in all sorts of sizes and most are not specifically made to a standard size. It’s made for practicality, warmth and snugglability (oh, I’m sure this is a word somewhere!) right? Well, depending on your ..read more

My eldest daughter chose the fabrics for my ‘Lone Star’ quilt many years ago. Having completed my Beginners Patchwork and Quilting Course, I thought I was well positioned to make this ‘Lone Star’ quilt. Boy was I wrong! This is definitely an advanced project for a quilter. As much as I’d planned it all out well, made my preliminary drawings, measured and cut my diamond templates, cut my fabric etc, it didn’t want to fit together nicely. Now this was pre-Youtube days too and I really struggled. No one else I knew had attempted one so I was rather stuck and it therefore became one of my old ..read more

Lately I feel like all I’m doing is catching up with myself. We’ve been so busy lately I haven’t managed to action or complete various tasks, including my quilting and floral entries for the local Village Show. Which I had to miss this year but will endeavor to be far more organised next year! This past summer has been exceptionally busy for me, on a business and personal front. I’ve really enjoyed all the quilts I’ve done for customers and even managed to do a little quilting for myself on a quilt top that was started way back in 2008! I’ll tell you more about that in my next Blog. Fairbourn ..read more

Dan Morris is one of our favourite fabric designers at the moment. He has a variety of collections and we really do love them all. Hence stocking quite a few ourselves. Labrador fabric quilting Panel Quilting Treasures Labradorable range Dan is a designer based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. He has been an artist for more than 20 years and is very inspired by nature. He is a keen photographer and travels frequently to gain inspiration from different locations. On his travels he works from his RV, so he’s always creating. His wife, Barb, prepares all his work for marketing. Owl fabr ..read more

And new fabrics keep coming! Just like many commercial businesses who order in seasonal things, we have to make our choices very early on in the year, sometimes even longer than that. We recently took delivery of quite a few new fabrics and it’s always very exciting. When you’ve made your choices almost 12 months before you receive the fabrics, it can become a slight guessing game as to what you did order. I love unwrapping them all and conjuring up quilt patterns and FQ Bundles (Fat Quarter Bundles) ready to sell. As you know my OH (Other Half) is my official photographer and this is a much a ..read more

So what is the difference between Contemporary and Modern Quilting? If, in fact there is a difference. So, it’s that time of year again when you have to decide whether or not you’re entering any quilts into the Festival of Quilts (FoQ) at the NEC, Birmingam, UK in August. The entry forms are available and the breakdown of categories are listed, but two categories that I’m never too sure of are the Contemporary Quilting Category and the Modern Quilting Category. For years, I thought these were one and the same. Having met a variety of quilters over the years, I have now learned that they are qu ..read more

There really isn’t anything more satisfying than using a brand new rotary cutting blade. But be warned, it really is the ‘Sharp End’. I’m obsessed with Rotary Cutting safety, after all it is a lethal weapon. The blades are so sharp that you don’t actually feel the initial injury, but believe me, the scene can be ugly. And who wants to bleed all over their gorgeous fabrics? All my students have ‘blade away’ etched into their brains by the time they leave my classes. Although most rotary cutters have safety features, not all of them retract automatically so it is always advisable to check and pu ..read more

I only recently found out that unfinished quilt tops can easily be, and at a bargain, bought on certain online sale sites. At first I was saddened to think that people no longer wanted their quilt tops. Oh, believe me I have plenty of UFOs (Un Finished Objects) but not sure I’m ready to part with them yet. But then I was enlightened by fellow quilters that these made excellent, relatively inexpensive quilting practice pieces. And then I got to thinking. We all obviously have our own styles and likes, so by getting something that can push you outside your own box, is a great idea. It would help ..read more

I discovered that I had forgotten to share the Card Trick Patchwork Block with you from last years Beginners Patchwork Course. I do love a patchwork block that boggles the mind and this one certainly does. This block can be done in a variety of colourways, so long as the ‘card’ parts are contrasting. Once assembled they create an interesting geometric shapes. My students were not convinced that this block was easier than it looked. Once they recognised the elements of each patch, and were reminded that they had in fact already made all the elements in previous lessons, they were set to create ..read more