'Quilting with a Difference' workshop with Sue Woodward

On February 16th we had a workshop on using various embroidery stitches for quilting. Sue brought along many examples of her work, using this technique, for us to examine. She began teaching this workshop after attending a class with Nikki Tinkler, who has written an informative book on the subject bearing the same title.

Sue and some of her examples

  We then went on to start a sampler of the various stitches, using different threads.

Samplers and threads

This gave each of us an idea about the stitches we would choose to use and, more usefully, those we would not! As to be expected, everyone had their own view on what they did and did not like stitching. Making the sampler was a very useful process even though you might be itching to get started on your project. Sue also showed us how to stitch on Shisha mirrors and everyone was keen to have a go.

Hard at work

After lunch we selected a stencil design from Sue's collection and transferred the design to our chosen fabric and got started. There were also some lovely variegated silk threads from Steff Francis to purchase, should you decide your own threads needed something a bit more exotic.

Transferring the design 

By the end of the day, which seemed to fly by, we were well under way with our stitching, with some very interesting interpretations.

WIP

We all had an excellent day of stitching, sustained with tea and cake, and went home satisfied with the progress we had made. Our thanks to Sue for her instruction and encouragement throughout the day.

Fabric Bowl workshop - May 2018

On Saturday 19th May 2018 we held a workshop to make fabric bowls. We had 9 participants and worked for 4 hours. In this time every one completed a bowl, some participants decided they had a more suitable thread at home to use on the bowl edge. Flowers and foliage were a popular theme for the fabrics, with some striking colour combinations as not everyone chose traditional colours for flowers.

We recommended the use of Fast2Fuse for the bowls, but had some trouble bonding the fabric to it. We came to the conclusion that the irons were perhaps not powerful enough. The use of steam seemed to help. The instructions have been amended to reflect this. There were two styles of bowl to try, one a hexagon using cut darts and the other a round bowl using overlapping darts. They both involved a lot of satin stitching, it can be difficult to achieve a neat finish, unless you alter the top tension. Participants were encouraged to test out the satin stitch on their machines, using the 'fabric sandwich' scraps left over after cutting the bowl shape. If you use a dark fabric the white stiffener can show through even after 3 passes with satin stitch around the edge. It may be of benefit to colour the white edge with permanent marker of a suitable colour before you do the satin stitch on the top edge. 

This workshop was a great success, as everyone had a complete bowl at the end of the 4 hour workshop. Our most annoying problem was with the bonding of fabric to the interfacing, it took longer than anticipated and required reinforcing at intervals with a bit more steam.

The instructions can be found below and on the patterns page of the website. You will have to make your own patterns, instructions for making a hexagon are included. 

Hexagon bowl and template

Round bowl

Folded Square Wreath or Candle Mat Workshop - February 2018

February 17th saw the first of our scheduled in-house workshops. This technique seemed very popular on the internet coming up to Christmas. It is based on a 30 degree wedge, so not difficult to work out a template. Although there appear to be some free printable one's available, I wanted participants to be able to adjust the size, so I worked out a template for use with different sized squares. I kept the design simple, as there are plenty of pictures, instructions and commercial patterns for more complicated designs on the internet. I included links to some of these in the instructions, should anyone want to try something more adventurous.

 These were the examples for the workshop, click link for instructions.

Blue sample using 3 inch sqaures, Christmas sample using 4 inch squares

The fabrics chosen were as varied as the participants. Several people completed their wreath taking them home to add embellishments. Others were well under way with the project and may well have them finished for the next QoS meeting.

CH chose pretty Japanese style pale blue flowers with navy backing and silver beads using 3 inch squares

Two lovely flower prints with coordinating backing from MT and SH, both using 3 inch squares

LE chose a sophisticated grey colour scheme, again using 3 inch squares

 JA chose some Halloween prints for her 3 inch squares

Another sophisticated colour palette with gold accents from HC, again using 3 inch squares. it will be embellished with gold beads.

GP chose a lovely warm gold and brown scheme using 6 inch squares.

 This project should take 6 to 8 hours to complete if you are a competent stitcher.

December 2017 - Annual challenge

This month we had the post card challenge on display. We gave members the opportunity to vote with coins, for their favourite(s). There was a variety of themes, the most popular being holidays and Christmas. We had two winners with 10 votes each.

Joint winner

Joint winner

Several members were working on finishing Christmas decorations, with lots of finished ones too. The stars proved particularly popular, with those of us making them doing more than one!

Folded circle decoration

Embroidered Advent calendar

Stuffed star, pyramid and padded tree decorations

This circle of card and strands of yarn will make a ski hat decoration.

The very popular stars

Finished padded tree and embellishment, this one is double sided for hanging at the window. 
Pattern from Christmas Crafts by Myra Davidson

Still on a seasonal theme this panel is a kit from Village Fabrics, using a printed/dyed background and bonded applique shapes.

Meeting in the Woods wall-hanging

Hexagons are a recurring theme amongst our members, due to their portability perhaps.

Edging hexagons for the group quilt

Flower basket hexagons

We also had the results of our recent workshop. The technique was a variation on the pineapple block as used by Karin Hellaby. Depending on the size of your first patch and the number of rows you use, it can be adapted to various sizes and used in many different projects. Christmas table runners were a popular choice. Click here for instructions.

We had some Christmas nibbles and a quiz to test our knowledge of TV comedy shows. We were sadly lacking in this area, perhaps we have better things to do?