Author: michamarie

Posted on by

Rope Bowls

You can watch Sally’s video HERE of how to make these handy rope bowls made using sash cord.

They are quick and easy to make as gifts and can be left plain or decorated with fabric strips that cover the entire bowl or in little snippets.

You will need to have plenty of needles as breakages can occur if you hit the polypropylene core of the sash cord. It may take a little trial and error to get the right width of stitch so that you can join the rope without hitting the core. I know I made the rookie error of making a bowl with stitches that were too wide and kept hitting that tough core! You will need at least a size 75/11 or above 80/12 or 90/14.

The thread can be anything from a 50 weight to a thicker 30 weight or even a 12 weight. Try experimenting with different weights and colours for different effects. A variegated thread can look so good.

The bowls can be plain or decorated with strips of fabric, see the video for ideas. This is a good way to use up scraps that are at least 1″ wide and could be an idea for using our scrap bags.

Posted on by

Threads of Creation by Jacqui Parkinson

We spent a long time on Thursday visiting the amazing Threads Through Creation Exhibition at Truro Cathedral. We were astonished by the huge scale, detail and intricacy of the works by Jacqui Parkinson. We know many of you are unable to visit it here or in the other venues so we are delighted to share some images here so you can also be inspired by the work.

So many techniques including painting, applique, free motion embroidery and hand stitching. Layers of work to create the 12 panels that are part of this particular exhibit. She has other exhibitions too so we do recommend seeing them if you can.

The links to where you can see them around the UK is HERE. There are four different exhibitions, Threads Through Creation, Threads Through the Cross, Threads Through Revelation and Tree of Life/Open Heaven.

 

 

Posted on by

Liberty Sculpture Revealed

This week saw the unveiling of the amazing Liberty 150 Years Sculpture. We are blown away by how beautiful all the blocks look together. There is a video of the opening ceremony on our Instagram page and we have spotted quite a few of the blocks made by our customers. Our very own friend and colleague, Maria, who is our accountant, has even got a special mention in the post about the patchwork house that is on the Liberty Website.  Click here to see the whole article but we share her block and writing below.

 

Maria Donnelly, Truro

“[Liberty is…]Trips to London, sitting in a bar opposite the London store and marvelling at the beautiful building and architecture, exploring inside and finding ditsy florals.”

Posted on by

Staying in Touch With Us

Thank you for all those who have reached out to continue being in contact. We are thrilled that you wish to know what we will be up to in the future. Below are some of our emails –

 

 

 

This week we say a sad but fond farewell to my dear friend Mary, as she steps into a richly deserved retirement. When I was still a mobile shop she kindly gave me her phone number and said if I ever needed any help, to please call. Within the week I had given her a call and before long we were working together on a regular basis, cutting fabric in my kitchen, preparing for pop up shops & shows, which carried on
when the shop opened in 2009.
So many of you know her warmth, patience, generosity & kindness, and what an exceptionally talented designer she is, creating her own patterns and workshops.  I am so very grateful for her gentle guidance & lifelong friendship, & you will still see us enjoying days out together & organising more Sewing Get Togethers in the future.

If you were unable to join our Summer Sewing Get Together, her gorgeous Busy as a Bee Needle case pattern is now for sale that Mary designed & if you haven’t done already, you can stay in contact with Mary so you don’t miss any of her future events & workshops on smvague@gmail.com.
With lots of love, tears & laughter, Sally xx

From Mary –

Working with Sally and spending my days among gorgeous fabrics and accessories has been a dream come true. Sadly it’s now time for pastures new and I will greatly miss the shop, its delights and the love, laughter and friendship of colleagues and customers both locally and online. Solving problems and creating wonderful creations has been an utter joy to me. I will miss it all. Meanwhile I hope to continue to develop new designs and ideas and maybe share them with groups or individuals.

If you would like to keep in touch with me, you can contact me on smvague@gmail.com, follow vaguemary on instagram.or pop in the shop, I will have my tissues ready!

Mary is in blue on the left & Sally is far right

From Michelle –

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me to stay in touch. It has been a crazy few months but my own emails will be flying out this week.

I am pleased to announce that I have recently graduated as a yoga teacher for Golden Glow Yoga College and I am in the midst of arranging various classes that will start in September. I am hoping to be holding some taster sessions through August and look forward to seeing any of you who would like to join me. I will be offering Beginners Classes, Chair Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Transformational Yoga.

I have several creative workshops coming up too. These are all at a venue close to Helston.

 

 

 

Friday 30th August I will be teaching an adults class to make a Felt Bowl and/or Bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to know more and to book then please email me at the address below.

I am also still planning a book of stories and I will need your help for this.

To comply with Data Protection laws please contact me at heartfeltcircle22@gmail.com.

I promise to be in touch with you all very soon.

Maria, who’s been organising our workshops, will also be continuing to put on workshops & sewing groups at venues in Cornwall (venues to be confirmed).  You’ll be able to catch up with some of the Coast & Country girls there, who are all keen to keep meeting up to see each other, as well as our lovely local sewing ladies, to sew for pleasure.  If you’d like to keep up to date with these, please email Maria at: creativecworkshops@gmail.com  

 

Fi has been hosting monthly Sit n Sew groups and is going to continue to hold a monthly two hour creative gathering; bring your own stitching, knitting, sketching, a place to share inspiration, encouragement and make new creative friends, held in a variety of beautiful local venues. There will also be pop up seasonally inspired making events. You can contact her for further dates on Sewfi.pullen@outlook.com  

Posted on by

Liberty 150 Years – Placement of Squares

EDIT  I was lucky enough to visit the Liberty store and see in person this magnificent patchwork sculpture. I share some of my photos below. It is suspended in one of the atriums of the store and is several storeys high. I tried to get snaps from all heights and angles so why not see if you can find your block! Thanks to Joan for sharing her photos too and giving permission to use them her as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have received confirmation of where each of the gorgeous Liberty squares have been placed on the 3D display. The pieces are being joined together and are forming a 3D ‘patchwork house’. Each square has been allotted a space that can be found on the placement map HERE  but I have also created a list below to make it easy for you.

If you scroll down the page in the link you will see the shape of the creation, followed by a list of names. They are arranged alphabetically using first names.  For example, I found my name, Michelle Dickson under the M’s, then beside it it says Facade A T15. If I look at the images I can see I am by a ‘window’. I have looked through the list of names and have located everyone I can remember who took part through the shop. I can see at least 38 names with some of you being placed close to each other in the display. I will share those I have located below but if I inadvertently missed you, or you need help finding yourself on the list, then let me know via email and I will do my best to help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is the information copied from The Patchwork Collective and Liberty. What a huge project it is! Over 1,500 squares were submitted. This is more than could be used in the final piece so some have been made into books that will also be on display at Liberty.

The exhibition will run from May 9th to July 24th this year. Won’t it be amazing to see it in situ? I will be visiting my daughters in London so will make sure I visit and take lots of photos. Hopefully there will be images on Liberty site too.

Thank you for taking part, it has been a joyful process.

Michelle xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM LIBERTY

“After four months, over 1,500 submissions and more stitches than we could possibly count: the next phase of The Patchwork Collective is ready to begin.

Firstly: a huge thank you to our crafting community! We were overwhelmed by the stories, talent and heartfelt commitment in each and every square; with submissions arriving in London from across the globe, from Macclesfield to Melbourne, this truly is a community like no other.

Join us from the 9th May – 24th July, as the resulting collaborative artwork arrives in store at Liberty. This supersized patchwork house comprises over 1,000 patchwork squares – a physical manifestation of the creativity, community, values and talent that make Liberty, Liberty.

With such a high volume of submissions, not every square could be incorporated into the final creation. So, to further celebrate the contributions of our crafting community, we have created three unique books, also on display at Liberty, housing an additional selection of the stories and squares.”

 

The placement list

Facade A

Amanda Florence Charles     H8,        B Tooman    K9,       Carol Murch   M17,        Dianne Ainsworth   L13,         Gill Searle    G5,        Jacqui Annis   O14,       Jane Hawkins       F3,         Joan Foxley  C1,      Julie Baxter   Q5,       Katie Salisbury   E19,        Mary Vague    L1,  Merrily Hall   N1,        Michelle Dickson   T15,         Sadie Yeomans     M22,       Siobhan Bannister  N5,        Steph Pemberton   B7

 

Facade B

Cecily Berryman      K4,        Cecily Camm      T4,        Jan Kelly      M6,        Janet Durbridge     M1,       Karen Draper     L9,                          Kate Crombie    B12,       Sarah Wrightson        O1,         Sharon Tuby       F21,       Sue Aukland     I12,       Sue Ward     Q11

 

Front

Carol Hambly       B9,        Mandy Pryor        B8,       Margaret Gash        I14,      Maria Donnelly       B12,      Sarah Smith         D5

 

Back

Bridget Law      E15,        Bronda Wren        F15,         Cheryl Bailey      E17,         Janet Hannaford       E2,        Lesley Reynolds       C19,  Sarah Hemsworth      I18,         Sonja Bright       G 18 & H18,

Posted on by

150 Years of Liberty – Our Blocks

Wow!!! We are all blown away with the skills and inspiration of the blocks created as part of the 150th Birthday Celebrations of Liberty London.

 

Some chose to depict 150 in their work, some kept to a simple block while others let their creativity run wild. There is intricate embroidery and exquisite applique. Embellishment by hand and machine. What they all have in common though is a love for Liberty and a love of sewing.

From the person new to sewing or new to Liberty, to those with a lifetime personal connection to the store and the fabrics, all have contributed to create a gallery of gorgeousness for us all the share. Here we share the blocks that were made by our customers. The main ‘quilt’ photos show all the blocks that were brought in to the shop for us to send as a collective. The others were posted direct to Liberty as they are from customers whom live further afield, including one in New Zealand!

 

Julie made her block in memory of her mother-in-law who worked in Liberty, Cheltenham many moons ago.

 

Maria was inspired to make her block after seeing a vintage magazine. We love her use of machine free-motion embroidery. Amazing detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesley has used lots of detailed embroidery and bead embellishment to create her floral block.

 

Janet made this lovely block showcasing Morris fabric, The Strawberry Thief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at the incredible stitching of the thrush in this block by Jane. She loves the Strawberry Thief design by William Morris that has been used by Liberty in their Tana Lawn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two blocks were made by one of our mother daughter couples who participated in the block making. Neither Cheryl or Stephanie had used Liberty Lawn before but they embraced the opportunity to be involved. Cheryl decided to utilise the transport theme depicted on her fabric selection and has included cars, buses and a taxi. She thinks the border fabrics look like Tube maps.

Daughter Stephanie made one of the blocks suggested by Liberty but appliqued a design to echo the fabric design.

 

 

Sonja and Margaret, our second daughter mother coupling made these two beauties. Sonja embraced the sewing theme beautifully and Margaret concentrated on the floral element with a sneaky 150 hidden amongst the blooms. A mix of applique and stitchery.

 

 

 

 

Mum Carol and daughter Michelle made these two blocks. Carol made her large flower from inherited vintage Liberty fabric, fussing cutting the centre to show off the purple flower. Michelle used small English Paper piecing to create her fussy cut applique design.

 

 

 

 

Mary made an owl the highlight of her block. It includes detailed hand stitching on it and in the block. Mary loves visiting the store and always taps the wooden owl that sits on one of the ballustrades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mandy made her block in memory of her um her loved butterflies. We love the addition of the hand embroidery and the lace trim.

Sarah has always loved the Dutch Doll or Sun Bonnet Sue so it was an ideal occasion to showcase her in Liberty fabrics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cecily is a beginner and we think she has done a great job with her log cabin design.

 

 

 

Siobhan based her design on the Liberty miniature doll and mouse that she has had since childhood. She brought a selection of her Liberty ‘toys’ for us to see on our LiberTea morning. Some still even had their labels. Such a treat to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda has used her fabrics with some reversed to give a different shade. Her lady sat drinking coffee is a nod to her love of Liberty, meeting her friend, both wearing red lipstick, and also time with her grand-daughter.

 

 

Another Cecily, this time one who has loved using colour, applique  and English paper piecing. The border fabric is called Tresco, named after the vibrant island which is part of the Isles of Scilly.

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah loves sight hounds including whippets and Italian greyhounds so wanted to incorporate them into her piece. She also used the silhouette of a Victorian lady as a nod to when the Liberty store was established. The dress has a ruffled 3D skirt like a proper bustle. Incredible detail.

 

 

Bridget did her nursing training at St Barts Hospital, not far from the Regency Street Store and spent many happy hours there.  She used the crest of the hospital as the central design for her block.

 

 

 

 

Kerry-Anne sent her block direct to Liberty as she is in New Zealand. She wanted to juxtapose the traditional vibe of Liberty with a more modern curvy block and this is what she created.

 

 

 

Honor made use of the English rose in her design as she thinks Liberty is the epitomy of English design and quality.

 

 

 

 

 

Gill let her imagination run riot and came up with this block with lots of paper pieced elements. Look at the tiny diamonds in the border.

Carol combined a simple 9 patch block with pretty embroidery designs by Gail Pan. So pretty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love this pinwheel block even though the maker wasn’t happy with the fabric selection she has created a fun piece. The pinwheel is 3D so you feel like you could make it whirl around with a quick blow.

 

A simple way to display the pretty floral fabric that has been used for this block.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katie couldn’t decide which block to send so sent both. She loves using the tiniest of scraps for crumb piecing so both block centres are made of the smallest pieces joined together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another indecisive sewer. Janet made three blocks to send. All very different and very pretty.

 

Joan made her block from 1 1/2″squares and made her own papers for them and the triangles. She used her stash of older Liberty fabrics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Di made her block using one of the designs from Liberty. It is a traditional Ohio Star and her points are perfect.

 

 

 

Michelle used the same block to make as a sample for the LiberTea morning. She decided to keep it as a reminder to be more accurate with her piecing and cutting as her points are not so perfect. It is good to see how different the same block can look made up in different fabrics and with different emphasis of the layout.

 

 

 

We can’t imagine how much fun, and hard work, it will be for all those involved in putting together all these blocks to make the supersize quilt for display in the Liberty Regents Street Store in May. We will of course keep you updated once we have more to share. Thank you to everyone who took part in this through Coast and Country, it has been a delight to see the progress of each and every piece.

 

 

Posted on by

Liberty Celebrate 150 Years

****EDITED UPDATE****

The following is an email from Liberty and The Patchwork Collective.

Dear Retailers,
We are thrilled to hear that The Patchwork Collective has been so successful amongst your customers! With our complimentary kits being in demand and available on a first come first serve basis, we are already running low on stock across all our retailers and the Liberty flagship store.
To resolve this demand, you are welcome to encourage customers to use their own pre-bought Liberty fabric to create their patchwork block. Choosing fabric from their own stash or a selection of designs from current collections, allows each square to be totally unique to each customer, so don’t be afraid to get creative! Please feel free to use any additional fabrics although we do ask for at least 60% Liberty fabrics in their creation. 
As before, the customer should register their interest and return the kit to either yourself or Liberty by Friday 21st February 2025. The participant should also include a short note with the following information to credit the creator: their name, location, a short sentence on what inspired their patchwork square, and a few words on what Liberty means to them.
With current demands, we would also like to remind customers that their patchwork piece may be incorporated into the final in-store installation during May 2025; however, space is limited so we might be unable to feature everyone’s creations.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Best wishes,
The Patchwork Collective team

 

 

For 150 years, Liberty’s story has been woven alongside the artistic movement: a voyage of creativity and discovery through past, present and future that has shaped the fabric of our DNA.

Join us to celebrate their 150th anniversary: helping to bring this history to life. Liberty invite you, to collaborate in the creation of a new piece of art: a supersized patchwork quilt, comprised of hundreds of individual pieces – each created by you.

Destined to be displayed at Liberty in a special installation in May 2025, before living on in the Liberty archive, this collective artwork will tell a new story: the next chapter of Liberty’s history. A physical manifestation of the creativity, community, values and talent that make Liberty, Liberty.

Dust off your sewing machines and help us craft our patchwork living history.

How to get involved

Register with Liberty HERE  Just enter your email address in the space provided. They will forward all the information to you & Liberty will direct you to your closest participating store to pick up your pack.  Each kit contains 5 pieces of fabric, roughly 45cm x 20cm – these are a mix of Tana Lawn™️ and Lasenby cotton – and a returns slip which will help Liberty to identify each maker. Packs are limited and are first come first served. Feel free to also use your own Liberty fabrics.

The idea is that we all create a 25cm square using a free downloaded pattern from Liberty or your own design.

We are hosting a Liber-Tea for registered participants on Wednesday 15th January to get us all inspired. Click HERE for details.

Return your square to Liberty by Friday 21st February 2025. Make sure to complete your returns note, so Liberty can identify your unique square! If you are returning to us then please get it to us by Friday 14th February to give us time to post them all together.

Share your design on social media! We’d love to see your creations and process, simply tag us @libertylondon @libertyfabrics @coast&countrycraftsandquilts #LibertyPatchworkCollecive

Visit Liberty during May 2025 to for the big reveal of The Patchwork Collective installation in-store

 

***WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW***

  • You MUST be registered with Liberty to participate
  • You will need to create a 25×25 cm patchwork square.
  • You must leave a 1.5cm seam allowance around the edge of your square.
  • Download the free patchwork patterns, or use your own design if it matches the required dimensions.
  • Please use the Tana Lawn or Lasenby Cotton fabric provided by Liberty and/or own materials. We do ask for at least 60% Liberty fabrics in your creation!
  • Get personal – unique embroidery and embellishment very much encouraged! We’d love for each square to be entirely unique, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
  • Please DO NOT back your square. This is very important for the structure of the installation, and we may not be able to use your square if you have backed it.
Posted on by

Customers Gallery

We will update this page regularly to add more photos so don’t forget to come back to check it out for inspiration. If you would like to share your creations pop in so we can photograph it or email us a clear picture and we will let the world see how fabulous you are.

 

Delia asked us to make a fabric pack in an alternative colourway for the Meags and Me Blue Goose pattern. She wanted it in Greys, creams and mustard. We think we did a good job choosing the fabrics and she has done an amazing job sewing it.

 

Carole knew she would find inspiration for her Sashiko panel and look what she created? We love the idea of using a smaller piece as a pocket on the cushion back. Genius!

We all love the soft snuggly Sheep flannel and fell in love with what Ros has done with the fabric. How cute and simple is this? Apparently her grandchildren adore it. We can see why!

 

 

Judith used flannel to make a winter quilt and then used the excess to make a cushion cover with the Kathy Schmitz Winter Sampler. Beautiful

Ros has been busy making One Little Flower by Gail Pan. She used one of the fabric packs we put together and we are so pleased that it has turned out so beautifully.

Janet sent us these photos of her beautiful use of our Lucky Dip Stitchery packs. What a gorgeous project with some added lace for a cute look.

Jeanette has thanked us for inspiration and look what she has made. A beautiful seaside bunting using our wooden buttons and Seaside Town by Lynette Anderson.

Dee made these simply amazing festive Luna Lapins. She made sure to check our bags and pockets when she left as we were very keen to keep them!

We were absolutely in awe of the stunning Tilda Quilter’s Holiday made by Julie and quilted by Sandy Chandler. Made using a kit from us following a pattern in Homespun magazine. Breathtaking work from them both.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret has made a simple but beautiful quilt top using a selection of flannels from the shop. We all wanted to take it home. For extra snuggle factor she is backing it with our polar fleece. When using a fleece backing you do not need wadding.

 

Joanna was inventive with a Heather and Sage panel and made this beautiful quilt for her grandchild.

Alicia has been super productive and has made three versions of Life’s a Journey for gifts.

Which is your favourite colour way? We think it is hard to choose as they all look beautiful.

 

Siobhan put her own twist on the lovely Garden Gathering Bag by Gail Pan. She used a variegated thread in place of redwork to create a superb result.

 

 

Trish has made this festive table runner using the Blizzard range of fabrics.

She made a pieced back too, lovely.

 

Alicia has been very busy. These two beautiful quilts brought a smile to our faces.

Heartstrings by The Birdhouse Here, There & Everywhere by Hatched and Patched made with a fabric pack from us.

 

Michelle bought the Market Garden Quilt Fabric pack from us. After making it up and gifting it to her mum she is about to buy a second pack to make one for herself. We can see why. Her quilt is stunning. A blend of mainly Hatched and Patched Market Garden fabric and Lanacot Wools.

 

 

 

Sally  plucked up the courage, after a little persuasion from us, and made the Tilda Lazy Gardener quilt using a kit from us. She is pleased with it and we think deservedly so.

 

Claire made up the Cottage Garden Kit from Beaks and Bobbins. She says she has not worked with ribbon and beads before and loved the process of learning and developing new skills while she was recovering from illnesses. We love her work and the way it is displayed.

 

Gill made her Little Dresden Quilt entirely from Lynette Anderson scrap bags. We are in awe and love it so much. No piece of fabric is too small to be utilised!

 

 

Lorraine designed this quilt herself using mainly Blume and Grow fabrics. Some of the blocks are by Thimble Blossom and Lori Holt. What a triumph this is.

 

Mel showed us her absolutely stunning landscape, titled The Meadow, using fabric and lace scraps. We love her use of all the tiny bits of fabric and lace and the mix of stitch and appliqué.

 

Look at this lovely example of the Willowbrook Market Garden Quilt. Designed by The Birdhouse and pieced by Tess using her stash.

 

We love Tilda here at Coast and Country and look at this beautiful example of the Embroidery Flower Quilt. It is a Tilda pattern and uses Tilda Solids to give the impression of an embroidery design.

We like the way the quilting has been done too.

 

Sylvia dropped by to show us her simply gorgeous Celtic Knot quilt made using Liberty fabric. Such a lot of hard work using hand applique and hand quilting. Utterly beautiful but she says it will end up in her wardrobe. This needs to be displayed for all to see, a proper heirloom.

Look at this joyous photo of little Lane sat on the Seagull Quilt made by his Great Grandma Valerie in Canada using a fabric pack from us. The Seagull Quilt pattern is in the Nautical Quilts Book by Lynette Anderson. We are in love with both Lane and the quilt.

Look at this stunning version of Hatched and Patched BOM The Santa, The Tree, The Turkey and Me. Jacqueline visited us to show us what she’d created using her stash of felt and fabric scraps from our popular scrap bags. We love the original design that uses wool applique, but we adore this version too. Look for the fussy cut images and the clever use of a variegated thread for the meandering hand quilting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kim showed us her deliciously colourful quilt made by combining Kaffe Fasset fabrics from a fat 1/4 bundle, with a bright white sashing. Stunning.


Look at Lorraine in her gorgeous patchwork jacket from the Great British Sewing Bee Book. She used a selection of our fabrics plus a quirky birdhouse end of roll bargain for the lining and a bright pop of colour for the binding. She said she went way out of her comfort zone making this but is so happy she did. We love it Lorraine.

Jill says she is a relative newcomer to quilt making but we are thoroughly impressed by her perfectly pieced Spoondrift Quilt by Janet Clare. She has used the To The Sea Fabric kit. Absolutely stunning.

 

Look at this beautiful lockdown quilt from Sarah, using her stash bought in a hurry before we closed the first time. It is a gorgeous blend of needle turn applique using William Morris fabrics and superbly quilted by Sandy Chandler.

 

 

 

Look at this labour of love from Anne.

She made this Noah’s Ark quilt for her grandson from a Jo Colwill

pattern in the Cowslip Country Quilts Book

 

 

 

 

 

We were thrilled when Brenda brought in her Bluebird Quilt by Janet Clare that she’s had as a kit & was given as a gift last year, how gorgeous!

 

The ladies at St Wenn Quilters have been busy making this delightful quilt in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We think it is stunning. Well done all involved

 

 

 

This beautiful Camden Bag was made by Rachael and she’s making many more. Using the pattern by Two Aunties, a jelly roll and the jumbo and super jumbo Dill buttons. We nearly didn’t let her have this bag back!
Look at these gorgeous cushions made by ladies on a recent workshop at a local group, taught by Sally using her Honeybun Kisses pattern

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at this beautiful Around My Garden quilt completed by Deborah using a kit from us. Just stunning

Ann has made this pretty cushion using her stash of One Stitch at a Time fabric by Lynette Anderson. She’s now busy making kits for her sewing group so they can make one too. We think it is beautiful.
Linda came back in with a new summer version of her Kimono that she has lovingly made using selection of Cranberries and Cream fabrics. It took one layer cake, two charm packs and 2 mini charms and was made using a vintage Vogue pattern.
Fiona has used the kits in the Platinum Jubilee Box to make the bunting, Union Jack cushion and the pincushion. She has added extra details with machine embroidery and we think it all looks amazing. Fiona said some of the embelishments were to hide errors but we are sure they are really purposeful design elements. How often do we do something similar and end up with a much improved individual project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at these delightful cards that Lisa made using one of our Lucky Dip Stitchery kits, aperture cards and her imagination. We love that she has been inventive with the threads, fabrics and images.

 

 

 

 

Jane has made this very beautiful quilt using mainly French General fabrics.

These two Easter Egg Hunt wall hangings were made by Deborah. We love how she has put her own twist on them both. Pattern is by Hatched & Patched

 

 

 

 

Nautical Flag quilt by Jan
Jan asked us to create a vibrant kit for this Nautical Flag quilt. This pattern is in Nautical Quilts book by Lynette Anderson.
Alison Made this seaside bunting from our button and fabric kits
Kathy appliqued a cute trio of elephants onto a quilt top made using Little Ducklings fabrics
Sue also used Little Ducklings fabrics for her quilt top. We love how the two quilts look so different but so pretty.
Look at this amazing quilted kimono worn proudly by it’s creator. It was a real labour of love and we are pleased that we helped with the creation of her vision. From sketches and an idea of colours to contrast with the William Morris print, the kimono came to life.

 

Pat has been busy making these two beauties. One using Janet Clare fabrics and the other the Habitat range. Very different looks but both lovely.

 

Cindy has been very busy with these quiilts, some inspired by photos in the Quiltmania Diary that we sell each year. What gorgeous colours.

Posted on by

Workshop Makes

We have been so excited to hold classes again. We were hoping that they would be held in the new workshop space, but it has been delayed. Not to worry, everyone had a wonderful creative time. Here are some of the makes.

Louise Nichols ran a lovely Festive Lino cut tree workshop. Despite everyone having access to the same ‘ingredients’ they have all turned out differently. It was a really relaxed day and we welcome Louise back in February. If you can’t wait then we have plenty of her kits in store.

 

 

 

Caroline Michelle ran a fun Free Motion applique wreath making workshop. Look at the stunning makes, again, all a little different. Caroline will be back in 2024 to teach more free motion applique classes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by

A Little History of Feed Sack Sewing

Since I first heard the term Feed Sack fabric, I was intrigued. As I child I helped out on a farm and feed sacks to me meant rough and ready hessian sacks that I could never imagine using to make an item of clothing or a quilt. Then I discovered the gorgeous cotton prints of 1930s American feed sacks and things fell into place.

 

 

I read up on the history and found that out of necessity every scrap of fabric that could be repurposed was used. From the 1840s grains, animal feed, sugar, flour, beans and seeds etc were all packaged in cotton bags. Once emptied the bags were washed and used to make all manner of clothes and household items like aprons and quilts. In the 1920s, the cotton bags were made from softer fabric and manufacturers started to print water soluble labels and sewing patterns on their sacks to encourage the practice and make life easier for the home sewer.

 

During the Great Depression of 1929-1939, the repurposing of feed sacks became even more prolific. Many people were living hand to mouth and the only way of clothing themselves or keeping warm was to make clothes and quilts from the free fabric that came in the shape of the bag. A 100lb feed sack could be opened to create a yard of 44″ fabric–enough for a child’s dress, and about 3 pieces made an adult size garment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 30s competition became more fierce as manufacturers vied to produce the most attractive prints to entice women to choose their product. The 40s were the heyday of feed sack sewing due to the shortages of WW2. There were competitions to encourage the use of every tiny scrap of fabric and so we see lots of scrappy quilts made at this time and the popularity of the postage stamp quilt made from inch squares of fabrics.

When we think of feed sacks we cannot imagine how colourful some of them were but looking at photos we can see that the vibrant feedsack inspired fabrics of today are true to the originals.

There is plenty of information available online on this fascinating subject, some of which can be found HERE and HERE