Quilty Quarters

I've been sewing. That's why my blog has been neglected. I find there's more sewing time if I don't turn the computer on. It is fun looking at stuff but it doesn't half use up a lot of time. That, plus it annoys me when it pleases it's very own self what it's doing... It's an alien!

Anyhow. This is finished! A big square quilt made to use up left over fabric samples that a rep left for me a looooong time ago. I think they are a collection designed by Alison Glass. I quilted with straight lines and walking foot. Well, when I say walking foot, I mean the little arm thing that is pulled down on the Juki UX8. A bit of luxury.

This is the back, you can just make out the quilting following the front patchwork design. It's made up of two different Moda, digitally printed, ranges. A fabric rep. had given me two sample sets, ages ago. I took out all the staples, chopped off all the cardboard toppers and sticky bits of information then joined them together. I have to say, I am very happy with the outcome. It's finished and I think it is fabulous so, toot toot toot to me, ha!

This is a huge quilt measuring about 84 x 84 or so. I'm doing quite easy and random quilting. I'm chanelling the Wild and Free, ha ha!! A great stash busting quilt, not that you can tell anything left my mountain! It's Wild Flowers, Grow Free by Rachaeldaisydesigns There are loads of lovely quilt patterns on the site. I have a few more of her patterns in my 'one day' pile.

As promised, I did find time to make sandwiches.

 This is a Colourful Black one. It will be quilted next, just with straight-ish lines. I'm thinking it really doesn't need anything fancy, the patchwork is so perfect!!

It's actually quite bright in real life, can you believe it?

And sandwich number two. I am taking quite a risk with the backing as it is only just the same size as the top. No room for how it sometimes gets smaller with the quilting. I'll not risk Free Motion then. I made the top to use up a pile if tiny but beautiful batik scraps. This is also a colourful black quilt. My kiddos like black.

I think you'll have noticed that I have been away again. Just a few days by the sea with chums to sew, and chatter, nothing new there, it was just wonderful.

I made another 480 Half Square Triangles. 

All perfect because I made them a tad bigger and trimmed every one.

Don't ask me why I love doing it, but I do. These are all preparation for making more of this block

I think I need 20 of them. 

It's a good job I have another retreat to go on, in just over 3 weeks!!!

Stitching News

Raise your trumpets folks, it's tooting time!

This lovely quilt's been made using a Jelly Roll and a Jelly Roll book, I can't recall which one though. Clare has a friend who does the quilting, on her long arm machine, so that helped with timing, which is brilliant when there's need for haste! The quilt has now been gifted, toot toot toot It's a fabulous and finished triumph Clare!

Princess Jackie is next up for tooting. Isn't this a fabulous quilt for a cat lover. The design is called Cat Scratch. It's quirky and fun too. Jackie has really enjoyed making it, she's quilted more scratches in the background, she says it was easy doing little straight lines. This is the pattern info 

An amazing backing too, Jackie never avoids the extra work needed to make a great backing. A richly coloured, double sided, totally toot toot toot-able quilt, fabulous and finished, bang on time for gifting.

Our Pam has excelled her very own self. This might be her speediest finish to date. It was a special request from a very special lad to gift to a baby who will be here quite soon. Pam sprang into action and completed it Lick-etty-split. Obviously it's needing binding in my photo, so you will just have to take my word for it, it did get finished! Applause for Pam xx

Christabelle found a pile of 60 degree triangles, all made from a Jelly Roll. I think the collection was called Trade Winds, by Moda so we know it was started a while ago. She brought them in to my shop and I instantly remembered why she'd made them. We did design mathemisms by drawing on the table. It's easier to draw actual sizes and the pencil marks clean off with a bit of Jif and elbow grease.

This is Chris's project too. It's going to be a gifting cushion,. The piecing is a little tricky and with Free Motion Quilting it will be fabulous. I think the design is from a Tilda book.

This is Christabelle's finished quilt top. Adorable. Most of the fabrics are from Tilda, one of the Fat Quarter bundles I think. It's all measured up ready for a perfect backing fabric hunt on Sunday when we're off to the Festival Of Quilts for our annual pilgrimage.

There are still seats available on our coach. All the details have been highlighted in an earlier post. I do have a couple of spare tickets now, due to cancellations. You can contact me for further information.

Stitching News, Beginners

I've had plenty of folk making the beginner cushion during regular classes but this was a workshop. It just means that no-one else was in class making other projects, which can be the most wonderful distraction! Both of these ladies had a great day and went home with excellent basic skills to continue making other projects. They had finished cushions, with my very easy and quite impressive, covered zips on the back, having learned lots of top tips along the way. 

This is Karen's

Beautiful, bright fabrics

This is Karen's

Very pretty fabrics

You're probably thinking I have lost the plot, but it's true, they were a pair of Karens! The ladies had a lovely day. They've booked to come again soon, hungry to learn everything, I did explain about the slippery slope to our wonderful dark side!

Stitching News

Quite a lot of photos to follow. I hope this is a good catch up for you. 

Jean Bean has continued making her Stack-n-Whack Kaleidoscope blocks. Aren't they looking fabulous? The tiny pink highlight strip is perfectly 'popping' all of the other colours, and there are lots of lovely colours! 

Gail was very lucky to find just the right amount of just the right fabric to make the binding for this lovely quilt. There's a longer story involved but I'll be writing a separate blog post about that with more lovely pictures, it will be very soon, when the tooting moment arrives.

It seems quite a few folk are determined to finish some of their shelved projects. Rose had kept this quilt for working on during retreats, a few years of retreats actually, but now, with the top complete it will be finished.

Joanne wanted to 'have a go' at Half Square Triangles. I don't know why people are hesitant with triangles but, it's a fact, they do cause stress, ha! By the end of class Jo could see the stress was all for nothing, they really are very easy to make, accurately.

Sarah has been waiting for weeks to find time to make her latest sandwich. Work really does get in the way of quilt making. Doesn't matter now, she is over that hurdle so the quilting stitchery can begin. Sarah noticed that each of her quilts seem to be getting larger, it is a thing!

Clare had decided on the layout of her Moda Jelly Roll blocks at home, where she laid them out to check, and label them carefully to be stitched together in class. The direction for pressing the seams was quite important. A white-on-white border was added after this photo. A successful days work.

Farmer Lynda is making two projects at the same time. One is a sweet Sampler quilt following the instructions from her new book and this lovely Hexagon pattern, by Jen Kingwell, is the other. All Lynda's blocks are made for the Hexie one and she's sewing them all together, it will be quite large, but done't tell her, I don't think she's noticed yet!

Joanne came to make her lovely pastel sandwich. This is her first large quilt. Jo's going to stitch both on her new Juki and Big Stitch Hand quilting. Pleasing herself and doing just what she wants to, always encouraged in my classroom.

It's tooting time for Rose next. This adorable play quilt has been made for gifting. Rose has used a few elements from her applique pattern collection with the addition of a little free thinking, more PMS!! Toot toot toot Rose, another Fabulous and Finished, original baby gifting quilt.

I had to show you the back too.

My wonderful shop just happened to have the perfect Elephant fabric!

Bev added another lot of 'sticky stuff' applique shapes to the next border. It's all ready for blanket stitching. That's a job she's saving for our next retreat. Not long away now, so it's time to get our plans together. This wall hanging will need pride of place when it's finished.

Oooooooh and Cheryl managed to sew all of the segments together for this Boho Heart quilt top. Isn't is wonderful. See how Cheryl chose all those lovely pastels for the strippy bits, just lovely! She's going to consider whether or not to add a border or not. Tricky!

This quilt belongs to a shop customer who purchased most of the fabrics a few weeks ago. What a fabulous design, I love all the circles making the sheep (!) body bits. I think the idea is something to do with football, don't all shout at me, ha!T oot toot toot for the fabulous finish

And in my very own Quilty Quarters?

 This top is now complete and backing is being decided. 

The fabric I wanted to use is not large enough.

 Mathemisms and clever thinking are required.

I'm just about finished quilting and adding the binding to this project.

More about Quilty Quarters soon.

June's Sunday Sewday was a success. It was good to catch up with everyone with the last sewday being in February.

Our next 2 Sunday Sew dates, taking us to the end of 2025 are:-

28th September

26th October 

Festival Of Quilts 2025

Festival Of Quilts 2025

Coach + Show Entrance ticket 

£36.00

The last day to book your place to include your entrance ticket

 is 

Wednesday 9th July

To book coach only it's £21.00 

 I can take bookings until the coach is full up.

Our Coach will be leaving:-

Leek, from Robing Hood Coaches @ 8:15am

Cheadle Main Car Park @ 8:45am

Picking up in Tean High Street & Checkley Village Hall. 

Last pick up in Uttoxeter Bus Station @ approx. 9:10am

Payment by either cash or Bank Transfer please.

Any other info you need?

angiequilts@gmail.com

WhatsApp or call 07807530441

Stitching News

The blooming computer (and blooming mobile phone) did more amazing (?) updates. I wish they would stop. I only just get used to a new thing and it changes. OK, I am lying, I can't keep up with the changes, so I don't turn my computer on much, ha!
There are some amazing projects being made by my customers. I am very lucky to be able to help with all sorts of decisions. Easier piecing methods, fabric colour choices, fabric design, border treatments etc. I even help out with cutting at times. I do an awful lot of 'Mathemisms' too. I do my best to give great customer service. It's lovely when people show their appreciation, (insert big smiley face) and they pop in to show me how pleased they are with their projects or they post pictures on their 'Socials',

"Look what I made!" Makes me proud. I even get an occasional mention sometimes. Whooop Whooop So Far, no-one's been in to say "Angie, what were you thinking, I hate this colour!!!" hahahahaha 

Here goes on the photos I found in my newly updated phone.

Gail is making a Reading Pillow for a Dinosaur loving little-un. She had been watching Rose's dinosaur quilt making recently and had the urge to to make a Stegosaurus, as you do. That happens a lot, everyone's work inspires someone else. Gail is very pleased with him, I'm guessing its a him? He's an Elizabeth Hartman Dinosaur.

 

Pam finished this kiddo quilt top in record time. She really enjoyed making it. The pattern is in an Annie's Quilting book, excellent value books  Fast & Fun Quilts for Kids available in my very own shop, of course!  

Christabelle is so very, very happy with this gifting quilt. It's for a special little lady named Robin, I hope you can spot the Robin blocks. Each block has been made especially with Robin's home life in mind. She loves Ice-Cream (who doesn't!) she lives by a lake with her family and loves to 'boat'... that kind of thing. What a lovely gift. Huge toot toot tooting for this one Christabells, so much thought has gone into making it. Fabulous and proudly finished.

I have hosted many sandwich Saturdays recently, but on Fridays. This one belongs to Princess Jackie. Isn't it cute. This one has a double side Cat theme, I might have mentioned that in an earlier post. You will see the other side when it's toot-tooting time.

This is a shop customer's project. We had spent quality time choosing all the fabrics figuring the pattern out together, and it shows doesn't it. It's a fabulous Highland Cooow. Thank you for bringing it back to my shop and Toot toot toot, for your fabulous and finished, quilted cushion.

This was a huge Sandwich to make. That's really obvious! We had to pin it in two stages. Almost all of these fabrics are from my very own shop, don't they look great? This Snowman Collector quilt is a very happy make. The quilting will be a hefty task, but Deb is up for it! 

Bev is very pleased with her current project. Applique is a bit like Marmite, Bev is a lover of it, are you? She's never made Prairie points before either, the absolute pleasure when she produced 4 Corner Stones, with perfect Prairie Points, was palpable.

Sharon is a labeller, yes, that is a real word... I just wrote it! She wanted to make a Stained Glass Window effect quilt, like the one that was hanging in my shop a few weeks ago. I explained how easily it can all go wrong, so she tripled up on the Post-Its!! What a smart cookie she is!

Merlot, our newest Grannie is planning to be showering her little angel with quilts, quilts and more quilts.  All of the applique pieces have been chosen and stuck in place so there's just a million hours of applique stitching to be done now. So cute!

Joanne hand appliqued the hearts for this quilt top. Since then she has treated her very own self to a Juki DX7 and is absolutely loving the blanket stitch, it's a game changer! The top is ready for sandwiching and that will happen soon, fingers crossed.

I emptied out the 'Rooting Rack' just to give it a good sort out as it was getting a bit messy after all the customers rooted in it. Just because I remembered to, I took a photo. It's the window side of the classroom, with a naked rooting rack!! It's been filled up again now.

Quilty Quarters

Yesterday I went to visit the venue for our October Sewing Retreat in Shrewsbury. I's were dotted and T's were crossed. Decisions were made on the sewing room and table layout plan, food options, room allocation, bar availability! etc. Which means that that retreat is now available for booking.

Returning from that chore, earlier than I expected to, there was time...

To make my sandwich, so I did!

I now have two sandwiches waiting to be quilted.

During our March retreat, at Lickey Hills, I completed all of these 6" blocks, over 130 of them actually. I had cut all the pieces and put them into little 'block kits' ahead of time, so it was just a great mindless sewing project to do while being entertained by everything else going on. The blocks were put on one side when I got home, waiting for their turn in my project queue. It is now their turn. 

The book has these blocks set on-point. 

I liked it a lot, in the book. 

But I didn't like this setting in my choice of fabrics.

So I played with the blocks and decided I prefer this setting. 

I love my design wall for this very purpose.

Time to sew them all together.

I'm taking my time finger pressing all the seams in the right directions so that I can twiddle the middles. Do you Twiddle your middles? No-one will ever see this in the finished quilt, But I will know!

The left side is all sewn. 4 blocks by 12 blocks

Almost half way done! That's on a positive note

Still well over half to go! on the slightly more negative note, ha!

I'm in no rush.

Quilty Quarters

 A bit more from Quilty Quarters

I made this quilt  to use up some fabric samples a rep had given to me. It was a fun make and I really enjoyed the quilting, Changing all the thread colours and taking the lines into the borders, small things make me happy, ha! (There's a blog post about it here) I had quite a few smaller pieces of the bright colors left over. 

So I ended up making this quilt top. There is a mistake in the piecing in this picture, which has now been corrected, of course. Can you spot it? It's not that the backing is too small, I was just measuring it up to see how much more fabric to add to the backing, when I spotted the piecing error, very annoying!

This is going to be the backing. It's made up of two different Moda, digitally printed, ranges. A fabric rep. had given me two sample sets, ages ago. I took out all the staples, chopped off all the cardboard toppers and sticky bits of information then joined them together. I have to say, I am very happy with the outcome. This projects might just get pinned up today, A private Sandwich Saturday, on a Sunday!!