Ferret Workshop

I need a lot of leaves for this wall hanging, I have a growing number in the box and the other two photos show the veins being free motioned on in the second batch of fabrics.  It is taking some time but Paul has improved the lighting in my sewing room so I can work on the dark evenings and it is really giving me lots and lots of practice with the FMQ.  My confidence is growing and I am so relaxed whilst working.  I feel ready to work on a full size quilt now.

Star Quilt Workshop quilt nearing completion

Step back to September 2009 by clicking here  I came home from this workshop to find that my instruction sheet was incomplete - there was a border required after the stars and before the pieced triangle border - what size should it be.  The handout said the size "would be discussed in class".  Had it been?  I couldn't remember at all.  I did what I could and completed the four pieced triangle borders and put together the star blocks for the centre of the quilt.  Then it was suspended in bits from a hanger to keep it from creasing and remains hung away safely for a couple of years...........Yes! A couple of years.

Quilt University to the rescue.  My second course with QU was Math for Quilters (more on that in another post).  From this I gained the confidence to do the maths and work out size and dimension to complete THAT star quilt.

Ferret Workshop

Work in progress photo - I'm hoping it will look much more splendid when finished.

Here's a link to Ferret's finished version

Click Here

Only managed the morning and lunch at Ferret's workshop at the Royal Hotel in Bridlington, but it was enjoyable all the same.  Had to dash off to the eye hospital in the afternoon as things are not going well in that department.

The food was delicious and Ferret was very attentive and helpful.  Above is my background to Autumn Leaves wall hanging.  You could machine quilt it in straight lines or take the more challenging option of free motioning adjoining leaf shapes.  Well, what's the point of taking the easy route?  I could stay at home and quilt in straight lines.  Once my machine stopped breaking threads (Ferret sorted it) I set off at a pace as I was already lagging behind everyone else - not unusual for me at these events.  I wasn't impressed with my leaves as I was stitching them, but once out of the machine and viewed at a distance they weren't really that bad.  Everyone at home identified what they were at first glance when asked, so they are good enough for me.  

I made a start on the binding - a Ricky Timms method taught by Ferret but it is still to finish off.  Fiona from the Royal has kindly offered to help me finish it off if I can't do it from the instructions Ferret gave me before I had to leave.

I'd definitely do another Ferret workshop - she's very lively and chatty and I liked her teaching style.

More quilting workshops at The Royal in Bridlington

http://www.royalhotelbrid.co.uk/Whats%20On.php

If I didn't live less than 20 minutes drive away I'd definitely consider the residential options - the hotel is spotless and comfortable, lovely hosts, on the sea front and the food is awesome!  Actually if I was feeling flush, I'd probably go stay there anyway despite the proximity to home as it would make it even more enjoyable.

Stained Glass Workshop - Borders On

The black bias has been sewn down - I used a twin needle which worked well and the only glitches were operator error.  I have to admit it isn't easy to keep on the bias when you can't see straight lines, but I can't help that.  I slipped a pale green border in before the main red one and I think the colours look good.  All the fabric is dyed by me - except the cream background of course.  Next step is quilting.  I need to think about how to tackle that.  The pattern I have used has stippled all the cream - wonder if I dare?

Stained Glass Workshop

It's a long time since I've been to a workshop at Hutton Buscel and it was lovely to see old friends again.  The photo shows how far I got on the day, the rest is to finish off at home as and when I've got time.  A wall hanging entitled "Glasgow Rose".

Sashiko Panel - 2009

This sashiko panel was started at a Susan Briscoe short workshop at the Great Northern Quilt Festival, Harrogate in 2009. It's been languishing in the drawer now for two years.  I came across a piece of dark blue batik whilst rummaging this morning and the two cried out for each other.  I cut a 1" strip of cream fabric, folded it in half and ironed, then it was sewn round the edges of the panel as mock piping.  Borders of batik applied finished it off.

Next step is some "tasteful" quilting and it will get a cream double fold binding.  As it is one of my rare pieces of hand work it will become a wall hanging.  That mock piping is so simple and really sets a piece off.

Quilting in Progress

 The Sue Briscoe Super Strips quilt started in April this year has moved into the next phase.  I've chosen to use Hobbs Polydown wadding from Creative Grids.  This is the first time I've tried 100% polyester and I might be converted.  It's a big quilt - the biggest I've attempted to machine quilt (I think) and I'm managing it well in the large throat space of the Horizon.  Already I can see the loft of the polyester is giving a much more defined texture to the quilt and it is light and easy to manoeuvre.

Here are a couple of pictures of the semi-quilted state - only the borders to complete and then I can work on the binding.  I've used the piano key style border as suggested by Sue Briscoe but have had to deviate on the  mock mitred corners as I ended up just a little short of fabric.  With a bit of thinking and fiddling I decided to run each set of piano keys into the corners and it looks fine to me.

The colours of the Bali Pop really make this quilt.  When time allows I'd like to do this quilt again in a different colourway.

Hope to finish this one up and post a picture in a couple of days.

Click on Picture to Enlarge

Click on Picture to Enlarge

Crazy Quilt Complete

This quilt was started a long time ago, it may have been three years or more - I can't remember.  Some of the fabric I recognise as being more than 10 years old.  The quilt started at a Beryl Frank workshop at Hutton Buscel and I came across the completed blocks last week when having one of my regular forages for fabric in boxes and drawers.  With the addition of a bit of sashing, backing leftover from another quilt and random decorative stitches along the seams in crazy patchwork style it all came together.

PS - Last week I exchanged an old gift token and a bit of cash for what I am told is a very powerful image editing programme.........can you tell?  I've played a bit with the above photo but not sure that I've improved it.  More about that in a future post.

Quilting Workshop Invitation for You!

Philippa Naylor, an award winning quilter has agreed to teach another workshop at the craft group I run in East Yorkshire - post code of venue YO25 6TT


Friday 2nd March 2012 - 10am to 4pm - £26 - bring your machine and a packed lunch.  Full supplies list will be provided after payment received.


Sometimes we come home from a workshop with an unfinished quilt and wonder just how to give it a professional finish.  Philippa will cover precision piecing, piping and binding to help us confidently deal with all those UFOs.  She also gives lots of hints and tips in her interesting dialogue throughout the day and will answer your quilting questions.


Email me for a booking form - places are limited - £10 deposit required by 30th September 2011.


If you need accommodation I can supply a list of local B&B and hotels.


Love to see you there!


Go to Philippa's web site for more information about her quilts and workshops

Quilt University

I've just completed my first Quilt University course - Machine Quilting.  It lasted four weeks staring April 15th, followed by three further lessons released at weekly intervals on Friday evenings 6pm local time.  The lessons containing instructions for what we needed to work on were well written and the tutor was available via the discussion forum every day.  Questions seemed to be answered very quickly and were available for all to see.  There's also a class gallery where students can post what they are working on, or examples of finished projects or problems which need advice.  Also I've done some work on machine quilting and attended a Philippa Naylor workshop, there were still some bits and bobs I found useful being information which was new to me.

There is a more advanced class to sign up for at the end of this month, but I'm too busy to do it justice right now so maybe I'll catch it when it comes round next year.

I think the courses offered by Quilt University are good value for money and let you work through at your own pace.  The classroom closes about 3-4 weeks after the last lesson so you need to print out the lessons as they become available if you can't finish it in time.  You can click here to find out what courses are currently open for registration.

The picture is a sampler of different techniques I have practiced during the course.  The central motif is a continuous line design marked with a stencil.  Around the centre is meandering, stippling, freehand lines and some pebbles.

Smooth lines and not getting yourself stuck in a corner you can't get out of will come with practice and I need plenty of that.

The Janome Horizon 7700 QCP really does the job with free motion quilting. 

Super Strips Workshop

Yesterday I enjoyed a Susan Briscoe Super Strips workshop at the Royal Hotel in Bridlington.  I used a Hoffman Bali Pop (Sherbet) and with Susan's help on what colour should go where it is taking shape well.  Next job is to make the piano key borders.  The colours are gorgeous.  Click on the links to see the other attendees quilts - one design, so many different looks!  Not complaining but the strong sunlight has made the colours of my quilt look a bit washed out - they are really much stronger.

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Japanese Circles and Squares

This quilt started at the Susan Briscoe workshop at the Royal Hotel in Bridlington is finished.

It was quilted the day after I went to the talk given by Ferrett in York - I didn't feel able to stitch in the ditch or cover it in straight lines after seeing her magnificent work so I thought outside the box..........circles, land of the rising sun etc and came up with a large circle in the bottom left corner with lines radiating out around it to the edges of the quilt.  I drew round a dinner plate for the circle and free-handed the lines using a yardstick and chalk.  I used a brown/cream YLI variegated thread on top and a brown/orange Gutterman variegated in the bobbin.  It needs a hanging sleeve then it will be on the wall somewhere in the house.

I used a Japan themed fabric for the back, rather bright but it's not on show on the wall and I'm beginning to wonder, with the rising price of cotton, if a quilt is being made for display then should it be backed with a quality calico.  It isn't seen and costs a fraction of what quilting cotton costs.

I'd make this quilt again.  It's not a difficult one and lots of different looks can be achieved depending on fabric / colour choices.

Ferrett at Elvington

At my quilt group yesterday evening it was mentioned that Ferrett would be giving a talk at Evlington, York tomorrow.  The temptation was too much, Penny offered me a lift and that was that.  Ferrett's quilts are amazing, she is an extemely talented lady and an interesting speaker too.


 This is a small segment of one of the many wonderful pieces of work she brought with her - click here to visit her gallery of amazing art quilts.  Photos are no substitute for seeing the real thing - if you get a chance to see them - take it!
I'm booked on one of her workshops in October and this evening has really whet my appetite!

Susan Briscoe Workshop

I had a really enjoyable day with Susan Briscoe and her Japanese Circles and Squares workshop.  It took place at The Royal Hotel, Bridlington where there was lots of room and more than enough excellent food to keep us going all day.  You can find pictures of the day on Susan's blog here

Philippa Naylor Workshop

I had a wonderful day at our Philippa Naylor workshop on Friday.  She is a lovely lady and an excellent teacher.  The quilts she brought to show us were amazing.  The rather poor photos are of the 24" x 24" trapunto sample I started at the workshop and finished at home.  I'm pleased with it - a million miles from being perfect but I don't think I made a mess of it either.  I hope we are able to arrange another workshop next year.

Two Block Quilt Bound and Complete

The September workshop's two block quilt is finished.  I'm not sure why it's called Two Block - in fact I'm beginning to wonder if I've been using the wrong name.  Wouldn't surprise me at all - I sometimes forget my own.  There's only one block in the quilt and its orientation alternates to make the pattern.  Any way it's done and I love it.  There's Hobb Heirloom 80/20 in there and it's a lovely weight.  Not sure where I'm going to use it but it it wouldn't be too small as a overlay for our king size bed.

Calico Christmas Tree - Part 2

Now it's really finished.  I'd forgotten to add the "bright check" I think it's called - a lovely gold garland.  That really lifts the piece altogether.

Calico Christmas Embroidery

Yesterday's workshop was this Calico Christmas Tree designed and taught by Beryl Frank of Leven Crafts.  I'm not an embroiderer, nor do I rush to sew by hand, but I really enjoyed this project.   It will look good mounted and framed.  No more Hutton Buscel workshops for me until March.  I've got one booked in December with Philippa Naylor on free motion and trapunto and another booked in January with Susan  Briscoe to make a quilt.  With all the other things I've got on the go that will keep me going.

Philippa Naylor Workshop

My friend Chris and I are organising a Philippa Naylor workshop - Free Motion & Trapunto - Friday 10th December 2010. It is priced to cover the costs, not make a profit.
There are a few places left for anyone who would like to come. The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm in Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire and is £25. You need a packed lunch and a sewing machine which can have its feed dogs dropped. There is also a supplies list which is available when you book.
Philippa is a well known award winning quilter - you can see her on this video which was filmed in May at the Houston quilt show. The second half of the video gives a taste of what is on offer at the workshop.

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/shows.php/episode/606
Please email me lynnedean1@gmail.com  if you are interested in booking a place. I can supply hotel / B&B details for anyone who wants to stay over.

http://www.philippanaylor.com/index.html
Fabulous Free-motion Machine Quilting With Trapunto
Full Day - All Levels.
Exploration of free-motion machine quilting begins with discussion of materials, equipment and the techniques Philippa employs in her work. After demonstrations students then produce a range of samples (stippling, contemporary feathers, leaf and line designs) to practice free-motion work, before moving on to a small trapunto sample piece which will illustrate how well trapunto adds sculptural dimension to a quilt. Students will leave class confident and inspired to continue developing their free-motion skills! Patterns are provided.

You do need to be familiar with your sewing machine, how to set it up and drop the feed dogs as Philippa is unable to spend time during the workshop with individuals who can't do this.  You should be able to find out all the info you need in your instruction manual.

Two Block Quilt

This is the pieced top which was started at Quilts for All, Hutton Buscel at the September workshop.  It is a fairly simple project to cut out and put together and I like how the bright pinks and yellows have come together.  Need to buy in more supplies of wadding and have a trip to the qulit shop to choose a backing fabric to finish it off.