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Vendulka Battais wrote a new post, How to trace a design onto difficult fabric 7 years, 11 months ago
Did you ever wanted to stitch something onto your work, but needed the guidance of a drawn line and didn’t know how to get the lines onto a fabric?
There are lots of tools and pens which you can use to mark your…
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Vendulka Battais wrote a new post, Ball or Pin-cushion 7 years, 11 months ago
This is a wonderful project – following the same instructions you can make either a ball for a child or very pretty pincushion for your friend.
The ball is wonderful for children from very early age, as it’s…
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Carolyn Gibbs wrote a new post, Wholecloth Quilts: Central motifs 8 years ago
Have you ever seen a wholecloth quilt? A surprising number of “quilters” today don’t know what this is, and even fewer have made one.
The UK has a wonderful tradition of quilts which contain no patchwork at all,…
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Thank you for bringing these wholecloth quilts to life.I hadn’t realised the traditions behind them, but they always take my breath away. I mainly hand stitch and quilt, so perhaps I need to put one of these on the ‘to do’ list. Thanks again
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Pleased to hear that you share my enjoyment of these beautiful quilts. I do hope that you decide to make a wholecloth yourself.
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Never seen on ‘in the flesh’, but they are amazing.
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Fantastic, aren’t they? If you are coming to the Festival of Quilts in August, then come to the British Quilt Study Group exhibition to see some wholecloth quilts – I am doing a Quilt Academy workshop on the Friday, too, for anyone who would like a really close-up look.
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I woud love to but living in Spain – it is a bit difficult. Perhps next year……
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I enjoyed this article so much and hope to make a wholecloth quilt myself some day. Thanks/
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Thank you Pauline! I hope you do manage to make a wholecloth yourself. I have almost finished my first – not a bed sized quilt yet, but I have so enjoyed it.
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I started a wholecloth quilt quite a few years ago, this is a ‘work in progress’. I just love reading anything connected with wholecloths and their history
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Lovely to hear of more people who enjoy these beautiful quilts. Do post a photo of your wholecloth in the Facebook group!
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Loved reading this blog giving the history to these fabulous quilts. Very informative, thank you Carolyn.
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I’m pleased you found it interesting, Carol. We have a wonderful heritage of distinctive British quilts here in the UK, which deserves to be more widely known.
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Was able to see whole cloth quilts at the NEC, they were a wonder and something I’d like to do in the future
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Was it the red, white and blue wholecloth quilts on the BQSG stand? They were fabulous, weren’t they? Yes, do try making a wholecloth yourself – it’s such a lovely thing to do (but perhaps start on something smaller than a quilt though!)
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Carolyn Gibbs recommended the post Playing with Flying geese 8 years ago
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Carolyn Gibbs wrote a new post, Hand quilting – the Rocking stitch 8 years, 1 month ago
The Rocking stitch is the most common method of hand quilting, and once mastered produces beautiful results. If you are struggling to produce neat even stitches, then watch how Carolyn Gibbs breaks the process into…
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Hi Carolne, what size needle do you use please?
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Size 8 betweens. These are quite small but strong, which is what works for the rocking stitch, as you don’t need to move your hand up and down as far as you would with a longer needle. Some quilters use even smaller ones!
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Thanks. Will see if I can order some. S x
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What a really good videos! Calm, measured and exact. Thank you. I don’t think I am a hand Quilter, though I know many who are, body and soul.
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Thanks – if you are more a machine girl, I have done some more videos – search on YouTube if you are interested.
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I love this method of quilting and it does become easier the more you do and an eye opener at just how much you improve overtime. A great video for those looking for a demonstration.
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None of us are perfect when we start – so I’m glad it was useful to see the progress that is possible with a bit of patience!
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Do you use a frame Carolyn? I have a wall hanging size quilt top and am considering trying hand quilting. Your video makes it look hard but worth trying! Thank you.
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I use a hoop. Mine is on a stand, and can swivel round but for a first try, I would suggest an ordinary quilting hoop about 14″ across. This is what I take on holiday – and I find the most comfortable way to hold it is to lean the left hand side on a table or the arm of your chair, and the right hand side on your lap (assuming you are right handed). Wall hanging sounds a good size to try hand quilting – hope you enjoy it!
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Thank you, now off to my LQS!
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🙂
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Seeing it slowly and carefully demonstrated makes it look so much more understandable. Thank you for a lovely demo.
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Vendulka Battais and
Fiona Garth are now friends 8 years, 1 month ago -
Carolyn Gibbs and
Fiona Garth are now friends 8 years, 1 month ago -
Vendulka Battais wrote a new post, Spring clean and the UFOs, WIPs and PIGs 8 years, 2 months ago
Let’s hope the spring is finally here (no more snow please!) It’s so nice to open the doors and windows in the house for more than just 5 minutes to get some fresh air and new energy in. Before we dive into…
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Good idea Vendulka, tomorrow’s job
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Oh how I wish…! I have a sewing room and a crafting room. My crafting room is more planned than the sewing room, but one of my stepsons came back to live with us last year, and I said he could use the crafting room for storage short term…obviously we have different ideas about what short term actually is. I have been trying to finish off WIPs and PHDs recently, including getting projects hung in the home, and I finished a quilt top 3 weeks ago that I’ve been working on, on and off, for 6 years. Problem now is finding the time to quilt it! I’d love to get going in my sewing room today, but alas, work calls!
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Vendulka Battais recommended the post Let’s make a patchwork jacket 8 years, 2 months ago
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Carolyn Gibbs recommended the post Lyn Butler 8 years, 2 months ago
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Victoria Peat wrote a new post, Using Pinterest to Support Your Quilting 8 years, 2 months ago
Have you used Pinterest before? It’s such a great tool for quilting, I promise!
If you’ve not ventured into the world of pinterest before then it really is worth a look. Pinterest is a visual bookmarking tool that…
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This has already taught me things I didn’t know!
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Oh fabulous! Pinterest is such a valuable tool. I do spend too much time looking at all of the lovely things though!
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I love Pinterest! Great place for inspiration and filing ideas. A useful blog for those who haven’t yet found this amazing tool!
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Thanks Ingrid. I must admit I go through phases of spending FAR too much time browsing all of the wonderful things out there!
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Carolyn Gibbs wrote a new post, Pressing for Perfect Points Part 1 8 years, 3 months ago
Achieving perfect points in patchwork is a great goal. The key involves knowing when to break one of the rules that you may have been taught!
Beginners are often taught to “always press behind the darker f…
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What a great post – covering just about every scenario!
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Thanks Abigail – only half the scenarios actually – there’s more to come!
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So informative – thank you
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Thanks Amy – glad you found it useful. It’s these little tips that really do make a difference – planning avoids unpicking!
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Vendulka Battais and
Joy Morgan are now friends 8 years, 3 months ago -
Vendulka Battais recommended the post Journey of a New Long Arm Quilter 8 years, 3 months ago
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Vendulka Battais recommended the post Have you heard of QUILTING POLICE?? 8 years, 3 months ago
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Sarah Wickett wrote a new post, Doughty's Fabric Roadshows 8 years, 3 months ago
On a rather dull and wet Saturday in February, I set of with a car full of ladies to Fremingtom, North Devon. Why you might ask, Well Crosspatch Quilters were hosting a Doughty’s Fabric Roadshow.
Crosspatch Quilters…
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Great Review, Sarah, and totally matches my experience of a Doughty’s roadshow (near Brigg, Lincolnshire). I’m definitely hoping to get to more of these in the future.
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The link above will tell you were there roadshows visit, I always try to get to Fremington every year. A small group of quilters put on a good show and deserve my support. Of course there is always the fabric
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It was indeed well worth a visit! I really shouldn’t admit to going to it, especially given the title and overall message of my blog this month (to be published tomorrow), but I did indulge in fabric purchases.
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Christine, I am on a fabric ban but needed wadding so went along, it was good just to stroke the fabric
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I should be on a fabric ban, but as I’m making Project Linus quilts – I justify it that way! It certainly was good to stroke the fabric, and I had a lovely chat with one of the Doughty’s chaps.
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Carolyn Gibbs wrote a new post, Colour & Contrast 8 years, 3 months ago
Choosing fabrics for a quilt is something that many people would like to do, but lack confidence for. They are not sure why the colours that looked good in the shop don’t seem to give the result they hoped f…
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really enjoyed this, very informative & comprehensive, thank you very much xx
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Thanks Carol – colour is so important, isn’t it? Glad this was helpful.
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Amazing, absolutely brilliant piece!
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Thanks Juliet
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Great blog Carolyn!
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Thanks Lyn
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Excellent post Carolyn.This could do with being in the files of UKQU as a good-habit guide for beginners (or indeed anyone who has never had a good colour habit). ‘Thunderstorm’is spectacular!
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Thanks Karin – I”ll look how to do that tomorrow. I have put it on my own website too.
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Great article, so many helpful tips – thank you!
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Thanks Amy – why not post some photos on the Facebook page if you do some successful experimenting?
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This is so helpful Carolyn, it’s something I struggle with sometimes, especially when buying fabric. I end up with lots of beatiful unusual prints in gorgeous bright colours, then when I sit down to make something I find I have to get online and buy some plains. Thanks for writing such a comprehensive blog post on the topic .
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Glad it was helpful Alison – we all know that tempting feeling in the shop! Hope you can look out for some fabrics to complement the eye candy next time.
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I’ve just downloaded your free pdf summary for reference, thank you!
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Hope it proves a useful reference for you. Why not post the results of your next test fabric shop on the Facebook group so we can all see the “colour and contrast?
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I have only just seen this blog Carolyn, it’s a really helpful guide. I enjoy the challenge of finding the right fabric mix and your detailed explanation has enlightened me as to why some of my experiments don’t work! Thank you for an excelllent read.
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Thanks Heather – glad it was helpful. I look forward to seeing the results in your next quilt!
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Thank you for this in-depth explanation, the photos are very helpful.
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Hope it helps you select colours more confidently from now on, Chris
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This is so much more useful that they usual colour theory writing.
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Thanks Maggie – yes, I must agree that I don’t personally find colour wheels very helpful
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Carolyn Gibbs recommended the post Love a Free Pattern? Oh, yes please! 8 years, 3 months ago
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Sarah Wickett wrote a new post, Personal Challenges 8 years, 4 months ago
Well how are we enjoying the new website, the Bloggers are fab and so diverse, the shops are so tempting as are the free patterns. So far I have signed up for the Mystery Quilt by Abbieanne (Click here) and am…
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UK Quilters
7 years, 11 months ago
Great idea working freom the back! never thought of that. Have tried the tissue paper and it worked well, but a bit of a fag tearing it away after. Will definitely try working from the back – Thanks Vendulka x
7 years, 11 months ago
Yes, it’s tedious getting the paper out, but sometimes it’s better than risking the lines coming back. Glad my tip is helpful!
7 years, 11 months ago
I found working from the back really helpful in thread drawing
7 years, 11 months ago
Fab ideas, Vendulka – I really must get more inventive with my quilting!
7 years, 11 months ago
Great, simple ideas, thanks.
7 years, 11 months ago
thank you!
7 years, 11 months ago
Thank you