-
Val Brooks wrote a new post, A quilter’s review of the brand new Janome M7 Continental 6 years, 3 months ago
You may already have seen a couple of blogs written by Carol Lightburn on a new shop featured on the UKQU website, Panico’s. I’m lucky enough for this shop to be my Local Quilt Shop which I visit on a regular bas…

-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 6 years, 7 months ago
That is such a sensitively written but absolutely hitting the mark piece – thank you so much.
-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 7 years, 9 months ago
I’ve loved your work since I attended a short workshop at Harrogate earlier this year and will definitely look out for your exhibit in Harrogate!
-
Val Brooks wrote a new post, Tales from Val's Blog Cabin July 2018 7 years, 10 months ago
Using rulers to help you with free motion quilting – it really IS still FMQ!
After my start in free motion quilting (FMQ) (see my first blog on FMQ), while I was encouraged at what I’d done, I still felt ver…

-
V interesting Val
-
Great blog, really should practice more with my westalee rulers but there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day
-
What a informative and useful Blog. It has made me feel that Rulers are my next purchase. Thank you Val, love your work – stunning x
-
you are right! another tool in our arsenal to help us fmq
-
-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 7 years, 10 months ago
Yes – I thought it was such a novel idea and a great way to share! Maybe other groups could encourage their local traders to display a quilt in their windows.
-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 7 years, 10 months ago
Thanks for your comment Sue – I did think it was a real novelty to see quilts in such a variety of shops and it certainly made me stop and look in the shop windows where I might have just walked on past!
-
Val Brooks wrote a new post, Tales from Val’s Blog Cabin – July 13th 2018 7 years, 10 months ago
A Day Out – Whitby Queen Bee Quilters Quilt Trail
When I started quilting, I did consider if it was for me as I felt sewing was a rather solitary hobby – until I realised there is a whole community of quilters out…
-
Great Blog. Sometimes I wish we still lived in UK and I could visit the shops and Quilt Exhibitions. Thank you for thr vision Val x
-
Thanks for your comment Sue – I did think it was a real novelty to see quilts in such a variety of shops and it certainly made me stop and look in the shop windows where I might have just walked on past!
-
-
I so love the idea that this exhibition took with using various shop windows to display the work. Great that you enjoyed it, only wish I lived closer to have gone along to ogle at all the hard work on display.
-
Yes – I thought it was such a novel idea and a great way to share! Maybe other groups could encourage their local traders to display a quilt in their windows.
-
Our local tv shop (a friend) was celebrating a particular anniversary for his shop and he had a few bits from my group for display in his window. It was a one off never even gave it a thought to do in many windows!! A great idea for others those to follow.
-
-
-
-
Val Brooks wrote a new post, Tales from Val's Blog Cabin – March 2018 8 years, 2 months ago
Free Motion Quilting – NOT as daunting as I first thought
I remember at the beginning of this passion, I asked the question ‘What’s the difference between Patchwork and Quilting?’ and I know it’s a question…
-
Val Brooks recommended the post A quick way to check you are sewing a 1/4 inch seam 8 years, 3 months ago
-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 8 years, 3 months ago
Thanks Sue! It’s amazing that there is such a variation, isn’t it? Always best to check I’ve now learnt!
-
Val Brooks wrote a new post, A quick way to check you are sewing a 1/4 inch seam 8 years, 3 months ago
Now be honest, after spending loads of time piecing fabric to make a quilt top, have you ever found matching your blocks difficult and you realise it is because your measurements were slightly out? It happens to all…

-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 8 years, 4 months ago
Thanks Linda. You saw it all in the making too!
-
Val Brooks wrote a new post, My First Retreat 8 years, 4 months ago
After my introduction to all the beautiful fabrics available (see my first blog if you haven’t read it already), I realised this passion for quilting was beginning to seriously develop and I started to think about h…

-
Val Brooks joined the group
Free Motion Quilters 8 years, 4 months ago -
Val Brooks wrote a new post, Self-threading Needles 8 years, 4 months ago
Dread having to bury all those threads after quilting? A self-threading needle will save you loads of time and it simply won’t be the chore it once was.
A ‘self-threading needle’ has a cut made in the top o…

-
Use this all the time
-
Great idea! I currently use my large eyed gold plated cross stitch needles as they are a bit easier to thread.
-
Personally I found these would shred the thread more often than not when I used them. I am however the pleased owner of some Spiral Eye needles which work in a similar fashion (without the shredding) and they are excellent.
-
-
Val Brooks recommended the post Pressing tip 8 years, 4 months ago
-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 8 years, 4 months ago
Thanks Marjorie
-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 8 years, 4 months ago
Thanks Roz – the fabrics are so beautiful both to look at and to feel, aren’t they? I have loads in my stash now and need to make some more quilts with them!
-
Val Brooks posted a new activity comment 8 years, 4 months ago
Thanks Alison.
-
- Load More
6 years, 3 months ago
What a great review, I would love to have a play with this machine, but alas, it’s not in my price range boo hoo!
6 years, 2 months ago
Val, what a get blog/review on the new Janome M7. Carl was happy to show me that machine on my visit last December. I am a Jamome fan and would of loved to of been in your shoes, you lucky thing.