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Sylvia Priest – webmaster and quilter wrote a new post, Christmas Quilts for Careleavers .. part Deux 7 years, 6 months ago
Maggie is so busy with her project we have posted a little news update. If you can pledge to help next year with this marvellous charity project then contact her. Just one quilt could make a great difference to…

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ChrisCross wrote a new post, Scrap Quilting 7 years, 6 months ago
Now maybe you have lots of small scraps but have no idea what to do with them, or maybe you’re new to quilting and you bought scraps. When I first decided I’d like to quilt, I was drawn to Jelly Rolls, it was all…

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But scrap bags just beg you to do something different! I am in the middle of a birch tree quilt made with 3 scrap bags-tiny edges and selvedges cut off jelly rolly and charm packs. Very very cheap but lots of fun.
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Sounds fab, hope you’ll share pics. Everyone I’ve ever seen from a Scrap bag were Rail Fence!
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Sylvia Priest – webmaster and quilter wrote a new post, Clover Stitch Guide 7 years, 6 months ago
This versatile stitch guide is cleverly designed for use in a variety of different ways to suit a multitude of sewing tasks. Once aligned with the edge of your fabric the stitch guide will give you a…

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ChrisCross wrote a new post, Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate 7 years, 6 months ago
Have you ever been to the Knitting and Stitching Show? If not, you’re missing a treat, and if you get the chance give it a try.
The Knitting and Stitching is held every year, and I’ve been going to the Harr…

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Sarah Hankin wrote a new post, Taylor Seville – Magic Pins 7 years, 6 months ago
I saw these pins advertised in a magazine and thought they looked interesting, I was lucky enough to be sent a pack to try.
They come in a neat little storage box and have an unusual end which the manufacturer…

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ChrisCross wrote a new post, Playing Away? 7 years, 6 months ago
Have you been playing away at that sewing week/sewing retreat/workshop?
What do you need to take?
If you’ve never been to ‘play away’ then hopefully this will help, and even if you have this still might…

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Jane Galley wrote a new post, Should I Go, Or Should I Stay 7 years, 6 months ago
This coming weekend sees the first retreat for those the Bloggerati, the wonderful group that write your blogs, provide you with hints and tips and other goodies on the website. It’s also the first retreat I have…

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I’m nervous about things like parking and food too (being disabled plus coeliac) which also makes me a bit nervous sometimes about going new places. WE WILL BE FINE! We will thoroughly enjoy ourselves and even if things don’t go according to plan it will work out. See you there!
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Look forward to meeting you Corinne, and I’m sure everything will work out well
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YI am sure you will have a great time. Rescue Remedy gets me on planes…sheer cussedness makes me stay on them, despite the rising panic. Just keep to the 15 minutes. Then another 15..and so on
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and then we wonder what all the fuss was about 🙂
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I’m nervous about going too. Not for the same reasons, but still a bit worried. And go from ‘I can’t wait’ to ‘hmmm, not sure’. So I will feel a big sense of achievement once I’m back home again. Look forward to meeting you. x
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I think that picture perfectly sums up the pendulum swings the brain goes through. I’m sure we’ll all have a wonderful time.
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Jane – thank you for this blog – I too am feeling a bit unsure about this weekend, trying to get everything ready, and wondering what I’m going to bring along to it to work on. We will have a fantastic time – the retreat will be what we make it! Now I just have to make it through until Friday, and try to sort out the quilting on a quilt that I said I would make for a raffle – it needs to be finished by Thursday, and I’ve unpicked the quilting twice today…
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Oh, that must be so nerve wracking Christine. I am sure it will be wonderful when it’s finished. Look forward to seeing you
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Jane, you are a very brave lady! Although I am not going (too far to go from Spain, and we are over at Christmas – so the expense is another factor), I will be thinking of you all and hoping that you all have a great, rewarding and enjoyable weekend. I used to live about 2 miles away from the venue – so I can picture you all there. I am sure you won’t need that corner to hide in – you will be just too busy enjoying yourself. Hugs xx
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Thank you and hopefully, you’ll get there one year Sue.
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Carolyn Gibbs wrote a new post, Welsh Quilts at St Fagans 7 years, 7 months ago
Wales is one of the Regions of the UK with a particularly strong tradition of patchwork and quilting. As part of the recent British Quilt Study Group seminar, I was able to view some of the wonderful collection of…

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I’ve been to St Fagans many times and never saw the quilts! There’s so much to see such an amazing place. Thank you for sharing
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There was so much at St Fagans I didn’t have time to see….. Only a few quilts are usually on display, so maybe ask in advance of your next visit, and they will get some more out for you to look at.
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Juliet Nice wrote a new post, Weighted Quilts and nekkid mermaids 7 years, 7 months ago
Weighted blankets were invented by Keith Zivalich of California. According to Forbes “Zivalich came up with the idea 15 years ago when his daughter draped a Beanie Baby over his shoulder while he was driving. “I…

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Thank you, useful and you have reminded me that my daughter would like one of these, I rather fancy the idea as well.
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Have heard a lot about weighted quilts, have had friends ask me to make them, but the research about child weight to quilt weight was a step too far for my calculator & brain. I have heard it helps with SEN (Special Educational Needs) pupils, but was not prepared to endanger them (some of my friends children) by getting it wrong. So why is weight important, why is it soothing? I do the opposite in the winter, heavy down winter quilt goes on and I get pains in my feet, cramps in my legs, breathlessness, because of the weight, unable to cope with the weight, I throw the wretched thing off & get a towel from the bathroom as a blankie so I don’t freeze 🙁
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Sylvia Priest – webmaster and quilter wrote a new post, The magic of Wundaweb 7 years, 7 months ago
There’s no need for stitching with Wundaweb from Vlieseline. This fine, fusible fleece bonds fabric quickly and easily, providing a natural but secure finish. This could help when you are faced with dif…

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Sylvia Priest – webmaster and quilter wrote a new post, Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: .COM Confusion 7 years, 7 months ago
We talk often of the fabrics in Aldi .. read here the ‘big box retailer’ inference that Scott Fortunoff refers to when talking of Walmart in the US. Its a matter of choice whether you buy or not .. but if we don’…

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Sue Burford wrote a new post, EXPANDABLE SEWING WORKBOX (Etui)- Part 2 7 years, 7 months ago
PART TWO – ASSEMBLY…..
SEWING CAN BEGIN….The lid brim is covered on the outside with the 28inch x 2inch strip set aside earlier. Fold in half inch turnings on one long side and press with an iron. Once ironed…

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Sue Burford wrote a new post, EXPANDING SEWING WORKBOX (Etui)Part 1 7 years, 7 months ago
Expanding Sewing Workbox (Etui)
This is the second Workbox I have made and, boy, do I wish I had taken photos and made a record of what did last time!
The Workbox will take you several hours to make, cutting…

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Corinne Curtis recommended the post Quilting on the Go – a cautionary tale 7 years, 7 months ago
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Sylvia Priest – webmaster and quilter wrote a new post, HEMLINE Bobbin Accessories 7 years, 7 months ago
Everyone with a sewing machine needs a plentiful stock of bobbins and neat storage accessories and Hemline provides everything you need!
Bobbin Box –Clear PlasticKeep your bobbins tidy and t…

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Sylvia Priest – webmaster and quilter wrote a new post, Quilting on the Go – a cautionary tale 7 years, 7 months ago
This summer we bought half a static caravan – our daughter and her family own the other half. Despite comments from friends about which side was ours we have already had some fantastic weekends away both with and…

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Sounds familiar. Hope you do better next time.
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I am already making plans Pauline!
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Love the idea of a home away from home. I, too, have two machines and another one. My other was is a Newhome too, had it as a present to myself when I was widowed in 1978. It, too, doesn’t work but it still has pride of place in my workroom. Look forward to hearing more of your tales from the Acorn Falls…… thank you x
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Corinne Curtis recommended the post Gardens and quilting 7 years, 7 months ago
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Corinne Curtis recommended the post Ancient and Modern 7 years, 7 months ago
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Chris Franses wrote a new post, Gardens and quilting 7 years, 7 months ago
An odd combination? Perhaps not – I find when I’m teaching that many of my students are as keen on gardening as they are about quilting. As am I. Our problems arise in the months from about April to October when we…

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Sharon Reid wrote a new post, A Day Behind the Haberdashery Counter 7 years, 7 months ago
A busy Saturday and there are a couple of prominent dates looming and this definitely shows in what items are being bought. Not only do I get to serve these crafters I also get to hear all about what they are going…

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Wow, I enoyed that. Amazing what customers talk about and how many you get in your shop!!! Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you Sue, I never get bored with hearing all these customers and I love to hear what they are making, if they don’t tell me then I ask!!! I love being there.
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Excellent.
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My dream job.
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It’s fantastic, not like working at alleast, plus I get to make best for the shop using all the lovely supplies surrounding me!
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Will have to have a trip out to Wells soon
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You can easily spend the day in Wells Lin, it’s a great place to visit with the added bonus of the shop!! You will see either myself Jules (owner) or Sarah when you visit. You will have to mention you seen and read this to whoever serves you. Hoping you will find plenty of goodies too!
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7 years, 6 months ago
A lovely update. I know there’s a dinner in my home town this year.
7 years, 6 months ago
I think I have already told Maggie this but just in case the new Essex Modern Quilt Group are planning to make next year. Such a wonderful cause.
7 years, 6 months ago
Working in the Social Care sector in Safeguarding and LAC children, I can see how well this will be received by Care Leavers. Something they can call their own. I will have at least one top for you next year; I don’t think I could get it finished for this one unfortunately. Keep up the good work Maggie & Co. x