Modern Quilt Guild of Ireland launched!

This weekend Sarah from Fairyface designs and Cindy from Fluffy Sheep Quilting launched the Modern quilt Guild of Ireland - how exciting!

If you're based in Ireland why not join? I've filled out my registration form

and think it will be an exciting time for Quilters in Ireland!

I find myself torn between traditional and modern patchwork and quilting.

On the one hand, I love the traditional work - I just adore folk art inspired patchwork.

On the other hand, I find modern patchwork and quilting styles so fresh and minimalistic.

At the minute, I think I'll sit on the fence and enjoy all styles!

So what's your choice?

Modern or traditional?

I'm still here...

Well I'm still here! After a long absence, I have finally found some time to blog!

I have been busy preparing for some classes I am teaching.

Mondays,Tuesdays and Wednesdays are pretty much full to bursting

with teaching and taxiing children about!

This is the 'Hotch Potch Patch Bag' I am teaching in one class.

It can be made in two different sizes. (Pattern is available here)

I've also had the chance to teach at a local craft group and guide them

in how to use an Accuquilt GO! which they bought last year.

It's been great fun - with endless possibilties and everyone putting

some of their own ideas into different patterns.

I used this pattern from the Accuquilt website,

to applique cotton fabric and some wool felt, to make a centrepiece for a wall hanging.

I have long admired the work of Sue Spargo,

and took inspiration from her to complete the centre.

I appliqued the wool hearts on top of the cotton hearts, using embroidery thread and beads.

All I have to do now is add a border and a sleeve to hang it and it will be complete -

just in time for Valentine's Day!

Are you working on any Valentine's Day projects?

Start sewing!

With a lot of helpful hints and tips from a lot of lovely people,

here is my completed 'Confetti' quilt top!

I took the advice to treat the flannel just as normal cotton,

and everything worked out just fine!

Quilt shops in Northern Ireland normally stock very little flannel fabrics,

so I never had the opportunity to use it before.

I found that the flannel didn't stretch at all.

The fabrics, put together by the Seattle Quilt Co., are lovely

and the colours blend so together so well.On another sewing note, Sarah at Fairy Face Designs has launched a

series of sewing tutorials, aimed at people who want to learn to sew.

I was delighted when she asked me to contribute!

There's a great line up of tutorials, well worth checking out -

1. 05/01/12 - Project Launch, Giveaway & Master List - Sarah @ FairyFace Design

2. 07/01/12 - Resources & Supplies - Sarah @ FairyFace Designs

3. 10/01/12 - Sewing Classes - Fiona @ The Sewing Directory

4. 12/01/12 - Sewing Basics Part 1 - Sarah @ FairyFace Designs

5. 14/01/12 - Sewing Basics Part 2 - Sarah @ FairyFace Designs

6. 19/01/12 - Pincushion & Needlebook - Sarah @ FairyFace Designs

7. 26/01/12 - Simple Napkins - Jennifer @ Ellison Lane Quilts

8. 02/02/12 - Baby Burp Cloths - Irina @ El Petit Taller

9. 09/02/12 - Simple Pram Blanket - Sarah @ FairyFace Designs

10. 16/02/12 - Scrappy Cushion/Pillow - Karen @ Lisnaweary Quilts

11. 23/02/12 - Notebook Cover - Cindy @ Fluffy Sheep Quilting

12. 01/03/12 - Tote Bag - Leanne @ She Can Quilt

13. 08/03/12 - Stencils with Freezer paper - Lindsay @ Craft Buds & Lindsay Sews

14. 15/03/12 - Zip Back Cushion/Pillow - Judith @ Rags to Bags

15. 22/03/12 - Simple Girl's Skirt - Ceri @ Inspired by Felix

16. 26/03/12 - Introduction to Quilting - Easy Mug Rug - Sarah @ FairyFace Designs

17. 29/03/12 - Patchwork Potholder - Sheila @ BluePatch Quilter

18. 05/04/12 - Fabric Wallet - Sarah @ Narcoleptic in a Cupboard

19. 12/04/12 - Round (Wonky) Potholders - Felicity @ Felicity Quilts

20. 19/04/12 - Zipped Wristlet/Pouch - Jenna @ SewHappyGeek

21. 26/04/12 - Quilted Table Runner - Susan @ Canadian Abroad

22. 03/05/12 - Garment Making Basics - Sara @ Sew Sweetness

23. 10/05/12 - Mini Quilt - Kirsten @ Gemini Stitches

24. 17/05/12 - Applique & Machine Embroidery - Sarah @ FairyFace Designs

Be sure and join in the fun!

Sarah is having a special launch giveaway-

Sew start sewing!

Happy New Year

Good bye 2011

Welcome 2012!

Sewing flannel

Hands up who has never sewn flannel before?

I have always admired flannel, felt that soft, warm cotton and

dreamed of making myself a flannel quilt.

A little while (ahem.. two years) ago, I bought a flannel 'confetti' quilt kit at the Festival of Quilts, on the Seattle Quilt Company stand.

The kit has been sitting in my cupboard ever since, looked at, admired and put away again.

I had two problems:

1. I had never sewn flannel before and didn't want to make a mess of it!

2. I never had the time.

Ok, number two is a lame excuse,

so I have taken advantage of this holiday time to make a start on the quilt.

I have searched the internet for tips on sewing flannel,

some of these are very useful and then others are very contradictory.

HELP!

So far I have found that my fabric does not fray very much and I have opted to use a conventional 1/4" seam allowance (This is totally going against the majority of the advice out there that says to use a bigger seam allowance)

And starch? do I really need starch?

Well, not so far anyway!

anybody got any tips for me?

Holiday reading

Just before the Christmas holidays, I popped into my local library

and borrowed some books..

I was delighted to find a copy of the Liberty Book of Home Sewing -

I am only the second person to borrow it!

It has some beautiful projects for practical items,

I have fallen for a lovely rose inspired cushion which I will just have to have a go at making.

I have always wanted to learn to crochet, so I borrowed a couple of crochet books aswell!

After a quick flick through the books,

I think the 'Super Cute' one will have to wait until I have grasped the basics first!

On Christmas Eve the post man brought a lovely package of fabric - all the way from the USA!

I had won one of Laurie Wisbrun's 12 days of goodies giveaway, 8 fat quarters of her new fabric line 'Modern Whimsy' - its absolutely gorgeous and 100% organic! Those colours, along with the sheep and the rabbits are just screaming SPRING at me!

Anyone know any good crochet themed blogs?

Beginners standard of course!

Christmas baking

I've been busy baking mince pies..some for giving away..some for keeping..

As you can see I'm a messy cook :)

But they do taste really good!

What are you cooking up for the holidays?