A Crazy Patchwork Day

Things have been slightly busy both in the studio and infront of my computer. All very exciting though, and it is great to be able to offer more courses. 

The City & Guilds Patchwork & Quilting level 2 certificate course started at Bee Crafty this month, which was very exciting. 

Level 1 courses in Machine and Hand Embroidery will be starting in the new work room at Tudor Rose in July. The next level 1 course will be starting there in September and the level 2 Patchwork & Quilting in October. Along with and additional beginners Patchwork & Quilting class things are looking busy. I love teaching and starting my students off on their creative journey's. If you would like details about any of these courses please get in touch.

Also the Quilters Guild has a great page with listings for City & Guilds courses around the country. 

The Quilters Guild - City & Guilds

Yesterday I taught a Crazy patchwork with hand quilting class at Tudor Rose. It was a busy and productive day and these are some of the lovely blocks the students produced. 

Cathy started adding beads to her seam treatments, using wonderful fabric from Harewood House, to create a very fresh and spring-like block.

Judith created this striking block, and I love the use of closed blanket stitch, fly stitch and french knots to make a row of people. A really fun block.

Pat's addition of lace and lovely stitching has created a block with a unique antique feel. Purple and green are one of my favourite colour combinations.

Many thanks to them for allowing me to share their wonderful work with my blog readers.

Bev

Back in the Studio

It's been a busy couple of weeks or should I say month. 

The level 2 Patchwork & Quilting class started at Bee Crafty and it was wonderful to welcome my students back. I started them off straight away with lots of design work. I love seeing what different interpretations are brought to the same exercises and can't wait to see what they produce over the next year.  Exciting times ahead.

I finally got into the studio and gave myself some me time. This means finishing half started/finished projects of which I seem to have lots.

I have pieced a back for a Kalaidoscope Quilt which has been hanging around for ages. It was going to be my first quilt on my Grace Frame, but I can't see it being reassembled for a little while due to decorating, so have decided just to get it finished. 

I have also been working on a new block "The Derwent Block" and this will be available as a foundation pattern this summer

 And I also added reverse appliqué 'frames' to the crazy nine patch blocks.

A good days work but there is still a little time today to do some more, so back to the studio I go.

Bev

Crazy Nine Patch

 I must learn to blinker myself when walking to the workrooms for day schools. 

 But Moda's "Vin de Jour" layer cake caught my eye. In fact it jumped off the shelf and said buy me!!!
It is a lovely fabric range with mulberry, mustard yellow, muted rose and olive green. Really scrumptious.

I have cut it simply to make some mismatched nine patch blocks. I intend to inset these when I have a moment. It is an experimental work in progress, but my deadline is Christmas so I feel as if I have loads of time. When I get to November and realise that it is no further on I may have a panic. 

Mid Year resolution - Finish some projects

Bev

Finally back in the Studio

I seem to have had a few days playing with transfer paints, which has been wonderful as I have been away from being creative for far too long. As you will have noticed from the lack of blogging.

It started on Saturday when I ran a mini workshop for my branch of the Embroiderers' Guild using transfer paints and appliqué. 

Now to finish the appliqué and add some embroidery for a fun cushion workshop. I auditioned the shapes againt different backgrounds and photogtraphed them to help me choose between them. I find that If I take photographs and distance myself from the work helps me. 

Tuesdays meeting of Calico was more ways with transfer paints.
I decided to experiment with using items as a resist. Some were slightly problematical as I melted the nylon lace onto the fabric. Luckily it peeled off but something I must take more care with in the future.

Bev