Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 17 - 2016 i Today's Quilter

I’m sitting here, dreaming of a white Christmas and wondering if the rain will ever stop long enough to allow for said spectacle. So you can’t blame me for also thinking about trips abroad to exotic and fascinating locations. Getting away to a different place, with new scenery and like-minded people is an ideal way to relax, but for us quilters it often means leaving behind our favourite hobby for a week or two. That’s why I was rather excited to see that the ever effervescent Mandy Shaw is hosting a trip to Italy next year (see page 76), where stunning views are in abundance combined with the chance to stitch at every opportunity! I’ve always been a big believer in the theory that we can’t be creative in a…

“This supplement takes you on a journey which explores the provenance of the original piece through to the current day and the resulting fabric range.” Chris Gatman, Chief Executive, The Quilters’ Guild LET US KNOW! Drop us a line – an email, letter, tweet or Facebook post – letting us know about your quilting. Whether it’s a new project, treasured heirloom, favourite fabric or imaginative mood board, we’d love to see what you’ve been up to and hear your stories! WHEN WE HEARD that The Quilters’ Guild was launching their first ever fabric collection, Elizabeth’s Dowry, our initial reaction was of course utter excitement! Next we wanted to know just how this project came about, nosy bunch that we are… So we tasked our Features Editor Jane Rae to…

If we costed a quilt realistically, the price would be astronomical. Like most education establishments, my Chelsworth classes take a long break in the summer, finishing the regular sessions mid-July and returning in mid-September. All that drifting, easy summer time to sew, sit in the sun, plan and reflect on life generally... hmm... Somehow, stuff crowds in: visitors, a new kitchen floor to be installed, and for so many quilters the joy of the Festival of Quilts. I remember when this Show was first being planned. A very urbane (or do I mean urban?) London friend of mine, also a dedicated quilter, was appalled at the timing. “August? Don’t they realise everyone’s in the country in August?” Yes, well, I think it’s a great time of year for the rest…

“Woven style blocks have long been popular with quilt makers with published examples being seen in quilts from the 1930s through to modern versions in the 1980s in books by Valerie Campbell-Harding and Muriel Higgins. My block is a variation of one seen in a book by Chuck Nohara (2001 New Blocks for Patchwork, Quiltmania). I’ve spaced the fabrics slightly differently in my version to make the maths easier. “The quilt above uses 20 blocks and has a 6in finished border with inserts of 2½in strips to extend the woven effect at random intervals. You can space the strips in the border as you like, but I have given the measurements for the way I did mine. I did not always use the same fabric that was in the block…

Japanese folded patchwork can be varied in exciting ways, such as featuring pieced areas, using trims and experimenting with different shapes. VARIATION IDEAS FOR FOLDED PATCHWORK In the last issue, Part One described the basic method of folded patchwork, but the technique can be adapted in various ways. Here are some ideas you might try: • Feature a fussy-cut centre. • Work an appliqué motif in the centre. • Make a pieced centre. • Add a trim to emphasise the curved edges. You can go even further if you like, such as… • Changing the overall shape of the block to a rectangle, or perhaps a triangle. • Combining different shapes in one quilt design. • Adding a second stage of folding for a more complex design. Using a…

Use a soft wadding as it will be easier to needle, which will enable you to make smaller stitches. I know lots of people don’t like to use synthetic wadding, but polyester is easy to hand quilt. But experiment with different waddings to see which you prefer. Many quilters find the rocking method difficult, but do persevere as once you get the hang of it you will be able to quilt smaller and more even stitches. When you “rock” the needle it goes both down into the work and then back up at right angles. When you do a running stitch the needle doesn’t go straight up and down, so you won’t get even stitches. Don’t worry about the size of your stitches – evenness is the key. Like handwriting,…

VARIATION BLOCK Cutting out 1 From the long side of the background fabric cut as follows: • One (1) 2½in strip. • One (1) 3½in strip. Subcut this into two (2) 3½in squares, one (1) 3in square and one (1) 2in square. • One (1) 2in strip. Subcut this into one (1) 2in x 3in piece and two (2) 1in x 5½in strips. 2 From the roof fabric cut two (2) 3½in squares and one (1) piece measuring 3½in x 6½in. 3 From the overhang fabric cut one (1) 3in square and one (1) piece measuring 1½in x 3in. 4 From the long side of the barn fabric cut four (4) 1in strips and one (1) 1½in x 4in piece. Assemble your block 5 Make two (2) HST units as…

SHOPPING ACCESSORIES Alice Caroline www.alicecaroline.co.uk 0138 672 5000 Heat Press batting tape www.eqsuk.com 0116 271 0033 BOOKS Search Press www.searchpress.com 0189 251 0850 Sew and So www.sewandso.co.uk/ 0800 013 0150 FABRIC COLLECTIONS Multicolour Picks www.oakshottfabrics.com 0145 237 1571 Radiance www.makoweruk.com 0149 157 9727 Elizabeth’s Dowry www.quiltersguildshop.org.uk 0190 461 3242 When Skies Are Grey www.eqsuk.com 0116 271 0033 The Quilters’ Guild www.quiltersguild.org.uk 0190 461 3242…

I’m delighted to present this special souvenir supplement by Today’s Quilter, which showcases the collaborative project between The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles and Marcus Fabrics resulting in the fabulous Elizabeth’s Dowry fabric range. So let me tell you a little bit about The Guild. We are a membership organisation for individuals and groups interested in patchwork and quilting. Members of all ages and abilities take part in a national and regional programme of activities and contribute to the preservation of quilting history. As an educational charity we promote the appreciation, knowledge and understanding of quilt making, together with its techniques and heritage. Whether a beginner, an experienced quilter or someone interested in the history and development of patchwork and quilting, The Guild offers so much – see page…

The mariner’s compass has featured in patchwork for hundreds of years and its radiating motif has inspired quilters to devise numerous methods for creating the points of the compass rose. The compass rose consists of four cardinal directions – North, South, East and West and becomes more complex as you add bisecting points to create a 32-point compass, which is what we see in the Mariner’s Compass Coverlet. It’s not surprising that quilters are drawn to its geometric shapes and striking design. First appearances The earliest example of this type of motif appearing in The Quilters’ Guild Collection is in the Challans Appliqué Coverlet pictured here and made in 1811. The Coverlet consists of dress fabrics appliquéd onto a cream cotton background and the only indication of its “maker” is…

Many of you will recognise the name Marcus Fabrics from your travels in quilting, and it’s highly likely that the familiar logo with its signature blue circles is gracing many of the selvedges peaking out of your stash. Based in New York City they have been in the business of creating fine cottons and novelty fabrics for over 100 years. With an emphasis on quality and creativity, they have become an industry innovator in the category of reproduction quilt fabrics. We spoke to their Marketing Manager, Lisa Shepard Stewart, to find out more about their collaboration with The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles and how new digital technology has been a game changer in fabric manufacturing. Can you tell us more about Marcus Fabrics? “We produce a wide range…

Mandy Shaw QUILTING ANGELS We were utterly charmed by Mandy’s stitched angels and thought they’d be perfect for this time of year. Make a wish on page 54. Jane Rae HISTORY RESEARCH Your FREE supplement featuring The Quilters’ Guild was meticulously compiled and written by our roving Features Editor Jane! Carolyn Forster SPECIAL EFFECTS Carolyn’s clever quilt on page 36 is one of the simplest but most effective ways to create a three-dimensional looking quilt. Try it today!…

GOOD TO KNOW Let’s talk Did you know that the UK based oral history project Talking Quilts was inspired by the Quilters’ Save Our Stories (QSOS) project organised by Quilt Alliance in the USA? They have been documenting, preserving and sharing the stories of quilters since 1999 and have collected over 1,100 interviews. www.quiltalliance.org ww.talkingquilts.org.uk NEW IDEAS Heat press batting tape Here’s an easy way to join all those odds and ends of wadding together to make large pieces. It’s perfect for all your Quilt-As-You-Go projects, or if you run out of wadding! Simply lay the pieces side by side, place the tape over the join and run the iron gently across. The adhesive then secures both sides. To find out more, visit www.eqsuk.com or call 0116 271 0033. ACCESSORISE…

You will need • One (1) Jelly Roll or forty (40) 2½in strips cut across the width of the fabric • Background fabric – 2yds • Setting triangle fabric – 1½yds • Binding fabric- ¾yd • Backing fabric – 70in x 88in • Batting – 70in x 88in Finished size • 64in x 80in Notes • Read all the instructions through before starting your quilt. • Use a scant ¼in seam allowance throughout. Cutting out 1 From the background fabric cut eleven (11) 6½in strips across the width of the fabric. Subcut each strip into six (6) 6½in squares. You need sixty-four (64) in total, so two (2) are spare. 2 From the setting triangles fabric, cut as follows: • Two (2) strips 19in wide across the width of the…

 Begin with an estimate of the costs of fabric, wadding and threads, upwards of £100 these days and possibly double that for a king-sized version. That should jar them into the real world nicely. Then, you have to decide what price you would put on your own efforts in the cutting, stitching and crafting of the quilt. You’re never going to make any money out of it, but you need to avoid the pleasure of quilt-making turning into resentment as you slowly realise that your work is being undervalued... Never make a quitt for someone unless you absolutely kmow they ache to possess it. Tell them that a quilt will take at least 100 hours to make, and far more if handwork is involved. By now they will need to…

You will need • Background and backing – ½yd linen or linen mix fabric • Brown fabric for stem – 15in square • Green fabric for hellebore leaves – 12in x 9in piece in total • Dark green fabrics for holly leaves – 11in square in total • Dark green fabrics for ivy leaves – 7in x 12in piece in total • A variety of cream fabrics for hellebore petals – 12in x 13in piece in total • Scraps of mauve and gold/yellow fabric for hellebore centres • Light green fabric for mistletoe leaves – 5in x 6in piece • Pencil/removable pen • A small amount of green perle cotton 8 • Binding fabric – 5in x WOF • Freezer paper (optional) • Cushion pad – 16in • Appliqué templates…

What are your favourite tools and techniques? “I love hand needle-turn appliqué, and to hand quilt. I pretty much like most techniques, except basting!” In terms of gadgets and tools, Sarah loves her Aurifil Mako 12 weight thread for hand quilting and their 50 weight thread for appliqué. “I can’t live without my Aurifil thread of course!” Also top of her list are her Clover Hera marker; appliqué glue; Tulip Milliners Needles, which have a large eye and run smoothly through fabric; Clover Wonder Clips; quilting hoop and Clover Open Sided Thimble. Who’s on your list for the ultimate quilting bee? “My best quilting mates, who all live miles and miles from me and I miss constantly. They all know who they are. And Freddy Moran because she is just…

HELP!  I want to use pieced blocks in my folded patchwork but find it hard to visualise what the finished unit will look like. How can I remove the guesswork? Try this… It can be difficult imagining what a pieced unit will look like once parts of it are cut off when the circle is prepared. I hate wasting time and fabric so I prepare paper dummies using coloured pencils. 1 Draw a block using the shapes you think will work and colour in the parts with pencils. This doesn’t have to be a work of art or to scale. Drawing on squared graph paper can help. Prepare a drawing for the front of the unit and one for the back (which will become the flaps). 2 Draw circles within…

You will need • Print fabrics – Twenty (20) ⅛yd pieces, cut as long or fat eighths* • Background and binding fabric – 1⅛yds • Backing fabric – 1½yds** • Batting – 1½yds or four (4) 12in x 42in pieces Finished size • Approx. 40in square Notes • Wash and press all fabrics well before cutting. • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press after each seam as preferred throughout – open or to one side. • WOF = width of fabric – a cut made from selvedge to selvedge. • Fat eighth = 9in x 22in. • Long eighth = 4½in x 44in. • We found it useful to use Clover Wonder Clips and basting spray (such as Odif 505) for this project. • *For the same…

FOLLOW YOUR OWN STAR ANGEL APPLIQUÉ TEMPLATES ENLARGE BY 200% DOWNLOAD THESE TEMPLATES FULL SIZE Visit our blog: www.todaysquilter.com  today! PLEASE NOTE: APPLIQUÉ TEMPLATES DO NOT INCLUDE SEAM ALLOWANCES Thank you for making this project from Today’s Quilter. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project. They work hard to create projects for you to enjoy, so please don’t re-sell or distribute without permission. Please do not make any part of the templates or instructions available to others through your website or a third party website, or copy it multiple times without permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help. TEXT TEMPLATE ACTUAL SIZE STAR APPLIQUÉ TEMPLATES ACTUAL SIZE FPP SQUARE TEMPLATES ACTUAL SIZE Includes seam allowances…

“The project is a creative way of expressing the mission of our church, involving the wider community in its creation and it’s fantastic that such a distinguished artist should be the starting point for this piece of work.” This multifaceted project brought together local artist David Brayne, recipient of a prestigious Turner Medal; the Glasgow School of Art’s digital printing capabilities; and members of the congregation, led by Debbie Hart, a keen quilter. As the Church is dedicated to St Peter, it was decided that a new frontal would be made depicting a scene of St Peter pulling in a large net laden with fish. David agreed to paint a scene that could be transferred to fabric and Debbie worked with the Centre for Advanced Textiles at Glasgow School of…

When I first met with Christine Morton, Business Manager at The Quilters’ Guild, to find out about the new Elizabeth’s Dowry fabric line, I couldn’t help but think of the many nautical metaphors, which seemed so apt in this context. Here was a quilt treasure from their Collection, the Mariner’s Compass Coverlet, made in the 1820s, inspiring a digitally printed fabric collection almost 200 years later. It really is a story of new directions and unchartered waters on an international scale. When a new fabric line is launched, quilters rush to the retailers, eager to make a purchase so that their stash will be replete. The fabric takes on a new life as it is auditioned, shaped, pieced, stitched and assembled to create beautiful quilts. We understand this process very…

“The magnetic compass, which indicates north and so tells the seaman which way the ship is heading, has been at the heart of navigation since its invention, although when and where that was will probably never be known. Compasses were known in Europe by the 12th century and in China much earlier, although it is unclear whether the knowledge came to Europe from China (perhaps via the Islamic world) or if the discoveries were made independently. At first, compasses were magnetised needles embedded in straw and floated on water. By the 15th century the needle was attached to the underside of a card (or “fly”) that was free to rotate on a pin fixed within a bowl; the card was marked with up to 32 points (directions such as north-west…

THE BORDER THE CENTRAL MOTIF THE DIAMONDS This sumptuous range of fabrics includes a preprinted central panel and 23 different prints inspired by those used in the Mariner’s Compass Coverlet nearly 200 years ago. As we know the origins of the Coverlet, we know that it was made by the Dennis/Cann family living in Hartland in Devon. Mary Dennis made the Mariner’s Compass Coverlet before her marriage when she was a farmer’s daughter. She married Richard Cann in 1828 and the Coverlet was part of her dowry. Unfortunately, Richard died of Typhoid Fever in 1842, leaving Mary and her children no choice but to leave their farm and move to Hartland village where they ran a drapers and grocery shop. Given the nature of their business as a drapers and…

THE DESIGNER KAFFE FASSETT The king of colour, Kaffe Fassett, is a lifelong lover of using florals to adorn his home and textile designs, proclaiming, “few other objects on this earth capture and reflect colour the way flower petals do”. Bold Blooms celebrates this passion, with insight into the processes behind his iconic creations. Split into chapters of colour moods, our favourite is the theatrical Rich, Dark Tones, which includes the Millefiore Snowball quilt, shown above. Those fussy-cut flowers and pops of cobalt blue against deep purples are utter perfection. THE SHOP CHRISTY Florals are a timeless interior design choice and for a luxe feel in the bedroom, look no further than the Hartford bed set from Christy (www.christy.co.uk). We love the vintage character of the soft mauve and taupe…

“You can make sixty (60) nine-patch blocks quickly and easily from just one Jelly Roll. Nine-patch blocks can be mixed with many other blocks to create stunning quilts. This pattern does something completely different with the nine-patch block until it becomes virtually unrecognisable. “When devising the pattern, the quilt lent itself to being set five (5) blocks by six (6) blocks, which would have used up all the blocks with very little wastage. It did look good but we kept looking at the quilt diagonally and couldn’t help preferring it that way. To set the quilt on-point meant we needed to make up two more blocks. Luckily, our offcuts from making the nine-patch blocks came into their own. We sewed them up to make scrappy nine-patch blocks, which meant we…

“This version of my four seasonal garland cushions has definitely been the hardest to design, largely due to the deficiency of inspirations available in winter. I didn’t want to use the showy and obvious poinsettia (particularly as it is not a native plant) and I had already used a snowdrop for spring, so my choices were limited. But then these very limitations are themselves a main feature of winter. The landscape is duller but this just emphasises the colours and sights available all the more. So this garland is full of greenery with all the winter favourites, holly, ivy and mistletoe, plus the hellebore, a plant that flowers all through the winter with its delicate creamy petals and its unusual spiky leaves. Just a hint of bright red berries sets…

“For me the pleasure is in the engagement of making; I’m not bothered by how long it takes.” Welsh quilter Gwenfai Rees Griffiths has won countless awards for her stunning hand-quilted designs. I was delighted to have the opportunity to catch up with her to find out more and to pick up some invaluable hints and tips. When did you start quilting? “In the early 1990s I went to an exhibition of sampler quilts made by students of local teacher Rebecca Collins. I was very taken, so signed up to take the next batch of classes. We met once a month for nine months and covered various piecing, appliqué and quilting techniques; I loved it all. In fact, I became obsessed and made two quilts in the nine-month period!” How…

The days are almost at their shortest now and the temperature is dropping. With the trees bare and very little growing at Shangri la Farm it’s time to go inside and get cosy and warm. My husband has spent the last year building a Tiny House, this is a prototype and now “show home” for his new Tiny House business. Because we live in our own little paradise here and are reluctant to leave it even in the dark days of winter, the Tiny House has become our little retreat. Running a business from home can make it hard to switch off, so when it all gets too much we head to the Tiny House. It’s a compact living space with a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping loft, complete with a…

THE QUILT LADY Come and learn to quilt in Cornwall. Small, relaxed ›, 1,2 and 5 day classes for all abilities. Equipment and materials available. sara@thequiltlady.co.uk HAZEL’S FABRIC CRAFT West Calder. Patchwork & Quilting supplies and workshops. Open Fri & Sat 9.30am–4.30pm, Sun 10am–2pm. hazelsfabriccraft.co.uk FELT CREATIVE A fantastic selection of recycled sari material in ›m and 1m lengths. Perfect for quilting and embroidery. 07532 053356 feltcreative.co.uk THE QUILT SANCTUARY Professional Long Arm Quilting Service, including a selection of fabrics and wadding. Gwynedd, Wales. 01341 250809 / 07402 919194 thequiltsanctuary.co.uk CREATIVE CRAFTS Creative Crafts is an independent arts & crafts shop bursting to the seams with everything you need for your hobby. 01962 856266 HOMETOWN Keep warm this winter by quilting. Find all your fabrics at…

Mandy Shaw shares her charming star medallion quilt pattern • Discover the magical world of the fascinating quilter Lucy Boston • Catch up on exciting new products for your kit • BOM continues with a snowy January theme FREE! Learn Lynne Edwards’ NEW Cathedral Window technique! Issue 18 on sale 5th January…

What’s so interesting about the Mariner’s Compass Coverlet is that there is so much information about its provenance. It is one of five pieces in the Collection from the Dennis/Cann family from Devonshire, England, which includes the Silk Triangles Coverlet, Double sided Cot Quilt, Squares Re-covered Cot Quilt, and Diamond Mosaic Coverlet. Mary, a farmer’s daughter, married Richard Cann in 1828 and they had six daughters: Annie, Jane, Elizabeth, Fanny, Mary and Margaret, and one son, John. Tragically, Richard died of Typhoid Fever in 1842, leaving Mary and her children no choice but to leave their farm and move to Hartland village where they ran a drapers and grocery shop. Mary stayed running the shop for nearly 50 years before her death at the age of 92 in 1891.…

“A compass not only guides us to our destination, it also shows us the way home.”Karen Styles “I believe someone from the past has lovingly stitched these beautiful heritage quilts; they have a real sense of love and satisfaction in them.” Karen Styles is the owner of Somerset Patchwork & Quilting in Victoria in Australia and the designer of the Elizabeth’s Dowry fabric line. Ever since she started her quilting journey in the 1990s, she has been drawn to antique quilts and the legacies that they carry from generations of quiltmakers that have gone before. With a background in architecture, the construction of these quilts also fascinated her and she has created quite a following as a designer of replica quilt kits and patterns. Her love of heritage quilts has…

BEHIND THE FABRIC ELIZABETH’S COMPASS QUILT Inspired by the new fabric line by Marcus Fabrics and The Quilters’ Guild, Sally designed this quilt to show off the gorgeous patterns of the fabric, while still giving a nod to the original Mariner’s Compass Coverlet. You will need • Wheat sheaf (A) – one (1) fat quarter • Greek yellow (B) – one (1) fat quarter • Brown stripe (C) – ½yd • Pink stripe (D) – ½yd • Leopard print (E) – one (1) fat quarter • Diamonds red (F) – ½yd • Diamonds blue (G) – ½yd • Red squares (H) – one (1) fat quarter • Green squares (I) – ½yd • Brown spot (J) – one (1) fat quarter • Blue spot (K) – one (1) fat quarter…