Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 24 - 2017 i Today's Quilter

In the summer, non-quilters often ask us, “Why on earth would you want to make and use quilts in the warm weather?” Well, for a start, I’m grateful for any warm weather as it’s certainly not guaranteed in the British summer! Yes, quilts are designed to cocoon us in warmth, but they are so much more than that. In the summer, nothing freshens the look of a home more than lighter, brighter quilts scattered on beds, sofas and even on walls. When children come in from a day playing outside in the fresh air, a quilt is the perfect nap-time companion. And how many of us remember long car journeys in the summer, with younger family members asleep under a blanket on the back seat waking only to ask, “Are…

THE WORLD ALLOWS us to click the “like” button on everything these days, then swiftly move on to the next post or picture. But here at TQ we’re a nosy bunch; we simply must know more and will go on a journey of discovery to uncover a fascinating story! The Log Cabin block is a classic in the quilting world, so we decided not only to create a brand new Log Cabin quilt design just for you, but also to go back and unpick the history, heritage and techniques. As always, our Features Editor Jane Rae has done the detective work and brings us the background of the block with help from Janet Rae, Dinah Travis and The Quilters’ Guild. Our Technical Consultant Linda Clements breaks down the block, then…

“Change is good – the craft is fluid and flexible, not nailed down within the tradition.” When I was preparing for a recent piece for Today’s Quilter and my mind was caught up with the issue of continuous binding, I decided it was something I would also talk about with my regular classes. I just thought it might be helpful to them too, as several of them teach or help run their own groups. It could be useful to have a step-by-step worksheet they could talk through and pass on to others, as well as addressing some of their own problems. I know it’s a digital age, but I still like to have a paper trail to follow, especially when I need to read it several times as I slowly…

Tell us about your sewing background? I worked for about 10 years as a soft toy designer, designing toys for production. Who taught you to sew? My Mum taught me to sew and she had been taught by her Mum, my Nana. Sewing was all around me growing up and my Mum was always repurposing old shirts into clothes for my dolls! I was delighted when I was finally deemed old and responsible enough to use my Mum’s sewing machine unsupervised. Describe your sewing style I love simple, geometric designs with pops of colour and usually work with smaller scale prints. I love tiny details and fiddly techniques, probably because I’m so used to making small items such as toys. What sewing tool could you not live without? A water…

HELP! I can make neat corners in stained-glass appliqué if they are straight ones, but how do you do angled ones? Try this… Where a strip end meets an angle that is not 90 degrees, then you will need to create the same angle at the end of the strip. Angled ends like this are needed on the bird and crocus designs. Sometimes the angle can just be cut, as the raw end will be covered by another strip later – see Fig 7. At other times, the angle will need to be a folded to secure a raw end. Fig 8 shows this principle. If you are using fusible tape, or your own tape that you have added fusible web to, then it’s much easier to secure the end…

Keep your eyes open for patterns which might make good free-motion designs, e.g. on wrapping paper or other packaging. Once you have an idea to work with then you can adapt the pattern to suit, perhaps by simplifying it so it’s easier to stitch, or reducing or enlarging it so it fits where you want to quilt. If you are new to free-motion work, make some sample-sized quilt sandwiches using printed fabric for the quilt top, then try following the design with your quilting stitches. This will help you to develop your coordination and control. If you find you “get lost” when stitching free-hand designs, try drawing it on paper first as this will give you a feel for what you need to do and where the problems are. Some…

The notion of an outdoor quilt show is not entirely unfamiliar, but something we don’t get many opportunities to enjoy here in the UK. Further afield in Oregon in July, the small town of Sisters is transformed into a wonderful outdoor exhibition venue for quilts, and some of our readers may recall the outdoor quilting category at the Loch Lomond Quilt Show, where quilts made of a variety of hardy materials endured the unpredictable Scottish weather. Luckily for us, we have our very own outdoor event here in Wales from 25-27 August set in six acres of beautiful RHS partner gardens, Cae Hir, designed by Dutch born Wil Akkermans. Karen Cocksedge, joint organiser of the event, is a long-arm quilter and owner of Karen’s Quilts. The idea for an outdoor…

Pattern Sources Attempting to trace the origins of the Log Cabin pattern calls for patience. Just when you think you have nailed down its source, the “sand shifts”, another avenue of research presents itself and you are forced to step back a few hundred years further to examine yet another culture. The intrigue lies in its antiquity and its varying applications to different crafts – not only textiles. The enigma of the Log Cabin family of patterns is their appearance in diverse countries around the globe. It is a pattern that has travelled across oceans and through time: sometimes the routes and carriers can be explained, but often there remains only speculation. “The skill of making patchwork, brought by the missionaries... remains a distinctive inheritance to the present day.” A…

The American Museum in Britain is the only museum of American decorative and folk art outside the United States. Situated in Claverton Manor in Bath within 125 acres, it’s a feast for visitors, particularly textile enthusiasts. The American Museum’s collection includes over 200 quilts ranging from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. Over 50 quilts are always on display in the Textile Room and throughout the Period Rooms. Also on display are a selection of Navajo weavings, hooked rugs and woven coverlets. Discover more online and browse the shop: www.americanmuseum.org Classic Quilts from The American Museum in Britain features examples of wholecloth quilts, Baltimore Album quilts, Log Cabin quilts and other traditional patterns. It’s a must for the heritage section of the quilter’s library and is available to buy at the…

Alice Garrett LIBERTY BELLE Blow the cobwebs away with a day out to meet Alice (page 42), whose passion for Liberty print goes beyond the average fabric stash! Mel Lewis HEXAGON COLOUR BURST Using fabric by Jennifer Paganelli, Mel has created a quilt on page 62 to add a bright, bohemian twist to any summer bedroom. Carolyn Forster COVER STAR Carolyn’s striking variation on the Endless Chain design (page 22) has true star quality, right down to the delicious colour combo.…

COMMUNITY QUILT PROJECT Celebrating Jane Austen Jane Austen’s House Museum in Hampshire has launched a community story quilt project inspired by the patchwork coverlet made by Jane, her mother and sister, on display in the Museum following recent conservation (featured in Issue 18). Enabled by funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, the Museum will be working with community groups from as far afield as North America, Australia and Brazil as well as closer to home in the village of Chawton. Groups will be making individual quilt blocks exploring different themes to form a patchwork of stories narrating Jane Austen’s life. The community quilt is due to be completed in early 2018 when it will go on display at Jane Austen’s House Museum. Next autumn, the quilt will travel to the Jane…

“I have long been an admirer of the Amish patchwork quilt tradition, and this well known “Diamond in the Square” design has many variations. The simplicity of the design hides the complexity of the construction of having to stitch long bias cut seams. For me the attraction is in the construction of the design, the style and the traditional colours, which I have then given my own twist by adding a vibrant array of colour, shapes, beads and button trims, to create a large vase of flowers in the ‘diamond’. “The quilt design is based on a quilt stitched in 1903 by Rebecca Fisher Stolzfus from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and featured in the book The Art of the Quilt (Ruth Marler, Courage Books, 2001). The original was also stitched in…

WEEKEND PROJECT PERFECT POCKETS You will need • Backing fabric – ¾yd • Main front fabric – 20in x 27in • Batting – 20in x 25in • Ric rac – 2yds • Fabric for main bottom pocket – 6½in x 27in • Three (3) fabrics for smaller pockets – one (1) fat quarter of each • Felt – 8in square • Fusible webbing • Coat hanger • Embroidery thread • Four (4) buttons to decorate • Decorative tapes/ribbon – 3yds • “D” ring and lobster claw hook (optional) • Handful of stuffing for pin cushion • Templates (see Templates section) Finished size • Approximately 20in x 27in Cutting out 1 From the backing fabric, cut one (1) 20in x 27in piece and one (1) 4in x 20in piece. 2 From…

SHOPPING FABRIC COLLECTIONS Penny Rose’s Gingham Girls Michael Miller’s Koi Garden Riley Blake’s Arbor Blossom Riley Blake’s Glamper-licious www.eqsuk.com  0116 271 0033 Sunny Isle by Jennifer Paganelli www.freespiritfabrics.com ACCESSORIES Hemline Seam Rippers groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk Tilda’s planner www.sewandso.co.uk  0800 013 0150 BOOKS Search Press www.searchpress.com  0189 251 0850 The Guild of Master Craftsman Publications www.thegmcgroup.com  0127 348 8005 Sew and So www.sewandso.co.uk  0800 013 0150…

Make your quilts sing with beauty! Meet world-renowned fabric and quilt designer Alison Glass • Create an exquisitely quilted cushion using your FREE stencils • Discover the sweetest summer quilt by Sally Ablett • Continue with Jo Avery’s charming BOM FREE! Advance your quilting repertoire with 4 exclusive stencils Issue 25 on sale 20th July…

“The Log Cabin is arguably the first repeatable quilting block.” American artist Luke Haynes immersed himself in the Log Cabin design to create 50 iterations of the Log Cabin quilt, all red centres with white and black fabric. If ever there was a collection which conveyed the versatility of this block, this must be it, but most importantly Luke wants us to see the quilts as sculptures rather than domestic objects that have no value. When they first went on display he wanted them hanging away from the walls in a “forest of pieces to walk through”. More recently they appeared at the International Quilt Study Centre & Museum in Nebraska, draped and over large frames that towered well above the visitor – overwhelming, but protective at the same time.…

THE BOOK BLUE AND WHITE Who knew an entire home in just two shades could be so visually enticing? Join rug hooker Polly Minick and her quiltmaker sister Laurie Simpson for a journey inside three beautifully styled American homes, curated to perfection in this classic two-colour palette. Overflowing with advice for showcasing your favourite quilts, rugs and vintage textiles to create a space that’s unique to you, Polly and Laurie’s refreshing take on making, collecting and decorating will have you poring over the pages for hours. THE SHOP NATIONAL TRUST The National Trust shop is full of gifts inspired by special places. Their Estuary collection draws on the understated beauty of the 700 miles of untamed British coastline looked after by the charity. The product range balances a softness and…

“This Endless Chain pattern originated in the 1930s through the Laura Wheeler pattern company. It was great for using up odd scraps, and can still be really useful for us today! Traditionally, this quilt is put together in units of four with all of the strip points meeting in the middle. I have put mine together so each unit of four makes a star. Choose whichever appeals as both will be great and use up all your treasured scraps. “The layout of the blocks usually gives you an allover scrappy quilt, but I have made a medallion style quilt by using nine blocks in the centre and then surrounding those with 16 blocks with the fabric placement reversed. It was a good solution for me as I wanted to play…

You will need • One (1) Jelly Roll OR forty (40) 2½in x WOF strips • Background fabric – 1¾yds • Border fabric – ½yd • Backing fabric – 68in x 86in • Batting – 68in x 86in • Binding fabric – ½yd Finished size • 58in x 76in Notes • Use a ¼in seam throughout and press seams to one side as specified. Cutting out 1 From the background fabric, cut forty (40) 1½in strips across the width of the fabric. 2 From the border fabric, cut seven (7) 2½in strips across the width of fabric. 3 From the binding fabric, cut seven (7) 2½in strips across the width of fabric. Assembling the blocks 4 Take one (1) 2½in strip from the Jelly Roll and one (1) 1½in background…

The team at Alice Caroline are putting the call out to people who love to sew to make a Liberty SOS Children’s Villages quilt. “We have so much in our lives that we forget that there are people in the world who have virtually nothing. We will be doing what we do best, making quilts for children who truly need them.” Alice Caroline will be heavily subsidising the cost of making the quilt, so if you love to sew then please do join them and sign up to make one. The quilts must be made from Liberty fabric on the front and you can sign up via the website, purchase a special quilt kit or choose your own fabric. Their goal is to donate 73 quilts this year, one for…

Stained-glass appliqué can turn an ordinary design into something quite special. This month's Essential Guide shows you how to achieve its eye-catching look WHAT IS STAINED-GLASS APPLIQUÉ? Stained-glass appliqué is actually just bias-strip appliqué but applied to designs to mimic the effect of a stained-glass window. The strip outline is normally in a darker or contrast colour, to mimic the lead strips in stained-glass. The outline can be worked with commercial fusible bias tape, or you could make your own bias strips. Last month we looked at methods of making and using these strips. This month we will look at the specifics of achieving some stained-glass designs. For examples of lovely stained-glass appliqué do check out the work of teacher and quilter Gail Lawther (www.gaillawther.co.uk) to see what can…

Quilter and teacher Judith Wilson has won innumerous prizes for her wonderful free-flowing designs. Her work has also been shown in several prestigious exhibitions. It was a pleasure to catch up with Judith to find out more about her graceful and elegant pieces, and to garner some handy advice. When did you start quilting? “I started quilting over 20 years ago. I’d done a City & Guilds (C&G) course in Machine Embroidery, so was already competent at free-motion stitching, but when I had a go at patchwork and quilting I took to it straight away and particularly enjoyed working at a larger scale. I attended a few classes and then did a C&G in Patchwork and Quilting, which was great for trying out lots of different techniques and for developing…

“Truthfully the mallard feathers are mainly grey with just a bright streak of blue to one side. So I have added in a few more ‘mallardy’ colours to evoke the whole of the bird.” This month’s blocks are all about our ducks and pheasants. I say “our” because they really do feel like part of our Shangri La family. We have a large group of pheasants that have obviously escaped from a neighbouring shoot at some stage. They trot nervously around the field and hide in the long grass, exploding together out of the undergrowth in a flurry of flapping wings and calls when we accidentally disturb their roost. The ducks are a little more special being properly wild. There are mallards and they swim in little groups along our…

TEMPTATIONS Everything you need for Patchwork and Quilting. Hundreds of quality cotton fabrics, wadding, haberdashery, Brother Sewing Machines. temptationsbentham.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 KATHY’S PATCH Fantastic range of fabrics, haberdashery and quilting notions. Unit 62, Folkestone Enterprise Centre, Shearway Rd, Folkestone, CT19 4RH kathyspatch.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 We love singing the blues (and all other colours!) at Hometown, 62 High Street, Rochester ME1 1JY. 01634 838880. hometownrochester.co.uk HORNCASTLE SEWING CENTRE…

Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to write about Janet Rae’s new book Warm Covers: A Scottish Textile Story, which explores Scotland’s textile history through the medium of the quilt. The front cover features a striking Log Cabin quilt from Scotland made in 1870 with great swathes of Turkey Red fabric running through the design. It’s part of Jan’s personal collection and was an important quilt in her research several years ago when she collaborated with artist, teacher and author Dinah Travis. When it comes to Log Cabin quilts, Janet Rae and Dinah Travis’ book, Making Connections: Around the World with Log Cabin, is one of the most comprehensive sources that has been written. The design skills of Dinah Travis combined with Jan’s research as a quilt historian culminated…

The Welsh Quilt Centre in Lampeter in West Wales was founded by Jen Jones in 2009. As well as exhibitions of quilts, the centre aims to stimulate Welsh quilting in its heartland and to promote a wider understanding of the importance of this regional art form. We are thrilled to bring you some examples of Welsh Log Cabin quilts from Jen’s extensive collection. Planning a visit? The current exhibition, As Good as it Gets, runs until the 4th November and showcases one of the most important periods in Welsh quilting (1921-1939) and features quilts from a number of collectors highlighting the work of Welsh quilters, who worked under the sponsorship of The Rural Industries Bureau (RIB) in Wales. Discover more online and browse the shop: www.jen-jones.com www.welshquilts.com Interested in exploring more…

The Log Cabin block is probably one of the best-known patchwork blocks. The traditional design is worked around a centre square, with strips added around this square, usually with light on one side of the block and dark on the other (Fig 1). The centre square is traditionally red, to represent the fire in the hearth, or yellow for the light in the windows. The strips that surround the centre represent the logs of the cabin. The block is sewn from the centre outwards, in clockwise or counterclockwise rounds. The blocks can be hand sewn, machine pieced or foundation paper pieced. Rotary rulers are available for cutting Log Cabin strips, and also pre-printed foundation papers. Some stunning quilts can be created using just this block. The block is also versatile.…