Getting my kicks from Free Machining

Today I had my first true dabble into Free Machining. 

I think we can safely say I'm not a natural! However, I predict all other WIP's are going to be heartlessly cast aside while I indulge in a new addiction.

Kirsty Allsop (of Homemade Home fame) infamously tweeted: “Machine embroidery is the crack cocaine of the craft world, and I am addicted.” I get it Kirsty!

I attended a morning workshop entitled "Introduction to free machine work" taught by Yvonne Brown at Sew Much To Do.

Yvonne Brown is a hugely talented Textile Artist with a background in Art and Art History. Yvonne teaches and exhibits all over the world. Check out the galleries on her website if you want to be truly amazed.





















 Looking through some of the pieces Yvonne brought with her I felt seriously not worthy of a class under her guidance!













Today's workshop was an introduction aimed at getting to grips with the basics of free machining.

Firstly, we practised on paper working in pairs; one person holding the pen still while the other moved the paper.

Machines at the ready, we moved onto our pre-prepared 15' quilt sandwiches. Initially, just getting used to the movement and creating swirling patterns while keeping our fabric pointing "north". It was so hard to resist rotating the fabric to make the curves!









We then progressed onto vermicelli, feathering and basic shapes. All of which Yvonne made look easy.


Yes, this one is Yvonne's work not mine.


















But, LOOK you can hardly spot the difference!!!!

NOT!

Some of my fellow classmates were already producing beautiful work by the end of the session.
Me? Not quite so proficient. My shoulders tightened as the workshop went on, and towards the end my technique got worse rather then better. But, even as I write this, I'm itching get practising again once my shoulders resume their natural position!

Before leaving today I signed up for the next instalment.
Part II: Stitch Dictionary, will focus on building our repertoire of free machining skills whilst creating a sampler piece.

I have five weeks to practice the basics so that I'm ready to move on. What's the betting I'm "cramming" the day before?


Before I sign off, here's a relaxing scene to soothe you after that shocking apple photo.
I snapped it at afternoon tea on Tuesday in The Drawing Rooms at The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington. It was my little daughter's first proper posh tea experience. But, the bubbles were all mine!

Kaffe Fassett is coming to Ely

I'm super excited! Kaffe Fassett is coming to little ole Ely.

We are incredibly lucky in Ely to have a fantastic independent book shop called Topping & Company. Its one of a pair; the other one being in Bath.

As well as it being a proper old-fashioned book shop it also hosts author events and readings, some of which are held in the majestic setting of Ely Cathedral. In the last couple of years I've attended events featuring Terry Pratchett, Dawn French and Nigella Lawson all in strolling distance of my own home.

I spotted a few weeks ago that Kaffe Fassett is descending on the Bath branch of Topping on 18th April in association with "Bath In Fashion 2013". But, disappointingly there was no mention of a corresponding event on the Ely list. Sniff.

I expressed my disappointment and yesterday I received a message from Topping and Company kindly letting me know Kaffe will be visiting Ely on 25th June to give a lecture on "Glorious Colour" at St Peter's Church, and talking about his new book Shots and Stripes.

How happy am I?

It's all gone hopping mad....

....well at least the weather has!

The spring birdies from my last post have frostbitten feet!

This week I've been cracking on with a geometric make for Le Challenge. It's been more fiddly than I thought. I've just a few more blocks to piece before I can put together the quilt top and show you a peak.

So in the absence of any new Easter creations I'm posting some pics of previous spring makes.
One of the benefits of being new to blogging is that they are new to you even if they are just old favourites to me.

 

Let me introduce you to Harriet; my Easter Hare. Most of my animal makes are created for my daughter or nieces, but this one is ALL MINE!

She's made from a Laura Ashley upholstery remnant picked up from a car boot sale. Most of it got used as a part of a patchwork squares picnic blanket, but there was enough left for Harriet. Her ears are edged with florist wire so she has a wide range of expressions!

She's well loved in this household; her arrival on the windowsill spells the imminent arrival of Chocolate eggs!



Next, meet my spring chicken, made using a Mellymade Designs pattern

She's weighted with pebbles in the base so she's a sturdy lady, rather like me!

Common Habitat:   the fireside hearth.
Migratory pattern:  centre stage for Easter. (Yes I know, chickens don't migrate!)

Mellymade Designs is the creative work of a talented local lady; Melanie Missin. I attended 'quilting' classes with Mel when I first started out and her passion was instrumental in getting me hooked on stitching. Recently she has added workshops at Sew Much To Do to her teaching programme.



To round off my Easter themed posting, here's one of my first ventures into appliqué. The shapes were kept simple and it's all a bit "twee", but it was a great project to hone my skills.

 

Happy Easter to all. x

A little birdie told me........

.........spring is almost here.

So to celebrate I've made a flock of chirpy critters.

 

I used some scraps of tulip and Easter prints from previous springtime makes, and assorted buttons from my button stash. The only new materials were the cute co-ordinating ribbons used to make the tails.

The tails are my favourite bit. They flutter beautifully if you give the birds a jiggle!!

Check out my Professor Trelawney birdie!

I also wanted to pay homage to one of my favourite pieces of equipment in my sewing basket; the long handled hemostat.

Before I made this purchase, turning and stuffing was a fiddly, time consuming pain.

The beauty of the hemostat is that it clamps shut, so you can let it go without it letting go, making turning through a small opening a breeze.
There are other tools out there to make turning easier, but hemostats also simplify the stuffing process. It is far quicker and you can really get right into those hard to reach corners for a nice even result.

PLUS if I ever need to perform complex surgery in a hurry I'm all set to go! Win-win!

Finally, I thought I'd finish with a pic of the lovely handmade beech cotton reels I got from my darling daughter for Mothers Day. I love them all the more because they are made locally at Hemington Hall.  They look even more beautiful now they are wound with some of the prettiest ribbon from my stash.

Le Challenge

The eagled-eyed amongst you may have noticed a new button over to the right of my page.

I'm linking up with "Le Challenge", a new monthly challenge open to all types of crafter whatever your poison! Not just stitching; anything goes.

A new theme will be announced on the 15th of each month and you have one month to complete.

The first theme is Geometrics - so lots of scope for interpretation.

Thanks to the organisers: Lucy @ Charm about you, and Nat at Made In Home.

Let the games begin!

Lady Luck gives me a wink...

Last week I was in the middle of a somewhat stressful and melancholy Monday when I received the cheering news that I'd won of a fantastic giveaway over at Very Berry Handmade.

So now I have even more reasons for it being my current favourite blog!

Today a padded envelope dropped through my door containing..............

Material World: The Modern Craft Bible by Perri Lewis.

The Modern Craft Bible is a "dip into" book, that should be accompanied by a cuppa or a glass of vino - provided you don't spill!

After a flyby discussion of basic materials and essential techniques, it moves on to cover fifteen different crafts ranging from Appliqué to Quilling.

Each chapter contains 'how to' instructions, illustrated with sketches; so you can try a taster of whichever craft grabs your fancy. In addition, there are detailed projects that offer a modern twist to old favourites, this being the main premise of the book.

I was disappointed that there weren't more photographs in a book that has the potential to be a visual feast, (excuse the cliche!). But, what is missing in quantity is made up in quality; the photographs used are crisp, modern and fun. I just wanted more!

My favourite element of the book are 'the masterclass' sections which comprise of tips and insights from experts from within each field. These little gems are what makes this book stand out from similar titles.

It's a book you wouldn't necessarily justify buying for yourself, but as a gift, or in my case a prize! It's a delight.

Thank you so much Ali at Very Berry Handmade!

A day out at the Spring Quilt Festival.

This weekend it was the Spring Quilt Festival at Duxford Imperial War Museum (IWM). It was the second time Duxford IWM has been the venue for this event. The first time was last autumn when it served as a late venue replacement following a fire at the regular venue of Chilford Hall. Personally, I preferred the attractive setting and the eating facilities at Chilford. But Duxford is is bigger, airier, and, on this second-time of hosting, had a more structured layout and wider aisles.

The usual suspects of exhibitors were in attendance. After four visits I've concluded it doesn't seem to vary a great deal from show to show. However, there are always plenty of new fabrics and puzzling gadgets to catch your eye.

At every show I'm simply amazed and humbled by the quilt displays. If photography were permitted I would share my favourites with you. One pairing in particular sticks in my mind for all the right reasons - A monochromatic landscape of Fenland Norfolk, using both pigment and thread, with it's negative image alongside. Stunning and a little bit eerie.

So, after almost four hours of flitting between various stands, breathtaking quilt displays, and of course the pop-up cafe, I limped (ok, drove) home with a sore back and achy feet.

I was very restrained in my shopping, just as well because I was parked so far away I'd have needed a strapping porter had I purchased my usual amounts. But there's a pleasing idea for the suggestion box!

First, some very cute beach house linen, for which I have plans for a beach bag with a waterproof lining. 

A trio of Moda (I think!) FQs in fresh lemon and aqua. They were a 'just because' purchase due to the fact they made me feel like spring is on it's way.

A few bits of equipment.

Some quilting gloves and a specialised Curved Corner Cutter from Creative Grids for me.

A retractable froggy tape measure (every sewing box needs one - honest!) and some Pom Pom Looms for my daughter.

All displayed here on some Scandi-style fabric I'm adding to my Christmas stash. It's never too early!


 Finally, there was one further purchase. A little something for my poorly friend at home nursing flu and hence missed out on coming.
But she's a fellow blogger and follower so I can't reveal here!