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festival of quilts 2018
Festival of Quilts is probably the highlight of the year for quilters in the UK. It's a chance to showcase talent and be inspired by the amazing display of quilts, an opportunity to meet up with friends and of course shop all the wonderful stalls and stands.
I have to admit I wasn't going to attend this year. I hadn't arranged to go with anyone, I was working Friday-Sunday and I've been so busy that it seemed almost impossible to take time off. And then there's my anxiety, no small thing but it makes it very easy to convince myself to stay at home. Later on I will explain why I chose to go but I am SO glad that I did. In fact next year I might try and attend every day if I can find a way to wangle it! (Shout if anyone needs me to work a stand!).
Last year I was in full blogger mode, taking pictures of lots of quilts and my very important reason for going was to meet my quilting guru and friend Clare. Read about that here.
This year was very different and I'm going to share what made it great for me. Firstly I ran into Di on the long walk to the festival hall, it was awesome to see someone I love and be able walk and talk together, she even treated me to a coffee before we went in!
Next I made a decision just to experience the day, only photographing things if I really felt like it, rather than trying to capture everything. I'm so glad I did that. Phone down, eyes up.
a treat for hard-sewing hands {haul}
Sharing some happy mail delights I've received recently. Grab a cuppa, I have a lot to show you!
I'm working hard on secret makes so no finishes just yet but it always nice to nosy at people's recommendations and fabric stash additions. And just to be clear none of this is sponsored or affiliated, one item was a gift and the rest I bought myself.
I have been doing a lot of hand sewing; like the demo of the lovely Hexie Kisses pattern by Jen Kingwell (above), embroidery, working on my own epp and hand piecing projects. Combined with all the cold weather we've had over winter, my dry skin was really acting up. I have always had dry skin and sometimes it gets itchy and can even crack. I'm really careful about what I put on my skin, trying to avoid chemicals like SLS, because it's sensitive.
cuteness and kindness
Some stashing, a helpful quilting tip and half term holiday fun!
I've already shared these purchases over on Instagram but in case you haven't seen them and so I can record the details, here's what I bought recently...
Two yards of this gorgeous Hexie Fabric by Heidi Kennedy from Spoonflower - designed to fit 1.25" hexies! I'm not sure I will do hexies but I couldn't resist the cute illustrations.
If you haven't heard, Spoonflower now also ships from Germany and that makes the shipping costs for all of us in Europe much cheaper! Shipping starts from $1 for a fat quarter but make sure you select to have it shipped from Germany.
The prices are still higher than regular quilting cotton but I think it's so great to support independent artists and a nice way to find fabric with unique and different designs.
I also got these gorgeous handmade screen printed panels from Skinny Malinky Quilts. This is part of her new collection Actinomycetes, which will be released 2nd June. Check out her Etsy shop!
Next up, not fabric but geeky pins! I LOVE Buffy and Kevin Smith films so I had to represent with these fun pins from Jenni's Prints - another Etsy shop, filled with brilliant patches and pins for cult film and tv fans!
It's not been all shopping, I have done some sewing too! I thought I would share a little tip, when using your walking foot it helps to have the edge of the foot hang over the seam line. That way the foot helps guide you more and you have a neat straight quilting line. Helen also pointed out to me that you can move your needle across, which is perfect if you are top stitching!
Yesterday my family had an adventure at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, we went to see the Kaws exhibition which was brilliant and I was really taken with the work of Not Vital.
Although the kids liked the art, they mostly loved the outdoors!
We are enjoying the half term holidays but Fred was devastated when someone flooded his house on Minecraft today. His sisters were adorable and jumped straight to comfort him. I hope the love continues this week!
A few of my favourite notions!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
Of course I consider myself a fabric addict but there is more to sewing than just fabric and we can't forget the handy notions that make it all possible and help us create beautiful things.
The Fat Quarter Shop are kindly sponsoring a giveaway of my chosen notions. I picked the ones I use a lot, wouldn't want to be without and would like to share with you because I know you will love them too!
So here are a few of my favourite notions:
- A pack of 50 Clover Regular Wonder Clips You don't know how brilliant these are until you start using them. Excellent for holding down binding, useful for bag making or any instance where you need to clip things together. I regularly use them just to keep my EPP or hand sewing pieces in order.
- Aurifil 50 wt thread #2021 The most fabulous thread in beautiful Natural White. I use this colour a lot and it is perfect for piecing.
- Clover White Seam Ripper I would like to rid the world of rubbish seam rippers, using a really good one makes a horrible task so much easier. The larger handle and sharp ripper make all the difference!
- Sewline Styla Water Erasable Pen I use various methods of marking for different projects but one of the most reliable and useful is a water erasable pen. I use it for quilting, embroidery and hand piecing.
- Clover Patchwork Pins I have used lots of different pins but glass head pins are my very favourite, there is something so charming about them and these extra fine ones are perfect for patchwork.
When I shop online I like to be able to add haberdashery items to my basket and the Fat Quarter Shop stocks a fabulous range of notions along with their vast selection of beautiful fabric, so don't forget to check out their Notions and Thread section when you are shopping!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
The giveaway is open internationally, it will end on Saturday 15th November and the winner will be chosen by random.org.
You will not win if I can't contact you so please check you are not 'no reply' and to be sure leave your email in the comment e.g. ilovesewing (at) gmail (dot) com
Good Luck!
p.s. Thank you to Daniar from the Fat Quarter Shop for the beautiful product picture :)
A slightly boring wordless wednesday*
* though at least I'm putting my pins to good use
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