Pfeffernusse

There is only one thing better than Pfeffernusse -----















and that is Pfeffernusse and black coffee.




The packets will be shared at a family function later today but there might be a couple missing from one of them!!!!!

They are one of my favourite Christmas treats and I try not to buy them at other times during the year unless Natasha and I need a little something special to cheer ourselves up.



So until next time

Happy Stitching

from Therese.

A Spiderweb for Luck

The first time I foundation pieced a spiderweb quilt was about 25 years ago when I was a very new quilter.  I loved the technique but I was not happy with the result so it was never finished and eventually given to someone who loved it anyway and was happy to finish it.

Then early this year I was browsing on the internet and saw a bright version on Bonnie Hunter's blog that I just fell in love with.  She has a fabulous free pattern on her website.


But what started out as a cushion cover to use up some scraps and cut strips  became a King size quilt that kept me busy for about 3 months because I had to add an applique border and of course it then wanted another border of blocks and as you can see from the photos I had to match the colours with the centre.

 This quilt involved lots of graph paper and coloured pencils then writing on the papers to make sure I stitched the right colours on the right end of the triangles. Trust me, this is essential to get the pattern right!!!!!

It was a mental challenge from start to finish and did involve a little bit of reverse sewing but I am delighted with the result and to be truthful I love to be challenged when I am making a quilt. 



So it will be going off to the quilter this week for her to work her magic and I will post more photos when it is finished.

Then it will be given to the special person it was made for. My beautiful daughter Natasha.








                                           So until next time

                                           Happy stitching
                                          
                                           from Therese

Tilda quilt

Several months ago I went to a High Tea at a lovely shop in Rosebud, "Sewing and Beyond" where I purchased some fat quarters of Tilda fabrics (hi Julieanne).  I love the colours of raspberry, teal blues, greys and creams and the pretty floral prints with the birds and the matching stripes, spots and ditsy prints.  I have had a new smaller format Sampler quilt in mind for a few years and realised that these fabrics would be perfect.



 I wanted to try some new piecing techniques, plus needle turn and fusible web applique and also include some simple stitcheries. I also had a lot of fun fussy cutting some of the bird motifs. Click on the photos for a closer look.





If I made small blocks it would be a fairly quick project suitable for a Summer School format.  This might suit people on holidays who could spend several days per week over two weeks learning the addictive hobby that we love. Because we have moved back into one shop we can be a lot more flexible with our classes and cater to the customers time frame for attending sessions.

 I am now up to the part that I love the most which is quilting.  I am planning on stitching in the ditch first to stabilise the quilt then I will quilt the blocks by hand, mostly with quilting cotton but some with perle cotton and maybe some tying and embellishing in the crazy patchwork block.




It is 38" square  so should only take me a couple of weeks to quilt and as soon as the binding is on it will be on display in the shop.  I will do another post to show the finished quilt but if you are a local pop in to have a look because I will be working on it here when time permits.






So until next time

Happy Stitching

 from Therese

We're Back

After being away for nearly 12 months with major surgery and then lots of re-hab I am finally back at work part time. I had always taken my health for granted and when I was at a point where I could barely function I have to admit that I fell in a heap. With the support and help of my wonderful family I'm nearly back to 100% fit.

I actually have three new quilts in the pipeline (two just have to be quilted) and I am working on some new class ideas too for next year including some great ways to use your stash. Hopefully I will have some more photos to post over the next week.






Like many other businesses in these tough times we have made some changes at the shop to reduce our costs because we want to stay open.  This has included reducing the fabric area and putting the classroom back in the main shop.  The feedback so far from the students has been really positive as it is much easier for them if they need fabric or notions during a class.  There is still a bit of tweaking to do especially as I have new fabrics due to come in before Christmas.  There is still lots of stuff on the markdown table so if you are local, pop in to score a bargain.

Happy stitching from Therese

Craft Alive - Wagga

Wagga Wagga here I come!

Therese has done a few craft shows in the past and of course, I've been dragged along to help set up, work on the stand and pack up!  But I've never organised a stand at a craft show on my own.  It is amazing the amount of decisions required - which stand to have, corner stand or middle of the aisle, near the toilets or kitchen or front door, what stock to take, which quilts to display, what am I going to wear (just kidding on the last one!). 

But as the time draws nearer, I'm actually getting excited.  It's a chance to get out of the office, have a road trip to somewhere I've never been before, see what fabrics other businesses have (maybe buy some of their fabrics!) and meet new quilters and other crafty people.

What do you like about going to a craft fair?

See attached ad for more info!

Craft Alive - Wagga

Till next time,

Tasha

Our Birthday Sale was such a success that we have

decided to extend it and combine it with our Stocktake Sale! 

So the more you buy, the less I have to count! 

Happy Birthday Patchwork Pumpkin

Help celebrate our 12th Birthday and our Stocktake Sale!

1 July - 31 July, 2012

20% off all patterns and kits

(free postage for overseas orders)

(Excludes BOM's)

In store shopping - 20% off fabric, patterns, kits,

plus pre-cut fat quarters $2- each or 6 for $15- 

(Excludes BOM's)

Quilting Wishes

When I was learning how to do patchwork and quilting, I didn't listen.  I was an experienced sewer - how hard could it be?  If only I had listened and taken notice, I would have saved myself hours of unpicking and not wasted so much of my time and precious fabric.

So here are the Rules I wished that I had followed:

Rule 1: Make sure you are sewing an accurate 1/4" seam. 

Rule 2: Make sure your fabric is straight before you cut it.

Rule 3: Make sure you cut accurately.

Rule 4: Press your seams flat with no tucks.

Rule 5: Press after every seam.  Yes, it's a pain to have to get up each time, but you will be pleased with the results.

Rule 6: You are pressing, not IRONING.

Rule 7: There is no such thing as the quilt police - it is your quilt.

These are the things I stress to my beginners when teaching the Sampler Class.  I often have to smile when I listen to myself talking and hope that they take more notice than I did when I was starting my journey.

Till next time,

Therese
(kindly typed up and posted by Tasha!)