Making cushions

A few weeks ago I had three very talented ladies in the studio who all made a cushion out of a shirt. Two of them had only bad memories of using a sewing machine at school whilst their mum had using a sewing machine before for dress making.As Zoe had a "bucket list" and on that was making a cushion I was determine that she should go home with something she was proud of.



We discussed techniques and Ann decided to make a nine patch cushion front whilst Zoe and Veronica made raw edge appliqué  cushions. The shirt front became the back of the cushion so we did not have to worry about fastenings. 
                             
 Zoe drew out her own flower and then managed to sew around the edge accurately using both a hand and electric machine. Veronica decided to put a bird sitting on a branch onto her cushion front.

 These were the completed cushions below. You can't see the tiny bird legs that Veronica stitched under her bird but she had excellent control of her sewing machine. 


I was so pleased to show that sewing is not a scary thing to do but too many people seem to have very negative experiences that come from school. The best part of the day was when everyone said that they had to confidence to go and make another one at home.   

You can read all about Zoe's day here 

Starting again

Life has been pretty manic here with lots of hospital appointments with DS2, stitching teaching samples, Christmas... Well you get the idea. Today the quilt group met up in the studio as last week we had to cancel because of the snow. A very good friend came over this afternoon and the studio got a much needed spring clean and sort out (thank you Jackie).

There has been snow on the ground for the past ten days.

Last week there were some spectacular sun sets, this is the view from the window.  By the end of the week there was fog.

 

No stitch photos but I want to introduce May to you. She is a cocker spaniel and has been with us for an amazing ten days. Today was her first time at the quilt group and she behaved impeccably.   

I have no idea why one photo can be seen from the laptop yet when I view the blog from my iPad it just says photo. JPG. Anyone any ideas??

Indigo Blues

Yesterday the sun shone on the Indigo workshop. As I arrived at the studio the grapes looked so enticing, real vibrant shades of green against the blue sky.

The Indigo workshop teaches you how to make up your own synthetic Indigo vat which can be used for both animal and plant fibres. You make up a bucket vat and a smaller jar vat. This is one of my favourite workshops to teach as I demystify the magical process of making up an indigo vat. If you have never seen fibres change from yellow/green to blue as they oxidise then come and do a workshop with me to join in with the magic.

This is Jackie with the bucket Vat.

As the day progressed the washing lines filled up.

I love the texture that Lis has got on this fabric with vertical and horizontal grids.

As well as fibres, the vat will also dye buttons, shells and other treasures. This collection belonged to Lis.

 Pat and Kate did several pieces using a range of shibori techniques.

In the image above there is a subtle difference between the two dyed fabrics. The one on the lower right hasn't fully oxidised.

This is always a popular workshop and there are just four places available. The next Indigo workshop is on Saturday 20th April 2013. Contact me if you would like more information or book a place.  

Indigo Blues workshop

 Saturday started a little grey but the sun soon shone on the Indigo workshop. Vats were made.

 Everyone had fun stitching, resisting and dipping a variety of fabrics and threads.

 I love the washing lines on these days so full of gorgeous blues. The sun was still shining.

 In this net bag Enid put lots of beads, shells and buttons.

 We all had lunch outside in the sunshine but at about 2.30 the sky got blacker. The rain came down so heavily and so quickly that we all ran for cover upstairs. Some fabric that wasn't dry was left on the washing line for a natural rinse. if you click onto the photo you can see the lines of rain!

 For about 30 minutes it rained but then it stopped and the sun came out again.

 We raced back downstairs and made up some indigo stock in jars.

In this workshop you learn how to make up an indigo vat in a bucket to use on the day and you then make up a smaller jar vat of Indigo stock which you can take home. All the remaining workshops for this year are full but I am arranging more dates for next year. They take place at my studio in Spalding. Contact me for more details.

I can see a rainbow

My aim was to post these last week. Last Wednesday was the Quilt Group at the studio and half way through the evening there was a heavy shower. Almost immediately there was the most amazing bright rainbow. It was a complete arc which  I wasn't able to get a complete picture of.

 This was the view looking east, below the image taken looking west at the same time.

Lots of work has been happening at the studio, making corsages for a royal appointment this Wednesday.

Lots of stitching.

DS has started his FoQ entry.

Today is a paperwork/admin day. I must not be tempted by stitch!

Studio Open Day

Yesterday was the studio open day. I had good intentions of blogging last night but collapsed in a heap. I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped me and visited me during the course of the day and gave me lots of gifts. I was so touched and really wasn't expecting it.  It was so lovely to see so many friends and to meet some new blog friends as well.

I had lots of cards, you can see the wonderful plant given to me by Lynn and just see the Easter cakes made by Ann.

As I love natural dyeing I did a mini display to share the passion. The piece on the right is stitched with pieces dyed from Logwood and daffodil. In the jars I had daffodil heads, onion skins, rose hips, Logwood chips and marigold flowers. Debbie who visited gave me some madder root to play with. She took lots of photos and has fantastic photographs on her blog here.

The fabric on the left is about two Indigo dyeing days that I will be doing at the studio. I have already filled some places but have spaces on both days - 7th July and 8th September. Please contact me if you would like more information. They will be on the website soon. I am planning lots of exciting things in the studio and will be updating the website really soon (OK DH will be updating the website but the ideas and stitching are all mine)

This is Trudi who blogs as Quilt Prolifically setting up the quilting frame before everyone arrived.

It is very rare that I have my photo taken but Jackie sent me this one (so I thought I would post it). I would love to say I am on the left but that is Rebecca who is already very talented at 17. I am on the right!

Jackie gave me this wonderful sign she has made for the door. It does say open on the reverse but at the end of the day the studio was "closed". I was a very tired but happy bunny!

Now I am going to sit and enjoy these. Whatever you are doing I hope you have a peaceful Easter day.

Studio Open Day - invitation

You are invited to the opening of Fenland Textile Studio

Time - 10am - 4pm
Date -  Saturday 7th April 2012
Venue - Unique Cottage Studios, Fulney Lane South, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 6FA
Dress - informal (no dyeing today)


Demonstrations - the talented Trudi of Quilt Prolifically blog showing machine quilting on a frame, Tina of Sweetpie50 blog demonstrating hand quilting and embellishing and Carol will be doing some interesting wooly things

Come and join us for tea/coffee, cake and creative chat.


See you on Saturday x

Busy Busy...

Life seems a bit manic at the moment with lots to do before I travel up to Scotland for The Quilters Guild AGM and Conference. I am loving spending time in the studio and feel I am using the time wisely. I am planning a range of workshops there including some indigo vat dyeing days. All details will soon be on the website. I am doing another Stitch for Texture workshop on Saturday 7th July at the studio in Spalding. There are just two spaces left now. If you are interested please contact me.

As you can see I am taking over the studio.

 The zebra quilt now has a permanent home. It is so much nicer to see it hung up rather than rolled up under the bed

Today I managed to paints lots of papers with transfer dyes ready for a workshop.

 This is a little hazy but two quilts are hanging over the stair rail.

Studio Update

Yesterday I managed my first nearly full day in the studio. It was really productive and I made up a quilt top using some madder dyed cotton which had "cooked" on top of my woodburner during the cold weather. These photos just don't show up all the texture in the cloth.

I am also starting to dry out daffodils ready for workshops this year.

I am not sure if I have shown this but it is my C&G diploma final piece hanging outside the studio.

I am teaching a Procion dyeing workshop today. It has been such a long time since I did this as I definitely prefer using natural things to dye with now. I must remember to take photos.

Moving In Day

Today was "moving in" day though not a lot got moved!! This was a photo at the start of the day and very little changed by the end

I left this sample from the Stitch for Texture workshop hanging over the stair banner.

Jo from Unique Studios managed to get a photo of most of the artists, Carol, Tony, Ernie and myself.

Twisted Thread are now taking bookings for workshops for Festival of Quilts 2012. This year I am teaching one half day academy workshop, one children's workshop and two quick and easy sessions. I have been going at Festival of Quilts for the past ten years (where has the time gone?) and love the fact that I can meet up with lots of friends, some who don't live in this country. Lots of exciting things to look forwards to (and kits to make up)