Dress Me Up banner for Fat Quarterly

Fat Quarterly is back on sale after the new year EU Vat changes that rather scuppered many PDF pattern sellers.  Payhip has been a great solution for many sellers including Sew-ichigo- it has been totally hassle free for us!  The latest issue (Number 20)  is Paper Piecing and I designed the 'Dress Me Up Banner'.  You can see a preview of the issue here.

It's a collection of simple, clothing themed, foundation paper-pieced patterns.  I designed these to keep the number of different sections needed to the absolute minimum.  All the fabrics are Suzuko Koseiki prints, kindly supplied by lovely Becca of Sew Me a Song and she has a bundle featuring all the prints in her shop with a fat eighth and a fat quarter option or you can find individual prints here.

Although the pattern is for a banner, the individual blocks could be used for quilts, mini quilts, pillows, small projects- the usual quilty stuff!

The finished banner is 8" x 120", I have mine across one wall of my sewing room.  It was a tricky beast to photograph!

Find the issue at Fat Quarterly.  There are lots of other projects inside including a very sweet house themed sewing machine cover and a stunning atomic inspired 'Beam me Up' quilt. 

Suzuko Koseki Paper Piecing Bundle

I'm on half term and I am working away on some paper piecing projects including something for Fat Quarterly.  For the fabric, Becca of Sew Me a Song gave me the chance to make up my own Suzuko Koseki bundle, I could even get very fancy and say curated- I'm imagining myself stroking a London style beardy chin just writing the word, although its not quite the same image on a forty-something woman as it is on a young male hipster.  Anyway, I leapt at the chance and it arrived today.  I am thrilled and I love it. Twelve beautiful fabric fat quarters of rich colour saturation featuring my favourite fabric designer. 

The daisies are a new Suzuko Koseki print and I new I had to include them.  My other choices reflected a mix of colours, large, medium and small prints, light, bright and dark colours and a range of text prints.  I'll be using a neutral background with these to showcase their finery.  The Fat Quarterly project won't be for a while yet, but if you want to get your hands on this bundle, the lovely Becca has it listed in her shop right now!  Here as fat quarters and here as fat eighths.  You will find yardage of the different prints in her shop.

Fat Quarterly Retreat: The best bit is the people

It already feels like too long ago, but last weekend was Fat Quarterly Retreat 2013, the second retreat. and it was a blast.  There is a lot to share so, grab a cup of tea and take a seat...this is post one, a separate post about classes follows.  I arrived in London very early so my brother met me at Paddington and we went for a coffee at the V and A.  Sunny and  hot, a rare treat for the UK mid July.

Having already met a lot of people for the first time and worked out locations last year, this year was so much more familiar and relaxed all round.  There was a real mix of first timers and last year attendees and still the treat of meeting people I have known for years now online in the flesh.

L to R, entrance into the retreat: Justine, me, Trudi, Lu, Mandy and Krista- and Brioni's quilt.

L to R, Tacha, Brioni, John, Laura Jane.  John had just arrived only hours before from USA.

Justine and Katy

Early evening and warm weather took most people onto the roof terrace and into drinks, supermarket snacks and informal show and tell. 

Me, Alex (Mr Aurifil) and Krista.

Lots of oohs and ahhs at the Sibling's together quilts, bee quilts and more.  I took my Strawberry Fields Quilt as there were 4 contributors there, Lynne, Krista, Brioni and Leila.  It was still making me tear up even now.

I retired to my hotel around 8.30- tired all ready, no stamina really! 

Next day, all day classes, an informal trip to Shaukat fabrics in the afternoon- 10 mins walk from Baden Powell House.  So much Liberty that my eyes hurt from all the stimilation but still managed to buy some.  The evening was market- Sponsors and attendees and it was amazing, so much good stuff in one place.

Claire from Patch Fabrics and Leanne, Little House Martin fabrics

A big table of Oakshott, lovely to meet Michael in person.

Eternal Maker created a beautiful display on their stand and I met Sarah and Rachael at last and heard Sarah's continuing and amazing plans for fabrics at the shop, believe me there are amazing things to come.

Fabrics Galore had an amazing selection- that was the first stall I went too, I knew the navy Hello Kitty Liberty would sell out! Between Market and the raffle I sat and caught up with Leila in a quiet corner.  The sponsors- Liberty, Korbond, Abakhans, Pat at Art Gallery fabrics, Oakshott, Fabrics Galore, Eternal Maker, Moda, Amitie, Makeower, Aurifil, Village Haberdashery and many more give a huge amount of goodies so there are lots of winners.

Lynne and the big bag of swag.

Sunday, I had finished teaching so I did Mandy's needle turn class which was a treat and a lovely calm way to finish the weekend.  Meeting Krista was special, she came over from Canada so I can't expect to see her on an annual basis but having known each other online for so long she was just as I expected and very easy company.

And all too soon (although everyone is shattered at this point) it is time to say goodbye.

I wasn't as emotional as last year as I know I will be back again but it is the end of an incredible weekend of sewing and talking.  It is a funny mix of exciting and overwhelming and at times I sit in a quieter space but the buzz is like nothing else and the talent and creativity all in the one event is more than a little mind blowing.

And the booty- a lovely goody bag, packed full of treats from the sponsors.

 and my spends, Hello Kitty Liberty, Scissors ( a very similar version of the Yuwa print on a heavy cotton- both from Fabrics Galore, Liberty lawn ribbons and pink capel print from Shaukat, Simple Things floral from the lovely Jessie of Messe Jesse.  Roses and a  gorgeous vintage floral print- gifts from Mandalin Mandy, Purple Thang from Krista and crochet lace made by the very talented Sonia

Back with more pics from the classes soon xxx  Thankyou to Lynne and Jan for use of some of their pics in this post xx

FQ Retreat

Less than a week away, a weather forecast which is hot, hot, hot and there is still prep to do- but I am getting very excited about this again.  I will be teaching PJ pants on Friday afternoon...

I am bringing 3 pairs with me if anyone needs to try some on for sizing (I have XS and S).  On Saturday morning it is all about colour and fabrics with a couple of Fantasy Fabric Shop table top sessions- all about value, contrast, colour and different techniques to combine fabrics- all hands on for this class.   Pictured are Liberty lawns from Jo who is offering orders without postage to those coming to retreat code FQR13 and Oakshott impressions- Oakshott can also bring orders made by Wednesday to retreat with the code FQRLONDON.  For both these shops, orders must be made by Wednesday.

For more fabric Fat Quarterly fabric offers check this discussion for shops/codes/discounts..

And then my teaching is done and I am looking forward to Mandy's needleturn and Trudi's quilt doodle sessions.  My handmade wardrobe is nearly ready- the very hot weather is leading me to make my Colette Hawthorn dress early leading to a lot of sewing in a vest and little else- I was testing the bodice yesterday , first with Swedish tracing paper which is soft and easy to manipulate and washi tape to make a small bust adjustment using the Colette sew along...tutorial.

then a test run using some rather loud fabric which photographs much better than it appears in reality!

 My plan is to wear this on Friday- Deer and Doe Bleuet (Melody Miller  fabric) as it is cool for travelling on the train and easy to recognise.

And this one will be worn at some point...

But more than anything, I am looking forward to meeting fabric and sewing obsessives and having a weekend of chat and stitching.   Some of you are travelling from so far (Krista, I am thinking specifically of you) and I can't wait to see you all!  If you haven't met me before I am fairly shy and quiet but chatty once I get going, serious but also silly, and the usual mix of contradictions- my wardrobe is more confident than I am.   I am hoping to pace myself a little better next year so that I can socialise in the evening at least a little- last year my eyes were drooping by early evening!  I can't wait to see you all!  To see who else is going click here.

Here comes Summersville

I was lucky enough to get a little stack of Summersville prints in the post from Lu Summers.  I knew before they even arrived what I was going to do with them.

I have been doing a lot of spools blocks recently.  At the Fat Quarterly Retreat I will be teaching a couple of classes focused on making blocks like these and conquering the Y seam.  A selection of spools patterns (and more) will be going in the accompanying FQ retreat special issue too so spools have been on the brain, and my brain as I have mentioned before is an obsessive place.  I think they might even make their way into a Ringo Pie spool block for Amber.

I had seen a pic of Tamkio's on Instagram- http://instagr.am/p/JXabsvvn1o? and it really inspired me.    It was one of those ideas where I had to hold myself back and let less be more.  I used cross hatch quilting to echo the cross hatch fabric.  So easy to do, the walking foot practically does this itself, although it does take ages!

I used Aurifil 50wt colour 2310 thread and Vilene 640 fusible fleece, which is the best stuff for making cushions, I have just ordered more from Julia at Gone to Earth.    My top tip for using this interfacing is to make sure the fabric you are going to attach it too is very well pressed.  I go over all my seams with a damp cloth and a hot iron just to flatten out the lumpy bits before using the damp cloth again to press the fleece to the reverse.   The cream solid is Kona Snow, from Mandy at Simply Solids.

Lucie's designs take me back to childhood doodles and felt tips.  The splodgy print reminds me of experiments with blotting paper and paint brushes and the  line drawings are so appealing.  I was an arty child and spent a huge amount of time scribbling and designing.  Lucie has captured that feeling in these fabrics and the simple fresh colour palette.  The brick colour is my favourite.  

I like to treat the back to a little pattern so these little spools/butterflies/bow ties take the design to the inspiration source.

 I love binding on a cushion, it provides a great frame and the solids finish it off nicely.

And here it is in its new home.  Damian often sits here as do our cats and dog so it is going to get a lotta love.  Here it sits in the brief period before it gets covered in cat hair etc.  Such is our house!

And when you get some Summersville of your own,  Lu has created a Flickr group so you can share and inspire.  Instagram is a fun app if you haven't tried it, free and such a quick and easy way to share pics with a nice little community of new and familiar faces, I am on there as verykerryberry.  Now I am going to start my Bloom quilt!  

Paper Piecing Help/Quilt a long/Sew a Long

Maybe you are new to paper piecing and want a bit of help, support and community as you find your way around the different techniques, there are a couple of Quilt-a-longs coming up.

First we have Sew Out Loud {Quilter's Word Play}- I don't know what the fancy brackets do but they often come up in crafty projects and blogs- anyway here is the button

the code can be found along with all the other starting info at Kirie's blog and also at Julianna's blog.  There are great prizes and a design competition for the 12th block- as for the judge, it will take your breath away but I am sworn to secrecy!  Flickr group is hereLooking for something at beginner level?  Bought a copy of Fat Quarterly 8 Paper Piecing Issue?  Dolores at A Labour of Love is planning a sew-a-long using the projects from the ezine!  The idea is that you can support each other through the different techniques.

And, thinking ahead now, I will be at the Fat Quarterly Retreat in June teaching a class or two.  I will be doing a technique class on paper piecing using the freezer paper template technique but with a twist-it will be hand sewing, no machine needed.  This will include stitching an inset Y seam- if you can learn it by hand it will be a breeze by machine! And if you can't wait for more help, check my pages link on paper piecing resources!

Gone Paper Piecing

Amy and I tested each others patterns in preparation for their publication in Fat Quarterly Issue 8 Paper Piecing Issue (available today!).  I smiled so much when I saw her wonderful vintage skate design.  I loved the shaping and I knew just what I was going to make with it. 

This was my friend Kathy's Christmas present.  Kathy grew up in Michigan and skating on the lakes was a regular winter pursuit.  Now this hoop hangs on on a little gallery that I have got going on in there kitchen along with the man mat and a mini teeny tiny pieced mug rug quilt.  What you can't see is the pretty dusky pink Sevenberry flower print on the back- Kathy is not one for flowers but I got some in there, she even confessed to liking it.  And of course she has turned the vintage ribbon round to the back, too fussy for her!  But I know she and the family love it!

I stitched little eyelets from the presets on my machine and threaded a little pearl cotton through for laces.  Amy added cute brads to hers and we both picked the same boot fabric without knowing it!  You can find this pattern plus my teapot block and heaps of other paper pieced blocks and projects in issue 8.  There are 126 jam packed pages!  Not had enough paper piecing?  A new sew a long/ quilt a long is starting, 11 designers (including me) with 11 sewing themed paper pieced blocks combining sewing and words.  I have seen a few previews and am sworn to secrecy but it is seriously good stuff!  Texty fabrics, word play, intrigued? Find out more here and you could be designer for block 12.  Blog posts, giveaways and introductions kick off tomorrow at Joanna's and Julianna's blogs

Teapot Fancy Cozy Tutorial

*25TH OCT 2020 EDITED TO ADD: My Teapot Fancy foundation paper piecing pattern will soon be available in my Payhip shop.  Once it's ready, I'll add the link here!  Meanwhile, the cozy template is available for free at Payhip and you can make it with a block of your choice or a favourite cotton fabric.

 This is a very exciting week, I have a pattern published in Fat Quarterly Magazine.  This issue is all about piecing and there is a huge range of piecing patterns from simple to advanced.  My pattern is for a teapot block and I have written two ways to piece it- freezer paper template style and foundation.  It is a great pattern if you are new to piecing as I take you through both methods step by step.  I have designed a simple tea cozy for the finished blocks but you could make it with a different block or just out of patchwork fabrics.  This cozy should be big enough for a 4 cup teapot. 

Finished size 9" tall, 12" wide.  

You will need:

2 blocks/fabric pieces  14" x 10" wide for back and front.  If you use the FQ teapot blocks you will need to add sashing to make your block up to this size

Fabric for lining- 2 pieces each measuring 14" x 10" wide

Batting/Wadding 4 pieces  each measuring 14" x 10" wide

Fabric scrap for hanging loop

Binding strip 1.25" x 26" wide cut across width of fabric

Basting Spray- I use 505

Usual Sewing Supplies

Pattern template (free) here

1. Making the  Cozy Front and Back

 Make your quilt sandwich with 1 piece of batting and your quilt block.  Spray the batting and lay your quilt block on top, repeat for the other block.  Quilt blocks as desired. Find centre point along the top and bottom edge of each block and mark with pins.  Place pattern on the centre pins and using a pencil or erasable marker, draw round pattern piece, flip over the centre and draw round again. You should have a semi-circle type shape.

I added a little had hand sewn detail around the spout for steam after I had drawn round the template to make sure it would fit.  Cut out the semi circle and zig zag round the edge of front and back.

2. Making the Cozy Lining

Repeat the process in step one for the lining.  I kept my quilting simple and wide so there would be lots of space in the batting to trap heat and keep the tea warm!  Use the template, cut out and zig-zag as in step 1.  You should now have a front and back outer and front and back lining pieces, 4 pieces in all.

3. Making the Hanging Loop

From a scrap cut a bias strip 1.25"x4".  Fold in half lengthways so the long edges meet, press.  Open out, bring the long raw edges into the centre and press along the folds so your strip looks like the picture below.

Bring the folded edges together, press again and stitch along the edge.

On one of the outer cozy pieces, find the top centre point, loop the bias strip and place either side of the centre point with the loop facing inwards.  You can adjust the size of the loop to whatever works for you!  Stitch the loop to the top of the cozy stitching within the quarter inch seam allowance.  

4.  Completing the Cozy

Taking the two cozy outer pieces, place right sides together, pin around the edge and sew using a quarter inch seam all around.  Repeat with the lining but sew a scant 3/8"seam.  This will make the lining a little smaller so it fits nicely inside the cozy.  Clip curves on the outer and lining seam.  If you are nervous about cutting into your seam, place a pin just in front of the stitches to stop your scissors snipping your stitches.  Press open the last 2 inches of the seam at the bottom edge of the cozy on the outer and on the lining (see picture below).    Turn outer cozy the right way out and lining so the wrong side is out.

Place the lining inside the cozy outer, wrong sides together.  Pin at the pressed open side seams.  Stitch all around the bottom edge within the quarter inch seam allowance, about eight-inch from the bottom.  

5. Adding the Binding

Follow my Single Binding Tutorial to add binding around the bottom edge and to complete your cozy!

The teapot beside my cozy was my original inspiration for the teapot block!