Jigsaw Cushion

After the visit by Marilyn Hornby to Flowerpatch in June I learnt that my friends next birthday would be a special one. I loved Marilyn's redwork so what a good opportunity to make one of her Jigsaw Cushions.

I made mine small measuring only approx 8" x 8", and used twisted chain stitch instead of the more usual whipped back stitch. The other embroidery stitches are lazy daisy, danish knot, cross stitch and bullion knot. This is a link to the jigsaw pattern I used.

The words in the jigsaw pieces refer to all the things my friend has been in her life so far. I wrote them with my Micron pen (size 01) as I chickened out of doing such tiny embroidery stitches - it would have been illegible!

A real joy to make - Anita x

Lynda Shinner-Booth at Flowerpatch

We were delighted to welcome Lynda for a return visit to Flowerpatch Quilters, for our September evening meeting. She is such an enthusiastic and lively speaker. This time she brought along quilts made by some of her many patchworking friends and such a variety of styles and techniques kept appearing from wonderful quilted bags. There was something to please and amaze everyone, with spontaneous clapping as some were revealed. I only managed to get pictures of just a few snippets.

Two very different styles for Christmas

Two modern wall hangings

Curves that look very difficult and I do love it when the centre piecing extends into the border.

Finally a beautiful quilt with a pieced centre and flower applique border, and a large floral patterned fabric used so well. 

What talented friends Lynda has!

Lynda also wanted to tell us about the charity she supports, and knits for, called "Knitted Knockers UK". They provide a wonderful service, completely free of charge and confidential, for women who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy and find the prosthesis they are supplied with to be uncomfortable. Please do click on the link to find out more - a really worthy cause.

Also at the meeting we chose the fabric colours for our next charity quilt and were shown the design - I am sooooo excited about this! Here are some of the fabrics we will be using - all from Cowslip Workshops.

The next meeting (our AGM) is on 8th October when we will be giving a cheque to The Samaritans in Cornwall. 
Cartwheel Crafts will also be there to tell us about their future plans and they will be bringing along fabric and patchwork goodies to sell. 
We are having a show and tell of the quilts we made when we were beginners at patchwork and quilting (there are so many different things to try in sewing that we are all beginners at something). We hope members will have a quilt to bring along and there will be lots to see.
The packs for making the charity quilt blocks will be handed out to those who would like them.

Happy Stitching - Anita

Fabric flowers, vase, jug and bowl

I love gardening, but I'm a somewhat erratic gardener. In the spring I put loads of plants in the soil only to completely forget about them. By the time I remember they're either dead through lack of water or else it's been raining (usually the latter here in Cornwall) and the slugs have had a feast of them! It's a similar story with my house plants - they have to be real toughies as I water them so rarely. I have a Christmas cactus that probably only gets a drink 4 or 5 times a year, and yet it survives ...and flowers!!

I have found the solution.......

no watering (solution) required!

I made these flowers some time ago as brooches, so I just took off the brooch backs and sewed on a bead with a large hole to push my cane into.
The vase is made from strips of my old kitchen curtains. 3 strips approximately 1.5" wide are plaited firmly. I used two the same and the other is slightly different fabric, but all three different would look equally as good if not better - it's just what I had.

The vase is 4.5" high and is made just like a coiled clay pot except that you sew the strips together as you go. I started at the centre of the base. When I got to the rim I trimmed the strips to be a bit narrower to smooth the edge out.

Flushed with success I couldn't stop at a vase, so here we have a bowl for my stuffed apples

and a jug (5" high) to add to my collection in a previous post.

This is a link to making flower brooches

and another flower which is slightly different.

Well, I suppose I'd better show you one of my poor neglected plants ......................say "Aloe" to Vera!

Oh dear!! - Anita X

Small Quilts at Flowerpatch Exhibition

Here are just some of the many smaller quilts at the recent Flowerpatch exhibition. Apologies to the makers as my photos don't do them justice - I try!!

Firstly Sue's "String Tulips" and "Bird Dance" 

Secondly Mary's "Hearts All Round" and Monica D's "Flower Baskets"

Next Joy's ""Gaudi Stained Glass Tryptych" and Wendy's "Double Wedding Ring"

On to Monica D's "Hearts" and Cherrie's "R and R"

And finally two very different takes on our Cornish coast with Lois's cot quilt "Seaside"

and Dawn's two A4 quilts "Winter Waves".

A most interesting part of the exhibition is the varying interpretations of our yearly Chairman's Challenge. This time it was titled "Circle of Life" and had to actually be in the shape of a circle.

Another Flowerpatch year starts on 9th September with a Show and Tell by Lynda Shinner-Booth, who will also be telling us about the charity she supports - Knitted Knockers.
Also we'll be choosing the fabric for our next charity quilt and commenting, and making suggestions, on the design. It's always exciting starting something new!

Happy Sewing - Anita

Bed Quilts at Flowerpatch Quilters Exhibition 2015

As promised - more quilts from Flowerpatch Quilters 32nd exhibition. These are some of the bed quilts - where my photos turned out OK-ish.

Firstly Mary's "George and the Dragon" and Teresa's "Autumn in New England".

Then we have Liz's "Pinwheels" and Monica B's "Double Irish Chain".

Next Shirley's "Double Wedding Ring" and Mary's "My Favourite Things".

On to Teresa's "New Zealand" and Dy's "Bear Hug"

and, finally Christine's " Spring Time" and my "Yellow Flowers Quilt".

Lap and wall quilts in my next post - AnitaX

"Our House" at Flowerpatch Quilters Exhibition

Measured in chatter, laughter and friendly faces Flowerpatch Quilters exhibition was a resounding success, enjoyed by not only the visitors, but members as well. The exhibition is on two floors and upstairs we usually have a themed room where we can show quilts, etc. in a different way. This year's theme was "Our House" so let me take you on a tour.

We enter by the back door straight into the kitchen ......... hungry anyone?

On to our cosy living room where you can enjoy reading a patchwork book in your favourite armchair.

Next to the nursery and the bedroom

And finally the bathroom ..... I just love the polyester wadding soap suds in the bath!

With members sewing at tables and fabric for sale, it all made for a lovely atmosphere and it was a joy to be there.

Lots more exhibition pictures next time - Anita x

Charity Quilt & Exhibition Flowers

Flowerpatch Quilters exhibition is in full swing and I really want to show you our charity quilt which we are raffling for the Samaritans in Cornwall. Each block, and the pieced borders, have been made by different members. After sewing them all together the quilt was passed around for quilting. The raffle is being drawn on Saturday afternoon and needless to say I've bought lots of tickets!

Flowerpatch exhibition just wouldn't be complete without ........... flowers!

These are just some of the beautiful floral displays by Maggie, Mary, Jenny and Janet. Every year they excel themselves devising wonderful arrangements to complement and enhance the quilts. In fact some people come to the exhibition just to admire and photograph the flowers!

The exhibition is on until Saturday 8th August at Central Methodist Church Hall, Launceston, PL15 8RD. Everyone is welcome, entrance is just £2 and there's CAKE!

Happy Quilting - Anita