Needle Felting Project with Perle Cotton

By strange coincidence with the previous post, which shows a customer's small ringbinder with floral embroidered decoration, I was working on a felted project of a flower over the Bank Holiday weekend too.

Here are a some photos of the work in progress. I wanted to try out the new Presencia Perle Cotton (No 8) threads that we got in just before Malvern and with a few felted pieces from Oliver Twists and other bits I had in my stash I drew two petal templates and before you knew it was placing my felt petals in position on the Felting Mat!

The next stage was to use the Clover Pen Style Felting Needle Tool to secure them to the base fabric. Punching through the edges of the felted pieces secured them sufficiently for me to then blanket stitch them in place. Using the Felting Mat gives a stable base, protects the needles and stops your worksurface from becoming a pin cushion.

The back of the fabric then looked like this...

Using the Perle Cotton thread I then blanket stitched around each of the petals in a variety of solid and variegated threads.

The next stage was to use the Oliver Twists Silk Strata Pack - the Sunset colourway for this project to add texture to each of the petals and provide

more interest in the centre.

More photos to follow...

Ringbinder Creativity

Needing a bit of inspiration? Or do you have boxes of beads or skeins of embroidery just waiting for a home? Maybe you're not an embroiderer and are happy to just work with fabric...whatever category you fall into, here is a great example of what can be done with the Small Ringbinder (Ref 9576). Creativity unleashed!

Georgina said ...

"Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the ring binder kit I bought at Malvern. Got one for my DIL's b'day and thought I'd better get one to check it worked okay. I used up a bit of embroidery I have had hanging around waiting for a home for 10 years!I had such fun and can't wait until payday so I can order more kits!!!

For a bigger picture you can view it the pic on Flickr!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/35769193@N02/3554475796/

Electric Quilt Workshops from Barbara Chainey

If you've ever thought that you're not making the most of EQ6 or you want to get started with Electric Quilt as a beginner then this is the class from you. Well-known quilt teachers Chris Franses and Barbara Chainey have teamed up to bring you a hands on class using "their favourite quilt design program" EQ6 - their words not ours!

From blocks.....

to quilts!

All this creativity will be happening in Stone, Staffordshire which is easily accessible from the M6 and A34 - just one hour from Birmingham, Manchester, Chester, Shrewsbury, Worcester and Leicester.

The workshop is on Saturday 12th September 2009 and will run from 10am to 4pm. Places are limited to 12 students and the cost is a bargain at £40 - just think about how much fun you'll have designing quilts, playing with colour and enjoying their famous chocolate biscuits throughout the day!

Further details and for how to book - visit their website - http://www.chrisandbarbara.co.uk/

Kirstie Allsopp's Homemade Home - Kaffe Fassett and Quilting

Last Friday all the talk at The Cotton Patch was about Kaffe Fassett on Kirstie Allsopp's programme Homemade Home - Kirstie, having moved on from Location, Location, Location with Phil has turned her hand to rennovating an absolute wreck of a cottage in Cornwall. Her focus has been on using local crafts people and materials to furnish it and recycle where possible. All good!

Yesterday featured an old patchwork quilt (red and green - any thoughts on a date?) that Kirstie bought in a textiles antique shop and she also made a quilt with Cowslip Workshops. Its great to see so many crafts being showcased on the programme and although not everyone will appreciate Kirstie's style we think she's doing a great job!

So if you're new to quilting we hope you find our site and blog useful - but beware - it can be addictive!