Corris Uchaf, Wales
Quilting at Corris
Patchwork and Quilting work shop at Corris Craft Centre, Mid Wales
Quilting Bee in Corris
Jan 22nd
Well, we quilters of southern Snowdonia had our meet up — Thanks to all of you who could make it to these rural, frosty climes.
After some games, scones, high jinks and the few introductions that were required, we are now looking at a weekly group meeting on a Tuesday and a monthly group meeting on a Thursday. The idea is to hold here at Bumble Bee Quilting in Corris Uchaf on Arriva bus route x32.
If you couldn’t make it today and are interested, please let me know here – just so I can organise space to ensure you are all accommodated and included. These groups are open to all – those who are new to quilting and those with more experienced fingers – any one with an interest in fabrics, design and sewing is more than welcome
Anyway – thanks all – hope you enjoyed the day and take care on the roads home.
Frosty Fingers
Jan 19th
Been busy in the shop – trying to combat Ye Olde Jack Frost, preparing for Saturday and finishing all the (late) Christmas commissions.
I have prevailed somewhat in that I have beaten numbed fingers and I have now finished all the outstanding commissions; and before you tell me that Christmas passed by several weeks ago, my deadline is tomorrow!!!.
But, I do not have it all sewn up (to coin a phrase).
Now for the hard part and get ready for this coming Saturday…..
Quilters from all over southern Snowdonia are threatening to descend on me and discuss setting up a new quilting bee for those in our part of Meirionnydd … some details here
So, if you too are prepared to brave the chill – come and join us at Bumble Bee Quilting – from experienced to novice – we’ll welcome you all equally on Sat 22-Jan-2011 at about 11 am
Lets Get Buzzin’
Nov 28th
Or Plan Bee as Plan A has nearly completed ….
Get together open yo Everyone with an interest in quilting @ Bumble Bee, Corris Uchaf
Sat 22nd Jan 2011
11am – 3pm (refreshments provided)
Come and let us know what you want from a ‘Quilting Bee’
Your chance to get the group you want ….
The group will be co-ordinated to include all levels of experience from complete beginners onwards for anyone interested in and around Corris, Machynlleth, Tywyn and Dolgellau areas
x32 on Arriva Bus – stop in Corris Uchaf ….
Winter Opening 2010 – 2011
Oct 7th
Winter Opening 2010 – 2011
By appointment – please phone before leaving and I’ll open just for you
(01654) 761656
But – on random days I shall be open and busy quilting. So, should you see the sign outside – drop in and say hello
Also – I shall be open Mon – Sat 11:00 – 16:30 during the school Autumn haft-term holiday and the needlefelting will be available to satisfy all your creative urges ….
Celtic Knotwork designs (1)
Aug 26th
I have a commission which I have worked on bit by bit over the past few weeks. As you all know only too well, design for another is an iterative process, especially when locations are far flung.
Anyway, the idea was to create a celtic knotwork inspired quilt top, with a post-modernist fairly strict geometric pattern with quite vibrant colours.
So here are some of my initial ideas in chronological order:-
celtic knotwork - design idea 1
celtic knotwork - design idea 2
celtic knotwork - design idea 3
Progressing from the initial design brief into something rather more complex and thence morphing into to what might be regarded as a Roman mosiac but trying to show knotwork geometrically and with at least some sharp colour.
Being an ongoing process, the design concepts continue …
But, do the ideas work for you?
Kids enjoyed themselves
Aug 23rd
Ah Well – the kids had a field day … for it was indeed their day. Mostly lousy weather so they were all dry and safe indoors being constructive and learning new worthwhile crafting skills, as well as using some imagination.
Designing, choosing fabrics and colours, sewing and needlefelting. Every single one of them managed to create something of their own, either for themselves or for a friend or relative. Everyone took something home with them, something that they had made themselves – with just some guidance (usually with scissors and needles) from myself or Mum.
But with all those needles, pins and a gaggle of small girls and boys I did not take any pictures (again ….) – too chaotic and noisy with tiny piercing squeals of joy.
But, a hugely enjoyable day that we’ll repeat soon. A day they can all be proud of themselves for what they have learnt and for what they have made.
My stash of “old” fabrics, wools and felt is now sorely depleted, but in a very worthwhile cause.
Patience
Aug 17th
Perhaps that should read Patience and Trigonometry. And this is not a new card game with triangular cards.
I am creating patchwork squares for a new quilt top. These squares are made up in part of triangles. These I overcut. This is far better than undercutting, but a pain in the proverbial I’d rather do without. It will mean unpicking, re-cutting and re-stitching all the affected fabrics.
This only came to light when I had completed the squares and was about to join them them all up.
I am also aware of the old adage – Measure Twice & Cut Once.
So, either I was too impatient when drawing out the designs and calculating the angles to give me all my measurements or else I need to revise Pythagoras and his cunning plans. But I know it’ll work out fine in the end ….
Which leads me to my new favourite comic strip of the day which seems to sum up this quilt.
Patience - from Mimi & Eunice
Patience – from Mimi & Eunice – by Nina Paley (with grateful Thanks)
Cutting Fabric
Aug 14th
As we all know, the design process for a new quilt not only involves the creation of shapes in coloured fabrics with stitching patterns, but also includes the templates for the cut fabric.
This process is perhaps the most enjoyable for me, followed closed by the creation process where you sew the top together and then fill, back and quilt it all together
But, age seems to be catching up with me. The middle process (the actual cutting of the fabrics into shapes and sizes including seam allowance) now leaves me cold and sore.
Not just cold, but weary and with back problems due to leaning over my worktop and slicing or scissoring the bits of fabrics I want from my stash. Is “scissoring a word?.
I need a cutting fairy (rather like a tooth fairy in a way) who will take my sketches and colour charts and will just, as if by magic, cut the fabrics for me so that I can enter the shop one morning having left the designs overnight, and hey-presto everything is ready for sewing. Is this just too much to ask?
End of my back problems – but start of old age illusions I guess … Oh well, back to my roller blade …
