I e-mailed the magazine who told me that it was designed by their editor but not available. I was now on a mission to find it or something similar. I looked on the internet at absolutely loads of sites, all to no avail. Then I remembered a shop that I had been to many years ago in Tiptree called The Cheap Shop - sounds like one of those cheap market shops that are around but it's a Pandora's box full of every kind of craft material you can think of.
Anyway as it was Mr M's day off we took ourselves off for a ride out in the vicinity of Tiptree, enjoying a lovely ride in the countryside. Suffice it to say they had nothing like the fabric I wanted. However I did buy a few haberdashery bits and some fat quarters and the day wasn't wasted as we had a lovely pub lunch before returning home.
We stopped off at a lovely farm shop where they had all manner of fresh fruits and vegetables
and of course I could not go home without the obligatory jar of Wilkinson's Orange Marmalade!
On Saturday I saw an advert for a 'taster session' in patchwork quilting at a small fabric shop in Leigh on Sea not far away. I went along on Monday afternoon and yes you can guess, I found what I was looking for, more by accident than design. They're not quite the same but very similar. They didn't have much so I bought 1.50 metres! way too much for what I want but hey you never know when you might need it again. And as I am beginning to learn, you should save all your scraps for future projects.
As far as the taster session went, I was shown lots of different sewing techniques which will all come in handy one day, BUT was disappointed because the tutor only believes in hand stitching all the patches together as well as hand quilting, hand applique etc. When I asked if one could use a machine I realised straight away by the disapproving look on her face that it was not the thing to do/ask. I'm sure this is the right and proper thing to do, but I'm so impatient and at that rate I would never get anything done. I came away quite disillusioned and a bit put off by the whole thing.
So it's back to the drawing board so to speak and any advice would be more than welcome. I must get on with those hearts though and will post when they are complete.
That fabric certainly is lovely - I remember handstitching a patchwork quilt once - It's harder than it looks - I never finished it as I got bored half way through
ReplyDeleteThat's my problem Elaine, I haven't got a lot of patience. Thankyou and I will post soon.
DeleteThat's gorgeous fabric. Good luck with your crafting plans! Jx
ReplyDeleteThankyou I'm so pleased with it. Always on the lookout for fabrics now. It's addictive.
DeleteYes, that fabric is lovely.Can't wait to see what you make X
ReplyDeleteThankyou Anne, will post soon.
DeleteHI Patricia- came upon your blog via marmalade and catnip! I used to make lots of hearts, they are so lovely to hang around the house. Now i do more patchwork and quilting- dont be put off by the tutor- hand piecing is brilliant for sitting in front of the telly but machine is so much quicker! There are lots of tutorials on blogs, some are superb with lots of pictures! Good luck , I will follow your blog and look forward to seeing the hearts!
ReplyDeleteheather x
Thanks very much for that. I will look at some of those tutorials and get some ideas. In the meantime will pop over to yours.
DeleteGlad you found your fabric, it must have been a nice surprise when you spotted it. I haven't bought Handmade Living magazine although I've seen it on display in W H Smith. Think I'll treat myself to copy:)
ReplyDeleteYes it's quite good value for money although there are quite a few ads but I do like some of the features.
DeleteThe printed fabric is very pretty. Hope you enjoy making your hearts with it:)
ReplyDeleteThankyou Rosie. Looking forward to making them.
Deletejust started patchwork by machine last year...its pretty easy and addictive. i got most tips from the internet as my friends dont share my enthusiasm!....let me know if i can be of any help. hand sewing is fine too but you can achieve so much more quickly by machine....
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment Elsy and for your offer of advice. I'm sure I shall be in touch.
DeleteThat teacher sounds a bit daft to me. Of course you should use a machine, at least for piecing. I get most of my fabric by post, though it is getting expensive now. The Bramble Patch .co.uk have always been very good at posting stuff straight away. Or if you can wait a while there's all the American ones like Fat Quarter shop.com which work out a bit cheaper! xx
ReplyDeletethere is a place for hand and machine stitching, so ignore any rude comments either way. The Cheap Shop is fantastic and if you visit again would suggest the Tiptree Garden Centre. Lovely plants and a coffee shop to die for especially if you eat in the conservatory which looks out over the Tiptree vale. Definitely the stuff of dreams.
ReplyDelete