Chocolate, Fabric and Patchwork.

I have always loved this pinafore of Merryn’s, you can see that she is outgrowing rapidly. I was really happy to stumble across a tutorial over at the Smashed Peas and Carrots blog to make a new one. Merryn was very taken with the Arctic Animals fabric when it arrived. I think that the Polar… read more

Thanks to everyone who entered our journal kits giveaway. Random.org has decreed that comments 6 and 8 are the winners. #6 = Lisa who said: “I love blogs because they are a great source of inspiration and knowledge.  I’ve found so many useful things reading blogs and I love your covers.  I plan on making… read more

Fabric covered notebooks I’ve made a few of these notebooks now. They are great fun and make nice gifts. The same principles can be used for ring binders and diaries. I covered some ring binders with food themed fabrics for recipe books for a couple of my family cooks. They were well received. I use… read more

When I was at the Australasian Quilt Convention I discovered Nicole Mallalieu Designs. I purchased Nicole’s book You Sew Girl. I have sewn a number of the items in the book and I have enjoyed everyone of them. I now have some new ensembles in my wardobe. I have used Nicole’s patterns for the City… read more

  A double quilt binding The binding on a quilt is often the finishing step. For some it is a delight as it means that the quilt is finished and can now be used. For others it can be delayed as it is a task not enjoyed. Since I have been quilting I have used… read more

I have been slack with the blogs posts of late. I could offer several excuses but I thought I would just share with you what I have been doing. Most recently I have returned from Craft Alive in Bendigo. A few of the traders I have exhibited with at other events but there were many… read more

There a couple of options for quilt backs, you can piece one from patchwork fabrics which are generally 1.12m or use quilt backs that are generally 2.54m wide. Using quilt backs is great if your quilt has at least one of the dimensions over 2 metres. If your quilt is smaller, perhaps a cot quilt… read more

I am booked into a kaleidescope quilt class with Jenny Bowker over the weekend. I saw this class listed at AQC a couple of years ago but missed out on it. I now have the opportunity to take the class on retreat with Riviera Quilters. I am planning to take my batik fabrics which I… read more

  A few years ago Mum and I went shares in a John Watts Quilter and Janome 1600P combination. I can’t say that I have ever been truly happy with the set up. I have spent hours unpicking and re-threading trying to find the right thread/needle combination. Recently I sliced the leader cloths lengthwise and… read more

  Some weeks ago I got a text message from my sister that my nephew needed a book bag, he started school this year. Neither of my sisters really sew so it is Mum or I that make things for all of her grandchildren. The bag had to be big enough for his books, needed… read more

I have been keeping an eye on Kate Conklin’s designs for a while now. I like her style. We have already offered a very popular tutorial of hers on the website. When I ordered the Robotics Range from Moda, I had one of Kate’s designs in mind. When it arrived it was clear that it… read more

Whilst on retreat up at Mount Buller Summer School I was introduced to Liquid Radiance in Helen Godden’s class. Liquid Radiance has interesting properties which make it very versatile for decorating fabrics and other items. In Helen’s class we painted with it onto calico. I was really happy with the effect that I achieved. I… read more