New girl, needs help!

Hi, I'm new to quilting and to patchwork. I've recently retired and have at last (in theory!) some time to myself! I recently visited the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for Three Hundred Years of Quilting - wow, what an exhibition, so inspiring - and daunting! Now I need some serious help as I really am pretty hopeless!! All I have done so far is Drunkards Path cushions in the form of birds but I'm desperate to have a go at everything - log cabin, bargello, trapunto etc etc! 

I have bought a couple of panels that look terrific - one in four sections - one for each season, and one of various different types of coffee. Trouble is, I'm now not sure what to do with them! Cut them up, quilt them and put borders etc? or what? Thought I could use them for Christmas presents - but I really need ideas and help!! 

Thanks in anticipation,

Penny from Yorkshire

Hi Penny,

Welcome to the Forum.  This a friendly and fun place to be with lots of things to do. 

 

Have you thought about joining a local quilt group?  Or trying Adult Education for patchwork and quilting.  I started at my local Adult Education and soon caught the 'bug', and then went on to join a Quilting group.

 

At the top of this page you will see a tab that says 'Blocks' - have a look and maybe have a go at making one or two.  There are also projects that you can try too.

 

I went to the V&A back in March to see the Quilt Exhibition.  It was brilliant.  The Australian quilt made by the women on the ships was awesome!  Another Museum you could visit is the Quilters' Guild museum in York.

 

Irene B

Hello Penny

 

Welcome to the on line group.

 

Where about's in Yorkshire are you, I am East Yorkshire and no proper quilting group near me.

 

The Quilter's Museum in York is lovely.

 

You could use your panels for cushion covers, put wadding and a backing ond quilt through. Then add a cushion back.  Maybe even a bag.

Bye Pam

Thank you for your welcome, I hope to get cracking with some blocks very soon!

 

Pam, I live in Watton, half way between Driffield and Beverley on the A164 where are you?   I have looked for a quilting group but no joy, I also struggle to find good fabric shops. Went to York on Saturday and as I will be in Bradford on Wednesday I shall go on to Embsay near Skipton which has a brilliant shop for fabric. I also like Bombay Stores in Bradford, but unless I am over there for work it is a long way. 

 

I hope to go to the Quilter's Museum in York very soon.

 

Penny 

Hello Penny

 

I live Rawcliffe Bridge area the other side of Goole.  I was in Driffiled last week.

 

Have you been to Scarborough there is a great fabric shop there £4.20 a metre for 100% cotton.  I was there a couple of weeks ago and bought loads. There is also one in Bridlington he does not sell much but lovely fabric at £4.00. then there is one in Filey. I find them all.  Not been to the Embsay fabric shop went to the craft part many years ago.

 

Hope all this helps

Bye pam

Welcome Penny,

 

You are really going to enjoy belonging to this site, everyone is very friendly and if you join in any upcoming swaps, you will find yourself really hooked, especially when it is you anticipating the arrival of the mail man!

 

Cathy

Thank you for your replies - I have been looking at the photos of all your work - it is truly amazing and inspiring!

I am looking forward to joining in the 'swaps' but feel a bit reluctant as I am so new to this and cannot measure up to the work I've seen posted on the site, however how does the system actually work?

Penny 

Thank you, that sounds great - but I need to be clear (sorry!).

One metre cut into 14 strips each 5" X half width of fabric i.e. 27" (if 54" etc).

Are there postings of completed works for this project?

Should the work be completed as strips or can they be cut smaller? 

Am off to fabric shop on Wednesday - roll on Wednesday!! 

Hi Penny

Yes, we are cutting the fabric in half widthways, and then cutting these across into 5in wide strips.Quilting cotton is usually 44" wide, so each piece will be approx 22x5in.

 

We usually post a photo of all the fabric, and then as people start to make something, or even finish a piece, then we post a photo in a joint album for everyone to see. However, sometimes, me included, we don't finish for months! The work can use as much or as little of your strips as you like, we just try to include a bit of each one.

 

Here are some photos from previous swaps

Ice Cream Swap 

 

Batik Swap 

 

Autumn Swap 

 

to give you an idea.