Scrappy Sundays – Squares

We thought we were done with squares but in tidying (!) the cupboard of ‘class samples and Blue Peters’ ( it sounds better than abandoned bits) Chris found her bag for Cathedral Windows classes. Squares! Big ones and small ones.

If you just want to give it a little try then make a Christmas ornament (sorry, its a bit early, but . . .)

or, more useful perhaps, a pincushion

Or make lots and turn them into a whatever this was meant to be (a pencil case possibly?) – but do make sure you actually finish yours as this one is just tacked and the small squares are falling out.

There is also a variation called Secret Garden. Again – you could make a thing to dangle on the Christmas tree (and you might even finish yours!)

or you could combine the two techniques and make a ‘mat’. You don’t have to use the same fabrics for the ‘window’ and the ‘garden’ as I have.

Experiment! Have a play. Find some squares and do some folding and fiddling – hand or machine, your choice. Download a quick tutorial sheet here. If you are in need of more help then the accompanying blog post can be found here.

If you find you love the technique and/or are feeling really masochistic you could try this idea Chris found in one of her old books (Learn Patchwork by Lynette-Merlin Syme, 1986) – a window blind. I imagine the background fabric was a sheer one of some description!

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Talented beginners

Chris has been teaching in Eccleshall again this week and amazingly remembered to take a camera – just forgot to take photos whenever the opportunity arose.  The ‘Technique of the Month’ on Thursday was Cathedral Window and we looked at various methods of making this lovely design by hand and by machine.  Ruth came to Saturday’s ‘Block of the Month’ with her Cathedral Window strip finished. Isn’t it great?!

Caroline has never sewn before and she turned up to only her third lesson with a completed quilt top –

This lovely quilt is to have a border added and will be for her son – some of the fabrics are from her husband’s shirts. (Wonder if he’s noticed yet? – Barbara).  Chris also managed a quick snap of Caroline’s two completed blocks before they were whisked away, but wasn’t quick enough to get any others.

 

So it’s back to HQ and our own sewing spaces for a few days – we need to get everything together for next Saturday’s class at Tittnesor – Four into Sixteen – which is sold out.  Barbara is also getting ready for several weeks on the road teaching and demonstrating at various shows – such a hard life!