Ouse Valley Quilters

Quilt Day at the V&A

2010-05-07T15:15:00.002+01:00

What a lovely day we had at the V and A, all thanks to Brenda Fish for arranging it for us. The coach was super(and I don’t like coach journeys!). We got to London> with ample time for coffee, lunch and a look round before our booked time to enter the quilt exhibition.

The exhibition itself was very good. It was lovely to see these old quilts, the skill of the quilters was stunning especialy considering how poor the lighting would have been. Some of the fabrics used looked as though they could have been bought very recently because of the patterns and the colours. One particular quilt I liked had several different sizes of spot fabrics in it that I would love to have in my collection today!

Do you wish you had come with us? There is still time to see it as it’s on until July.

Many thanks once again to Brenda.

Christa

NEW GROUP

2010-02-22T11:19:00.003Z

Kathryn Greig is starting a new evening Subgroup and the first meeting is to be on Wednesday 17th March at Kathryn's home.

Her address is;
33 Heighton Crescent
South Heighton
Newhaven
BN9 0QT
Her phone number is 01273 510193

email kathryn.greig@uwclub.net

If you are interested in joining or would like more details please contact Kathryn

Hanging Together Exhibition

2010-02-05T11:30:00.002Z

There is a fantastic exhibition at Chequer Mead in East Grinstead. It is a group of quilters/textile artist some of whom you may know. June C Barnes, Sandra Grusd, Jennie Lewis, Inger Milburn, Leslie Morgan, Ingrid Press and Julie Senington They are know as Hanging Together, in the programme it states that they encourage each other to think outside the box, they truly do.

The exhibition is on until Wednesday next 10th February and it really is worth a visit. If you can manage Saturday between 11am and 3pm you will be able to 'Meet the Artists' The exhibition is free and you will be able to get nice refreshments/lunches, parking right opposite.

Get to know you day

2010-01-31T09:46:00.003Z

After all the snow and cancellations, Patchdean and Seahaven Day Groups decided to have a 'Get to know you day'

There were 12 of us and we all met at my house. Pauline and I made soup which went down very well and lots of yummy cake made by Christa and Julia.

Everyone brought along one of their first pieces of patchwork/quilting and we had a very noisy Show & Tell. Great to see how we have all developed and quite alarming to see how much the fabrics have dated.

Caroline who has just joined OVQ had a good initiation into the group and went home wanting to make everything.

We also collected £40 for the Haiti earthquake appeal.

Brenda

JAN'S WORKSHOP 15th Feb

2010-01-29T11:12:00.004Z

I expect by now you have all received the details of requirements for the above workshop. If you haven't please either contact me Brenda Fish on 01273 302221 or Penny Jones 01323 890925.

If you have any queries about the fabric needs list or equipment etc for the workshop, please contact Jan Hale on 01273 475408

Doughty Fabric Sale

2010-01-12T16:00:00.004Z

DOUGHTY BROS WILL BE AT PATCHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE ON SATURDAY 16th JANUARY 2010 STARTING AT 10am Lots of fabric at great prices wadding calico etc.

2010-01-10T11:01:00.003Z

SNOW...........

Not a very good start to the new year. We have had to cancel our meeting on Tuesday evening with Sandra Grusd. Too chilly and more to the point too slippy.

Lorna's workshop on 21st has been postponed as Lorna has been unwell. We hope she makes a speedy recovery.

We did try to book another tutor and got all excited about Louise Mabbs, she would have done it. But in the end we decided that there would not be enough time for preparation and sourcing materials. We will book her for later in the year or early next year.

Our next workshop will be with Jan on Monday 15th February. You can come and make a big bag for your cutting board and equipment, great for taking to workshops etc and it is also good for storing your board. They are quite sensitive to heat and extreme cold, once they are warped they stay that way. The details and some pictures of the main block choices are on the Workshop page and the needs list can be found there too.

Keep warm Brenda x

APPLIQUE EVENING TUES 10TH NOVEMBER

2009-10-27T12:32:00.002Z

On the 10th November we will be doing an Applique evening with Maggie North (this is top secret but I have heard the word 'Butterfly' mentioned).

You will need to bring your normal hand sewing kit with you, plus two 10 inch squares, one plain and one patterned and thread to match.

If I hear any more juicy news I will post it here, so keep checking in.

Brenda

CHRISTMAS

2009-10-21T10:38:00.000+01:00

I know it is a little early to be mentioning the dreaded word above, but.....You have things to do;

Each group will be making a Mini Christmas Hamper to be raffled at the meeting on Tuesday 8th December. The hamper should be no larger than a small shoe box, (no I don't know what size shoe) just small. It would be nice if it could have some home-made items in it. If you have any ideas speak to your Co-Ordinator.

The Challenge will not be too challenging. We just want you to make a Textile Christmas Card, you can use what you like but it must contain some type of textile. A while ago we did fabric postcards, what a variety we had. With so many new members we should have lots of cards. Think early for Christmas and get your card done, out with the glue fabric and maybe even sticky back plastic.

Brenda

JACKIE DORKINGS

2009-10-20T10:48:00.002+01:00

Jackie Dorkings and her quilts gave us a great evening last Tuesday. Lots of colour and lots of dyed fabrics. I think maybe some of us will rethink our feelings about dying fabric. There was a good variety of quilts and all different techniques, Jackie did fill the 3 large tables she requested with her lovely quilts and at the end of the evening people were still queuing up to ask questions. We will definately put Jackie down on our list for workshops next year.

Anne Weald is still missing a strip of blocks for our Signature Quilt. Someone has taken them to sew together and they haven't been returned. Please, if you have them Anne desperately wants them to enable us to finish the quilt. Even if you haven't had time to sew them together just let Anne know.

JACKIE DORKINGS 13TH OCTOBER

2009-10-04T10:27:00.002+01:00

Don't forget to come along to the talk by Jackie Dorkings on Tuesday 13th October. Jackie's work is beautiful and I am sure we will all go away 'inspired'. She has asked for 3 large tables so it sounds as though she will be bringing along lots to 'Show and Tell'. If you would like to bring a guest with you they will be very welcome.

Look forward to seeing you all on 13th.

Brenda

CHARITY SEWING DAY

2009-09-27T14:26:00.003+01:00

What a lovely day we had on Thursday at Berwick. Really relaxed, lots of laughter and some sewing done as well. We all sat outside at lunchtime and put the world to rights. There are some lovely rag dolls on the way, a couple of Linus quilts, a great dog, that doesn't need walking every day and some Christmas decorations to sell for our charity.

It is just such a shame that more of you didn't manage to come. These sewing days are a great way to get to know other members of the group in a very friendly, relaxed way.

Brenda

Jelly Roll Workshop 12th November

2009-09-16T12:06:00.002+01:00

Jo Baddeley from Puddleducks is doing the above workshop for us. The cost of this workshop is only £20 and ........You will be given a voucher for £15 to spend with Jo on the day.
Even if you already have your jelly roll you can buy backing wadding etc from Jo. Quite a bargain!

You can look at the website for the shop on www.puddleducksquilts.co.uk

QUILTING TV PROGRAMME

2009-07-09T11:24:00.002+01:00

Did you all know that there is a quilting programme on Sky number 279 called Quilt in a Day and it is on every Friday at 1pm lunch time. If any of you watch it let us know what it is like. Thank you Gloria for the information.

SUMMER PARTY

2009-06-17T16:34:00.002+01:00

Jan, Jill and Anne with 'Colin' the cockerel. Colin was a gift for Jill as a very big thank you for all her help with the group over the past 15 years. Jill has now retired from Committee work after tireless support which is greatly appreciated. It is hoped that Jill will now be able to sit back and enjoy all the activities, and have a very well deserved rest.

MONKEY BUTTONS WORKSHOP

2009-06-15T16:23:00.002+01:00

The above workshop last Thursday was really good. Amanda is a very good tutor and she does a whole lot more than just bags. It would be nice to get her back at a later date to do one of her quick quilts, she has designed several using Jelly Rolls, have a look at her website.

I have spent years of frustration trying to find a good way of marking quilts ready for quilting. Well here is the solution....(I got it from Amanda at Monkey Buttons). It is made by Clover and is described as a CHACO LINER PEN STYLE. Mine is bright yellow but I gather you can get it in other colours and is just brushes off when you have finished. It is like a tiny wheel and is filled with powdered ink, you can get refills. I'm sure some of you already know about it but it's new to me.

INVITATION FROM SANDITON QUILTERS

2009-05-27T14:43:00.003+01:00

Sanditon Quilters from Little Common Bexhill have very kindly invited us to their group on Wednesday 8th July. They are having Eva Thomas giving a talk entitled 'From Stockholm to Sussex' .

JANICE GUNNER WORKSHOP

2009-05-26T16:05:00.003+01:00

There are still some spaces on the Janice Gunner workshop 'Sensational Shibori' Thursday 16th July. It would be great to use your dyed fabric for the workshop, but don't let this put you off if you haven't managed to dye fabric, you can take some of your stash, or try using batiks. It will be a great chance to learn from an award winning quilter and textile artist. Janice is also a City and Guilds tutor. Have a look at her website www.janicegunner.co.uk her work is very impressive. Janice is giving a talk on Tuesday 14th July (2 days prior to the workshop) you will no doubt come away inspired and wishing you had booked the workshop..........Don't wait until the then because there won't be any spaces, get in touch with Penny because we are now going to offer the spaces to non-members.

MONKEY BUTTONS WORKSHOP

2009-05-12T09:52:00.003+01:00

There are still a few places left on the Monkey Buttons workshop on Thursday 11th June. The cost is just £25

We will be making a choice of two bags, you can see these at www.monkeybuttons.com
Barcelona Bag or Pacific Blue. The web site is well worth a visit to see all the lovely kits that they do.

You will probably all have noticed that our web site has been up-dated, and the gallery has been changed. We are sorry that some of the quilts do not have the name of the maker, if any of them are yours, please email us and we will rectify this. Last years gallery is still on the web site you just need to click on the link.

Don't forget that tonight Tuesday 12th May is a talk by Carolyn Forster. This should be a very interesting evening. Carolyn has a book out at the moment called 'Quilting On The Go' and hopefully we will see some of the lovely quilts that are in her book. No doubt the book will be on sale tonight, and you could maybe get a signed copy. If you would like to bring a friend along the entrance will be £3.

Cut and Splash Workshop

2009-04-24T09:38:00.003+01:00

Thank you so much Gunnel and Helen for a lovely workshop yesterday.

It was good to start a workshop and be told that you don't have to be really, really accurate. Some are just naturally accurate, but lots of us gave a sigh of relief. Planning is important, but with this technique you have no idea how it is going to look until you finish the block.

It was a beautiful day and at lunchtime we were able to sit in the sun and eat our lunch, we were then back at our machines and furiously cutting.

There were 16 ladies doing the workshop and every one's blocks looked so different, it will be great to see the finished quilts.

Send in your photos as soon as you can

Brenda

MONKEY BUTTONS WORKSHOP

2009-04-17T11:42:00.002+01:00

There are still a few spaces on the above workshop. You can see the bags that we will be making by clicking on the Monkey Buttons link to the right of this message. The bags are; the Barcelona Bag or Pacific Blue. The cost of the workshop is only £25 and if you would like to come along you need to send your cheque to Penny as soon as possible, the places will be offered to outside groups if they are not filled. If you would like to bring a friend along to the workshop the fee is £28.00 to non-members.

Tip for making a signature block

2009-03-13T14:32:00.000Z

First step is to iron the fabric you wish to sign your name on onto freezer paper. This makes it firm and very easy to write on. Once you have signed it remove the paper and just stitch over the letters.

WHAT IS THIS?

2009-02-25T12:06:00.000Z

Another mystery object.......What do you think it is? I will give you a clue: It is something to do with sewing, it was made in Denmark and cost 5/6d. It measures 7 inches long, is made of steel and there is a very narrow gap right through the middle up to the round hole at the top. Please, if you think you know what it is, send you answers to the blog. Doesn't matter how wacky your idea is it could just be the answer. If you are not sure how to get onto the blog just click on the link on our web site to email me and I will let you know how to do it.

Brenda

CUT AND SPLASH WORKSHOP

2009-02-19T11:02:00.000Z

2009-02-19T10:29:00.004Z

NEEDS LIST FOR CUT AND SPLASH WORKSHOP
ON 23rd APRIL
BERWICK VILLAGE HALL
10am - 4pm

FABRIC;

For 24 blocks you need 8 different 15" squares. For 36 blocks you need 12 different 15" squares. Any cotton fabric will do, but it is a good idea to mix prints, plains and colours.

1. Cutting mat and ruler
2. Rotary cutter
3. Sewing machine and extension lead
4. Neutral thread and usual sewing kit
5. Iron and Ironing board (2-3 can share)

IF YOU WANT A SMALL QUILT LIKE ONE OF THE PICTURES ABOVE YOU COULD USE 8 DIFFERENT FABRICS AND 2 SQUARES OF EACH. THIS WILL MAKE 48 BLOCKS AND WITH 3" SASHINGS AND BORDERS MAKES A 58" X 44" QUILT

FABRIC SWAP 15 inch sq

2009-02-03T11:48:00.004Z

The size of the square for the fabric swap on Tuesday the 14th April is now 15 inches. The reason for the change is because those of you wanting to do the extra workshop with Gunnel
'Cut & Splash' will need to take 15" squares. You will be cutting and sewing and then cutting again. You will need a sharp blade in your rotary cutter!I will put the needs list up nearer the time.

HAVE YOU GOT AN OLD HAND SEWING MACHINE? If you have an old hand or treadle sewing machine you want to get rid of. A lady called Vivienne Shorter collects and refurbishes sewing machines, and sends them to people in other parts of the world, where they can be used to provide a living. They will collect them as well as scissors, needles and threads or materials which are no longer required.

If you can help call Vivienne Shorter on 01580 850211

or email; vivienneshorter@yahoo.co.uk

Fabric Bowl workshop details

2008-12-16T11:43:00.002Z

FABRIC BOWL WORKSHOP 22nd JANUARY 2009
Above is some ideas of what the fabric bowls look like, the picture is from Gail Lawther's book. The Needs List is as follows:

MUST HAVE A MACHINE THAT DOES ZIG ZAG STITCH

Scissors; paper scissors, good quality fabric-cutting scissors and small sharp-pointed embroidery scissors.
Soft pencil
Long Pins for holding sections together while stitching them.
Chalk marker
Long quilt ruler
Felt pens/fabric marker pens
Paper
Template plastic or thin card
Thread. You will use a lot of thread! Cotton, polyester, poly/cotton or rayon
Fabric Cotton or silk, pattern or plain depending on your choice of bowl.

The same thread is used in the bobbin as in the top. Filling more than one bobbing means that the needle stays threaded while changing bobbins, making the interruption less noticeable.

A cutting board and masking tape may prove useful.

SPOT THE MISTAKE

2008-12-12T10:37:00.001Z

This is the quilt that was raffled for Leo House, not the one I put on at the beginning of the month sorry.

More money for Leo House

2008-12-01T10:49:00.001Z

This quilt has at last found a bed to lay on, it was made by Seahaven Day group in 2003. It was the forerunner to the Turquoise Japanese Folded quilt which was at our exhibition in September. The quilt was machine pieced (foundation piecing) and hand quilted (sorry the photo is so small). We donated the quilt to Leo House and it was auctioned at one of their functions recently, the quilt has found a nice home and raised £70 for Leo House.

More ladies hard at work. Scroll down for some info about Louise Mabbs.

2008-11-24T15:46:00.004Z

Some more of Julia's photos from the workshop with Anne Weald

Louise Mabbs is at The Grange in Rottingdean until December 2nd. The Grange is open from 10am - 4pm (closed Wed) and 2pm-4pm Sundays. I have been told that Louise will be there on Mondays Thursdays Saturdays and Sundays demonstrating. www.louisemabbs.co.uk have a look at her web site it is very colourful. I think she has a new book out but not sure.
Brenda

Anne Weald's workshop

2008-11-20T16:13:00.002Z

Some more photos from Julia. It will be good to see all these pieces of work together. Please bring them along to our meeting for show and tell.

If you want to see more detail on the photos just click on the one you want to enlarge.

2008-11-20T16:11:00.000Z

Anne's workshop

2008-11-20T16:08:00.000Z

Here are some photos that were taken by Julia Vautier at Anne's workshop last week. Looks as though it was a really busy and enjoyable day. If any more pictures are out there please send them to me or put them onto the blog so we can all see.

Mystery Object

2008-09-24T11:42:00.000+01:00

WHAT IS IT?
This little wooden egg belongs to one of the ladies in our group, but none of us know what it is. We think it is probably something to do with sewing, but what? The egg is about the size of a large chicken's egg and as you can see there is a grove running from the top to the bottom but only on one side. At one end there is a hole, there is no thread in it, so it may be a peg of some sort that just pushes into the hole. We are only guessing, If anyone has any ideas , please let us know.

Seahaven Day Group.

2008-09-23T17:35:00.002+01:00

What about calling the last page Latest News & Chat?
Tomorrow I will be putting a photo on the 'Chat' (Blog) it is an item which we think is something to do with sewing but don't really know. Check in tomorrow and see what it is, we really do not know. (Seahaven Day Group) .

2008-09-15T10:08:00.002+01:00

Thanks for that Kathryn. I got my sewing machine from them quite a few years ago and they were very helpful. I spent a couple of hours trying out all the different machines in the shop. The man there said it is the only way to get what you really want. I did come home with the one that I had originally wanted but I knew for sure that was what I wanted.
Brenda.
PS had one suggestion for a new name for Blog it was Forum,which is a much nicer. Any more suggestions?

Wprld of Sewing, Tunbridge Wells

2008-09-14T16:44:00.002+01:00

Lorna recommended this to me, and says that the solid colour 100% cotton is particularly good value.
I haven't been yet, but I have checked the internet. There is an excellent map on their website (www.sewing-world.co.uk).
Some people might better know it as Bromley Sewing Machines - but Tunbridge Wells is closer!

Careful though - it's shut on Wednesday.

Happy Quilting,

Kathryn Greig

Winners of the placemat challenge

2008-09-13T11:16:00.001+01:00

THE WINNING PLACEMATS IN THE CHALLENGE

'Peacocks Perhaps'
by Val Davis
1st

'Plaited Mat'
By Margaret Wainwright
2nd

'Food Glorious Food'
by Cynthia Noble
3rd

Some lucky winners on the cushion Tombola

2008-09-11T12:32:00.003+01:00

CONGRATULATIONS

The place mat challenge was won by:

1st Val Davis
2nd Margaret Wainwright
3rd Cynthia Noble

The Judges Choice and the Visitors Choice was won by Pauline Beeken's Japanese Folded Quilt. It was a joint effort by the ladies in Seahaven Day Group. Pauline designed it and provided all the fabrics.

The second Visitors choice was Maggie North's Sew a Row which she called 'Folky Fun' and 3rd was Cynthia Noble's 'Rainbow Cloudburst'

For those of you who couldn't make it to the AGM. Maggie North is our new Vice-Chairman as Gloria Spaul has resigned and is now the co-ordinator of the new Seaford group.

We would like to try and have a photo of each members work in the gallery on our web site, so please, please send me your photos, as many as possible. If you do not have a digital camera ask someone else in your group to take a picture for you, or bring your quilts along to the Tuesday evening meetings and we will do it there. I am sure lots of you have photos that you took at the exhibition which would be great to put in the gallery, please do let me have them.

Several of us have decided we do not like the word BLOG (maybe that is why no one is putting messages on it). Anyway, we are looking for a new name for it, Any ideas? email, phone, write, or even put it on the blog, just let us know what you think it should be called.

Welcome to the new ladies who have joined our group, and look forward to seeing you all on 14th October for an in depth show and tell.

Exhibition

2008-09-09T09:56:00.000+01:00

Hello.
Hope you all enjoyed the exhibition, it was so nice to see so many of you there. What a lovely display of quilts, I was on the door most of the time and everyone that came out said how much they had enjoyed them, well done.
The challenge was well supported with a great selection of place mats. I will put photos and details of who won, visitors choice etc up on the blog when I have some time.
Please if you took photos would you forward them to me because my camera was playing around. It is really easy, (if you are stuck just email me, click on the link at the bottom of any page). It would be nice to have as much variety of quilts and makers as we can get, to put in the gallery.
Thank you to all of you who helped make it such a successful exhibition without your help it would not happen and it is greatly appreciated. A very very big thank you to Anne Weald who worked so hard for months beforehand and did not stop the whole weekend, also her husband Geoff who worked so hard putting up all the stands etc.
Brenda Fish
P.S. Hope to see you at the A.G.M. tonight.

2008-08-24T10:20:00.000+01:00

Our exhibition is drawing near so finish those quilts and cushions for the Tombola, (still don't know who he was).
If anyone wants any posters for your local shops or to put in your car (make sure you put it on the back window on the driver's side, so as not to obscure your view) Just click on the link at bottom of any of the pages on our web site and email me.

Members, don't forget the reception on Friday 5th September at Christ Church Hall at 7.30pm when the challenge will be judged. Do come along and bring a guest. It will also be a good chance for you all to take photos of your lovely quilts for our web site.

Once our exhibition is over there will be the Quilt show at Heaver. I will put the details up soon.

Brenda

2008-08-14T09:30:00.000+01:00

These are some of our cushions for the Tombola. (Seahaven Evening Group).

All the cushions are going to make quite a spectacular display at the exhibition. Great idea to have a Tombola. (who was Tom Bola)?

Would love to see some more pictures of your cushions, so get blogging. Lets face, it the weather is so disgusting there is little else you can do.

Welcome to Ouse Valley Quilters' blog

2008-07-29T10:51:00.000+01:00

Here you will be able to find information about forthcoming events, members' news, workshop wish lists and general thought on patchwork quilting and designs