4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Valkyrie]

Does anybody know if there is someone who will fix a sewing machine near Basingstoke? I know there is one in New Haw (where I got the blasted thing - it keeps going kaput), but usually there is nowhere to park and I have to lug the heavy monster for quite a way. I tried via the Jonelle site and they said take it back to where I got it, but I'm fed up with them fixing it and having to go back again a couple of months later. I now have 2 quilts that are half done and it's driving me potty (the only reason why I got it in the first place). I should have stuck to hand quilting. Sorry little rant over. Just when I found a little shop in Alton, it closed down and no notification to say whether they had moved either.

[Patricia W]

We've got a lovely one in Abingdon - if you get desperate.

[prudance]

There are two shops in Reading (not counting John Lewis). I think one of them does Janome machines.

[KateG]

I *think* there is another place in Alton. I know that one shop closed and another opened but it has been 4 years since I left so that may be long gone too.

 

I vaguely recall there being a place in Guildford too..

[Valkyrie]

Thanks for your replies, peeps. I will have a hunt in Reading as that is probably nearer for the first session. I can't see anything in the phone book for Alton either, apart from an industrial one. Perhaps I'll just have to get a long arm quilting machine! A bit too advanced for me yet (have you seen the cost of those? Pheeeee eeeww).

I think Abingdon will have to wait a bit longer - although I love a nice ride out - would have to do a dummy run first.

[Plum]

When are we seeing your work Koojie?

[Valkyrie]

 

Unfortunately this was taken before Christmas and the flash has taken a lot of the colour out. It is far more intense and there is a lot of gold in here. The fabric was Tudor by Makower, and I actually bought it from John Lewis a few years ago. This is the only WIP that I have a photo of and the others are yet to be finished or on the bed (although photos were taken in the old fashioned way!). This is a giant dahlia tablecloth and is sewn by hand. I think I might as well quilt it by hand too. This picture was taken while all the chairs and couch were moved as far back as they could go so that I could put the pins in to baste (I think that's the term) the layers together. You don't half get sore knees! Oh and some of the s"Ooops, word censored!"s were used to make a Secret Santa pressie.

 

[Plum]

Wow. That's beautiful, can't imagine what a nightmare it must have been to piece. How did you manage all the points in the middle?

Yes I've basted one on the carpet before and ended up pinning the carpet to the quilt so now put down a big piece of thick plastic after piling furniture up and threatening the cats.

I'd want to hand quilt to after all that hand piecing.

[Valkyrie]

The middle bit wasn't too bad - it does leave a little hole, and some people end up with large holes (like my friend that joined me for the class), but it can always be covered with a little round appliqued patch, or stitched to pull it in tighter. It is also a bit lumpy, but seems to ease when the wadding is added to it. Mine is quite small, so I won't bother with applique this time. You start in the middle and work outwards, the bigger it gets, the easier it gets, although the drawing around templates and cutting it is a bit of a pain - not as bad as doing a feathered star though!

The worst bit was that it was a bit too small for our table, so I had to adapt the green border using the other templates, perseverance, freezer paper (including lots that have now been assigned to smaller designs because I messed it up quite a bit - fortunately before I cut out the material), and now it will hang down about 3 inches over the edge. Phew!

Yep, basted the carpet a few times too!

I there are acrylic templates by Marti Mitchell and you can get them from The Cotton Patch:

http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ecottonpatch%2eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fPerfect_Patchwork_Sets%2ehtml&WD=dahlia&PN=Marti_Michell_Rulers_and_Templates%2ehtml%23a9335#a9335

 

My one was done via Green Mountain Quilts - when there was a shop and they did lessons there, so it is a bit of a ropey photocopy, although I would be happy to send send the instructions if you want them, the accuracy might be a bit bleh after they've been photocopied again.

[Plum]

I admire it very much but have no desire to do it. Well done adapting the size.

I made a hawiian applique round table quilt once but unfortunately haven't got a round table yet. It was fun to do and that was all by hand even the quilting but must be the last thing I quilted by hand.

I'll be interested to see it when you've finished.

[Valkyrie]

Well I have been quilting like mad for a week now - had to dig out my reading specs to see it too! But I've almost finished the centre part by just quilting "in the ditch", but the border will have a bit more fancy work of vines to tie in with the vines in the patterns. So hopefully I will have completed it by next week. OH wondered "is this the new you?" - yep, you do the washing up for a change!

[bigmommasally]

Wow Koojie that is gorgeous! I can't imagine doing that by hand you must have so much patience. Well Done.

 

You are naughty though hiding a picture of your beautiful work under this thread title I had missed it earlier and I'm sure others will have missed it too.

[Snowy]

It does look gorgeous Koojie. Must have some close ups of your quilting. Are you doing it by hand now then? I have not yet had any quilting lessons - I did a small practice bit on a 12" x 16" piece of fabric, batting and backing, but don't feel confident at trying anything bigger in case I make loads of mistakes and have to do it again!

[Valkyrie]

Thanks peeps. Ooh I have a fair a few unfinished things, and odd patches - must take pics. I have 2 half done quilts, hence the machine repair - and I still have to get around to doing it. I am so bad - I have only just knocked the opticians off my must do list.

Snowy if you are going it alone, apart from finding someone local to show you, I recommend Jinny Beyer's "Quilting by Hand". But I still think it is better to see someone in action if you can. I still make mistakes, but it is allowed in patchwork and quilting - apparently it shows "humility" and so they used to deliberately make errors in the old days for that reason!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

....of course all my errors are deliberate...I am not perfect and am happy that my work isn't either

 

Sha x

[Valkyrie]

I bow to your humbleness!

[Snowy]

Snowy if you are going it alone, apart from finding someone local to show you, I recommend Jinny Beyer's "Quilting by Hand". But I still think it is better to see someone in action if you can. I still make mistakes, but it is allowed in patchwork and quilting - apparently it shows "humility" and so they used to deliberately make errors in the old days for that reason!

In that case I'll just go for it and never mind the mistakes!

[Valkyrie]

Just an update to let you know I am still quilting the border - probably about a third of the way around. Doesn't really show much on the top, but when I've done I will take a photo of the reverse so you can see it better.

[Snowy]

Can't wait to see it! I have now got the sashes on my blocks, just need to add the corner bits, then it can be backed and quilted - I'm getting quite excited now - really pleased with how it looks!

[Plum]

Working hard both of you. I've just finished another baby quilt, I'll post pictures when I can get my camera to behave.

[Valkyrie]

Ooh looking forward to seeing them.

[Valkyrie]

Aha, picked my machine up today and it has now been mended. I took it to the place in Reading - they have a big car park round the back and the guy carried through the shop to the car because it was a heavy beast. He said my stitching was a bit small for quilting and suggested I use the largest spacing. Hopefully I won't have to go back too soon and I get to finish those 2 half done ones. My mum asked how many quilts I have on the go (WIP's) and I have 9!

[Mrs Webmuppet]

That quilt is fantastic. I am hoping to go on a one day quilting course in October at Quilters Haven. I would love to do the full learn to quilt course but that involves taking too many days off.

[Plum]

Aha, picked my machine up today and it has now been mended. I took it to the place in Reading - they have a big car park round the back and the guy carried through the shop to the car because it was a heavy beast. He said my stitching was a bit small for quilting and suggested I use the largest spacing. Hopefully I won't have to go back too soon and I get to finish those 2 half done ones. My mum asked how many quilts I have on the go (WIP's) and I have 9!

 

I've just taken mine for repair. Weighs a ton like yours, but OH just bought me a lighter one for workshops so I don't lug it around. Huh had to park 200 yards away. Ironic or what.

 

Wish I could come with you Mrs Webmuppet, i haven't been to a class for ages.

Don't worry about the long course just buy a how to book and get together with a group if you can or other friends and then you can get inspiration from them or pick up tips. Come to think of it just log on here sometimes

[Valkyrie]

My machine is going great guns - I don't know what they did, but it certainly works better now than when the previous place "fixed" it. So the one in Reading - recommended. Not only that, I have nearly finished a quilt on there - before it would have given up the ghost by now.