Quilt Backs

Quilt backs or Quilt backing fabric is an essential element of the quilt.

When quilting it is a lot simpler to use a fabric which is in one piece rather than having to join pieces together to make them big enough for the quilt. These fabrics however are difficult to find and when they are found there is never much choice in a quilt store. This is no doubt due to the space and cost that stocking a good range would take up.

When longarm quilting it is essential to have at least four inches of backing and wadding all around your quilt top ie the backing and wadding need to be at least 8 inches bigger than your top in both directions. When loading a quilt onto the long arm side clamps are used for tension and this can distort the first couple of inches. When computer quilting it is also essential to quilt over the entire quilt and off all the edges.

As a longarm quilter I get lots of people turning up with poor quality backings or sheets and asking me to quilt them - which of course I will, but I will also advise as to whether I consider it worth while. If you are paying for quilting, is it better to spend a little more and get a decent backing fabric too? - I think so.

Anyway, as a result of this, I have ended up stocking a range of the extra wide backing fabrics. These quilt backs are around 108 inches wide and have been imported from the USA to the UK as most patchwork fabrics are.

Currently I now have 40 different extra wide backing fabrics, and a choice of wadding including wool, 80/20. poly, black and cotton.  I have now added these into a shop on my website which you can find here -

LINK to SHOP

I dispatch with a carrier and a signed for service.

Of course with the Extra Wide cotton fabric actually being cotton, you can use any left over for bindings or pieces for a another quilt or project.

Here are just a few of my quilt backs

Vineyard

 Candy Dots

Spot On

Swirls

ME-Time Retreat

This week has seen our very first Me-Time Retreat here at The Royal Bridlington.

ME-Time is just what is says - time for yourself to enjoy your own craft without the usual distractions of making meals, looking after the other half and family, the phone etc.  It time for you to Chill and enjoy and be looked after with delicious meals and homemade treats.

Of course everyone is very willing to help each other and offer advice should the need arise.

Krys decided to work on quilting her sampler quilt for the three days.

Sylvia worked on an Heirloom Quilt project similar to Pauline Ineson's quilt pictured here.

Janet worked on various dolls which she is hoping to retail them at local craft fairs.

Mary worked on a quilt which needed quilting and binding.

 Other ladies brought their knitting, cross stitch, and other patchwork projects.

Personally I worked on several UFOS from the ever growing pile.
I now have three quilt tops and backs ready for quilting, one finished quilt as you go bargello (except for binding to sew down)  and a few more snail trail blocks for another.

Our facilities are available for groups to organise their own retreats - just contact Fiona for more details -  Tel 01262 672433 or click here to email.

Details of our workshops and retreats can be found on our website  http://www.quiltsandwich.co.uk along with my online shop for wadding & backing fabrics & details of my longarm quilting service.

Learn to Sew & make patterns actually fit

Have you ever fancied learning how to use a sewing machine and making your own clothes?

Have you made clothes that don't really fit very well?


Celia Banks from Sew Fundamental will be teaching here at The Royal Bridlington in November and December.

Celia is an internationally renowned tutor and has even recently been tutoring the wardrobe department at Grenada Studios Coronation Street. 

In November we have three days of workshops available. The first day will be 'getting the most out of your sewing machine', the second will be covering lots of different buttonholes and zip techniques and the last day will be making and fitting a skirt.

In December, there is a two day Palmer Pletsch Fitting course.  We shall be making a blouse and learning how to make it fit using the Palmer Pletsch techniques.

The workshops are just £50 each and this includes tuition, sample fabrics and threads - except the fabric/thread for the skirt & blouse, Morning coffee and homemade biscuits, lunch, afternoon tea and homemade cake.  Workshops will run from 10am to 4-5pm approx.

For those who want to stay over, the rate for 2 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and three workshops is just £240 per person sharing a twin room or £260 in a double room for single occupancy. 

One night dinner, bed and breakfast and two workshops is just £157 sharing a twin or £167 in a double room for single occupancy.

For those staying over there is of course unlimited evening sewing available.

Accommodation is at the Royal Hotel Bridlington which is a four star AA Guest Accommodation situated in the beautiful South Beach area of Bridlington, just over the road to the beach.

Celia is very flexible and so if you can already sew and just want to come along and enjoy free time to make your own project or if you want her expert advice on your own project then she is fine with that and you are most welcome to come along.

So why not come along?  Internet courses such as craftsy are all well and good, but nothing beat hands on experience with a real tutor.

More information and reservations - tel Fiona on 01262 672433