TODAY we begin a new series of articles by guest contributor Sally Stevens, a patchwork and quilting writer and teacher with years of experience in the skill. Here, she explains the background to her interest
DO you have a favourite shirt, skirt or T-shirt that you don’t wear anymore, but can’t bear to part with because you love it so much?
Would you like to remake it into something beautiful for yourself, for your home, or to give as a gift?
Then welcome to the world of patchwork and quilting.
It’s easier than you might think to turn your fabric treasures into cushions, bags, soft toys, picnic blankets, quilts, and home décor pieces to keep and enjoy.
And once you’ve got the patchwork and quilting bug, there are lots of fabric and haberdashery retailers in and around Worcestershire that can ‘feed your need’ for brand new and exciting fabrics.
A Bright Hopes quilt
My patchwork and quilting story began more than 40 years ago. The ‘itch to stitch’ is very strong in our family and I loved to sew from a very young age.
Mum taught me how to hand sew and my Gran taught me how to use a treadle sewing machine.
Eventually my Mum bought an electric sewing machine. The beautiful fabric scraps left over from her dressmaking classes were so lovely that I wouldn’t let her throw them away.
So, I began to cut them up into squares, triangles and hexagon shapes, then sewed them together to make pretty cushions for Mum and my Gran.
And I haven’t stopped sewing since!
After a writing and editing career in the IT industry, I was given the opportunity to combine work and sewing, and in time I became the editor of two UK and multinational patchwork and quilting magazines; incredibly rewarding work and lots of fun.
I design and make my own projects and write my own patterns too, some for magazines, some for teaching and some for sale.
Most of all, I love to teach patchwork and quilting. At quilting classes, local groups, and as a guest demonstrator on the Sewing Quarter and Sewing Street TV channels. And I meet so many lovely people.
It really makes my day when folks that I have taught, in person or via the TV, show me what they have enjoyed creating and who proudly say to me “I made this”!
A Castellations quilt
I’ll be sharing the delights of patchwork and quilting with you in the weeks to come. What you will need to get started, ideas for things to make, hints and tips for all sewing abilities, fascinating historical facts, and news about the many shows and exhibitions that we will be able to visit in Worcester and around the UK very soon.
Welcome to the world of ‘Sew Many Friends’!
For more details, go to sewmanyfriends.co.uk
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