John & Marie • Nov 20, 2021

Jump into Patchwork and Quilting

A couple of months ago a small number of beginner sewers decided to start their patchwork and quilting journey through Ripley Sewing Centre. For this program we focused on using a newly published book titled Jump into Patchwork and Quilting by Sarah Ashford for C&T Publishing, Inc.

Sarah is a qualified educationalist, modern quilter, pattern designer and freelance writer who lives in an area of South West England. Sarah has also written a second book titled Rotary Cutting Basics and is the founder of the Great British Quilter, an online community championing British quilters and designers.

Thanks to Zoom, Sarah will be joining our group on Saturday 27th November for a chat during which all participants will share with Sarah their beginner quilt journey to date. The attached photo of three participant’s blocks so far shows their individual colour preferences.

With each block they have made we have seen “light bulbs” come on. They have learnt new skills, improve on the ones they had already learned, and more importantly gained confidence with every step. Overarching all of this learning journey has been laughter and fleeting times of heartache with developing the skill of “how to unpick!” S-e-w from just a fleeting interest in what patchwork and quilting is all about has led to becoming totally addicted. In the words of Sarah “There really is something so alluring about sewing with beautiful fabrics and rich, bright-coloured threads, and ultimately creating handmade pieces that you can call your own”. Through Sarah’s journey in the written form of her book, our participant’s world of patchwork and quilting has evolved and will continue to develop through their new found passion.

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Simply Sewing on Saturdays

By John & Marie • 14 Apr, 2023

Expressions of interest are invited from fellow sewing enthusiasts to join our 2023 Simply Sewing on Saturdays small group of like-minded people enthusiastic to share our patchwork and quilting journeys. We gather fortnightly from 9am to 12noon with a scrumptious morning tea enjoyed in between. You may like patchwork, applique, embroidery, or combining a range of techniques in your project; with perhaps the joy of one or more quilting styles to finish your creation. Many believe quilting needs to be a big, and expensive, activity with the results destined only for show of some kind. Simply Sewing on Saturdays enables members to be part of a quilting journey making project, big or small eg. from mug mats, place mats, table centres, bags/caddies, wall hangings, and everything in between; plus, quilts from cot to whatever size you wish. RSC will have patterns and kits available. Members can also bring a quality project of their own. In essence, the main aim is to create projects using quality materials in a supportive environment where sharing with others offers you the best in your patchwork and quilting journey. To express your interest please click on the "Get in touch" button above to tell us a little about yourself and what you would like to contribute. Note: Beginners (Male &/or Female) welcome to apply. Places are limited so we look forward to hearing from you soon. S-e-w until next time, from all the team, keep well and stay safe!

Learning the Art of Quilting and Patchwork With Marie

By John & Marie • 29 Sep, 2021

Designed as an introductory beginner friendly patchwork program through which you learn to play with colour, explore the art of machine/hand embroidery, advance your applique skill and gain a comprehensive understanding of the basic patchwork stages of cutting, piecing, quilting, basting and binding. This program is for those who would like to have fun stitching along with other like-minded people. The centre piece is a cherished nine block sampler quilt consisting of Ribbon, Uneven nine-patch, Eccentric star, Pinwheel, Heart, Flying geese, Maple leaf, Courthouse and Variable star blocks. It is a great way to showcase different quilt blocks and techniques including half-square triangles, strip piecing and the stitch-and-flip method. S-E-W, don’t be daunted, just take it one block at a time and it will soon come together. To support your endeavours, you will also have the opportunity to communicate with the designer of the sampler quilt who is an international patchwork teacher, modern quilter, pattern designer, freelance writer and author. Several other projects of hers will be included in your beginner package. Primarily you will be using Lori Holt’s “Flea Market” Fat Quarter Bundle complimented by an assortment from the Devonstone Collection Building Blocks Basics Textures fabric range. Limited to 5 participants! Commencement Date: Saturday 9th October 2021 Time: 9am to 1pm Frequency: Weekly Place: Ripley Sewing Centre Contact: ripleysewing@gmail.com or message 0419 948 452