Stitching with Helen of Hugs n Kisses

On Friday I had the best day.

1st - I finally had a day off work to do something fun

2nd - I spent the day with Helen from Hugs n Kisses & 7 others stitchers doing what we love best - stitching, laughing & learning new techniques.

Helen came all the way to Perth from the Promise Land - Hobart, Tasmania, to teach classes for the WA Quilters Guild. The Friday class I went to was a workshop on embroidery & specifically her lovely 'Sewing Chatelaine' projects.

Before even the first stitch I learnt heaps about needles, working with threads & specifically why my thread tends to get fuzzy & knot (I'm using too small a needle with too small an eye - Crewel No 7s for me from now on!).

We started with the large medallion on the needle case. Here's my effort for the day;

The blue areas are the iron on pattern, such a time saver & a feature of Helen's patterns. You get an iron on transfer that will work several times as well as the printed page for tracing if that is your preference. The blue petals are now filled with satin stitch in a delicate pink.

Even though that is as far as most of us got, Helen went through all the tips & hints for finishing off the set. I can't wait to try the leather stitching on the sides of the scissor case, tape measure holder & fob, it is such an easy, strong & decorative stitch. Helen showed us how to make the cord & tassel to finish off our little masterpieces.

As you can see behind Helen, there was a display of her work & I was so happy to see her new project 'Home Sweet Home' up close. The scallops are larger than I expected & the stitcheries in them so vintage & sweet.

Check out some of the stitcheries up close;

and of course there has to be a kitty;

So naturally a copy of this glorious Home Sweet Home pattern & the acrylic templates had to come home with me. The fabrics in this quilt are Helen's first fabric line 'Life is Beautiful' in conjunction with Red Rooster fabrics.

They are available at Quilt Fabric Delights ($5 a fat quarter - great price for Aussie) and I read on Leanne's Blog yesterday that Esme's in Launceston is stocking Helen's fabrics too. Check out the needle cases Leanne has made for the shop out of Helen's Life is Beautiful panel. In Perth, Quintessential Quilts in Morley are stocking the range too, so we can see them, touch them & play before we buy.

A big thank you to the WA Quilters Guild for bringing Helen all the way West for us & to the lovely & talented Helen for her fantastic teaching, generous sharing of her wealth of knowledge and sweet ways that made the days such fun.

I read something recently that gave me a giggle, on a blog or Facebook, can't remember which, 'I'm going to a workshop to learn how to make another UFO!' I can so relate to that but this sewing set is just so pretty & useful that I am determined to get them finished - soon!

Happy stitching
Tracee xx