Cats & Quilts - a match made in heaven... (except maybe those stubborn little clouds of fur that latch on to the fabric!)

Kitty Quote of the Day

I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. - Jean Cocteau

Monday, October 8, 2012

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

6 comments:

  1. Woo hoo Tracee you have had what I call A Grand Time!! Your stitching looks so perfect, I hoope you are friends with satin stitch by now, LOL... Great opportunity to learn from the guru's how to refine your technique. The needle advice is great, so the No7 crewel needle is best for stitchery? If that's the case, I'll be getting myself a few cards of them...
    I really wanted to attend that event, but sadly it just wasn't good timing for me as I have a daughter preparing for yr12 exams... Enjoy all your goodies! x

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  2. Sounds like a really good day.thx for sharing it with us.

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  3. Wow! What a day for you!! Thanks for the photos - I never knew that scalloped quilt had those gorgeous stitcheries. I have seen it on other blogs but never with close up photographs! I'm going to look out for that one now......Thanks.

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  4. Hi Tracee....wow love your stitching what a fantastic day...

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  5. What a great day to have Helen come over to do a class. I didn't know she had a fabric line too. Your stitch work looks perfect and yes you better get it finished. The stitchery on that quilt pattern looks very sweet and the curved blocks look interesting - like clam shells. I am afraid that is a block that looks way too fiddly for me to try just yet. Maybe when I am old and have to sit still a lot :D

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  6. What a gorgeous set Tracee that is one cute pattern and it would have been fantastic for you doing a class with Helen.xx

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Thank you friends for leaving a comment on my post - love to get them! Tracee xx