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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Handmade Christmas Presents

Every year I try to make something for all the kids in the family. They always get so many toys that I like to give them something handmade that they can enjoy. Previous years they have received quilts, backpacks, Christmas stockings and more. This year I thought I would make them something that was personalised and be fun for them.

Kids Pillows

This year each of the kids received a pillow with their names on them.. The letters where cut out of the fabric with Steam a Seam 2 on them, then ironed onto the background fabric. I then satin stitched around each of the letters. Once the borders were added I backed the pillows with some of the Shannon's Cuddle - this is a polyester fabric, which wears really well, is excellent in the wash and has that cuddle feel to it. 

Kids Pillows

They look pretty good, but there is one more fun element to them. I use Superior Threads NiteLite Extra Glow Thread to stitch around all the letters. Once the lights are out the fun begins! This is a great way to get the kids to turn out the lights. The NiteLite Thread is available in several different colours and we have them all in stock at Berrima Patchwork.

Pillow
For Zara's Pillow I used the purple and pink NiteLite Thread

Pillow
For Toby's Pillow I used the blue, yellow and purple NiteLite Thread

This is an image from Superior Threads showing how the different NiteLite Threads "glow"



Superior Threads states "Charge it with natural or artificial light for a few seconds and watch it glow for up to 6 hours, night after night. NiteLite ExtraGlow 40 wt. polyester and is dryer and iron safe (low/med. heat). Recommended for quilting and embroidery. Available in six shades: Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, Purple, and White. The thread glows the color of children's glow-in-the-dark toys. White glows the brightest."

A couple of tips if you try to make these pillows.
  • Get letters that look great I enlarged an alphabet that when I traced them they didn't look too good so I changed the alphabet to another one. 
  • Don't forget to trace the letters in MIRROR IMAGE onto the steam a seam.
  • If you use a thicker thread - use a larger eye needle on your sewing machine. 
  • Use a good stabilizer when sewing the satin stitch. 
  • If you are using a polyester thread, don't place a "hot" iron onto it  - I learnt this on a previous project, some of those threads melt really easily, but so far I haven't melted any from Superior Threads.
  • The glow in the dark thread is great to find out if you have left out sewing any of the letters - I forgot to sew inside some of the a's. 
  • You don't have to use a glow in the dark thread, variegate threads can look fantastic. 
  • And lastly make sure you spell the kids name correctly (no I didn't make a mistake but when I was tracing all the letters I did forget to trace a few of them!)

Friday, December 30, 2011

New Fabric In Store - Get Together

Some new fabric has just arrived into the shop. It's called Get Together from David Walker Studios.


Get Together Fabrics

It is just SOOOOOO Cute, I can't decide which of the fabrics I like better. This is a great collection for kids which features squirrels, birds and pigs. The range goes together well and you can either mix the two different colourways or keep them separate.

All of these fabrics can be found our Website (www.berrimapatchwork.com.au) or  CLICK HERE TO VIEW: GET TOGETHER COLLECTION



Get Together Fabrics

Get Together Fabrics

Get Together Fabrics

Get Together Fabrics

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Free Pattern from Maywood Studio

This is a free pattern that is available from Maywood Studios. I love stars in quilts and this is a stunner. It would look great in a selection of fabrics and perhaps could be a new quilt for you to start in 2012.


Click Here to download this free pattern from Maywood Studio 
or go to http://www.eeschenck.com/i/qc_both/patterns/pdf/Maywood_Studio_20.pdf 
Enjoy

Monday, December 26, 2011

Sewing with Little Miss

Little Miss today got to learn how to free motion quilt! At nearly 4, I know rather young but then are they really too young to start sewing?

Hanging Hearts

Little Miss wanted to make something for her room and loves the colour pink and purple so I thought we would make a hanger with hearts on it.

This is a really great project that you can do with the kids. I first ironed some Steam a Seam 2 onto some white fabric and cut out heart shapes. You need to use Steam a Seam 2 as when you pull off the paper side it is still sticky - for the next step I let the Little Miss "stick" pieces of fabric onto the heart (steam a seam side up).

Hanging Hearts

Once this was all done, I took a piece of baking paper, placed it on top of the fabric and ironed. The uncovered steam a seam will still be a bit sticky but I did notice that it becomes less sticky as you handle it.
We then took two pieces of batting and a backing fabric and quilted the layers together. This is when Little Miss got to use the sewing machine for the first time. I sat her on my lap, had her hands on mine and we moved the fabric together. After a while I let her put her hands straight onto the fabric and let her move it, just be careful of the needle - tell them to keep well away from it.

Once that was done, we placed the hearts onto the quilted batting and pinned them into place. Back to the machine to sew around the edges, I did this myself with a walking foot, Little Miss of course sitting on my lap. Little Miss did assist this this step helping take out the pins, and then using pinking shears I cut around the edges so that they will not fray any further.

Using some Razzle Dazzle Thread from Superior Threads we threaded the hearts to place onto ribbon.
To add another aspect to this hanger I let Little Miss thread buttons onto ribbon and these went in between the hearts. The hanger was made up with several lengths of ribbon - in pink and purple of course!
Simple to make but lots of fun.
Little Miss

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas

From all of us at Berrima Patchwork we wish you a very Merry Christmas. Have an enjoyable and safe holiday.


BERRIMA PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS AND 
NEW YEAR HOLIDAY HOURS
Thursday 22nd December – Open 10am till 4pm
 Friday 23rd December – CLOSED
Saturday 24th December – CLOSED
Sunday 25th December  - CLOSED
Monday 26th December – CLOSED
Tuesday 27th December – CLOSED
Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th  and  Friday 30th December – OPEN 10am till 4pm
Saturday 31st December – Open 10am till 3pm (Closing early!)
Sunday 1st January  - CLOSED
Monday 2nd January - CLOSED
Tuesday 3rd January - CLOSED
Wednesday 4th January - OPEN 10am till 4pm (normal hours of operation resumed)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Free Pattern from Michael Miller Fabrics

This is a free pattern which is available to download from Michael Miller Fabrics. 


 
For those who aren't run off their feet at the moment you might be able to get it done in time for Christmas, or maybe try it out next year. The letters on the banner's are appliqued and this pattern would be great to feature a wide range of Christmas Fabrics. This pattern also would look great just sewing up one of the banners by itself and placing a feature fabric or maybe an embroidered piece instead of the letter. So many options!

The pattern can be downloaded from Michael Miller Fabric's website www.michaelmillerfabrics.com or CLICK HERE (http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/Upload_WebPages/1280_HTML/Tammis%20Angels%20Banner%20Layout1.pdf)

 They also have a selection of free patterns to try out on their site so make sure you have a look around.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Quilter's Blog Hop Party WINNERS

We have the winner's from the Blog Hop Party. Sassy helped up choose the winners (she loves paper, though was bit overwhelmed!). Pack 1 went to Bright Angel, Pack 2 to Kess, Pack 3 went to Sue Petrie and Pack 4 to Carolyn Mcpherson. All the winners have been emailed. Thank-you to everyone who entered.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

New Fabric In Store: Jemima Puddle Duck

New Fabric in store - Jemima Puddle Duck. This fabric is a must for those who love Beatrix Potter's Books and drawings. 
 Jemima Puddle Duck Fabric

This collection features Jemima Puddle Duck in a range of fabric prints include a pink and a blue toille fabric. There is also in this collection a panel book which can be made into a fabric book or used on a quilt and a border fabric print.
Jemima Puddle Duck Fabric

You can see the full collection by clicking here or going to our website www.berrimapatchwork.com.au and viewing our online store.

Jemima Puddle Duck Fabric

We still have a small amount of other Beatrix Potter fabrics in store which feature Peter Rabbit and other friends and you can view these fabrics by clicking here or once again going to our website and viewing our online store.

Jemima Puddle Duck Fabric

Monday, December 12, 2011

Free Pattern 12" Block: Economy Block

This week's free pattern is all ready for downloading. It is called Economy Block (strange name I know but this is just what it is called!) Once again those of us at Berrima Patchwork thought it should have a Christmas Feel to it so it has been made up with Christmas fabrics. This is an easy block that would sew up in no time as a table runner - in case you need to make that last minute present!


Economy Block
 
having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free pattern
http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern/economyblock/
To view previous free 12" patterns you can go to our website free pattern list having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free patterns http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Quilter's Blog Hop Party with Giveaway

Welcome everyone to our Blog and the Quilter's Blog Hop Party.

Berrima Patchwork is a retail and online store located 1 1/2 hours south west of Sydney, Australia. We stock over 5000 bolts (yes this is right I counted them!) of a wide selection of fabrics. Our website and online store can be seen at www.berrimapatchwork.com.au

On our blog you will find the latest happening in our shop, what is new in store, upcoming classes, tutorials, class projects, what our customers are making and more.

Every Monday we post a free 12" pattern for you to download. Just click the Free Pattern header or the link below and you can view patterns that we have already published.

These are just a taste of some of our current free patterns available to download
8 Point Star
8 Point Star 
  Queens Crown
Queens Crown


Berrima Patchwork can be found on Facebook and we also have a YouTube Channel where you will be able to see information about the latest International Quilt Market and International Quilt Festival from Houston 2011.
Subscribe to me on YouTube





 NOW FOR OUR GIVEAWAY
We have 4 fantastic fat quarter packs to giveaway. Each pack contains 4 fat quarters (Aussie fat quarters measuring 50cm x 55cm). All you have to do is post a comment as to which of the four packs you would like to win and the country where you live. If you want to win more than one that's not a problem just state that in your comment. Include also your email address if you don't have a blog (otherwise just use your user name when you leave a comment) As long as I can get in contact with you if you have won!

This giveaway is open to everyone and we don't mind shipping overseas. We will be drawing the winner at 10am Sydney Time on the 18th December 2011
Want an extra entry???? Just like Berrima Patchwork on Facebook: post a comment on our facebook page.



PACK 1

PACK 2 

PACK 3 

PACK 4 


THE QUILTER'S BLOG HOP PARTY 


The Quilter's Blog Hop Party with Giveaways is a fantastic way to see what everyone is up to and have the chance to win some giveaways. There are over 200 blogs taking part from 16 different countries. For a full list of blogs that are participating just click the logo below.

Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways