General Chat

Morning All.

Does anyone do this for a hobby. I did it years ago, and I am contemplating taking it up again, as a complement to my crochet work.

My question is this. What do you use for your backing sheet. I was thinking curtain lining, which can readily get from Dunelm, which is either plain or coloured

Any other suggestions please.


Julia in Derbyshire

Morning

I don't know about that but Aldi are selling a very good patchwork book for £2.99.

Mary

Hi Julia

I have a half-finished work in the wardrobe! My hands won't co-operate any more, so I don't think it will get finished.

It depends on what you want it for. Cushions need a strong backing, so a semi-firm curtain lining would be good. For quilt covers, I use a sheet (if I can't get fabric wide enough).

I'm sure others will add on with better ideas than mine :-)

Thank you Mary and Scozz for your replies
I am hoping to go into my local town this week, Mary, so will look for the book in Aldi
Scozz , we used to be able to buy sheeting off the roll at one time, but like alot of things, I have not seen it about for years. I take your point about the different weights of fabrics for different usage.

Julia in Derbyshire

I have a patchwork that has been going for nearly forty years now.Much of my life is in it but I have not done any for a few years now. That is why I like it, it is a hobby you can abandon for years and still pick up and carry on.

I had not even thought about backing it yet,or,indeed,how I would go about doing it.

I hadthought about buying a sheet but can't pretend to knowif that would be practical. Maybe attaching it to a padded throw and sewing a sheet under the throw,I dunno!

If you go on the craft thread Julia you will find Moonbi on there, she has sent beautiful photos of quilts she has made. I think some are still on my blog.

How remiss of me Ann, to forget Patchwork was on your thread. I will have a look at Moobi's work on the blog.
I went into a charity shop yesterday for my usual quota of Crime novels, and saw they were selling second-hand craft books also. Didn't have much time to look around, but managed to buy a couple for £2, and £1.50. Abit dated, but, very usuful, as they contained templates, which are easily traceable. So worth the money for that alone. Will look out for some more as I am out and about.
I will look for some on crocheting, and also toy and doll making.

Many thanks for the reminder of your blog.

Julia in Derbyshire

Hi Julia, My Nan used to make patchwork quilts, your thread as reminded me of this and made me smile. We used to sit for hours cutting out octagon shapes of various sizes from cereal boxes and then tack scraps of material and wading to them then Nan would painstakingly (but therapeutically) stitch them together - the patterns she created were amazing then she would take a flat sheet and with more wading and ribbon for the edging start to bring the whole thing together. Have fun and enjoy your patchwork x

Hello all,

I have made a few quilts in the past; before arthitis attacked my hands. Backing, or lining, is sold on the roll in varying widths. If you plan to quilt by hand (stitching the layers together) when the top in completed, a sheet would be more difficult to stitch through, since it is so closely woven. If you machine quilt, it would work fine.
Have fun.

Hi Julia,I do lots of patchwork,mainly to raise funds for charity,I wouldn't advise curtain lining as it is difficult to quilt.

I use various backings but for a starter I would advise unbleached calico,it is cheap and hardwearing. Dunhelm Mill usually stock it,or any specialist quilt shop.

I get it on ebay,shop around and you can sometimes get it for around £2.50 a metre. Any more queries regarding patchwork just give me a buzz.

Nina in miserable Sheffield. :-( :-( :-(

Thank you everyone who has replied, and for your suggestions.

Thank you Annina for suggesting Dunelm. I am hoping to make a trip there locally in the next couple of weeks, for various bits and pieces, so will look for the unbleached Calico.

I'll be happy to 'shout out' when I have more queries.

Julia in Derbyshire

Try here for some inspiration

http://www.americanmuseum.org/visiting-us/shop/publications/classic-quilts-from-the-american-museum-in-britain/

I visited the American Museum in Bath a few years ago,and would heartily recommend a visit to anyone whether ? sp? interested or not in patchwork.

Beware the very steep hill to get there,this prat had the stupid idea to walk to the building,it nearly killed me!!

There are lots of patchwork sites on you tube,ive been looking at them for weeks now as i intend doing some patchwork ,have treated myself to some templates and have loads of material to use that ive collected over the years. it will be a break from knitting.
one site on the tube is Missouriqiultco.com very easy tutorials and the sound is good ,some on there you cant hear the speaker.
Julia ask the salesperson if the calico has been pre-washed,when we were making bags we had to buy extra and wash it first if not pre-washed.

happy quilting.
wendy(lincs)