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Teaching my first workshop at Millie Moon by Kelly Diggle

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I recently taught my first workshop at Millie Moon after dreaming about becoming a tutor. I designed a pattern for a quilted cushion cover and was joined by three lovely ladies for the day. I absolutely loved this experience and Marilyn, Val and Margaret all did a fantastic job, each making a great cushion cover.

It was wonderful to spend the day with this enthusiastic group and see how each of their fabric choices worked with the pattern. Everyone was new to working with a rotary cutter so the first part of the day focused on developing cutting skills. The participants then learned to construct patchwork pieces, learnt how to put the three layers of a quilt together and then had a go at quilting their creations. Finally they turned their quilted piece into a cushion cover.

Everyone left with a finished cushion and took away a pattern, complete with photographs, to enable them to have another go at home

 

 

 

 

 

I am so grateful to Becki and Rachel at Millie Moon for allowing this dream of mine to become a reality and I have been busy planning a few more workshops for the autumn. Why not come and have a go at some patchwork and quilting!

I am teaching an introduction to English paper piecing on 22 September, where participants will learn the basics of this traditional method and then use their finished piece to applique a denim bag (which you’ll also make).

On 28 October I will be teaching a patchwork drawstring bag. This is a great opportunity to learn to cut pieces using a rotary cutter, construct patchwork and then make a lined drawstring bag.

Finally, I am offering a quilted stocking workshop on 25 November. I am trying not to use the ‘C’ word here but I have to confess I have already been playing with festive fabrics and have started planning my handmade gifts. The fabrics I have used here in the stocking are by Dashwood and available from Millie Moon 

If you are interested in booking a place you can do this through the website by clicking here workshop or call the shop on 01373 464437. I am also able to offer a limited number of 1:2:1 sessions if you want help with a specific quilting project. Drop me an email to alittlesewandsow@gmail.com to find out more.

New Tutor, Kelly, talks about her love for Patchwork and Quilting

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By day I am a professional Fundraiser and I use my spare time as my creative outlet.  I had participated in the compulsory sewing at school and was fairly uninspired but knew I had a creative streak waiting in the wings to find the right craft.  After dabbling with many different crafts in 2011, I decided to have a go at making a few small gifts for children with forthcoming baptisms and birthdays.  This was initially driven by wanting to save some money, but also to avoid purchasing the usual mass produced plastic that so often makes gifts for children affordable.  It was at this time that I started to visit Millie Moon and get to know Rachel and Becki.  Very quickly I became inspired by the beautiful fabrics that they were offering and by the wonderful community that existed around their amazing shop.  I decided I wanted to learn more and after perusing their workshop flyer I opted to book onto Caroline’s 6-week beginners quilting course which started in January 2012.

Caroline expertly guided our small group through her pattern over the coming weeks.  The quilt was really challenging but I learnt so much and came away with my first-ever finished quilt.  That quilt still sits in my living room over 5 years later and I am still very much in love with the design, and the Tilda fabrics that I chose to use.  Caroline’s tuition and support gave me the confidence to move on to another quilt soon after my first and as they say, the rest is history.

 

Over 5 years, 30 plus quilts and numerous small projects later I am now embarking upon teaching my first few workshops.  I am so delighted that Rachel and Becki have invited me to join the fantastic team of tutors and I hope to meet more of their wonderful creative community through my forthcoming workshops.  I will be teaching small projects that focus on patchwork and quilting and very much hope you will join me.

Here are the next three workshops with Kelly. Go to website to book

Introduction to English Paper Piecing Saturday 23rd September

Quilted Cushion Cover Saturday 26th August

Patchwork Drawstring bag Saturday 28th October

In addition to quilting and sewing, I love listening to podcasts, reading creative blogs, gardening and spending time with my little boy (who loves being snuggled up under one of Mummy’s quilts when he isn’t running around).  I blog at alittlesewandsow.blogspot.co.uk