Today's Class

Well today was where the ladies could work on their own projects. Mariya was still working on the lap quilt she is going to give to her father for his 70th Birthday. Here are some of the applique blocks which we were trying to put together by introducing squares in between the framed applique blocks(with some fudging Angela).

Lucinda and her daughter Sandra decided to spend the day making bags!

And here is D.Manuela's Bag using a new product that was at FIL this year. It is called Texture Magic, which shrinks your fabric in this case by 15%. It sold out at FIL, but Paula is arranging to get some more in.

I think after todays making of bags, I shall be happy to take a break from teaching bags until September at the earliest. But the ladies here in Portugal love making bags!!!Back to more traditional patchwork.

Sunday

Yesterday I managed to find some time to go down to my sewing room/DH study to work on an up and coming project we shall be doing in the shop. I decided to use, yes, Christmas fabric that I bought at FIL. Even though it is still hot here and for some reason down in the basement it seems hotter.
Got all my strips cut and sewn together. Here is a sneak picture of the fabrics.

All will be revealed at class this Wednesday so the ladies have an idea what to choose in colours for the 21st July. If you are interested in coming contact Arco Iris A Metro to reserve your place.
I know I said I would post some pictures of FIL but it was so busy on the stand that in the end the camera stayed in my handbag!

This last week

I know that I haven't posted anything for a while, the reason being besides Wednesday's class I have been helping out at FIL which is very tiring but lots of fun playing shop. Also the weather here has been 40º +just here in Lisbon, which has left me and lots of other people with little energy.
Last Wednesday there were few ladies, because it was very hot to be doing quilting. Two of my ladies (who are beginners) were finishing off their Bow Tie Bags and Maria was working out how she was going to put all the applique blocks she had done together and choosing fabrics to use.
Aldora brought in her completed spiral table topper, which she had altered slightly to her liking.

And together we managed to create a bag that she will use to put her beach towel in for the beach. Just a few ends need tiding up.

Things should be back to normal next week, with class on Wednesday 14th July, where you can bring the project you are working on or start something new.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR AT FIL, LISBON

Yesterday I played at setting up shop with Paula from Arco Iris a Metro for this years Feira Internacional de Artesanato at Expo, which runs from 3rd July until 11th July. Doors open at 3.00pm and close at 24.00pm, every day.
There will be stands with arts and crafts from Portugal, as well as from around the world. It is a very popular fair and I am really looking forward to being part of it. So today I shall be helping on the stand to sell everything to do with Patchwork and Quilting. There were lots of lovely things we found in the boxes as we unpacked them, so people will be in for a treat. And I didn't even get chance to see what fabrics were going to be sold, as I had to leave and pick up Sara from summer camp.
Tempation not to buy anything is going to be very hard. I really really will try NOT to be buy anything..... but it is going to be very hard!
If I get a chance I hope to be able to post some photos in the next couple of days.

Wednesday's Class

On Wednesday some of the ladies started making the bag shown in my previous entry, but by the end of the lesson still had a way to go. There were quiet a few pieces to cut and this took a while. Should have some photos next week!
Fernanda brought a tablerunner she had made and put her own stamp on the back by painting a design.

And here is one of my new ladies first attempt at making a rail fence table runner.

Wednesday's class

Last Wednesday's class was where the ladies could finish their projects or ask for help on something specific they wanted to learn, which we call "Livre" which translated means free to choice what they want to work on. I do this once a month, so people get a chance to catch up on their work.

Sofia brought in her finished project from the Mystery Class we did and as you can see it wasn't reds!

Here are the ladies busy working on their individual projects.

And Maria showing Sofia how she uses the blanket stitch on her sewing machine for applique.

And Sofia's finished project with a little help from Maria.Here are some of the designs Maria has used from her Singer sewing machine to make a duvet cover for her daughter.

And finally here is Manuela working on her bag.

Here is a picture of Marta's finished bag that she sent me. She is pregnant and the baby is due any time. Like 10 days and she found time to come to class to make a bag!

She used what she had at home to make this bag.

We will be doing this bag on Wednesday. So if you are interested in making this bag contact Arco Iris A Metro here to confirm your place and what you need to bring with you.

Mystery Project Class

Yesterday I did a mystery project whereby last week the ladies received instructions to sew 8 strips of fabric starting with a light fabric and ending with a dark colour, a bit like Bargello and that was all they were given. And this is what they had to make.

Here is Regina's in reds and blacks

And Paula went for creams and browns

and Manuela hadn't yet finished cutting all her pieces, but chose blue.

Fernanda had only sewn 6 fabrics together but then added red in the middle and used a different method.

And we had a show of her runner which will be put on the floor!

This isn't all of it! And also she painted the back with special paints which puff up, which become rubber (like on non-slip soled socks you can get, not explaining it very well). The picture doesn't do the work justice.

In the afternoon I had another group of ladiesm but no pictures as they weren't ready to show. Sofia brought her kaleidoscope, so that she could choose the border and binding. Her mystery project is in blues, I am slowly getting her to use other colours besides REDS.

And Mariya was working on the surprise present for her Dad, which we can't show yet. She brought her circle jean project which she has turned into a cross the shoulder bag.

And this is the project for this Saturday afternoon at Arco Iris a Metro.

Until next time.

Wednesday Class

Today I forgot my camera, so there are no pictures to show what the ladies were doing. They brought their old jeans and some squares of fabric today and got down to cutting cirlces from the jean fabric. Here is my picture along with a cathedral window panel.

Some are going to make a bag from the sixteen panel and others a pillow. A couple are thinking of making it into a large quilt. The idea for the blue jean circles comes from here.

Last two classes

I haven't posted as I have had a few things going on what with work and.....

Anyway the last two classes the ladies have still be trying to work out how they are going to put theire kaleidoscope blocks together. Here is Fernanda's

and Carmen's

and Mariya's who this week became a casulty of the dreaded rotary cutter!

And finally here is Sofia's who is normally a red fabric lady!

And here is a show and tell from Aldora who popped in to show what she had been working on at home, as she is not able to come every week to class. 

HECTIC!!

Sorry but just haven't had chance to post anything for last Wednesday, things here are a bit hectic to say the least. I will up date you on the news when I can.

Finished

Today, I managed to find a couple of hours this morning to finish off my bag. It is a pattern by Melly & Me. I really love it, but I am not sure if it is too posh for me!

And when Sara got back from her morning down by the river (Tagus River) with her Dad and grandfather, she had ideas that she was going to keep the bag for herself. I don't think so!

Well!

I know I promised to show you today "my something for myself" but had to go and work, plus household jobs, so bang went me going into my sewing room and finishing my project. Hope I get a chance on Sunday to finish it off.

Anyway I forgot to show Fernanda's triangle project, so here it is. It is going to be a mat, originally it was going to be for her cat to lie on it, could still be though!