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It's very hard to believe that June is here already! How is that possible??
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The 8-week Beginners Quilting course that I was teaching finished recently. I am very proud of all the participants and how much they learned and accomplished during the course. They began with the basics and learned how to make four different quilt blocks. Using these quilt blocks, they went on to make either a table runner, a cushion cover, or a tote bag. By the time the course ended, a few of them had begun working on baby quilts!
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My finger has healed fairly well following minor surgery at the end of April. It is still a bit swollen and stiff at times, but that hasn't prevented me from getting back to quilting. You can read about my recently finished items below.
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Just a reminder that Red Bridge Quilts offers free standard postage to anywhere within the island of Ireland, as well as a free local pick-up service.
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New this month
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Following are the new posts up on the website this month. They are a gathering of various topics from the world of quilting. I hope you find them of interest.
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FEATURED CONTENT THIS MONTH
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Quilting news and tips
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1
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Sustainability is a much used word these days, but also a very important commitment when referring to the environment. The aim is to cause little or no damage to the environment so that our planet will continue to exist. Traditional quilting has always practiced sustainability, and it's back in vogue again.
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2
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Are you a quilter or interested in quilting? Will you be visiting the USA soon? If so, you probably would like to visit some quilt museums. No matter which part of the USA you are visiting, you will probably find yourself close enough to a quilt museum. They are wonderful and interesting places to visit, especially if you are a quilter.
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3
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Sticking with the theme of sustainability, I would like to mention cork. Cork is a natural fibre, and it has many more uses than simply as a stopper for a bottle of wine. It is already used in many industries, and is growing more popular as a component for sewing and quilting. I haven't tried it myself, but would love to give it a go at some point.
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The Froggy Tote has been added to the Shop. It joins The Zebra Tote, The Cockatoo Tote, and The Rooster Tote! What a menagerie! With its apple green colour and its army of happy frogs, this bag is a winner! Like the others, it has a boxed bottom and a handy interior pocket. It's made with 100% cotton fabrics, is machine washable and tumble dryer safe. See it here in the Shop.
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Another new item this month is this lovely Vintage Style Throw Quilt. It's made with a complete mix or jumble, if you will, of 100% cotton Laura Ashley country fabrics. In spite of it being such an abundant mix of colours and patterns, it pulls itself together perfectly. The all-over quilting design of swirls, pearls and petals gives the quilt a definite old-fashioned look.
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This throw quilt is laid out in an "on point" pattern (described in the Newsletter), and is made with "quarter-square triangles". This piecing technique is explained below. You can find the Vintage Style Throw Quilt in the Shop.
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These two lovely cushions are also made with 100% cotton Laura Ashley fabrics using the same quarter-square triangle method as in the throw quilt shown above. They have an envelope-style closure on the back, and the sturdy cushion pad is packed full of feathers. They will be landing in the Shop very soon!
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Quarter-Square Triangles (QSTs)
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In this section of the May newsletter, I discussed HSTs (half-square triangles). This month I am taking it a step further and am discussing QSTs (quarter-square triangles). It is also known as an Hourglass quilt block.
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Each set of two squares will make two QSTs. I have four squares in the photo, so will be making four QSTs. I am using some of the same fabrics that were used for the Vintage Style Throw above. That throw quilt is made up completely of quarter-square triangles.
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Place each set of squares right sides together. Mark a diagonal line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner on the top square in each set. These will be your cutting lines. Then mark two more lines 1/4" away on each side of the diagonal lines. These will be the stitching lines. Stitch down all the stitching lines as in the top two photos. Cut along the cutting line in each set. Voila! A total of four HSTs (half-square triangles) created.
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Press the HSTs open and then cut them in half perpendicular to the seam. Now there are eight pieces (see photos).
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Now match an HST from one set with an HST from the other set, and you end up with QSTs. I began with four squares at the start, and I finished with four QSTs. I then combined them to make a pattern.
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Under my needle
I suddenly find that my baby quilt stock is low, so that's what is on my work table at the moment. The squares are cut out and ready to go. I'll be making HST's (half-square triangles), which were described in last month's newsletter. There are so many different formations that can be formed with HST's. I have a particular one in mind, but I think I'll wait and surprise you with it next month!
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Shortly after that, I'll be working on a few more projects. So watch this space! Looks like it will be a busy summer!
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Looking for a Gift?
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Do you know someone who loves quilts? Or someone who appreciates a handmade item for the home? A Gift Card from Red Bridge Quilts takes away the hassle of trying to choose just the right gift. You won't have to worry if they will like what you choose or will want to return it or exchange it. Let them decide what they'd really like!! See RBQ's Gift Card options.
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Did you know?
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With every online order from Red Bridge Quilts you will receive a free quilted glasses case. These sturdy 100% cotton cases will protect reading glasses as well as sunglasses. The photo shows a few of the cases from the current selection.
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Red Bridge Quilts offers a Longarm Quilting Service. This means that if you are a quilter, and either don't have the time, are afraid of doing the quilting yourself, or perhaps you would like to have a professionally finished look to your quilt, then you might have a "longarmer" do the job for you. Here is a quilt I recently "longarmed" for a client. Didn't she do a wonderful job with the piecing?
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I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. Thank you very much for being here.
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