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Here in Ireland, November is sweeping in with blustery winds and heavy rains, carrying away the last of autumn's golden leaves. They tumble through the air in wild flurries before settling into glistening puddles marking the final farewell to the season's warmth. The days grow shorter, the skies deepen to slate grey, and the land begins to quiet under winter's approaching touch. It's a month of change and renewal, as nature sheds the old and prepares for the still beauty of the colder months ahead.
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My 10-year-old granddaughter has been visiting us this past week during her autumn break from school. She is very interested in sewing and quilting and asks me to help her make something each time she is here. This visit she wanted to make a small four-square with an appliqué on each square. This is what she has created so far--she did a great job matching the seams. Now just three more appliqués to go.
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The regular craft fair season finished for me on the first Sunday of October, and now I am looking forward to a two-day Christmas craft fair in Lisdoonvarna at the end of November. Lots to do this month to get ready for that--plenty of holiday items to make as well as some additional regular stock items. If you are looking for something special, keep an eye on the Shop, and you may just find the perfect gift for someone.
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As a reminder, Red Bridge Quilts offers free standard postage to anywhere within the island of Ireland. So those of you lucky enough to live on this beautiful Emerald Isle always have this advantage should you choose to order anything. All other destinations will incur the normal postage charge unless the total reaches the 'free postage' amount. We also offer a free local pick-up service for everyone.
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FEATURED CONTENT THIS MONTH
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Quilting news and tips
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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 and articles from the world of quilting. I hope you find them of interest.
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1
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Quilters all learn to quilt by different means. You may have learned from a grandmother or your mother, or a friend. Or you may have taken an accredited class. You may even have taught yourself. Perhaps you have been quilting for years and have forgotten some of what you learned. Kate from "See Kate Sew" lists 14 things she wishes she had been told when she started quilting. Check them out.
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2
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Do you feel intimidated quilting on your domestic machine? Despite having made a beautifully pieced quilt top, do you lack the confidence to begin quilting it? For fear of messing up, are you afraid to begin? Help is on the way with these tips on how to quilt better on your domestic machine. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced quilter, it's always good to learn or review the basics of machine quilting.
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3
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In this edition of "Grandma's Corner", Grandma has another quilt-related story to tell. This one takes place during the mad gold rush to Pike's Peak in Colorado. Tragedy, loss and a happy ending combine to make another interesting story from Grandma. Read how two identical quilts reunited long after the Pike's Peak gold rush (Colorado gold rush) also reunited a long-lost brother with his sister.
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This Pumpkin Table Runner was finished in time to take it to the last regular craft fair of the season. It sold immediately! Another one will be back in stock shortly. See below.
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The Songbirds Wall Hanging was made as a special order, but I am hoping to have it back in stock again in time for Christmas. It is a beautiful, colourful hanging featuring 15 American songbirds, each one pictured on a postcard. The very colourful border fabric depicts a forest of small, beautiful birds on tree branches and in birdhouses, blending perfectly with all 15 birds. A pattern of leaves and vines in light green thread makes up the all-over quilting design. It really is a gorgeous hanging and would make a lovely gift, or keep it for yourself!
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The LeMoyne Star Without Set-In Seams
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The LeMoyne Star quilt block is traditionally made using set-in seams, also called Y-seams. Set-in seams are used to assemble blocks that cannot normally be made with continuous straight seams. This can be intimidating, especially for the beginner quilter. However, there is a way to make the LeMoyne Star block using only squares and rectangles; in other words, using straight seams. This pattern from Craftsy shows exactly how to do this.
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Under my needle
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Under my needle at the moment is another Pumpkin Table Runner. It will be in the Shop soon. Then I will be working on Christmas stock.
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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 you would like to have a professionally finished look to your quilt, then you might have a "longarmer" do the job for you. I have been "longarming" since 2018 and have many different patterns and thread colours from which to choose. Contact Red Bridge Quilts for more information.
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I recently longarmed a baby quilt that was made by a lady who took my intermediate quilting class this past spring. She did a beautiful job on a heart-themed quilt for her new granddaughter. Fitting in with the theme, she chose an all-over quilting design of hearts in baby pink thread. Unfortunately, I FORGOT to take a photo of it to insert here!!
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I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to anyone you think might like to read it. As always, thank you very much for being here.
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Enjoy the rest of this beautiful autumn season. Until next time,
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Vectors designed by Freepik and/or Vecteezy
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