Welcome

Welcome to Vicarage Quilts - thank you for visiting.

I offer several services: longarm quilting, patchwork and appliqué workshops and small items made to commission. In the past I've also made quilts to commission as well as Church or School banners for Walking Days and permanent display.

Please visit the pages listed on the right hand side to find out more and email me with any queries.

Sunday 23 December 2012

Christmas Gifts #3


Some quilty Christmas gifts made over the last couple of weeks.


Two small wall hangings using papercut designs cut out of bondawebbed fabric...


...it's interesting how the blue / purple border changes your perception of the colours of the outer border slightly.



Two reindeer cushions with a simple cut-out, appliqued and held in place with grid quilting.  I can't get pictures of these cushions that do them justice, they're just so plumptious in real life!  The back has a zip concealed under a flap for which I followed the tutorial on the Sew Mama Sew blog.  Cleverest way to put a zip in a cushion back I've ever tried; I'll definitely do it again.


I hope their recipients like them!

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Christmas Gifts #2


I know, they're not exactly quilted items.  But, so cute!


I'm not a natural knitter, and I'm certainly not a fast knitter, but I did learn to knit on double pointed needles this year.  Although I abandoned my sock half way down the ankle (so many tiny stitches in thin wool!) I was able to use my newfound skill to make monsters instead - much more satisfying!

The little guy above is my prototype monster.  His arms, legs and ears aren't exactly childproof, as I stitched each one to him after I'd stuffed his body, and the ends of yarn do seem to want to poke out.  I'll have to keep him for myself: devastating.


Monster 2, named Fergus by his recipient is a much safer bet for little ones.  I inserted all his limbs as I made him, and tied each pair together inside his body as well as stitching them in place so there's no way any inadvertent amputations are happening.


So pleased was I with Proptoype and Fergus that I took them in to work and promptly received orders for more, hence this fella above for Debbie's grandson,



and two more for Sarah's children (who are older, and don't require felt eyes - they're past the button chewing stage!)

I was sad to see them all go so we had a farewell photo-shoot.


Bye guys!

Sunday 16 December 2012

Christmas Gifts #1


On the frame ready to be quilted, two pram / car seat quilts for the new baby twins.


Last Sunday, the prospect of better light in the garden to take photographs tempted me outside - unfortunately, two minutes after this shot I stumbled and stood on Alistair a little tiny bit - oops - so they went in the washer and dryer before being sent off.  Happily, this means I know for sure none of the colours will run!



Two colourways from the same fabric line really can make two completely different looking quilts.  I hope the babies enjoy snuggling under them!

Friday 7 December 2012

New threads


 
An exciting set of parcels in the post... lots of interfacing and a big box full of...


...lovely new threads!


This type of thread seems to work really well on my machine, and I'm really happy to have found a UK stockist, as previously I'd bought it at great (shipping) expense from the US.

So, I bought more than usual...






Like sweeties, but with less calories!  

I've already used one of the blues on a quilt for my mother-in-law for Christmas, and my Mum's chosen the gold for a quilt she's made for my nephew.  I'm making another couple of little quilts too for Christmas, which if I'm super-organised and go without sleep I may finish before Wednesday (the day the recipients' Nanna goes down to visit them) so look out for more pictures soon!