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April Newsletter!

Welcome to New Subscribers

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. This is the best place to find out about upcoming new classes and events held at the Cadet Training Centre, Shirley. You will also get information about local quilt exhibitions, shows and groups to inspire you. If you know of something that you would like to have included in the next newsletter please email me the details for consideration.

I hope that you find something to interest you in my newsletters, but even if there isn't anything on this occasion and you want to ensure that you keep receiving them please do open to read rather than looking at it in preview, and every couple of emails click on a link to read more about a class, or event, as this logs you as interested.

Class Focus

New Courses for 2024!

Flora is a brand new quilt designed by Fran Woodgate of Flow Studio Design, and is made using Makower Linen Textures. Available in 3 different colourways, this striking design looks simple but is set at an intermediate skill level with partial seams, y-seams and inset squares. The finished quilt size is 70” square.

I am looking to run this as a class starting January 2024.

Please let me have your expressions of interest so I can reserve you a place and send you early notice of full booking details

Sentiments Block of the Month from Wilmington Fabrics

This sampler style block of the month quilt features an on-point layout of unique 9" blocks. 3" wide sashing, cornerstone stars, pieced setting triangles and slanted piano key-style border

Full kit or pattern only options will be available.

Please let me have expressions of interest so I can reserve you a place and send you early notice of full booking details

Make a play mat or toy tidy with the addition of a drawstring bag to keep those building bricks, cars and dolls in one place. Or get ready to take with you on the go to keep those little ones entertained.

You know you do sewing stuff….

by Ashley – Long Suffering Husband of Jacqui!!

When you are known to others to be skilled at something there are certain phrases and conversation starters that are guaranteed to send a shudder of apprehension down your spine. Phrases such as “Is there any chance you could….” or “can I ask a favour…” although my personal favourite is “when you get five minutes….”.  

I have personally learnt that the innocent statement “you know you do sewing…?” not only results in a general clenching of the eyes / fists but also an unspoken promise that this comment been filed away to be discussed extensively at my wife’s convenience.

When I have had the need to engage a person who is proficient with a needle and thread I have had to timidly approach the portal to the dreaded room where mere mortals fear to tread (or the “Sewing Room” as the wife calls it) and ever so respectfully enquire as to whether I might have a moment of her time in the same way as Oliver Twist approaching the head table.  

Project Linus News

To all those lovely ladies (and gentlemen!) who spend their time making beautiful quilts for Project Linus I am afraid I am having to give up the coordinator job. I have really enjoyed the last 4 years delivering some 800 quilts for children, but my health has not been good of late and I feel it is time to pass the baton to someone new.

The new coordinator is a lady called Tina Perkins; she has quite recently moved into the area but made quilts for Linus where she lived before. She has already made umpteen quilts for me and is very skilful having completed her City and Guilds in the craft.  She was also a lecturer with the NHS so will be a continuing asset with the talks we are often asked to do.

I hope you will continue your good work sewing to support the charity.  

I would like to say thank you for your support – I met a lot of really lovely ladies!

If you would like to get in touch with Tina direct she can be contacted on

Email:  tinaperkins@ripnet.co.uk

Telephone:  07732 167241

Ann Hunt

Machine Servicing

Over two days, Tom and John serviced 23 sewing machines last week.  If you're wondering how important it is to get your machine serviced regularly, this is what they found inside a couple of them when they took the cover off!  

Of course, you can do your bit by following the cleaning and maintenance instructions in your manual.  However, a service is the only way to get inside and perform a deep clean, reset and proper testing.

Continuing on from our Sewing Room make overs, Elaine Newell has made hers into a very pretty space!

Denise Harwood’s sewing room is now finished, and she’s allowed her husband to have a small desk at the end (facing the wall)!

Malvern Quilt Show

To make you smile