Aprils puzzle - the answers!

June Product of the Month - Reviews

Vilene Lamifix Glossy is a transparent, fusible coating that you can iron onto fabrics to give them a wipe clean finish and create something like an oilcloth. It can be applied to most fabrics, but for best results use on 100% cotton. As the coated fabric gives protection from getting dirty, it is great for making fabric bowls, cosmetic and toiletry bags, fabric shopping bags and table mats.

For more information on Vilene Lamifix Glossy and details of where to buy, visit www.eqsuk.com


For the June issue of P&Q we asked for some willing quilting volunteers via our Facebook page, to test out Lamifix Glossy for us, review and record their findings. This is what they had to say...

'We found Lamifix to be easy to use, the product stuck to the fabric well in the first instance and the fabric didn’t feel too stiff and had a nice sheen to it. However, as we worked the product into a kindle case, we did find that as we turned the bag the right way round the Lamifix crinkled and slightly bubbled off the fabric despite it being thoroughly stuck down earlier. The photo in P&Q is of my 10 year old daughter Emma with the finished article, which she made for her daddy. We did it in a morning making the pattern up as we went. She chose the fabrics, and the binding, we used felt for the lining and she did virtually everything herself, except the binding. Daddy was really pleased!' Jayne Hollingsworth


'I decided to make a small tote bag with the film on the outside giving it a lovely glossy appearance. It was easy to use but care needed not to leave pinholes. It cut easily and sewed using ordinary machine needle and foot. Working it caused creases, which were permanent. A very useful material that I would use inside rather than outside of bag next time.' Trisha Caulfield



'The iron temperatures need to be hot as adhesion at the edges of the fabric was variable. The first project I made was a mug mat, however the product cracked when I turned it inside out. The second item was a wipe clean breadbasket, which worked well but edges needed binding to secure.' Margaret Smith

 


'I thought this would be ideal to use to make a wipe clean bib for a toddler. The foil took a long time to bond with the calico and went wrinkly at the edges; the overall finish looked shabby. This was a disappointing product to use and I would not recommend it.' Rachel Bushell

If you would like the opportunity to review a product for us visit our Facebook page and look out for our next product review post! www.facebook.com/britishpatchworkandquiltingmagazine

Weekend Homework

Dear lovely readers, we have a little bit of homework for you to ponder and think about over the weekend!

 

You may or may not be aware but our November 2014 issue is our 250th issue! Can you believe it?! And we want our readers to be involved in celebrating this milestone in as many ways as possible. We will be introducing an exciting Make It Competition in the March issue which will be out in a few weeks and we'll post more details about this shortly.
But this weekend, we want you have a think and a thumb through your old issues of P&Q (because we know you all keep them!) and let us know what have been your favourite projects over the years; whether it's one you have enjoyed making or one that really caught your eye and meant to make but have never got round to it! Big or small, quilt or cushion, we want to know about it.

 

You can either comment on this post, tell us on our Facebook page or on Twitter, email us or write to us.

 

We've already made a list of the ones we think have been popular but the magazine is for you, our readers, so it's up to you to tell us what projects have been your favourites.

 

We can't wait to hear from you!

Joanna & Emma

 

 

Farewell 2013............Hello 2014!

So, here it is! The last day of 2013!

 

This year has been a difficult one for all of us with the loss of Di Huck in February. Di WAS Patchwork & Quilting magazine. She was the driving force behind it. Although her influence has been sorely missed, life does go on and the magazine has continued to go from strength to strength.

By now many of you should have seen our new look January issue which came out just before Christmas.

 

 

The magazine has a new clean modern look but still has all your favourite articles and features. We are particularly pleased with how the projects are looking; giving you all the information you need to make a particular project on one double page spread.

 

Looking forward to 2014 we have a special celebration later in the year as the November issue will be our 250th issue! Lots of plans are afoot for exciting ways to mark this occasion.

 

A new year is traditionally a time to reassess our lives and to set ourselves resolutions. Quilting resolutions are much more interesting than losing weight, giving up smoking etc. For myself, this past year I have managed to be more productive in my quilty finishes, mainly because I have taught myself to machine quilt. For 2014 I think I would like to try and find the time to make more quilts for me............including finishing one I started over ten years ago!

So what are your New Year Quilting Resolutions? Leave a comment on this post and I'll see if I can find a prize in the offices for one lucky commenter. Closing date will be 12 noon Tuesday 7 January 2014.

 

So from all of us at P&Q, a very happy and peaceful New Year!

Joanna

Fabulous Festive Makes!

To coincide with the launch of this year's special issue bookazine, we have a little giveaway for you!

 

 

Fabulous Festive Makes is ......well it is rather fabulous for starters and features over 25 festive projects for you to make, including some quick makes for those of you who don't have much spare time on their hands and lots of lovely decorations.

The bookazine will launch at the Festival of Quilts next week so pop along to our booth, E32 to pick up your copy and get those festive preparations started early this year!

 

Both Judi and I have made projects for the magazine and here is a sneak peak of mine.......Christmas Bunting with a difference!

 

 

The fabrics for my project were kindly donated by Makower UK Ltd Ltd and they were generous enough to give me a little bit extra so I could give some away to one of our lucky readers!

 

So we have a bundle of six long quarters just waiting for a new home.

 

 

For your chance to win, just comment on this post telling us what is your favourite festive thing to make, be it cards, decorations or even baking. We'll pick a comment at random. Closing date is 6pm Monday 5 August (BST)

December is so last year!

It may still be the week before Christmas, but we poor editors are surrounded by hearts and words of love at the moment (would be nice to be surrounded by chocolate too) as we put the February issue together before the end of the year!

 

The January issue is out now with some great projects to tempt you if you find some sewing time over the Christmas period.

 

 

The main front cover quilt is a quick pieced project, with a hint of applique, that is a great way of using those large scale Oriental prints that we all have in our stash but can't bear to cut up.

 

Another project that several members of staff have been drooling over is Mulled Wine, a cosy tweed quilt. Even it's name suggests snuggling up in front of a warm fire!

Most of all we are really excited to start a new block of the month programme, Hand Quilting for All. This is a sampler type quilt designed especially for P&Q by award winning quilter, Jacquie Harvey. It will teach you all the various techniques Jacquie uses in her quilts and runs over 9 months.

Judi and I are looking forward to taking a couple of days off (hopefully) over the holiday season as it has been a very busy six months adjusting to Di not working full time on the magazine. We all met up for an editors' Christmas lunch this week and it was great to see Di looking so well. She asked us to pass on her thanks for all the good wishes she has received from everyone.

Until next time.....

Happy Quilting!

Joanna