Patchwork quilts

Patchwork quilts - like lace - are enjoying something of a renaissance of late. Their history is well documented going back hundreds of years to the early settlers in America. Originally the concept came from thrift, sewing scraps of fabric together, using embroidery and applique to personalise events such as marriage or birth and even sometimes death hence the term 'comforter'. And a way of keeping warm during the bitterly cold winters and often brutally spartan living conditions.

They also provided a very important social function for the women who were often left for long periods of time while the men were away looking for work.  These social gatherings were called 'sewing bee's' where the women sat around exchanging gossip and news whilst busily stitching away, keeping their spirits high.

How to reupholster a foot stool in patchwork

Funky and cheap ideas for the home

I had a large foot stool that I originally made back in the ‘eighties that was looking a bit well: ‘eighties. And thought about giving it a makeover but couldn't decide what, then hit on the idea of patchwork. I had some absolutely gorgeous Malabar silk and linen and embroidered swatches in vibrant colours and thought they would make a stunning patchwork covering.

So hauled out the machine and started sewing the pieces together. I wanted to create something quite exotic and unusual.

I found some vintage (old) bullion piping in the shed to finish the seam off and some bright turquoise bobble fringing for around the base.

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Tools required:

Staple gun

Piping cord

Upholstery foam

Bobble fringing

I painted the old-fashioned cabriole legs bright turquoise with fuchsia pink detail and reversed the colours on the back legs.

How to make a patchwork quilt the quick and easy way

Patchwork for dummies

Not all of us have the time or wherewithal to make a patchwork quilt in the traditional hand sewn way, magnificent as they are. This method involves making the templates for a design either traditional or modern and ensuring an exact fit. And then hundreds of hours of hand sewing the pieces together. 

Seat pads

Launching our new website for seat pads, William Morris, Gingham Country check and kitchen accessories with much more to be added - fingers crossed: https://seat-pads.co.uk/

Being burgled

I live in a comfortably safe middle-class area, presumptuously described as 'little Switzerland' by estate agents who presumably have never set foot in Switzerland.

I've lived here for a long time, over thirty years, in that time my children have grown up, my parents have spent many happy times visting, lots of parties, the wakes of my father and brother,  when anything is wrong everyone congregates here, it's the bedrock of the family: all in all a house blessed with very happy memories.

All that was viciously torn asunder last Wednesday afternoon. A beautiful, typically English sunny midsummer's day. 

moving an external cable ten feet....

I am undergoing long overdue building work on my beloved house. Plans were passed in 1988, that's how long it's taken to get to this glorious stage. I'm using my  pathetically small life savings to pay for it, mainly because the interest rate is so poor it's pointless keeping it in the bank and my son Toby will do the work giving us both the opportunity for creativity. And it will greatly improve my life, and probably add value should the kids need to fund the maximum security twilight home though hopefully not too soon....

The Killing BBC4

After twenty gripping episodes of The Killing: some of the best television in years I'm bereft. Saturday nights will seem just that bit emptier from now on, back to the lobotomised bilge usually on offer.


British program makers take note.