Folk Flora from 3 Wishes

folk flora patchwork

Designed by Caroline Alfreds for 3 Wishes, this new quality fabric is a must for making beautiful quilts and home décor accessories. Featuring a whimsical patchwork of folk fabrics with flowers and butterflies in deep greens and vibrant pinks it is just perfect for patchwork and quilting, tops and t-shirts requiring some structure, accessories and home decor.

Plus you can download a FREE quilt pattern using this collection on the 3 Wishes website!

FREE FOLK FLORA QUILT PATTERN

folk flora free quilt pattern

Dressmaking: A beginner’s guide to patterns.

A sewing pattern is the place for a beginner to dressmaking to make a start.  As well as an envelope containing pattern pieces and instructions there is the envelope itself which is full of information. Not all pattern envelopes are laid out in the same way but the information provided is the same.  To be successful as a dressmaker you need to understand the pattern. 

The back of the envelope shows two measurements:  body measurements and sizes for the finished garment.  You will find fabric recommendations and the amount of fabric you will need for the different sizes.  In addition, there will be drawings of the variations of the garment, sometimes called technical images or line art.  You will also see a list of the notions or haberdashery you will need ie zips, interfacing etc.   The information may also be provided in French or Spanish alongside the English.

Most patterns give you a guide as to how difficult the pattern will be.  Easy/Intermediate/Complex.  If you’re a complete beginner, try an easy pattern to start with.  Some manufacturers have “learn to sew” patterns created with a complete beginner in mind, full of tips and advice.

Fabric & Notions

Recommended Fabric   For you to make the garment and achieve the intended look follow the recommended fabrics.  A flowy skirt or fitted jacket would look wrong in t-shirt jersey.  As a beginner it is important to follow the advice from the designer.  You don’t want to spend hours creating your garment to be unhappy with the finish because of the fabric you’ve chosen.  You may also need a lining fabric and contrasting fabrics.

If you’re unsure, have a chat to any of our staff who’ll be very happy to help.  Visit our website here to see a small selection of what we offer.

Fabric Requirements    This tells you the amount of fabric you’ll need based on your chosen size and the width of the fabric you are buying.  Always buy the amount advised – you don’t want to run out if you make a mistake.  Most dressmaking fabrics come on rolls or bolts in 2 approximate widths: 110cm/44” and 150cm/60”.

Notions     Don’t forget to buy these.  This is things like buttons, zips, elastic, trim. 

Not mentioned on an envelope but needed are needles and threads appropriate for your chosen fabric.  A denim needle will leave visible holes in a chiffon fabric.  An extra fine thread will not be appropriate for heavy duty corduroy.

You can see our haberdashery here and needles and thread here.

Drawings

The line art or technical drawings show you the design details that are not always obvious in the photos.  You will see the variations of the pattern, for example sleeve options, different necklines or skirt lengths.  Things like darts and fastenings are more easily seen in the drawings.

Measurements

You will see two sets of measurements:  the finished garment and your body measurements.  Sizes on the high street are not the same as dressmaking sizes.  Take your body measurements accurately and then look at the pattern for the size you’re going to make.  Many of us fall between sizes.  This is completely normal and you will use a pencil and a curve ruler (also called a French curve ruler:  click here to visit our website) to draw on your pattern to create a smooth cutting line between to two sizes.

The finished garment measurements are intended to give you an idea of how your garment will fit once finished.  These measurements allow you to choose with even greater accuracy the size you’re going to make.

This is where making your own garment allows such flexibility with size and fit.

We sell patterns from 3 manufacturers.  Visit us in store or our website.

Coniston Cutting Mat Bag

We love Bev Mayo’s handy cutting mat bag, and so do our customers! The log cabin design is easy to master with Bev’s helpful YouTube tutorials, and the padding ensures your cutting mat travels well and is protected. Why not get prepared for when both you and your craft supplies can hit the road again!

The bag will fit a 24” x 18” cutting mat with the actual size of the bag being 20” x 24” (51cm x 60cm).  There is room to spare for your cutting ruler and other items so creating patchwork on the move is made a little easier, and you can easily store all your tools together.  The log cabin pattern (and the rest of the bag) is made from four light tone and four dark tone fabrics. You can use your favourite colour scheme – purple and teal are very popular choices. This is also the perfect project to use up your scraps.

Here’s what you’ll need:

25cm of three light tone fabrics

1m of another light tone fabric

25cm of two dark toned fabrics

50cm of two more dark toned fabrics

2 pieces of calico (25″ x 21″)

2 pieces of wadding (25″ x 21″)

2 small pieces of wadding (2″ x 37″)

These are some of our collections that have been used to create this bag by our customers –

plus our range of Jospehine Wall fabrics would work look amazing 😀

Don’t forget to watch the three tutorial videos that accompany this pattern, especially if there are any techniques that you haven’t practised before. You can find all three below. Happy Crafting!

My Darn Socks – a quick tutorial

I’m on a mission to improve my ‘make do and mend’ skills, primarily because I have some really lovely bamboo socks and also some yoga toe socks, neither of which are cheap so I have taught myself the diminishing skill of darning and thought you might want to give it a try!

Note: I’ve used contrasting thread to make the process clearer. By matching your thread to your sock the darn will almost vanish. Leftover yarn works well, or you can use stranded cotton for thinner socks.

Get a nice long darning needle – a mixed pack is good for different thread thicknesses and lengths. Stretch your sock over a darning mushroom to help get your tension right and make a circle of running stitches around the worn area. Pull in gently but not enough to make puckers around the damaged area. Secure your thread with several stitches on top of each other.

Begin to sew large ladder stitches across the hole to form the warp threads.

Turn back and add a further warp thread between every one of the gaps created earlier. Secure your thread. This is where I changed colour – if you want an interesting darn or find it easier to learn with two colours then change colour now.

Starting at the top of the warp threads, begin to weave across the weft threads. Go over one thread and under the next until you reach the other side. Make a small stitch at the end in line with your running stitches. Work back across the threads in the opposite direction, reversing the over and under weave. Continue in this way, pulling the threads reasonably taut across the mushroom as you go.

Gently push your weft threads to the top as you work so you can fill as much available space with thread for a good dense fabric. When you’ve completely filled your darned area then secure your thread. Work it through on the reverse of your fabric before trimming it off.

by Purple Boots

Bee A Keeper from Studio E

View this collection on Tudor Rose Patchwork

Bees seem to continue to be on-trend in 2020. Who doesn’t love reminding of summer and the importance of these little winged visitors to our gardens? We’re delighted to have new stock of this wonderful collection from DT-K Signature at Studio E. The palette consists of golden yellows, creams and warm browns. Buzzing bees, bee hives and honeycomb designs are some of the coordinates for this line. The feature print is a block pattern with six ten-inch blocks that all feature a different scene.

We’ve got oodles of ideas for projects using this charming fabric, AND Studio E have designed a free quilt pattern to show this fabric off to it’s full potential.

The instructions provided are very clear and comprehensive making this lovely quilt achievable by any enthusiastic beginner.

You can find it here – and make sure you have a look at some of the other free projects offered by Studio E while you’re there.

Click here to find the Bee A Keeper collection on our website

September Offers and Sewing Week Update

Join us in-store at Tudor Rose Patchwork to Celebrate Sewing Week 30th September to 5th October 2019

For the past 4 years Sew Saturday has been a one-day event. This year it has been developed into a whole week of all things stitchery, as well as our regular workshops and classes check out below at what’s happening in-store……..                                          

Motivational Monday: 10% OFF Cross Stitch & Embroidery Kits plus FREE Floral Cushion Pattern*                                                                                     Janome 725S was £299 valid today only (30.9.19) £233

Pattern Tuesday: 10% OFF Tudor Rose Patchwork Patterns plus FREE Midi Skirt Pattern*                                                                                        Janome360DC was £379 valid today only (1.10.19) £296  

Workshop Wednesday: 2 for 1 Offer on Selected Workshop/Classes* plus FREE Flower Power Tote Pattern*                                                 Janome M50 QDC was £539 valid today only (2.10.19) £431  

Discount Thursday: 10% OFF Dressmaking Fabrics plus FREE Handy Satchel Pattern*                                                                                                       Janome RE3300 Special Price £299 valid today only (3.10.19) £296  

Fat Quarter Friday: 10% OFF Fat Quarters plus FREE Fat Quarter Lap Blanket Pattern*                                                                                                      Janome Atelier 6 was £1,099 valid today only (4.10.19) £809

Sew Saturday: Sample Items & Remnant Sale plus FREE Hot Drink Voucher for O for Coffee                                                                                               Janome Embroidery Quilt Maker was £7,499 valid today only (5.10.19) £5,999  

In support of Sew Magazines SEWING WEEK campaign Janome have some very special DAILY savings! Each day they have chosen a different model at special discounted prices, plus during Sewing Week ONLY they are offering discounts on all spares and accessories with the exception of software 

We also have offers on Pfaff Machines valid 30/9 to 5/10 2019 see special offers on machines section on website, all offers have limited availability so please give us a call for more information or to book a demonstration. 

* FREE patterns require a minimum spend of £10.00, 2 for 1 Classes/Workshops require 1 of the attendees to be new to the group

Up to 30% OFF
Selected Fabric, Panels & Yarn 
 Valid: 24th September to 8th October 2019 *

Plus 30% off Rugby and Kona Bay panels, AND 20% off Adriafil’s WoCa hemp yarn and patterns!!

* Unless different date specified
Offers subject to stock availability

Baby Quilting Inspiration

Purple Boots has been busy at her sewing machine this month making a gift for her cousin.

A quilt was requested in shades of grey to match their baby decor. Take a look at the quirky foxes and cuddly bunnies Purple Boots created using applique and the repeating theme of a cheeky bird popping up in each square. She has gone though her scrap box looking for coordinating fabric to make the scrappy borders.

All those tiny little morsels work really well against the plainer borders. Because the family want a play mat rather than an heirloom quilt, the quilt has been backed with our supersoft dove grey dimple fleece. A little bit of embroidery brings each if the animals to life. All ready for new arrival!

Check out our range of neutrals on our website. Purple Boots has effectively used a combination of greys and whites. Look especially for Lewis & Irene Bumbleberries, Nutex Moko, Michael Miller Marbles and Sevenberry Marbles, all of which can be seen somewhere in this quilt!

Snuggle up in your own dimple fleece quilt

Star Buys 4th June 2019

All our Star Buys Fabrics

At 50% off

David Textiles Sweet Tea
Collection of floral and complimentary patterned floral fabric.
Perfect for summer and vintage themed projects. 
NOW £4.48 per metre
Fabric Freedom Birds & Butterflies Featuring beautiful blue/lilac flowers, leaves & butterflies. 
NOW £5.40 per metre
Inprint at Jane Makower Geometric Shapes, Stripes & Leaves
NOW £5.48 per metre
Buy Offer Fabrics Here
30% Off Selected Kits
Prices Start from £17.47
Rainbow Trees Hobo Bag, Dream Big Organiser, Birthday Bunting
Buy Offer Kits Here
Current Sewing Machine Offers
Janome Atelier 9 
Sewing and Embroidery Machine 
SAVE £500 
Plus FREE Digitizer JR Software worth £249
Now Only £1,999 
Don’t Miss Out
OFFER ENDS 30.6.19 or while stocks last

Pfaff Creative 1.5 
Sewing & Embroidery Machine 

SAVE £400
Now Only £999
Buy Offer Machines Here

Star Buys 12th February 2019

23% OFF

Rococo & Sweet
by Lecien

A collection of pretty vintage feel fabrics featuring roses in shades of pink and lilac plus a complementary print design.  

NOW £10.00

Offer ends 26.2.2019

11% OFF 
Sweet Tea by Susan Wheeler
for David Textiles

Vintage feel fabric featuring Tea Cups and blooms with a complimentary swirl pattern fabric.
     

NOW £8.00 per metre               

Offer ends 26.2.2019

Also available a delightful panel featuring a mouse and her tea pot housediscounted by 27% to £6.00

Shop Star Buy Fabric
Heat Applied Glitter Film – Use this heat-applied glitter transfer vinyl to create your own unique fashion statement. Embellish your craft projects as you want. It will bond to most fabrics using a warm iron, and onto glass, metal and wood using a heat gun.

Only £3.00 per sheet

Click to download this FREE Heart template to create your very own Valentines Day decoration. 

 
Shop Glitter Film
25% OFF 

Perky the Owl Kit
This kit contains materials and instructions to make the charming Perky the Owl cushion. You could even add rice or sand to the bottom and Perky becomes a door stop.  Suitable for all levels and everyone who loves owls. Hand stitch or hand and machine stitch.  It comes in a handy A4 sized white plastic project box, which could come in handy for any on the go projects that need keeping together. 

NOW £9.71
Offer ends 26.2.2019

25% OFF 

All Wrapped Up Gift Bag Kit
This kit comes with sufficient fabric and the pattern for these 2 wonderful gift bags. The pattern guides you through making both a wine style gift bag and a pouched gift bag. Once created these bags can be used time and time again, helping to reduce waste and help the environment one bag at a time. This kit comes in a handy A4 project box that can be used to store any ongoing projects you have. 
Finished Sizes:  Wine Bag 14″ x 4″ x 4″ or 35cm x 11cm x 11cm  Pouch Bag 9″ x 5″ x 5″ or 23cm x 13cm x 13cm

NOW £18.71
Offer ends 26.2.2019
Shop Star Buy Kits
15% OFF 
Stylecraft Life Vintage Look DK The simplicity of a neutral marl yarn blends with rich colour in shades Autumn, Forest and Indigo. Shapes for both men and women are relaxed and unstructured, with the emphasis on layering. 

NOW £3.05 per 100g Ball 
Offer ends 26.2.2019 

15% OFF Stylecraft Life Vintage Look DK
Patterns 
We have 5 patterns using the Life Vintage Look DK which incorporate solid shades to complete the look.


NOW £2.34 each 
Offer ends 26.2.2019
Shop Star Buy Yarn & Patterns

Block of the Month 2019 – In My Garden

Bev Mayo’s Block of the Month quilt is the ideal project to keep you busy throughout the coming year. The theme of this quilt is In My Garden, just the thing to lift your spirits during this cold weather. The advantage of taking part in this Block of The Month club is that all your materials will be delivered to your door, one monthly block at a time. Just add your sewing machine and scissors and away you go.

Plus Bev has released an lovely new colourway for 2019, so even if you took part last year, you could make a companion quilt this year!

BOTM 2019 Colourway

Take a full look at last years blocks in the original colourway.

The blocks depict images from your garden, with flowers including iris, rose and sunflower, a robin, butterflies, fruit and vegetables, and of course your trusty watering can. In total, there are twelve blocks which we provide the fabric and pattern for. Your finished quilt top will measure 116cm x 147 cm (46″ x 58″). Plus we can provide all your Guterman threads for an additional £23.00 (RRP £25.90) The last block sent will also include the binding fabric!

In My Garden – Block of the Month is a subscription for 12 months at £14.95 per month. Each month that a payment is made, you will receive the fabric and pattern for a block of the quilt.

We have three different payment options:

  1. Set up a standing order for the eleven monthly payments and purchase the first month now.
  2. Pay by Paypal – we can send an invoice every month
  3. Pay £179.40 (£221.40 for non-UK) in one payment

Whichever way you choose, once payment is received, we will send your block within 14 days of the payment. If you pay the entire amount, then the blocks will arrive monthly.

Sign up via our website and make your first payment, or email us at info@tudorrosepatchwork.co.uk for more information.