Durham Quilting in Weardale

What better place to see some Durham Quilting than Weardale in County Durham itself.
The good weather enticed us out of the house ;- first to picnic on the moors
and then to visit the Weardale museum at Ireshopeburn.
I had pleasant memories of a holiday there as a teenager with my friend Judy. We swam in the river every day- and that was before it was called wild swimming and was the trendy thing to do.
The Weardale museum is also the home of the Weardale tapestry. The 16 foot tapestry in five large panels was sewn in freestyle embroidery by Friends in Stitches. It depicts the history of Weardale from prehistoric times to the present day.
There were 3 quilts in the museum too. A whole cloth quilt dated 1875 in the downstairs "kitchen" and this one hanging in the stairwell.

And then there was this fabulous whole cloth quilt by Amy Emms on display too. It was good to be able to get right up close to look at the intricate stitching.

Here is more of a close up.


I am still working on the pin wheels - they are quite slow to do. I am trying to keep them quite precise, I do each one exactly the same however some come out perfect and others don't!!


I made a pin cushion and needle case for my DD who has just started an A level textile course. I made her this starter kit with scissors, pins and tape measure to stop my kit disappearing off to school.

I have done a bit knitting too, finishing off a beanie hat in the left over baby cashmerino to match the little cardigan. I just hope the baby is a boy - I don't think this teal colour is unisex- I thought it more of a green when I bought it.
I've also bought a couple of magazines - I don't actually knit or sew in bed but I can always read these for inspiration.

Happy Quilting xx

Autumn Harvest

There's not a lot to harvest in my garden but the apple tree is always reliable. This year again there is a good crop, big apples- for cooking when they are first picked but by October they should be sweet enough to eat. We have had the first of many apple crumbles.

Lavender is the other crop in the garden - a good bunch hanging up to dry.

The summer bedding plants in the hanging baskets are finished and its time for pansies.

But I did come in from the garden and do a little bit of knitting - for a friends winter baby. This Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino pattern I have knitted before.

Happy Quilting xx

Margaret's Mouse House

I have done very little sewing this week so I am showing off the work of others who have been much more productive than me. First of all Margaret's Mouse house . The little mouse family and their furniture are all made from felt and their cozy little house is made from a corduroy material and all fastens up into a tidy little house.
Even the bed has a tiny patchwork quilt and the baby's cot has a tiny quilt too. What a lot of work. Well done Margaret.

Janet has been busy too - a lovely quilt for her daughter who is off to college. It looks great - I am quite inspired to give this quilt a go as I have the same pattern sitting in my stash of patterns - ( is a collection of patterns also a stash or is that just fabric?) Hope the mitred corners worked out on the binding.
There hasn't been much stitching done as we were out and about at the weekend. Although the bank holiday weather wasn't great we went up to Allen Banks for a walk. The opening of the M&S store in Hexham has revolutionised picnicking in the west of Tynedale. You only need to roll out of bed, make a flask of coffee and put on your walking boots, stop off at M&S to buy an instant picnic, then head for the hills. Easy - no more organising- all diets catered for - no washing up!!


The weather is definitely a bit autumnal, and there were lots of fungus sprouting in the woods. I don't think this one would be good to eat though!!

Happy quilting
xx