Patchwork and Quilting for beginners - a 10 week course

I am currently about half way through one of most popular 10 week workshops, "Patchwork and quilting for beginners"

The students are all very meticulous and insist on unpicking every mistake which is leading to some truly excellent results!

I am piecing together an example quilt as we go through the weeks, it is always great to have a sampler quilt in the shop to show customers who are interested in the course - and of course its a great way to show off a new collection of fabrics.

For this quilt I am using some of the Moda Fabrics from a recent collection called "For You" - I have chosen mostly the pinks and greys rather than the orange ones this time although I do love all of them!

We are making 6 blocks in total starting with a simple 9 patch, then going on to a friendship star to learn half square triangles

 We use Churn dash to revise the half square triangles before moving onto a railfence block

Flying geese are also on the menu with this Dutchman's puzzle block during week 5

and finally we learn quarter square triangles with this fabulous Ohio Star block.

Next it is on to the sashing,

and then the borders - the quilts really start to come alive at this point!

Finally it is time to layer up with wadding and a backing fabric, before basting and quilting the three layers together.

My favourite part is always the binding and particularly the hand sewing to give the quilt that professional finish.

Check back later for a photo of the finished quilts and follow us on Facebook or Instagram for weekly updates on how the latest class are getting along!

You can join us on the next 10 week course starting in April 2016 by booking via our webshop.

We hope you can join us and start on your adventure with patchwork!

A patchwork quilt in a day

I know a lot of my customers work full time and don't always want to come to evening classes so I thought I would compress one of our most popular workshops into a one day workshop to make a mini patchwork quilt.

I have had my eye on this charm pack from Moda since it arrived in the shop so I decided to make the cutting part a bit quicker by using some of the pre-cut squares in this pack. I chose the pink, yellow and turquoise squares, leaving 22 other more blue and green ones for another project later on.

I had to pick some co-ordinating fabrics for the two borders - but this was easy as I have loads of pinks and turquoises in the shop at the moment.

There is always time for a quick tea break when I am sewing!- I love that my tea and teacup match the project in hand!

I was even wearing co-ordinating clothing on that day

It took a bit of fiddling to get all the seams and corners matching up but it had to be perfect as the workshop sample.

A bright pink binding ties it all together.

It took me about 4 hours from start to finish to put this together and I will be running a workshop on 8th March 2016 to teach you how to make one for yourself - why not book a place and join us?!

You will learn how to piece together the patchwork top,layer with wadding and a backing, quilt and finally bind the mini quilt.You may need to finish the binding off at home but we will aim to get the majority of the quilt finished during the day.

You will need to be competent at using a sewing machine to attend this workshop.

See you soon!

Ali

x

Workshops in 2016

I think we all have a long "making" wish list and adding ideas to it wont get the projects done, my Pinterest board has over 1000 pins and those are just the ones you can see - not the ones hidden away on secret boards. If I just dedicated the time to making rather than browsing for more ideas I would feel so much more rewarded.

So many customers of mine say they don't have time to start let alone finish a project - but if you come to a workshop you will get results faster than staying home and constantly putting your crafting time to the bottom of the pile of things to do.

We have taught hundreds of people over the years and nearly every one admits they would never have done the project in their own time and they are always so thrilled with what they have produced.

Whether it is sewing, crochet, patchwork, embroidery, knitting, drawing, dressmaking or needle felting we are sure to have something to interest you more than netflix.

So, stop what you are doing, book a day off, arrange a babysitter, do whatever it takes just book a workshop and find some "me time" to do what you have always said you would do!

Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday - just do it!

Stuart Hillard book signing!

We have been chosen to host an event with BBC2's Great British Sewing Bee finalist Stuart Hillard.

Sherborne's leading haberdashery and making shop, Butterfly Bright, has been chosen from hundreds of applicants to host a visit from Stuart Hillard - one of the most popular semi-finalists from BBC2's Great British Sewing Bee 2013. Stuart's appearance coincides with the launch of his new book 'Sew Fabulous', signed copies of which will be available for those lucky enough to come along to Butterfly Bright in Digby Road between 3.30pm - 5.00pm on Friday 3rd October.

"We are delighted that Stuart is coming to Butterfly Bright as part of his national book tour" says Founder Alison Nurton, "Many of our customers have thoroughly enjoyed the Great British Sewing Bee programmes and we have seen a huge resurgence in the popularity of sewing and other creative crafts. In the 3 and a half years since opening we have taught in excess of 500 people new skills with our extensive range of workshops including patchwork, crochet, knitting, sewing, embroidery and needle felting."

Before he appeared on BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, Stuart Hillard had sewn and quilted professionally for over 15 years.  He writes, teaches and hosts quilting retreats and workshops and designs and creates patterns for quilts, wall hangings, bags and home décor projects.  On 3rd October he will present a short sewing demonstration as well as talk about his book which explains how to decorate and embellish every room in the house - even the garden!  'Sew Fabulous' features over 40 fun and fabulous patterns for everything from covered headboards, bolster cushions, tablecloths, napkins, aprons, pretty coat hangers and bunting.

Everyone who loves sewing, or who would like to find out more about learning to sew, is invited to come along to Stuart's demonstration and book signing - alongside which Butterfly Bright is staging a workshop exhibition, discounts on Coats' fabrics (for which Stuart is an ambassador) and offers on workshops booked on the day.

Due to the anticipated popularity of this event, numbers will be limited and guests are invited to book their FREE ticket in advance.

You can also PRE ORDER your copy of Stuart's book on our website - every pre-ordered copy will be signed by Stuart and will include a £5 voucher valid until 24 Dec 2014 on any purchase of £50 or more at Butterfly Bright.

An alphabet mini quilt in Dashwood Studios 'Flurry' fabric

As soon as we took delivery of the new "Flurry" fabric range by Dashwood Studios I knew I had to find a
project to use them all together!

At about the same time we ordered an Alphabet Di cutter to use with our Accuquilt machine.

They were a match made in heaven and the idea for an alphabet quilt was born!

I appliqued all the letters onto the cream squares first and then played around with the other squares to get a nice even spread of colours.

 It took a few weeks to put it all together, snatching the occasional evening to get my sewing machine out.

The finished quilt is about a metre squared so a little too small for a single bed, but it would be lovely on a cot bed.

This mini quilt will probably be used as a play mat, either indoors on in the garden

but actually I think it will take a bit of persuading to get it back from Daisy who seized possession of it as soon as she saw it!

We plan to sell the fabric pre cut for this quilt as a kit to make up yourself and we will also be running a four week workshop to help people who need a bit of guidance to make one.

Within a few minutes of posting a picture of this quilt on facebook I was asked if we sell them, sadly I don't have time to make any more as running and business and looking after three kids are my priority but I do enjoy the occasional sewing project and I hope it inspires people to try and make one themselves.

The kits are now available in our Folksy shop and the workshop is ready to book on our website

Ali x

Patchwork & Quilting for Beginners

In the three years we have been open our most popular workshop has been the 10 week course "patchwork and quilting for beginners".

It was the first workshop I took part in and I was soon hooked once I realised the secret to lining up all those corners. I have made several quilts for my children and they love using them in the house and in the garden I find they add a splash of colour where ever they are put!

 Sue Morse is our amazingly talented tutor - just look at the beautiful quilt she made for my son's christening present

Here are just a few of the lovely quilts that customers have made over the years - so many of them have gone on to make more and more intricate and beautiful quilts and we love seeing the projects that customers manage to complete after starting with this basic beginners workshop.

In may 2014 we start a fresh course so if you are interested in starting a new hobby please call us on 01935 817303 or email handmade@butterflybright.com

You can also book online on our main website.

Amy Butler Charm Pack bag

We ordered in some lovely charm packs by Amy Butler recently but they are never quite as inspiring in their packaging as they are when made up into something. So after laying out the squares I decided they would make a lovely patchwork bag for my knitting.

First I “strip-pieced” the squares together into rows,

Then I used the stitch and flip method to join the rows and add wadding at the same time – a real time saver for a little project like this.

I used a pale fabric to create a lining as I thought this would make it easier to see what was lurking in the bottom of the bag.

I attached two handles and dashed out into the spring sunshine to get a lovely photograph!

Finally I filled my new bag with balls of scrummy yarn!

I recently saw another lovely idea on Pinterest for a patchwork table runner so I thought I would give it a go. I started by using a few fabrics from the scraps box along with some new prints that had just arrived at the shop and cut up my squares, 24 large colourful ones and 72 small white ones.

As usual my colours are pink, green and blue!

This pattern is similar to a "snowballl" design but you only sew the small squares to three corners of the large squares instead of all four corners.

I laid the squares in opposite directions to be able to "strip piece" the squares and save thread!

Once all three squares were attached to the larger squares I trimmed off the outer corners

Next I joined the larger squares together, the corners without the white squares sit together creating a sort of flower effect.

I layered up with wadding in the middle and a colourful fabric for the reverse.

Finally I sewed all three layers together (inside out) and pulled them the right way round, finishing off with a top stitch all the way round the outer edge.

Ta Da!

Inspired by Malka Dubrawsky!

I was lucky enough to be given Malka Dubrawsky's book called "Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design and Inspiration" for my birthday last week and I could not wait to get starting on some of the ideas!



I made a couple of coasters/mats which I thought would be nice to put under a glass vase of flowers in the spring. I am really just wanting to create some items to have in the shop to showcase the fabrics available and to inspire people to make something for themselves!

I used the remaining pieces of fabric that were left over from the baby quilt I made earlier this year, the fabric is from the Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey Collection. I am rather pleased with the results - lovely Spring colours to go in my Easter window display.

The central sqaure has been quilted in an ever increasing square pattern. When I get my free motion foot for the sewing maching I will try quilting some spirals like Malka does on her quilts!

When I grow up I want to be like Malka

Malka Dubrawsky is amazing!!

Her use of vibrant colours and quirky designs really inspire me!

I am keen to get sewing tonight and try some of these ideas out!

All photographs courtesy of Malka's blog at http://stitchindye.blogspot.com/ - check it out to see more incredible creations!