Bev Mayo

This Weeks Workshops

This year has been strange to say the least. Not being able to teach in person for most of the year has been difficult. A workshop or class is much more than just learning a new technique. There is the chance to meet others with a shared interest and form new friendships and to catch up with old friends. It was wonderful to get back into the classroom at Tudor Rose Patchwork. They have worked very hard on making their shop and classrooms CV19 safe and making everyone welcome. It was the first time I had been back into a fabric shop all summer and I couldn’t resist buying some new fabrics.

Spirit of flight by Josephine Wall for 3wishesfabic.com

Enchanted Garden – Scatter by Nutex.co.nz

As well as being back to teaching in the classroom, this week I held an online in person workshop for the Folded Log Cabin patchwork technique. Even though we were separated geographically, the online class brought together some old friends and we made new ones. For me as a tutor it felt very similar to the in person classroom setting. I spent time talking, demonstrating and making sure everyone was ok, and then all my students went quiet as they busily tackled the patchwork blocks.

It was a very productive day for everyone and here are some of the beautiful blocks produced.

Row 1 – Sally, Row 2 – Sara, Row 3 – Liz

For me, as a tutor, embracing new technology to help pass knowledge and skills on, is going to be more and more important. I like the interaction of the classroom and teaching small groups online keeps this interaction going. It was a pleasure to teach this class and even more rewarding when I was sent pictures of the blocks produced. I want to thank Sally, Sara and Liz for allowing me to share their blocks here.

The next online class is the patchwork bag on Thursday 29th October. You can book a place here

It’s now time to get back into the studio to set up for this afternoons Modern and Art Quilt Group online meeting.

Stay Safe and Keep Quilting – Bev

Folded Log Cabin

The autumn clean is coming on with books and fabrics identified for sale. They have been put in the corner and are waiting for photographing and listing. This will have to wait now until next week as I have a busy few days, teaching. I have prepared the studio for the Folded Log Cabin patchwork lesson on Thursday. This is an online class and the tech has been tested and everything performed beautifully. My sister has actually ordered a log cabin, which she is going to use as a craft room for our mum and herself. I am looking forward to being able to have online crafting sessions with both of them soon. I hope that I haven’t jinxed it now, and that our Wi-Fi doesn’t glitch.

All the fabric has been prepared and sorted for the blocks. I am using layer cakes from Moda. The collection is called Winterlude by Three Sisters. I bought them a few years ago and have been adding blocks to the quilt each time I do a workshop. I think though that this will be the last workshop for this collection. I will have to look out for another collection for next years classes.

I have also been exploring different shapes and the Folded Log Cabin technique and made a fun sampler cushion. This was with William Morris inspired fabrics.

Tomorrow I am back to teaching in person at Tudor Rose Patchwork near Bedford. I have to admit to slight trepidation but I am looking forward to catching up with my students. It will be good to see everyone again. I think a mix of online classes and in person lessons are going to be here for the foreseeable future.

The main thing is to keep on enjoying our patchwork & quilting and any other crafts we do.

Happy Quilting – Bev

An Autumn Clean

Now that all the Block Swap Blocks are complete it is time to give the studio a good clean before starting anything new. There are piles of fabric to put away, the scraps to sort and notes to file. It is also a good time to have a look through all the things that I collected when I taught City & Guilds classes. Many techniques I am not going to be using in the near future so it is time to let things go. I have to admit to being a bit of a squirrel and a hoarder, Does anyone else find it hard to let go of things?

I have to say that the cutting table is looking much better now though. My problem is that I get to this stage with a tidy up and get itchy fingers to get started on a new project. I need to stay focused over the weekend and by Monday everything will look a lot better.

I have added a Studio Clearance page where you can find books, fabric remnants, and more.

As you can see I have started clearing the purple fabrics but more colours will be added over the next few days. If you have any questions regarding the clearance items please message me.

Bev

An Early Start

Do you ever have those nights when you wake up and are raring to go – even though it is 4.30am. Well today was one of those days and I am in my studio sewing and cutting out fabric. There is always something to do. Flying geese to make, Half square triangles to trim. and patterns to write. No two days are the same.

I have concentrated today on completing the instructions for the Tropical Bear Block and have added the download here.

Tropical Bears Block by Bev Mayo Download

It is slightly more complicated than the Twisting Bears Block so have tried to break it down into easily managed sections with pressing instructions to help lock seams together. I would love to hear what you think. Tag me on Instagram Bev-Mayo Quilts

Now onto another pressing project. Our granddaughter is growing fast and it is time to move up to the next size playsuit. I purchased this lovey Botanica Dandelions fabric by Quilting Treasures in the Rust colour way from Tudor Rose Patchwork Perfect colour for the Autumn and am raring to get started.

Have a good weekend

Happy Quilting – Bev

The Tropical Bear Block and Maths

When I design a new block I initially don’t take into account how it will be made, the sizing or any other minor detail. That comes when I attempt to make it and write instructions, and this is one block that’s come back to bite me. I really don’t want to use templates and so the maths are tricky. There are going to be triangles at the edge of the block or lots of seams. To prevent the edges having unstable bias cut edges, I have used setting quarter square triangles at the edge of the block. Back to the paper pattern to work out the size of the starting square. I think that it is important to have a block with straight of grain and cross grain edges. Lots of decisions to make as how to piece it together. There are more than one way to make the block and it is now time to try the one which I think will work the best.

My sister phoned me whilst I was in the middle of the math puzzle, and so got me in full twittering mode about eighth of an inch v’s quarter inch. She didn’t see the problem until I pointed out that forget an eighth of an inch, if you are a sixteenth of an inch out on your seams ( most quilts have at least 16 seams across ) you can add or loose and inch to the overall size. She decided to leave me to my twittering. I have decided to build in wriggle room on the block and will explain this in the instructions which I will post next week.

Now that I have written a cutting list I need to choose the fabrics. As this is a block swap block I can use the same fabric choices as the Twisting Bears blocks. These are the colour schemes chosen by the block swap members.

The Twisting Bear blocks look so different in each of the colour schemes. It is going to be very exiting to see the finished quilts.

Are you involved in a Block Swap? It is a great group project.

Happy Quilting, Bev

Last Block Finished.

Usually I don’t get time to spend Monday in my studio as there is always lots of other things which need my attention. However today was an exception. I got up early and was determined to complete the last Twisted Bear block for the group block swap. I had cut out the pieces last night and, as there are no elves in my neighbourhood, they were still waiting for me this morning. Needless to say, yesterday there was a lot of fabric auditioning going on, and because choosing the fabric can take me a long time getting it this was a good way to start the day.

I completed the block by lunch so had the afternoon to play around with more scraps. At the back of my cutting table is a rack for my patchwork rulers. I thought that making a basket for the rack would give the area a new look. I chose the same fabric to match the scissor caddy.

I am pleased at how it has turned out and has now made me look at the rest of the area. I have lots of scraps at the back of my cutting table in baskets according to their colour. I think I may replace these plastic baskets with new patchwork ones, so watch this space for more ideas.

Do you start a project and find that it leads on to more and more ideas?

Happy Quilting – Bev

The Twisting Bears Block

In the Lockdown Block Swap post I shared my Modern and Art Quilt groups block swap challenge. To take two traditional blocks and merge them to make a new one. I designed two bocks which I named Twisting Bears and Tropical Bears.

Over the last few weeks I have made quite a few Twisting Bear Blocks and would now like to share the pattern with you all. I think it makes a lovely quilt pattern as well as being a great block for the block swap challenge.

Twisting Bears Block Download

I will now try my hand at the Tropical Bears Block and will share the results with you all here.

If you have a go at the block let me know what you think and tag me on Instagram.

bevmayo-quilts

Happy quilting. Bev

Using up the Scraps

Over the last couple of months I have made play suits and dresses for Robyn. This has left me with odd shaped pieces of fabric which I am loath to throw away. I had also just finished a can of coffee and again I was not inclined to put it in the recycling bin. I think the two events merged in my mind overnight and this is the result.

A storage container or vase.

Hand Stitched Container cover

Machine Stitched Container Cover

I made a hand stitched version and a machine stitched one to compare. They each have a very different look. The hand stitched one is more circular and feels softer, but does take slightly longer to make. The machine stitched version has external seams and is more ridged, but both need the coffee container if they are going to be used as a scissor caddy. I have also added wadding at the bottom of the can so that my scissors don’t rattle around.

I was given some lovely yellow dahlias tonight at the allotment and they look beautiful in my new vase. I am very pleased that I made two versions.

storage-container-, machine stitched instructions Download

I have added instructions for the machine stitched version. I would love to see your creations. Please tag bevmayo-quilts on instagram.

Happy quilting – Bev

Saturday in the Studio – a diary of my day.

I seem to have spent the best part of the last couple of weeks at my computer. Updating information and getting the new website up and running. None of this time has been wasted but I have missed being in the studio and doing what I like best. Cutting up fabric and piecing it back together again. Today I am making sure that I get some quality sewing time. Now I just need to decide which of the many outstanding projects I tackle first.

First job: Tackle the replacement strap slider on my suitcase strap. This was broken last year and has been waiting for my attention. I always put it off as it it a tricky sewing job. And so it proved. Change thread, Start sewing – break needle. Change needle and foot – job completed.

Job 2. Another Block swap block. It will be soon time for our next zoom meeting and I haven’t done any more of the blocks for the group swap. Time to get started again, I have chosen some bright batik fabric for this one. The center of the block is foundation pieced and then the bears paw border is added to complete my ‘Twisting Bears” block just in time for lunch.

A quick break to tidy up the poly tunnel on my allotment, and collect some vegetables for dinner. I found that one of the courgettes has become a monster and the sweetcorn needed to be harvested.

Back to the studio now and time to get on with dress for Robyn, The blue printed fabric was a great hit for the play suit and there is enough to make a dress for her. A couple of hours cutting out and sewing and the bodice is finished. It won’t take me long tomorrow to complete.

Final job of the day is to deal with all the sweetcorn and freeze it. Not my favourite jobs it is so time consuming but if we want to preserve the crop it is necessary.

All done and we have a huge bowl full of corn kernels. I have to report that the melon was delicious too.

I feel that, today, I have got the balance right, with time in my studio and time at the allotment. Keeping a diary of the day has helped me stay on track and get things done.

Have a good Bank Holiday Wekend – Bev

Lockdown Block Swap

My Modern And Art Quilting group have not been able to meet as usual over the last few months. Consequently this course is on hold. To keep in touch we have been holding regular zoom meetings and this led to a request for a project. We decided on a Block Swap with a difference. We chose a traditional patchwork block – Bears Paw, and the challenge is to merge it with another traditional block to create a brand new one.

The blocks need to measure 12½” to give a finished size of 12″. We have each chosen a colour scheme which we would like our own finished block swap quilt to be, but the choice of shades and fabrics is upto each member of the swap.

I played around with monkey wrench ( also called snail trail ) and with a pineapple style log cabin. I have designed two new blocks ” Twisting Bears” and “Tropical Bears”

Bears Paw merged with Monkey Wrench to make
**“Twisting Bears”**

Bears Paw merged with a pineapple block to make
**“Tropical Bears”**

Starting with the Twisting Bears pattern I have been exploring colour placement in some of the members chosen colour schemes.

Diana – Shades of Purple with cream or white

It is interesting to see how different the same block can look depending on the placement and shade of the fabric used. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the swap blocks look as the colour schemes are very different. I have asked for a blue and white colour scheme as I was thinking of my favourite willow pattern plates at the time.

Happy Quilting – Bev