williamsews

 I've been working on a new block, it's intriguing but I have figured it out. This is not an age-old traditional block, in fact, it was designed in 2012 by Laura Roberts for McCalls (My second favourite shirt pattern maker - Simplicity is first). I don't think there is enough tonal contrast in the fabrics I used for the 'twist' part, but I have put together a better combination for the next one. It looks complicated and it does take a degree of concentration, something I lack sometimes. It has an interesting method of attaching the surrounding strips to the centre square, a method that could be useful for other quilting blocks. There are a few new blocks (new to me) that I am wanting to try, so the half-finished shirt I have been working on gets pushed further back on the to do list. December is the first month of summer here, the weather has been delightful so far - I hope it won't be too hot - love winter. My lot for today, Take care,

  These blocks are some I made, but for various reasons, won't be using. They are nice enough, but perhaps not interesting enough to continue. T hat's my lot for today, Take care, Will.

 have just made a test block of another Japanese block, which I think is very pretty, no English name for it. I used more of the glorious Japanese fabric, plus cream (which photographs a bit dirty looking, looks better in actuality). The next tryout will be in these fabrics, another great pattern and colour. By the by, I have learned a helpful 'hack'; to prevent slipping of the sewing machine foot, I tried a silicone baking sheet, and it works well, it also helps to find the black foot on a dark floor, I used a heavy doormat previously, which was OK, but this is better. Onto the creation of this new block, it is fairly complex, but once again, following a set path makes it easier. That's it for today, Take care, Will.

  I bought a lot of very lush, rich Jelly Roll and Fat Quarter fabrics that I think are very beautiful. and I felt that they needed a special block, so I have made a traditional Japanese block named Knot – I could make an attempt to give it a proper name, but I wouldn’t want to insult the Japanese people with a bad attempt. This is the block and I shall start a video tutorial soon. It takes a some concentration, but it’s only middling difficult. Made two so far and the were put together quite quickly, the 1/4″ seam does need to be precise. All this wonderful fabric! Just perfect, can’t wait to make more. Onwards and upwards, looking forward to the Coronation – I remember the Queen’s coronation and even had a replica Coronation coach with horses. Time to sew. Take care, Will.

  An unexpected purchase. I was shopping in Aldi and saw this big machine, I thought it was a Coverstitch machine, so I bought it – but it is just an overlocker, albeit a very good one. It’s a Stirling, which is Aldi’s brand. This overlocker seems to do quite a few things, I shall have to play with it for a while and figure it out. Take care, Will.

  This is a smaller version of Roman Wall, which uses even smaller scraps. It is a fun block and very easy to sew. That’s my lot for today, thanks for watching, don’t forget to like my video, Regards, Will.

 I keep all the cut threads and snipped off fabric pieces in a container on the workbench, and a friend has turned them into a piece of art...I like it. It's a reminder for me of some of the things I've made. Of course, I now have enough threads since this lot to make several more - but one's enough. I'm starting on the three shirts today; the polka dot is first. That's my lot for today, Regards, Will.

  These are the markers I use or have used in the past. My favourite now is the Sewline. It fades after a day or a few hours, depending on the fabric and weather. I tested at night, and the lines were almost gone by morning. These are good. They disappear when the garment is ironed, they come in blue, red, black and white. The black doesn’t last long, and the white is no good at all. They are refills, but I’ve never bought the pen; they work just fine. These are water erasable and are OK to draw around a pattern or on the wrong side of a piece, but I wouldn’t use them where the marking will show. The top one has a little brush in the other end to wet and remove the markings. For dark fabric, there is good old French chalk and a rotary marker which works very well, it’s filled with powdered chalk and leaves a dotted line. Once again, the white pen doesn’t work. I bought a French Chalk sharpener; I find that the action of dragging it across the fabric not only blunts it but polishes ...

  I can’t believe it, I haven’t sewn for weeks and don’t miss it. Perhaps after so many years it’s burnout. Macramé is the latest, and the Jacaranda outside the back door is weighed down with hanging pots. I’m in a rut with the design but they are rather relaxing to make. It’s mid-winter and my favourite time in the garden; no mosquitoes and no sun hat, I’ve planted a few roses, this usually happens in August but they were in the shop, so why not? They’re doing well. I’ve started one small sewing project, an apron. I live with a watercolourist and he is in need of a new one. It’s raining today, so no gardening. Take care, Will.

Please visit my site:  william-sews.com   One pattern I like is hexagons, I’ve made a couple of these quilts and am slowly finishing another. This is it pre-quilting. Being quilted. And the back – could be better, but still… This is a section of one I finished and gave as a gift, it travelled all the way to the UK. These are made as blocks because I thought ‘Quilt as you go’ may be easier – joining squares piece by piece instead of a whole quilt, then joining with sashing, haven’t tried it yet but it must be better than trying to shove a whole quilt under a sewing machine. Back to sewing. Take care,  Will.

Please visit my site at;  william-sews.com I posted an article a while ago about my attempts at bead weaving; I used to do it years ago and it was fun way back then, but didn’t work out the last time I tried it – I now realise that I was using the wrong beads, I was using large beads that varied in size and the wristband I was attempting to make was a mess…BUT I have found seed beads and they are working out well. I’m going to make a chevron pattern with several colours. I bought Collapsible Eye needles because I thought they would be easy to thread but they bend very easily and are difficult to run through the beads. I shall persevere with them until I can buy proper beading needles. I bought a lot of beads from a local charity shop before the lock down, so I have tonnes in great colours. This was my first attempt with larger beads…not therapeutic at all. I made a lot of bracelets and hat bands years ago, it can be a pleasant winter pastime. Back to the beads,  Regards, ...