williamsews

 I have been working on two new blocks. This is 'Weave', simple to sew. This is a traditional block; 'Road to Heaven', I used 'heavenly' fabrics for this. Both are simple blocks to cut and sew; and don't use much fabric (great for scraps). The next video will be Weave. I am considering the purchase of Electric Quilt to design blocks. I shall study a few more vidoes before I decide, the alternative is to work out patterns on graph paper, but I can only buy the paper in metric here. Meanwhile, I have a few ideas that I'll work on. Visited my favourite charity shop today and found a lot of great fabric pieces, large and small. I am a fabric hoarder...nothing new in that. Back to the machine, Regards, Will.

 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,

Vintage patterns. I have been sorting old patterns, changing them from plastic bags to envelopes, which are acid-free and will preserve them. Fashion and styles evolve, but some men’s fashion is constant, these clothes would certainly be fashionable today. These are from the late 1930s to early 1940s – I’m so glad the date is included on patterns. I won’t make these garments, but I do love old patterns. I have some from the 1960s that I will wear. Charity shops used to be a great source of these patterns, but it not anymore, pity. Back to sorting these treasures. Please visit my YouTube channel:  williamsews - YouTube Take care, Will.  

I've found a couple of things to make my sewing life easier. Transparent Kitchen Cutting Mats. I've been using inexpensive cutting mats to move quilt blocks between the cutting board, the iron, and the sewing machine, this has made things simpler. This block is called 'Old Maid's Puzzle', not PC these days. I put one mat underneath the pieces and another on top. These mats hold 8" blocks, if they're bigger, I use another set to hold the outer pieces. The transparent type is best for this. Next helpful hint:  A Silicone Baking Mat. This keeps the foot pedal from moving - and it really works! It is working better than anything else I've tried, not more shuffling around, trying to find that darned pedal. Triple Square Block. This is a block I was going to make, but it's too fiddly, the centre squares are only .5", and that's too small.  This isn't a hint, I thought I'd show a nice block that won't be made again.  It is another trad...

 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 have been working on scraps again and have made a new block composed of 2″ squares. It is easy and quick to make, here is a video; I’ve been working on a four part shirt video, with one part to go. Back to the machine, Take care, regards, Will

There is never enough fabric of course, I am in love with some of the designs and quality of the fabric I have been buying lately. Most are jelly rolls, which in a way, is limiting but I’ve ordered larger pieces. There are other pieces of equipment on the way as well, bought on eBay, these days it’s a long wait, several weeks with tracking, but it’s worth the frustrating wait. This is my idea of a ‘scrappy’ quilt block, its made from 2″ squares and it a great way to use up scraps. This is a 10″ block. It looks complicated but it’s easy and quick. I will make a video of it’s construction soon. These are other blocks I have been working on; Same layout with a different look. This one has a name; ‘Air Castle’. This is the latest lot of fabric; beautiful, lush colours and designs. Also started a shirt, I have started a video of the construction, I’ll probably make several videos of the process in depth. This is nice fabric as well, soft and colourful. That’s my lot for today, Regards, Will...

I  hope you enjoyed this, thank you  for watching,  Take care,  Will.

I made a large Card Trick quilt a while ago, it was a very involved technique but now I have found a simpler way of making it. This is the original Card Trick, quite ‘tricky’ but worth the effort. I hope you enjoy the video and that it’s of some help. Please like, thank you, regards, Will.

  I discovered the thread pull method of making shirt collars many years ago and loved the results. It’s simple but creates perfect points. I’ve made a video of the method; I hope this video is helpful. I use the one pattern, Simplicity 8711 from 1979, and vary the collars, buttons and cuffs, the check shirt has the pattern’s original 1970’s collar. Please like and share this post, Thank you, Will.

 Good old Roman Wall. It has a lot to like, it's easy and even cutting the strips is relaxing, putting the strips together is interesting and the result is pleasing. I have always known this block as Roman Wall, but like most quilt blocks, it probably has other names. This is how it's put together; https://videopress.com/v/jVPTXAUl?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true More to come. I hope you like this post, if so, please let me know. Regards, 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.

  …in 25 seconds. I have been practising with Movavi Video Editor. I am enjoying this, but it means I’m not sewing, tomorrow I shall definitely start treadling away. I hope you like my video, AND give me a like for it. Thank you, Will.

  I’ve been fiddling with a new camera and gimbal, I’d never heard of a gimbal until one was bought for me, it’s a Feiyutech AK2000C and I think it’s great, it’s early stages as far as learning what it’s all about but after wandering around the garden with it this morning, I can certainly see the advantages of using one, so smooth. The local Heritage Fair is happening at the end of the month, so I’m hoping to be proficient enough to do some filming. Anyway, here’s a video of a shirt I have started, using the new camera. The photographic stuff has seriously distracted me from sewing but hope to rectify this tomorrow. Winter is on its way, cold today and raining, perfect sewing weather. 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.

  I found this among the quilting fabrics. I like small florals, but brown is not a favourite colour. I see brown as an old man’s colour; autumn tonings, fawn and brown, the colours that older women choose for their husbands. It’s true that I fit into that category (elderly) but I don’t want to dress that way. Anyway, I do like this, the roses help. That’s it for today, No more fabric, no sewing, how sad. 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 ...