How much fabric do I need?

For anyone who is a true fabraholic having a stash of beautiful fabrics awaiting some future project is just part and parcel of the process, it isn't necessary to know what you have purchased the fabric for - often it isn't even the issue, it is just a case of loving the print or colour or the combinations so much that you have to take a piece or two or three home.

Here begs the question I am asked all the time, "How much should I buy?" Well, just as a guide I suggest a total of 3 to 4 metres being enough for a reasonable sized quilt, approx a single or a double or topper for a queen bed, also a reasonable amount for a wall hanging. If added to from a stash, and depending on how many colours are required, 3 to 4 metres is "safe".

Given that you may make up the top and then decide on a second purchase for borders, backing etc, once again 3 to 4 metres is a good place to start.

I love fat quarters, and the charm packs, altho I still havn't fallen for the jelly rolls. Fat quarters allows me to have some gorgeous fabrics in small amounts which suits my style of quilting which is scrappy, and applique with lots of small pieces and some unusual use of prints as background fabrics. So when I look at fabric I am looking at it as a palette of colour, texture and design.
All these principles are integral to how I sew and create.

So whether you buy a lot or a little, if you have a stash or not, don't worry just enjoy the process as a creative one, let the fabric dictate to you and you will not go wrong.

Claim yourself as a "Fabraholic" and have fun.

Roz

Thursday night classes

Hi all welcome back,

Thursday night at the shop is super busy with three sometimes four or more classes going on.

I take a general patchwork class with some very clever ladies all talented patchworkers who know what they like. They all work yet they are prolific in their sewing.

Irene has a class once a month in circles of the east a specific quilt and or any other quilts her many followers enjoy doing with her brilliant tutoring.

Barbara has a dressmaking class, once again a variety of age groups and talent to spare, these ladies are fabulous and Barbara makes it all look very easy with her excellent teaching

(Barbara top photo and lower photo her students with some work)


And Amanda who teaches many of her very individual designs and teaches techniques that she has perfected, these quilts are often published in Australian magazines and having the designer on tap in our own shop is amazing.

We are up and running

Hi and welcome to the new blog site for our wonderful shop in Seven Hills, Sydney.



Let me introduce myself to start, my name is Roz Panetta and apart from teaching patchwork in the shop two days a week I also work in the shop when needed. I am editing this blog on behalf of Narelle and Ken the owners and for the other wonderful staff, Kim, Carol T, Carol S, Ann, Kerryn, and the teachers, Irene, Amanda, Barbara, Jackie, Leanne.



I hope to keep you up to date on the many interesting happenings within the shop, the many quest speakers, demonstrations, classes and general fun that we all have on a daily basis here.



The shop is just delightful, airy and open with masses of windows letting in natural light which is just wonderful for classes. We have four dedicated class rooms, these are impressive with large roomy tables, comfortable air lift chairs and convenient central located power points for machines, extra lighting is provided by OTT Lights, steam irons and full size ironing boards, applique mats, rulers and boards are all provided.



Lots of shelving with a rainbow of fabric rolls of recent release fabrics, New arrivals spilling over and lots of bargain priced fabrics, some starting at only $5.00 a metre.



Gorgeous quilts line the walls for inspiration and decoration. Machine embroidery samples tempt with their intricate detail, sitting amongst the machines that created them, you can see at a glance how truely amazing these machines have become, the Janome 1100 is a stunning machine with a nearly unlimited potential to keep you happily sewing for years to come.



Sewrite Seven Hills is a destination shop for those wishing to have a true sewing experience. To add to this we now offer a website www.sewrite.com.au and this blog link, so grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy what we have in store and to come within the comfort of your own loungeroom. I look forward to offering an interesting blog with lots of information, links, ideas, new products, class news, inspiration and free patterns.



Please leave comments and requests and come back often. And be sure to pop in and visit us in the shop, we look forward to seeing you.



cheers

Roz