As of 16 March 2017 the new look website has taken over from the Shotthrough blog, which is staying here as an archive of all your wonderful projects you have shared with us over the years. Keep your photos coming and they will now be used on the main website – pop on over and have a look …
Kate Evans bought some Charm Packs (Lakes, Ruby Reds and Colourshott) from Oakshott and waited for inspiration to strike. She has now finished a charming bed runner and filled us in on her work process:
I guess the fabrics were the initial inspiration for the project. I had been wondering what to do with the beautiful Oakshott charm packs I’d bought for quite a while and came up with the idea of applique flowers where each petal is a slightly different shade. The different colours in the ranges complement each other so well and really seem to bring life to applique work.
I cut the petals using a heart shaped die on my Sissix machine and started with one 10″ square from an assortment of Moda Whispers Muslin Mates that were in my stash. Each flower was appliqued using a matching variegated thread. Pleased with the result, I completed 6 more squares, then put them all in a box for a while whilst I wondered what to do with them.
I eventually added some of Oakshott’s Lyon and Nimes fabrics (which I believe are now discontinued*) which worked really well with the Lakes, Ruby Reds and Colourshott charm packs I’d used for the petals. I added a 5″ (finished) border to the row of 7 squares and made the backing and binding from different lengths of Lyons and Nimes.
The quilting is very simple, consisting of 5 rows of shadow stitching in blue on the border around the centre panel and one row in white around each of the 7 squares that make up the panel.
If this inspires you, let us see your finished result.
*but the Oakshott range has expanded since then, so you’ll find something to suit – promise!
When the costume department of the Staatsoper Hamburg bought some Lipari Dattilo from us we were curious as to how they were going to use it, so it was great to be sent some photos of it on stage. Love the shot effect under the lights in this production of Das Lied von der Erde – a ballet by John Neumeier.
If you want to read about the production, The Song of the Earth, then the Staatsoper’s website is www.staatsoper-hamburg.de
Time to stock up
If you order three or more metres before 23 December 2016 you will save 20% on these six perfect background materials. Just use the code BRUNSWICK at checkout. Go on, have a browse round the shop.
Lesley’s niece and new husband should be well warmed by the colours, the fabulous work and the loving wishes that went into this beautiful wedding quilt.
Thanks for sharing your work Lesley.
PS We’ve had a few requests for the pattern, here is Lesely’s reply:
The pattern I used is called ‘Around the Twist’ from an old book called ‘Template -Free Quiltmaking Book 1’ by Trudie Hughes published by that Patchwork Place. It’s still available very cheaply on Amazon. I did the 5-colour version. Its actually a very easy quilt to piece. There are only two blocks, a snowball and a twist. I noticed there was a similar pattern by the Lintotts called ‘Interlocking Chains” in issue 15 of Todays Quilter.
Krista Hennebury of Poppyprint has been enjoying some island time, Vancouver way, spreading the word of her improv technique and:
I also finished up this special table runner for days that my stitch group, the Gathered Threads, come over! I used the same pattern as my Variegated Threads quilt (available in my Craftsy shop here) except that I sewed 7 spools side by side. I love it on my rustic pine dining table; the Oakshott fabrics are so vibrant. I’ll be teaching this as a workshop this coming weekend for the Blue Mountain Quilter’s Guild and I can’t wait to see how the students like working with their custom Oakshott kits!
Just a quick catch-up with our friend Catherine at Knotted Cotton; she used Oakshott purples as a reflection of her love of flowers. Have look at her full story on:
I used shot cotton for the flowers, because it has a lovely sheen and catches the light beautifully although it is difficult to capture the full glory of it in a photograph. The different colours in the warp and weft make it far less ‘flat’ than a standard coloured fabric.
Designer Helen Butcher, of Little Patch Pockets, has been going all starry-eyed over a bespoke collection of Oakshott Fat Quarter Packs we’ve called Moonlight and Starlight.
Helen said that the Moonlight Pack (on left) reminded her of:
balmy summer evenings at sea with no sound but the ripple of waves against the hull.
While the strong contrasts of Starlight (on right)
evoked thoughts of bright moonlight transforming everyday objects into things unfamiliar and strange.
And she came with three stunning projects for you to indulge in: the Moonlight Serenade Cushion (and the kit makes three cushions); the Moonlit Sea Wallhanging; and the Cubitz Starlight Quilt.
Happy dreams!
UPDATE: well done to first off the blocks Cath B.; hope you enjoy the show.
Nothing frightening about this message!
We have a pair of free tickets to give away for the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate 24-27 November 2016. First to email michael@oakshottfabrics.com gets the present!
What more could you want to beat the shorter winter days?
