Blog - Page 2 of 161 - Amanda Jane Textiles

Adding the internal borders to the ‘Summer Bouquets’ quilt in the next task in this 2021 Quiltalong. This double-bed quilt has two sets of borders: a narrow one and a wide one. The instructions for adding the narrow one are below We will be adding the wider border next month. The plan is to complete a double-bed quilt by the end of the year.

The starter post with all the fabric requirements is here. The cutting instructions are here. The first block is here. The second block is here. Making the columns is here. Adding the sashing is here.

Add the horizontal internal borders

1 Take two of the fabric D 1½ x 31½” (38mm x 80cm) strips and join them at the short ends to make a long strip. Press.

2 Pin the strip right sides together with the quilt top. First, align the central seam in the fabric D strip with the centre seam of the block at the top of column 2.

3 Pin each end of the long strip to each end of the quilt top.

4 Now insert pins at right angles all the way along, holding the border and quilt top together evenly. Take care not to over-stretch the narrow border.

5 Stitch on the machine, removing pins as you go.

6 Press the seam, then press the seam allowances towards the border.

7 Repeat steps 1 – 6, this time attaching the border to the bottom of the quilt top.

Top internal border, 'Summer Bouquets' quilt

Adding the vertical internal borders

8 Take two of the fabric I 1½ x 33½” wide (3.8cm x 85.1cm) strips and join them at the short end to make a long strip. Press.

9 Pin the long strip to the left-hand side of the quilt top, aligning the central seam in the strip with the centre seam of the middle star block in column 1.

10 Stitch. Press the seam allowances towards the border.

11 Repeat steps 8-10 and attach the fabric I strip to the right-hand side of the quilt top aligning the central seam with the middle star block in column 3.

12 Stitch. Press the seam allowances towards the border.

As you may have heard, Amanda Jane Textiles has moved to Kent. Bookings are open again for the ‘Quilt in a Day’ course for absolute beginners, which now takes place in Ramsgate. It’s a full-day one-to-one session for you to learn all the basics of making a quilt. You will leave with a small sampler quilt and the skills to tackle a bigger project. Find the details on the Classes page of the website here. The course is bookable through Craft Courses UK here.

Amanda Jane Textiles offers unique fabrics for sale here, quilt patterns here and classes here

A visit to Lyminge

Ethelburga’s Quilt Show took place this weekend in the village of Lyminge, Kent. As I am new to Kent (two months a resident now!) I needed help from Google Maps to find Lyminge. Once in the village, a very helpful inhabitant gave me directions for walking across estate land to St Mary and St Ethelburga’s church, where the quilt show was taking place. This was the first glimpse of the church tower beyond the trees.

A view of St Ethelburga's church in Plyminge, Kent showing grass, trees and houses, with the church in the distance

An A-board on the pavement confirmed that I was on the right track and that there would be coffee and cake as well as quilts. The Ethelburga’s Quilt Show coincided with the village’s Anglo-Saxon festival. I saw a long-boat, tents and people in historic costumes on the walk to the church.

Notice board for a quilt show, advertising quilt display, coffee and cake

After several grey and rainy days, the sun was out yesterday and the church looked welcoming, with bunting outside. Behind the church I could see a gazebo ready to welcome visitors and shelter them from showers.

St Mary and St Ethelburga’s church

This is a most beautiful and ancient church. The existing church is almost a thousand years old. An even earlier church was once on this site, built after 663AD by Queen Ethelburga, daughter of Aethelberht King of Kent and widow of King Edwin of Northumbria. Here is the doorway of the current church:

Quilt Show in the church

The space within made a most attractive area for displaying quilts, many of which were draped over the pews.

The interior of a church being used for Ethelburga's quilt show, Lyminge, 2021

The quilts on display were all made by members of Ethelburga’s quilt group, which is led by Liz Coleman. A stunning small quilt entitled ‘Phoenix rising from the Ashes of Covid’ designed and made by Liz was on display at the front of the church. It depicts ‘a phoenix of hope’ rising from a ‘deconstructed rainbow’ (the rainbow having been frequently used as a symbol in the UK during the pandemic).

Another quilt by Liz Coleman, displayed on one of the church walls, also drew my attention. This is called ‘Passing Through’.

Two dyed and quilted panels, blue tones called 'Passing Through' by Liz Coleman — ‘Passing Through’ by Liz Coleman

This large quilt ‘Our Hearts will go on’ by Julia Davies was made for an upcoming wedding. I loved the freshness of these colours combined with all the white.

The area of the church around the altar was dedicated to quilted items with Christmas themes, including panels of the Nativity by Lynne Newell, seen on the altar front.

Also by Lynne Newell, was this bold modern wall-hanging ‘What happens next?’ made in 2019.

Black and white quilt with touches of red, depicting flowers leaves, a bird and a cat set against a background of stripes: 'What happens next?' wall-hanging by Lynne Newell — ‘What happens next?’ wall-hanging by Lynne Newell

The quilt shown below was made by Kerry Huntley. It is called ‘Liberty Quilt as You Go’. I loved the mix of colours and use of the pretty Liberty fabric prints.

‘Liberty Quilt as You Go’ by Kerry Huntley

Quilted cushions

Two quilted pieces by Julia Freeland caught my eye. This playful patchwork cushion is a portrait of her dog Poppy, complete with lead.

The other was this engaging ‘Mackerel Sky’ cushion, which I loved.

It felt quite extraordinary to be going to a quilt show after the long period of restrictions (due to Covid) since March 2020. The church was light and airy, with front and back doors open, a one-way system was in place, masks were worn and hand-sanitizer was available. In all other respects it was just what you hope for, from a quilt show: a warm welcome, beautiful quilts and a piece of cake and cup of tea at the end. Perfect.

Next week on the blog: the next instalment of the 2021 Quiltalong ‘Summer Bouquets’. Join in and make a double-bed quilt by the end of the year!