Congratulations to QNNtv's 2nd Member Of the Month (MOM) winner:
Sally White
MOM for August 2006
www.threadsandpatches.co.uk
My name is Sally White. I live in a small village in Bedfordshire UK and have a quilt shop in Fenny Stratford, Bletchley near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. I have been a stitcher all my life – one of my earliest memories (I must have been about 7) is of making dolls clothes. I learned to sew on an old treadle machine – it was a great because you could completely control the speed – ideal for kids!
I came to patchwork and quilting though about 9-10 years ago, I used to make costumes for the local children's theatre group (this was meant to be a part time hobby but turned into an almost full time voluntary job – one year I made over 2000 costumes!), there was loads of fabric left over so I started piecing it together. Then I had to learn how to do it properly, so taught my self from books and magazines, I also attended a few workshops. That was it, I was hooked – then a couple of years later when I was ready to change my career (I was previously a nurse), I decided to go for it and open my own patchwork shop Threads and Patches.
Threads and Patches and some of the woderful fabric that lies inside!
That was 5 years ago now and I love every minute of it (except the accounts!), I get to choose the fabrics, design, make, teach and spend time with other enthusiasts. I now make loads of quilts as part of my job, I have probably made about 20 so far this year, and always have numerous projects underway or in my head.
I am currently studying for my City and Guilds qualification in Patchwork and Quilting.
The quilts you see in the photographs are all my own.
This is an Double Irish chain quilt I made as a gift for my brother when he got married in 2005 , it was also featured in British patchwork and Quilting magazine Oct 2005 Issue 141.
This is a Country Style Sampler Quilt that I designed for beginners who could not attend classes for whatever reason, so it starts simple and get progressively more difficult. Most of the pieces are pre cut. I have been stunned at the way my students have taken this quilt and made it their own, everyone starts the same – but they all turn out as individuals!
Japanese Kimono Quilt – I designed this using paper foundation and raising the padded 'Obi' so they have a 3D effect. Feathered Star – really fun this one, with an appliqué border – my own design. Bargello – I love Bargello, this one just flows in a simple way but I have a little plan to make a more complex one with loops and curls – still on the drawing board though!
Thank you Sally and congratulations!