Here comes colour…

And this is just a small sample of fabrics that have arrived recently at High Street Quilting….

Pop in to see these and so many more.

Spring has sprung early this year and Easter will be here before we know it.
As usual at High Street Quilting we will be closing for the week leading up to Easter to have a little break and to carry out the yearly stocktaking.
Therefore – High Street Quilting will be closed from ;
Saturday 23rd March at 4pm until Tuesday 2nd April at 9.30am

Come and meet a few of our very special friends,

here at High Street Quilting

at our very own

Pop-Up Event.

You are invited….

To a very special Pop-Up event at High Street Quilting on Friday 19th April  from 10am – 2.30pm

Our friends;

Featherbed Books

Stitchingforthesoul

Debcoopertextiles

will be setting up their stalls in our workshop to sell their beautiful wares.

Come along and share the fun.

Coffee and cake available too – obviously

Pop this date in your diary and pop in to our pop-up  !!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Economy Block
An Introduction to Foundation Piecing

If you have a basic understanding of machine patchwork, then this workshop is for you.
In a ” no-stress” workshop you will learn to make this very useful block and the skill of foundation paper piecing will open up all sorts of possibilities.

Saturday 23rd March 2024
10am – 3pm
£35
Tutor – Jayne Kirkwood
Pop in or phone to book 0191 4100868

Free-Motion
Machine Embroidery
with Kate Slaughter

In this workshop you will learn to draw with your sewing machine needle. You will combine this skill with some appliquéd shapes. This workshop is suitable for all abilities.
Wednesday 8th May
1pm – 4pm
£30
To book your place – please visit Kate’s website
https://www.kateskloths.co.uk/workshops

Stumpwork Bee.
Inspired by a design by Alison Cole, Kay will teach you to make this beautiful bee. The finished design will measure around 4″.
Saturday 25th May
10am – 3.30pm
£45
Kay Allan.
Pop in or phone to book 0191 4100868

Felted Landscape
By popular demand, we are re-running this lovely workshop on
Saturday 22nd June
10am-3.30pm
£55
with Claire Priestley.
pop in or phone to book – 0191 4100868

Mountain Stream 
A quilt for Confident beginners.
Have you started some patchwork and have some idea about cutting and sewing? Then this workshop will be right up your street.
Saturday 29th June
10am -4pm
£45
Zoe Ballard
Pop in or phone to book. 0191 4100868

Creative Weaving with Texture
Saturday 27th July
10am-4pm
£45
Kate Slaughter
This looks like great fun and I’d really like to try this myself.
To book please click the link to Kate’s website where you will be able to sign up and pay https://www.kateskloths.co.uk/workshops

Taking a break and closing the shop is extremely stressful for me. It doesn’t matter how many people I tell and how many ways I spread the word – you can bet your bottom dollar that people will tell me that they came miles to visit our shop and that we were closed. And they won’t be very happy and I’ll feel really guilty.

But sometimes – it really is necessary.

This Holy Week (the week beginning March 25th ) I will spend stocktaking. I’ll be on my knees most of the time, in atonement for all the sins I have committed this year. It’ll take a while, obviously.

You’d think that it would get easier each year, but it doesn’t. So, think kindly of me and I’ll do my best to count all the buttons as accurately and patiently as is humanly possible.

If you don’t have stocktaking or any other chores to keep you busy, have a lovely Easter Break and make lots of beautiful quilts.

With Love,

Hilary x

Giving back

Christmas Holiday Dates

Get to Know Your Machine.

Wednesday 17th Jan 2024
1.30 – 3.30pm
£20
Dust off your sewing machine and bring it along to explore its’ features and learn to use it with confidence.

In a fun, 2 hour session you will learn to thread your machine and sew straight lines and curves. We will play with the features possible on your machine and set you up to make beautiful projects.

Free Motion Quilting

Two opportunities to come along and try out the extremely useful and versatile skill of Free-Motion Quilting.

Wednesday 31st January
1.30 – 3.30pm

OR

Tuesday 19th March
1.30 – 3.30pm
£25
Tutor – Hilary

We will provide all materials for the workshop.

You’ll need to check that you can drop the “feed dogs” on your machine (or cover them over) and you will need to have a suitable free-motion quilting foot for your machine

“All the Gear and No Idea”

Zoe’s first course at High Street Quilting was so successful we’ve added another opportunity for you to start your patchwork and quilting journey.

Once a month, beginning Tuesday 13th February, 1-4pm.

Click the link below to take you to Zoe’s website where you can sign up or contact her for more details.

All The Gear

Hand Sewing –  English Paper Piecing
A class for absolute beginners.

If you can hold a needle and thread it – this is the perfect introduction to patchwork by hand.

Come along and discover the most relaxing hobby.
Wednesday 14th February 2024
1.30 -3.30pm
£25 (includes paper and materials)

One Day – Wet-Felted Landscape

Saturday 24th February 2024
10am – 3.30pm
£55 (all materials included)

This full day workshop, run by felt artist Claire Priestley (member of Network Artists North East and the International Feltmakers Association) is suitable for complete beginners or those wishing to refine their felting skills. During the day, you will use a variety of traditional felting tools to create a landscape using soft merino wool and add detail using mulberry and sari silks, Angelina fibres, nepps and curly locks.
When your work is dry you will then use needle felting techniques, embellishment and embroidery to add detail.
Throughout the day you will be given advice and encouraged to use your own creativity to produce a piece of artwork which is unique and something to be proud of.
Please bring a packed lunch, a medium sized towel and a photograph to use as inspiration for your work.’

Mariner’s Compass
Foundation Paper Piecing
Are you ready for a step up from everyday sewing?
Try out a new skill in the safe hands of Mary Turner.
Mary assures me that this is much easier than the picture suggests.

Tuesday 27th February 2024
10am – 3.30pm
£35
Tutor – Mary Turner

An Introduction to Hand Quilting
It isn’t rocket science.

We’ll help you to transfer a simple design onto fabric, layer up a block and hand quilt.

Wednesday 28th February 2024
1 – 4pm
£30 (materials included)

Economy Block
An Introduction to Foundation Piecing

If you have a basic understanding of machine patchwork, then this workshop is for you.
In a ” no-stress” workshop you will learn to make this very useful block and the skill of foundation paper piecing will open up all sorts of possibilities.

Saturday 23rd March 2024
10am – 3pm
£35
Tutor – Jayne Kirkwood

Wow, I hope there’s something here for you, to inspire and help you in your sewing projects.
Everyday is busy, here at High Street Quilting.
As well as the workshops detailed above, we have regular groups (some weekly and some monthly) that are presently full. However, there are a few places available on Thursday afternoons, independent sewing session, which is a regular weekly group and there is often space for you to drop in on a Friday afternoon to sit and sew.
Trying to keep you all happy is pretty demanding and juggling space/time/skills and tutors is a challenge to say the least. And so, Jayne and I will be taking a break of two weeks this Christmas.
Time to catch up with our families and friends and to enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

The world outside High Street Quilting is crazy and distressing. Hiding in our sewing sanctuary is often a necessity. We’re not ignoring the pressures of the world – simply creating space in which we can sew,  support each other, discuss problems in a safe space and return, refreshed to our real lives.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

With Love, Hilary and Jayne xx

Making Space For Christmas…

Enormous congratulations to Eileen Swart who scooped up no less than 6 awards for her magnificent quilt “Frivolity” at the recent Harrogate Quilt Show. Her attention to detail and delicate hand quilting are simply incredible. We are delighted that the judges recognised what we have appreciated for years – Eileen is an incredible quilter and tutor and we are so lucky to have her teaching at High Street Quilting.

Making Space for Christmas

It’s that very special time of year when we begin to make plans.

We think of all the special people in our lives and we begin to make lists and stock up with goodies.
We are just the same at High Street Quilting.
We are busy rearranging the shop to bring you lots of Christmas fabrics and ideas. This year we’re focusing on storage ideas and we have lots of interesting gifts and gadgets that will help you to keep your sewing bits and bobs sorted.  We’ve found that we haven’t really got the space to show these properly,

And this is just a small selection.
Why not give yourself a little time to come along and explore all that we have, in store.
You won’t be disappointed,
I’m sure.

love, Hilary

The Future is………

Well. no-one knows what the future will bring but we are all trying to plan for it.

One of the words most used at the moment is SUSTAINABILITY but what does it mean? Well, I see it as making things last so that they can be enjoyed well into the future and by successive generations.

For our shop to go on into the future we need to add in some new ideas, and more support.

The truth is that I never really imagined that High Street Quilting would be as successful as it has been or last as long as it has already and so I didn’t really imagine that I’d still be working in the shop every day at my age.

So, you may have seen that, as well as Jayne, working in the shop, we now have Louise too. Louise works, mainly on Fridays but helpfully pops in to support us when we need her.

In our school we have our incredibly talented tutor Eileen Swart who teaches on a regular basis and now I’m thrilled to tell you that we have the delightful Zoe Ballard starting a new series of classes in September. Zoe teaches very popular workshops in and around the Lanchester area and has designed quilt patterns for an American magazine. You may also know her from her excellent Instagram account @zoeinstitches.   Aimed at the beginner level, Zoe will be teaching a “Block of the Month” on the second Tuesday of each month. See below for details.

As you know, High Street Quilting is not a “normal” shop. We don’t pretend that we have the answer to all your questions, we don’t believe that we have every fabric that has ever been designed and we don’t believe that we can all go on forever. We are humans with family issues and pressures and we try, every day to welcome new customers and old friends into our sewing world.

And we really appreciate the help and support we get from tutors and customers alike.

Going into the future, we will need even more help and support. If you, or someone you know, has ideas about how they could help us, improve our shop or even take over from me, please share your thoughts. There are lots of directions in which our shop could develop but alas – I’m probably too old now to successfully take them on. But perhaps you could. Give me a call. It’s always good to talk.

I hope this email doesn’t concern you. Our shop is super and financially fine. It isn’t going anywhere, but I think it’s important to be open to new ideas and to be realistic and optimistic.

Introducing – Zoe Ballard

Block of the Month ” All the Gear, No Idea”

In these beginner-friendly classes, you’ll explore the world of quilting while creating a beautiful sampler quilt. Each block will introduce you to different quilting techniques and designs, allowing you to build your skills and create a unique masterpiece.

Whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced quilter sign up now.. and don’t miss the opportunity to learn, create and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Reserve your spot today by booking in on Zoe’s website via this link….

https://www.zoeinstitches.co.uk/all-the-gear-birtley

The classes will be small, ensuring personalised attention in a friendly, supportive environment.

Tuesday mornings (2nd of each month).

Morris Meadow Star Quilt Workshop

You will have seen this amazing range of fabrics in our shop and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be itching to use them in a beautiful quilt.

Sumptuous colours and designs that work so cleverly together, creating a classically “Morris” effect.

I’ve put together a straightforward star block pattern, which I will teach in this workshop.

You’ll need to have some basic skills of measuring and cutting fabric and sewing accurate 1/4″ seams.

Saturday 23rd September 2023

10am – 3pm

£30

Tutor – Hilary

Kit, including fabric to make the top of the quilt and printed pattern £60

Deb Cooper

Manipulated & Knotted

We are super excited that Deb Cooper has agreed to lead a workshop at High Street Quilting

Deb is a mixed-media and textile artist from the North East.She is drawn to natural forms and the beautiful way that nature and time age things. To explore her work more  click here.

This workshop will be suitable for anyone with an interest in embroidery or textile art.

No previous experience is necessary.

Saturday 30th September 2023

10am-4pm

£50

Bring a packed lunch.

Plentiful tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Phone us (0191 4100868) or pop in to book a place

Fussy Cutting Workshop

“Ice-Cream Soda”

Back, by popular demand, Jen will work with you to explore the incredible designs that you can create using the technique of “Fussy Cutting”.

Wednesday 4th October 2023

1pm – 4pm

£30

Stumpwork – An Introduction

Saturday 28th October

10am – 3.30pm

£45

Kay Allan

At last, we’ve managed to squeeze in a much requested workshop with Kay Allan.

In this full day workshop Kay will introduce you to the techniques of stump work and you will make a small piece of work, featuring a butterfly and bee.

This is a workshop aimed at experienced embroiderers.

Apple Pincushion

Jayne used our fabulous Morris Meadow fabrics to make this lovely pincushion.

Join her on

Wednesday 15th November

1pm – 4pm

to make one of your very own.

£30 (price includes fabric/felt and stuffing).

Small Zipped Pouches

Work with Jenthepiecemaker to produce at least one lovely pouch. Jen will share her tried and tested techniques that make her purses so neat.

Saturday 25th November 2023

10am-2pm

£40

Bring a packed lunch and have a great day.

Meanwhile….

In my other life…

I am passionate about wildlife and its preservation.

Therefore sustainability and future proofing are a big part of my life.

Each year, in our garden we leave a wide swathe of grass uncut until late autumn, providing nectar and shelter for small insects which, in turn provide food for the birds. We have two water butts, to provide cheap and readily available water during dry spells and clean untreated water for the birds and hedgehogs. We also have a wormery that eats up our kitchen waste and provides the most excellent fertiliser for our plants.

We have been rewarded with two varieties of wild orchids, but even greater satisfaction comes from knowing that we are preserving the wildlife in our shared habitat and hoping that it will be here for future generations to enjoy.

Can you see the link with High Street Quilting?

I’d love to think that High Street Quilting will be around for a long time.

Maybe, even longer than me.

with love,

Hilary x

Here Comes Summer

Here Comes Summer

And I’m sure you’ve got lots of plans.

Will you be having a holiday? Looking after children or grandchildren? Visiting the Festival of Quilts ( 3rd – 6th August ) in Birmingham? Or are you hoping for a restful time at home?

Maybe you’re looking for a project or a new challenge?

Check out our new workshops to see if there’s something here for you…

Get to Know Your Machine.

Dust off your sewing machine and bring it along to explore its’ features and learn to use it with confidence.

In a fun, 2 hour session you will learn to properly thread your machine and sew straight lines and curves. We will play with the features possible on your machine and set you up to make beautiful projects.

Two possible dates;

Saturday 17th June (upstairs)

10am – 12 noon

OR

Wednesday 12th July

1.30-3.30pm

£20

Tutor – Hilary

Taster Session

Improv Log Cabin

Here at High Street Quilting our first motto is “No Stress”

Spend a carefree morning learning to make a traditional patchwork block.

Bring along your sewing machine and a small sewing kit including scissors, pins and threads and we’ll play.

Saturday 24th June

OR

Saturday 29th July

10am – 1pm

£15

Tutor – Jayne Kirkwood

Free Motion Quilting

Two opportunities to come along and try out the extremely useful and versatile skill of Free-Motion Quilting.

Saturday 17th June (upstairs)

1.30 – 3.30pm

OR

Wednesday 26th July

1.30 – 3.30pm

£25

Tutor – Hilary

We will provide all materials for the workshop.

You’ll need to check that you can drop the “feed dogs” on your machine (or cover them over) and you will need to have a suitable free-motion quilting foot for your machine.

Asian Lily

Folded patchwork creates this stunningly attractive block.

Make one block in the workshop and make more later at home.

This workshop is for those with some experience of patchwork and in preparation, some cutting of fabric will be required before the workshop.

Saturday 22nd July

10am – 4pm

£40

Tutor – Eileen Cuthbertson

I hope you’ve had a look through our new workshops and checked your diary. If you find something you’d like to attend – please ring us at the shop to reserve your place ( 0191 4100868 ) or, better still, pop in.

It’s always lovely to see you.

What interesting times we live in!

I imagine that you are seeing prices going through the roof in this “cost of living crisis”.

It is very scary indeed – the news programmes are sometimes too full of gloom and doom to watch.

If you do live comfortably, perhaps you’ve paid off your mortgage or you have a secure pension, now is the time to support your favourite restaurant, florist, butcher or tearoom. They will be struggling. Not simply because of fuel prices or rent rises, but because the news has engendered a fear in many people that means that they would rather stay at home and save their pennies than venture out at all.

Footfall is down everywhere.

For fabric shops, there is one factor that works in our favour – Fabric and thread does not “go off” rapidly and we have not raised prices retrospectively, so only brand new fabrics have gone up in price.

But times are hard for many small, independent businesses.

Your custom and support will be more valued than ever.

If there’s one thing I know about quilters, it’s that they are caring, generous people – so – I urge you to go out and visit those local, independent businesses that you would not want to lose, before it’s too late!