It has occurred to me that I often prattle on about how much I love working with fabrics but haven’t really shown much of it on this blog.
To rectify this I will be setting down soon and putting together a series of blog posts that will come out every Friday (assuming that I have the time of course).
They will aptly be named – Fabric Friday :)
This one is a little teaser to show you just a few of the things that I have done in the past and what I will be showing you how to do in these posts (oh, and a little update on the upcycled shirt quilt that I have been working on for what seems like forever!).
I have been sewing for more than 20 years now and still enjoy it every time. I don’t do it as often as I would like as I have so many creative pasttimes, not to mention all of the work that I do in other areas of the creative industry.
It was only recently though that I began doing it in public (so to speak) and this in itself was a big ole leap of faith as I went on air on Create and Craft TV as a demonstrator of sewing machines.
Here was me back in 2009 – allo cheeky face.
Patchwork
I also wrote on a post last year that I was going to be working on a quilt made from blocks cut from a bunch of my old shirts, well I am happy to say that there has been progress!
I have finally managed to set aside some time to cut the squares! Ok, so not a huge amount of progress, but it’s a step in the right direction.
I suspect that the finished piece is going to be smaller than expected as I didn’t get as many squares as I had hoped for from the shirts – but at least it’s started! Not bad for a winter project, now that we are entering spring, Lol!
Here is a gallery of some of the designs that I have shared with you in the past.
If you would like to read more about these particular pieces, please feel free to delve into the archives to read about my passion for patchwork.
Fabric Bowls
Probably one of the easiest things that I have ever made but never ceases to fascinate me and put a smile on my face.
These little beauties take very little time to put together but are very functional whilst at the same time being very pretty.
Here are a few that I made for work last year but that never really got to see the light of day.
Bags
Probably what I am best known for by those that have known me for some time – I even developed my own pattern book at one time which I never really took any further.
Here are a few of the ones that I have made.
In the near future I will be doing a written tutorial on a basic tote and also try and show you a way to do the cutting out with the Brother Scan N Cut.
More To Come
Over the coming months I am hoping to share downloadable patterns and projects with you featuring simple to make bags, bowls and more. I’ll also be looking at doing ideas for fabric that you can work in with the Brother Scan N Cut.
If there is anything that you would like to see, or that you have seen me do that you would like to know more about then please feel free to pop a comment in the box below, it might actually help me work out what to do first.
Anyway, here endeth this quick udpate. I hope that you will visit and read about more of my sewing exploits in the future, but for now I shall bid you a dieu my lovelies.
Many thanks,
J :)
GENTLEMAN CRAFTER 
Having problems with downloading onto USB. please advise in a precise explanation >>>>> sorry b but I am getting so frustrated with this ,.’:?>]#’-[]p “Brother” machine Thanks Elizabeth.
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It differs slightly from device to device. I would recommend consulting your help guide initially. If you are still struggling then please do get back in touch via email with more detail.
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Reply to Frustrated Elizabeth,
USB Cruzer Edge 8GB bought from PC World works on your Brother ScanNcut.
Julia
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I am looking forward to Fabric Fridays
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I hope you eventually get your patterns sorted into a book. But sometimes there isn’t enought time in the day is there.
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Hi John Really pleased to see you will be doing more on fabric crafting. I bought the ScanNCut to primarily cut quilt patterns which I am yet to do as my attempts were unsuccessful (I recently bought the 12″ x 24″ mat for this purpose). I have cut out fabric lettering for cushion appliques and made my very first birthday card using the ScanNCut patterns for my sons’s 40th. My current project is bag making so look forward to your tutorials. More shows on fabric cutting with the ScanNCut on Create and Craft please.
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What an inspiring group of projects. I am really looking forward to Fabric Fridays. It is just what I need to blow the dust off my sewing machine and start sewing. Been meaning to get started for ages.
Would be great if you could give advance notice of what is needed to make each featured project !
Thanks for all your hard work
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hooray for Fabric Friday – going to be the most useful day of the week :) Please, please find the time John….
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Great idea Fabric Friday. Just got back into sewing. I have my mums machine on permanent loan:) Ideas of things to cut and make from fabric on the SNC would be great. Demos of cutting the built in quilt block I am yet to see on C&C
Julia
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Hi john love everything you do like you I have always got something on the go love the bags make bags for my family and myself keep up the good work x
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Oh my goodness John is there any end to your talents, I really enjoy reading all of your posts they are informative and inspiring so will indeed look forward to the fabric Friday updates. Well done
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didn’t know about the bag making John, must have been before I got to know about you. Will you be doing any of the downloads without using the Brother machine. I am relatively new to machine sewing and crafts so I can’t justify buy the machine, just using my Singer sewing machine does for me. Hope you do because there are some styles I really like xx
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There will be a variety of things. It won’t all be Brother Scan n Cut based. These posts will be more about the fabric.
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Thank you so much x
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John I would just like to say thank you ever so much for the cut out shapes that you so kindly put on your blog, I put them straight onto my USB stick and cut them out straight away on my brother scan and cut.
Since the launch of this fab product I have found myself wanting a sewing machine, I only done sewing at school, but my teacher was very mean so I just didn’t bother learning.
Now I really would love to start making quilts ( the old shirts sound like a great idea ). I have fallen in love with your bags.
Now to the all important question, what is the best sewing machine for a beginner, maybe your not allowed to give your preference so maybe some of your follows could help me?
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c
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Thank you so much John, glad we share a passion for fabric too. Like you I really should get around to doing all the projects I plan hee hee. Have a great weekend
Andrea x
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Dear John  Look forward to Friday Fabric,and look forward to more on the Scan N Cut  June x
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Wow, i am really looking forward to fabric Friday. I started to machine quilt and am really enjoying it. The bags look amazing and cant wait to see how they are done. :)
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