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 
Excellent Blog john and Fab work :-) x
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Brilliant, sounds really exciting, looking forward to Fabric Fridays.
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fabric Hi John Have you tried patchwork useing a machine embroidery patchwork/quilting design cutting the templates on cut n scan and then work the design in the hoop. as I am in the older age group I am hoping to do a quilt this way. (a kennykreation) Joan.
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Hi again,I made quilts out of my late father and father in laws shirts and they look great and very different. Is there a way I can upload photos for you to see?
Best wishes
Chris
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Hi John,
Can’t wait for fabric Fridays to come round. This is what I bought the Scan n cut for but need some ideas to push me into using it more. All the items shown look Fab I particularly like the bowls they are so useful.
Best wishes
Chris
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How on earth do you find time to do all this as ell as working as a C and C producer?
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Wow John, what a multi talented person you are. Haven’t yet taken my courage in my hands to cut any fabric on my snc but hope to do so in future………especially with your encouragement. Will really look forward to Fabric Fridays.
Karen x
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Beautiful use of fabric & colour. Adore your bags.
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Love what you do with fabrics and look forward to fabric fridays. Did you ever publish your book ? where can we find it.
hugs from France, Joanne
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Sadly not.
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Maybe you should now think about getting it published. it would sell out straight away on create and craft…….I put my order in now please xxx
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Look forward to Friday then with fabric blog. Would love to see bowls first as well. More patterns for SNCC would be great.
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Hi John Yes I would love to be able to make some of the easier bags I also have the ScanNcut and look forward to future posts
Sue
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I am also in the process of making a quilt with old shirts. I am a little bit further along than you are in that I am ready to put the binding on and the quilt will be finished. I am making it for one of my sons. As an avid sewer in a household of men it is difficult to know what to make for them sometimes but this quilt is a perfect gift.
ps I love the bags
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What a lot of lovely samples you are clever! I love my scan and cut and would be interested in seeing how to use it for fabric projects. I used to do a lot of sewing-( clothes) but got fed up of nothing fitting once it was finished. The bowls would be a great place to start as they don’t look too complicated.
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Wow well done you. Love the bags, and the quilts Oh and the bowls . Can’t wait to see more.
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Absolutely fabulous John…..bring it on !!!
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So good to see this, really looking forward to seeing the bags. Why didn’t you get the bag book published?
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Hi John,
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and also the patterns/templates you allow us to download.
You are a very generous ‘gentleman crafter’ in all sense of the title, and I feel have a wicked sense of humour and great professionalism.
We should see you presenting more!!
Regards,
Jo Austin x
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Love the tote bags and looking forward to you showing us how to cut it out with the scan n cut. You really should do something about your book too!! Have a fab Friday x
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Hi John, this is going to be very exciting – I will be looking forward to Fridays, now, with even more glee!!! I love bags and have just completed my very first one – didn’t use the SnC though as the pieces were too big to cut! Thank you :-)
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Looking forward to it, especially as I’ve been doing lots of videos on the scan n cut recently, it may give me more ideas too for future projects/videos. Thank you.
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Soooo looking forward to Fabric Fridays. Have recently bought a sewing machine and a Scan n cut so all I need now is the know how and inspiration from you, thank you :-D
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this will be good several people on the scan and cut group have been asking questions
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I know nothing of fabric John, but the advent of SNC has me thinking of trying. I know we have an old sewing machine somewhere – now to dig it out -loads of old shirts too which will give me the fabric to play with. Thank you.
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What an array John. I like your bags and look forward to seeing your patterns in due course, kind regards Jackie
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Would love to see how to do the bowls first please!!!
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