Creative Quilting – by Anne L

Tonight our Speaker was Emma from Creative Quilting based at Hampton Court.

Emma opened with a brief resume of the Shop starting in 1989 and how it has grown since then, producing a Newsletter and a Website which includes free patterns for participants. This medium was particularly helpful when Covid struck in 2020 which resulted in an explosion of on-line orders. With the help of her husband (who was also assisting her tonight}) a ZOOM service was set up to help on-line customers to select fabrics and obtain advice. This Website is still very active and a main part of the business.

Every day is a busy day and different, with many new fabrics being delivered, customers in the shop, running classes which are planned in advance - Waiting Lists are available and applicants get priority for the next class.

Emma passed on useful tips to make life easier including using Colour Catchers when washing Quilts; pattern reading; fabric economy by cutting large fabric pieces first; advice on using Rotary Cutters and Rulers, and winding 2 bobbins before sewing. Use of thread savers to save cotton waste and use of Baking or Greaseproof paper for ironing Applique projects.

Emma's advice was to enjoy the Quilting process - don't worry. ....mistakes do happen - and most of all, don't point out your mistakes to others.....

Then we were able to spend money on supplies from the well set-out display with generous discounts. Needless to say it was well supported by Shirley Quilters members......A good Meeting.