Hey! I made a quilt.
This has been a looooooong project. The joy of making this has been in the slowness of putting it together. I think if I had rushed it I would have been heartily sick of it by its completion. As it is as I have taken so long over it it has been a joy; completed in short bursts over a long period of time. How Long, you might be wondering? Well over a year!
This is the story of my quilt, and no it's not as long as it took to make.
When I went to my first #sewupnorth event in Leeds TWO years ago I won a couple of fat quarter packs in the raffle. These small pieces of quilting cotton were so smooth and the colours were just stunning I knew that I would have to use them somehow. I'm not a quilter so the thought of cutting and piecing the fabric, let alone quilting it filled me with dread. However, after the fabric had sat in my stash for 6 months I decided to give it a go.
I cut the fabric into wide strips and then stitched the strips together to create very long strips. Then I cut these into narrow strips using my rotary cutter and metal rule. Once cut, I rotated the strips, which meant unpicking a seam or two to create the stepped pattern you can see in my quilt. I sewed with a 6mm seam and pressed as I went along. Once I had completed the top I had a long rest until I could face quilting it.
I did not want to use polyester wadding for this quilt as I have been trying to cut down on waste and my use of plastics and the cotton batting was out of my price range. Instead, I used a couple of old flannel sheets for the wadding and the backing and binding fabric came from an old cotton duvet cover that had a rip on one side where it had become a little threadbare. The other side was fine, so this became my backing. I layered the backing, flannel sheets and quilt top and pinned together using safety pins. I know you can buy special safety pins for quilting, but I found the safety pins I had already were perfectly ok for the job. I rolled the quilt into the middle from the edges and secured the rolls with offcuts of flannel and pins. this gave me a 30cm wide strip to quilt. I gradually unrolled the quilt as I stitched it.
I decided to try free motion quilting and used my trusty Bernina 707 to do this. It's easy to drop the feed dogs on this machine and it has an extension table for the machine which provides a bit more support, as I was working with a large amount of fabric at a time I did most of the quilting at our monthly Crafternoon events as I had access to a larger table to support my work.
Unfortunately, I found it very tricky to keep my stitch length constant and even, but the overall effect is ok and the quilt feels nice and firm. This process has taken a long time and I've put this down for a couple of months before picking it up again. Last week at our Crafternoon session I finally finished the quilting.
During this week, I trimmed the edges of my quilt and cut 10cm wide strips to use for binding. Yesterday I sewed up the binding strips and stitched it to my quilt. Before beginning this I did a bit of research into how to mitre the corners, as on my last quilt this was unsatisfactory. There were loads of tutorials on Youtube and they all had basically the same method for stitching the top. Once I had stitched the binding to the top. I folded it under and finished the underside with tiny fell stitches. This took a couple of hours, but I find hand stitching quite relaxing and meditative (as long as I don't have to do too much of it).
Finally, I have a finished quilt and have saved a couple of flannel sheets and a duvet cover from landfill so I'm happy. Those of you who are expert quilt makers will be able to pick a boatload of mistakes with this. I don't care. It's been an achievement for me and because I've taken my time with it I have actually enjoyed it. It really is worth slowing down sometimes.
A couple of weeks ago we had our annual residential trip to London with some of the children I teach. It's one of those trips where we try to cram in as much as possible and we get home feeling completely shattered, but happy. This year was no exception.
Monday morning and bright and early (6.45am) we met the students at school and set off by coach. It's a long way from the northeast, but we made good time and arrived at our accommodation at about 3pm.
St Paul's at night
We were staying at the Youth Hostel at St Paul's. Its a great location for exploring central London. It's cheap, clean and comfortable. We use it as it's perfectly set up for large groups and is a safe place rather than a large hotel with the general public being able to access all floors. At the YHA you can only access the corridor where your room is. The YHA also provide a great breakfast and packed lunch at a good price. We even had one of our evening meals there.
One of our favourite places to take the group is the Rainforest Cafe. It's a fantastic place to eat. the food is good and the kids love the environment. We walked from there to the Gillian Lynne Theatre to see School of Rock. The Gilliam Lynne Theatre is a modern Theatre, which meant that the view was good, no matter where you were sitting. We had good seats right in the centre. The show is the stage version of the film that stars Jack Black. I wasn't sure if I would like it. It's a good show and I did enjoy it, even if it would not have been my personal choice. Our students really loved it.
Once we had taken our coach back to the hostel and got everyone settles it was time to relax for half an hour before bed. This trip has been the very first I have ever taken where the children have settled quickly on the first night. Consequently, they were up bright and early the next day, ready for our activities.
Inside the globe
We had booked a tour and workshop at Shakespeares Globe. Our group was split into two and each group taken by an actor, who showed us the theatre and talked about why it was built and the way it was set up. then we went off to do a drama workshop focusing on Macbeth, as that's the play they had been studying. They had such a great time.
Making Art at the Tate Modern
Art at the Tate Modern
After eating lunch outside the Tate Modern we explored the gallery for a while. My group found the space where they could make art and together they made pieces to add to the existing installation in the room. we then had a look at some of the artwork on display. the children made their own little videos about the work.
The dome of St Paul's from the inside
We headed back over the river and into St Paul's Cathedral, where they looked for tombs of famous people and some artwork.
As people started to arrive for evensong, our group headed back to the YHA to chill and relax for a bit before tea, which we ate at the hostel. Then we headed back to Shakespeare's globe for the evening performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is part of the summer season and is on over the coming weeks at various times. The children enjoyed the slapstick comedy of the piece, but some found the plot a bit confusing - but then it is isn't it! The performance was excellent. There was lots of audience participation, adlibs, singing and fun. If you get the chance to see it, then you should go. It's well worth it. If you're a bit strapped for cash you can join the groundlings (standing tickets) for just £5.
Some of the sights at the WB studio tour
On Wednesday morning we headed out for a short walk and then collected our bags and back on the coach out of the city to the Warner Brother's Studio Tour. This is where they made the Harry Potter films. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but the tour is excellent. Lots to see and a great advocate for the creative industries - exactly where art might lead you! It was then a very long journey home and a late night.
Hogwarts model
Over the next couple of days, I asked the children which parts of the trip they enjoyed the most. I'm glad to say every different activity was mentioned. They had a great time and I'm planning the next trip already. This never ends!!!
Just a few more days until the summer break and a long rest!
It's Plastic Free July! We've all been made increasingly aware of how much plastic we consume and how it's littering our oceans, skies and land. Even when we think we've been responsible and recycled our plastic, to find it's being dumped in huge piles on the other side of the world is, to be honest, shocking! And then to discover the wipes that we've all be using - thinking they were biodegradable- are made from a high percentage of plastic - eugh.
It amazed me when right after the big push for less single-use plastic and plastic bags happened, the local supermarket (That's you ASDA) started packaging root ginger in bags. They hadn't done this up to that point and I was wondering why? it's not a product that goes off quickly. Garlic now comes in plastic net bags - Really ASDA there is no need, and that's before we get started on all the other single-use plastic - Yes I have been watching Hugh and Anita's War on Plastic on iplayer.
I know this is not the only ecological concern with three biggies being Plastics, Transport and Meat-based food products. It sometimes seems like we are powerless to effect a change. and that is the biggest barrier to change - while we do nothing, nothing changes.
Unesco gives some facts about marine pollution here.
This issue will have a long-lasting impact on our planet. I strongly believe that we are to be good stewards of our world and care for it in the best way that we can. To enjoy it wisely and make it better for those who come after us. I think we failed! So can we make it better? I don't honestly know but I think we have to try. I've listed some ideas - these are things I can work on - and a few challenges for myself too. This is nowhere near an exhaustive list and I'd love to hear how you are doing this.
Lindsay Miles of Treading My Own Path has way more ideas that you can explore - she's been doing this much longer than I have. What can we actually do?
Lobby your local MP and vote for the candidates that will address these concerns.
Transport
1. Limit flights we make. This is a biggie for reducing our carbon footprint. I don't actually fly often these days, but I know those who do. If it's short haul is there another option? train, ferry etc
2. Use public transport. If you can, take the bus, train, subway, tube, metro. Here in the UK, the cost of this can fluctuate dramatically, depending on where you live - maybe it's time to campaign for lower fares so more people will choose to use this option.
For me- I have to drive to work. It's too far to cycle safely and the buses are infrequent and I have to get three different ones! So from September, I'm planning to car share with a colleague. My daughter will also be journeying with me on her way to college.
I do have a really small C1 car!
3. If you are able, invest in an electric car or if you need to travel further a hybrid. These are still out of our price range right now but once we can afford it, we will.
4. If travelling locally - walk or cycle. Try to shop locally too!
5. Are you able to work more locally? Could you move nearer your job or look for work closer to where you live?
Food
This one comes under both transport and plastics!
It's really easy to get produce out of season these days - but what is this doing to our environment? Consider the food miles of your goods - are they produced locally or have they come from the other side of the world?
It's often more expensive to buy loose food than the pre-packed identical items. This didn't use to be the case. Loose good were on sale at a much cheaper cost than pre-packed. and it's not too long ago we had "Bin" shops, where produce was stored in big tubs and you helped yourself to whatever you needed. I'd love to see more of these stores returning.
1. So firstly - try to shop locally. Buy from the farm shop, the butcher and baker down the road, not only help keep food miles down, you'll be keeping the local community going.
2. Eat less red meat. If you're not ready for a plant-based diet, try to reduce the amount of red meat eaten and try to increase veg based food a few days a week.
3. Buy loose food when you can and use zero waste shops if there's one close by. Reuse bags, Tupperware, etc. for packaging your purchases. Invest in some strong tote bags to pack your shopping.
4. Look for products that are packaged in glass or cardboard (eg. bars of soap rather than bottles of liquid soap).
5. Lobby your local supermarket to invest in biodegradable cellulose packaging for products that really need a protective covering and lobby them to ditch the single-use and provide opportunities for refills.
6. Invest in a refillable water bottle and use it rather than buying plastic ones.
7. Compost! over the years we have tried to grow a few things, but we've not always been very successful. However, we're trying to set up some raised beds and start to grow the food we eat. I know we won't be able to cover it all, but we're making a start and that means we can start to compost our food waste to use on the beds.
Plastics
Over a year ago I became more aware of the plastics I was using in my sewing and I have been trying to reduce this as much as possible over the year. I try not to buy synthetics unless absolutely necessary - I don't really like wearing them anyway! but I'm looking much wider now and trying to think about how I can reduce single-use plastic at home and work.
1. Back to the water again - stopping buying sparkling water in plastic bottles. we're going to try using CO2 from John's brewing kit to carbonate water instead - I'll let you know how we get on - otherwise, it might be a soda stream. On my recent school trip to London, we asked all the children to bring a reusable water bottle. We were staying at a YHA and they have stopped giving out bottled water and instead provide a refill station in the canteen for topping up bottles.
2. Avoiding using cling film and choosing cloth, beeswax wraps, waxed paper food covering instead.
3. Order milk to be delivered in glass bottles.
4. Reuse tubs for storage - I take mine to work to store pastels and bits and bobs in the classroom.
5. Store foods in glass jars or rigid plastic tubs that have a long long life and can be recycled.
6. Use a refill store if you have one.
7. Buy toiletries in card or glass, Use bars of soap and shampoo - places like LUSH sell these amongst others. switch to bamboo toothbrushes.
8. Refuse plastic straws. when I had Bells Palsy a few years ago we bought some metal straws, they are great! Many places now will offer biodegradable straws including the Rainforest Cafe in London - I was there this week. I still think for the most part straws are generally unnecessary.
As an artist, I have used acrylic paints. but I'm making a commitment to not replace these and switch to a more environmentally friendly alternative. I will use up what I have, but I'm not buying any more. The same goes at work. I haven't ordered any acrylic this year and instead have opted for the tempera block paints, which come in boxes.
So after all that - I'm still faced with the plastic wrappers that come in packaging, through the post, around my salad, chocolate bars, tea bags, crisps...
What do we do with it?
Of course, we can try to reduce how much we use, and we should. but until the government and shops catch up there is still going to be some of that stuff around. It can't be recycled yet!!!
At home, we're going to start to grow some of our own veg. It's a bit late this year to really get going, but we're hoping to get some quick growing salad and greens in and then we're setting up some raised beds ready for planting. My hubby has bought this book.
I was wondering how I could reuse these plastic products so that they don't end up straight in the bin.
I'm planning some experiments with fused plastics to create durable wraps, bags, purses, pencil cases so that these materials are re-used. I know it doesn't solve the issue. but keeping them out of the landfill as long as possible and hopefully, there will be some developments and they may one day be able to be recycled.
Woooah that was a long post. How do you feel about all this and what are you trying to do?
I think I'll leave you with this. This is my favourite band and they have a lot to say about a lot of this stuff - and more. Have a listen!
