|
Crafts
Jan 3, 2008 22:47:36 GMT 1
Post by hampdenquilts on Jan 3, 2008 22:47:36 GMT 1
I am a quilt maker (you may have guessed) and teacher, and wondered if there were any quilters in Northmavine, or on this forum? I visited the quilt shop in Lerwick every day that I was in Shetland. (As well as the wool shops, the bookstore, etc) Unfortunately, I didn't discover Jamiesons wool shop until the last day. What a wonderful place and the owners were so knowledgeable. Anyway, I know that knitting seems to be in the majority and wondered at the lack of quilting. I LOVE to spread the joy of quilting wherever I go. I do knit, but am a novice, having only learned 18 months ago. I have done hats, scarves, gloves and a sweater. Want to learn to knit socks, but haven't quite grasped the "turned heel" part. I have my Mom's spinning wheel, and did try carding and spinning when I was in Lerwick. I need MUCH more practice. Not much time to learn that now, but that is on my to-do list. So, what kinds of things do you all do for crafts?
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 4, 2008 0:36:48 GMT 1
Post by maree on Jan 4, 2008 0:36:48 GMT 1
There's a quilting group in Lerwick known as "Gone to Pieces"! or something similar and they seem to have a lot of members. Christina Nicolson who owns the Braewick Cafe runs craft classes for various activities and I seem to think quilting was among them, but I'm unsure if it's by hand or on the sewing machine. We have lots of sock makers extraordinaire here in Northmavine......perhaps we need an online tutorial Happy New Year to you!
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 4, 2008 13:08:35 GMT 1
Post by Fifi on Jan 4, 2008 13:08:35 GMT 1
I know of at least one quiltmaker in Northmavine, although I'm not sure if she's doing much at the moment. I'll let her know it's being mentioned here!
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 4, 2008 21:31:57 GMT 1
Post by hampdenquilts on Jan 4, 2008 21:31:57 GMT 1
Thanks Maree and Fiona. I would love to know what kinds of patterns are being worked on in Shetland. I saw that the fabric store in Lerwick was for sale a few months ago. I was sorry to see that. I had hoped it wasn't for lack of interest. Happy New Year to you all as well!! Do you practice "First Footing?" My Great Grandfather and Grandfather both did that. with us. Wanted to be the first one over the threshold after midnight on New Years Eve.
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 4, 2008 23:59:38 GMT 1
Post by maree on Jan 4, 2008 23:59:38 GMT 1
"Loose Ends" the shop I think you're talking about has been sold to the wife who has the Shetland Fudge company. The previous owner only sold up as she wanted to retire and take things easy I think. As far as I'm aware, the shop is pretty successful and Gillian from the Fudge company intends to extend the range into arts/crafts as well as organising workshops and answering folks crafty queries.
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 6, 2008 3:36:38 GMT 1
Post by hampdenquilts on Jan 6, 2008 3:36:38 GMT 1
I am so glad to hear that. We really enjoyed buying the local crafts at the Taste of Shetland. I would think local crafts would sell well to the boaters and tourists.
About the Taste of Shetland - it was terrific!! We so enjoyed the music and were really wishing for a cd or two. The crafts were great. I just had a group of quilters here today and they were looking at the Trowies that I bought at the Taste of Shetland. They were most impressed that they were dressed in Fair Isle knits. Couldn't believe someone would cut up a beautiful sweater!!
As I recall, we bought candy from the Shetland Fudge Co. YUMMY Good luck to her!
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 6, 2008 7:35:17 GMT 1
Post by benjiesmum on Jan 6, 2008 7:35:17 GMT 1
We so enjoyed the music and were really wishing for a cd or two. Hello Hampdenquilts, I listen to Shetland music online sometimes. You can find 60North FM on the Shetland tourist board website: www.visitshetland.comand click onto 60North FM where it says Traditional and contemporary Shetland MusicIt's quite good because a lady takes you round all the different places chatting to locals. I love the music too! Edit: Forgot to mention there is also www.shetland-music.com which gives loads of interesting info and some music to listen to. I particularly like "Hillswick" on that site.
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 10, 2008 11:49:00 GMT 1
Post by ostara on Jan 10, 2008 11:49:00 GMT 1
Hello Hampdenquilts and everyone else. Fiona alerted me to this link, (Thankyou Fi) , I haven't logged on for ages. I quilt and sew and knit and paint and craft and sell some stuff too. Currently working on a quilt I made for my daughter a few years back. I'm making it larger as I adore the colours (duck egg blue and tones of). I made it in a block design called 'The Lady of the Lake'. Forgot to say I felt as well both wet and dry and use local fleece, sometimes from our own ewes. I make bears, sheep and sell these. Hopefully will be selling a few felted handbags too. Which probably explains why I havent logged on for a while .
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 10, 2008 19:04:00 GMT 1
Post by benjiesmum on Jan 10, 2008 19:04:00 GMT 1
Can we have some photos of your crafts then, please??
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 10, 2008 19:13:06 GMT 1
Post by jaydee67 on Jan 10, 2008 19:13:06 GMT 1
I went to Christina's patchwork night classes last year and have made a few pieces. I have tried wet and dry felting, papermaking, have been taught to knit socks in the last 6 months and am currently trying my skills at basketry having attended a weekend course which got me hooked. I also crochet, sew recycled shopping bags and try my hand at making cards when the notion takes me.
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 10, 2008 21:27:13 GMT 1
Post by hampdenquilts on Jan 10, 2008 21:27:13 GMT 1
I would love to see photos. I often wonder if i was born in the wrong time, or have past life memories that lead me to want to learn all types pf crafts. Some are so familiar to me when I start them. Knitting came so easily to me as an adult. Basketweaving, also. Spinning seemed totally foriegn. I have just begun felting - little sheep are running across my desk - but I have not heard of "wet felting'. I use carded woll and a hooked needle. I am currently using the wool I bought in Shetland from Jamieson's. How would you do wet felting.
Ostara - do you knit the bags, then felt them by wetting them then throwing them in a dryer? That is how we are making the felted bags here.
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 11, 2008 12:02:57 GMT 1
Post by Fifi on Jan 11, 2008 12:02:57 GMT 1
Really interesting - would love to try felting but not sure about the time at the moment! A felting workshop would be tempting though..
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 14, 2008 9:45:49 GMT 1
Post by ostara on Jan 14, 2008 9:45:49 GMT 1
Sorry BJ bit of a technophobe - posti ng photos - I wouldnt know where to start! HampDQ - I do both with handbags, I love the precision that knitting up prior to felting gives the finished article. Sometimes a wet felted piece can become a bit lop-sided. As regards technique, you still use carded wool or tops as they're also known and lay wisps crosswise in layers, anything from three upwards depending on what you want to make. Then you cover that with some old net curtain and gently sprinkle on hot soapy water and rub! This can take a long time and is hard on the writsts. If you google felting you'll find loads of info.
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 14, 2008 16:36:58 GMT 1
Post by Pat on Jan 14, 2008 16:36:58 GMT 1
Happy New Year to you all as well!! Do you practice "First Footing?" My Great Grandfather and Grandfather both did that. with us. Wanted to be the first one over the threshold after midnight on New Years Eve. Happy New Year to you hampdenquilts. This reply should probably go in another section but I'm sure the administrators will be able to sort that out. First footing is still carried out in Shetland. I note your grandfathers looked forward to being first foots. They were likely seen as 'lucky' then. I try never to be a first foot if I can help it. I'm not tall, dark, goodlooking or even male for that matter! However, I managed to become a first foot this year by accident. The folk seemed to be happy enough as it was the 4th January by that time and they were glad to see me!! You can tell by this that first footing is not practiced quite as much as it used to be
|
|
|
Crafts
Jan 14, 2008 22:18:27 GMT 1
Post by hampdenquilts on Jan 14, 2008 22:18:27 GMT 1
Ostara - Thanks for the info. I have a book on the technique that you describe as wet felting. Can't remember what they call it, but I hvae used the technique to make bowls. I am going to try it again and keep the result flat, then see what I can make with it.
Pat - Good job on being a first foot!! Traditions fade here too.
|
|