From the other side… (a guest blog by the wife)

After visiting fabric shops whenever we visited anywhere, quilt shows, to now helping Alan run his business. I must admit I am starting to become as much as a fabricholic as Alan.

Just like Alan, I get excited when the reps visit us with their new collections.  I am what Alan calls his ‘minder.’ At least that was on my name badge when we went to the CHSI show at Birmingham in February.  The aim was to stop him from buying but, I was not much help. Even I was getting carried away never mind Alan.

When we get a new delivery of fabric it is so exciting just like Christmas.  Usually, there is a scramble to see who can get to the box first to open it.  Not only that, before it can even go on the shelf it has to pass the touchy-feely test. 

Not being a sewer or quilter, like most ‘outsiders’ I didn’t appreciate the work that goes in to making quilts.  From deciding whether to do log cabin, flying geese, or carpenters star (eeh look at me, I even know the terminology!) To choosing the pattern, fabric and thread; and that is just for the quilt top.  Once made the next decision is what wadding to use and what fabric to use for a backing. As if that was not enough, the next conundrum is which pattern to use on the long arm quilting machine. Let alone loading it on to the machine and programming it.

Phew I am exhausted just thinking about it. 

As I mentioned I am not a sewer or quilter, but Alan has tried his best to get me to have a go.  I did manage some half-square triangles from some fabric out of his stash. Alan showed me how to cut the fabric properly with ¼ inch seams and the like.  Then he even let me use his Bernina sewing machine to sew them together!  I ended up with enough to make a small lap quilt.  We then found a jelly roll that was purchased a long time ago.  This was made up of different coloured strips of plain fabric. So, I decided to sew them together randomly to make stripey backing fabric.  I admit I was proud of myself; I have done a reasonable job. Although Alan is at pains to point out that it is nowhere near finished!!  Maybe one day!

About Us

Alan Teather Quilting is a new venture built on old fashioned principles. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile to satisfy our valued customers in Hartlepool, the North East and further afield.

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Unit 8, The Bis, 13-17 Whitby Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7AD

07889 480224

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What 3 Words:  inches.shall.fails

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INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNERS QUILTING WORKSHOP