Sunday 1 March 10.30-4.30pm

Tutor: Alison Abrahams

Level: confident beginners/intermediate

In the 17th century, tulip mania in Holland meant that rare tulip bulbs sold for many times the average person’s annual salary! Our lovely tulip quilt is not such an investment, but does result in a stunning quilt.

It’s a chance to work with Charm Packs, Layer Cakes, or even Sweet Treats. You’ll learn how to sew a stunning patchwork flower block which can be repeated for a quilt. Materials are given for the 112x142cm (44x56-in) quilt shown here, but obviously if you choose a layer cake of fabric, your quilt can double in size. Previous students have also sewn fewer blocks and have made lovely table runners and table toppers. Quilts can be realistic in colour, or your own colour choice. Patterned or solid colour fabrics or even batiks are all suitable.

Tulip Fever is ideal for students who have completed an introductory course (or have taught themselves) and who want to build on their skills. Alison will also show 2 alternative settings for the quilt that you’re sewing.

Equipment and material needed:

• Sewing machine. Make sure beforehand that it works and you can thread it, wind the bobbin and straight stitch with an even tension. Don’t forget your straight 1⁄4in foot, spare bobbin, instruction booklet etc. Top tip! Put in a new needle before this workshop.

• Basic sewing kit containing sharp fabric scissors, small scissors, pencil, pins and a stitch ripper

• Rotary cutter, mat and ruler

• 2 x Charm Packs, or 2 x Sweet Treats or 1 Layer Cake*

  * if you want to use fabrics from your stash instead of using a pre-cut, you’ll need to cut 60 4-in squares for the flower blocks before the workshop

• Cotton thread to coordinate (or a neutral such as cream or grey)

• 1 FQ green fabric for the stalks (or any colour you’d like)

• 30cm green fabric for leaves (optional) or you can use leftover fabric squares from your pre-cuts

• 2m plain / plainish fabric for background and inner border

• To complete your top 70cm fabric for an outer border (or 1.5m fabrics for a border without joins)

• To finish your quilt at home, wadding and backing fabric, each 122 x 152cm (48 x 60-in), thread for quilting and 40cm fabric for binding

If there is anything you’re missing, you can buy fabrics, threads and haberdashery etc from the store during the day. Refreshments will be provided at each workshop. At lunchtime, either bring your own lunch or visit one of the many delis and tea rooms in the high street.

If you have any questions, please look at our FAQs or phone us on 01634 838880 before booking. Please note we do not send out reminder emails before a workshop, as all the information you need is here! For location and car parking info, please see our Contacts page.

Please check dates carefully before booking as we do not offer refunds on workshops. For full booking terms, please read here.