by GillyMac | Dec 27, 2018 | Beginners, GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Teens
This is a simple way to package any note or card which is quick to make and looks fabulous. In my teen Christmas classes last week we were making a version of these envelopes and filling them with chocolate coins as extra family gifts, however at this time of year,...
by GillyMac | Dec 13, 2018 | Christmas, Designing, GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Quilting
It’s here ….below you will find my Magic Squares Quilt Pattern. It was always my intention when I wrote this pattern that I would offer it for free. The topic of free patterns came up when I met a fellow designer last month. She fully believes that the...
by GillyMac | Nov 20, 2018 | #tiptuesday, Christmas, Patchwork, Quilting
This is a little bit different than my normal TipTuesday messages, but as we approach Christmas and I rack my brain as to what gifts I can buy my friends and family, I am constantly looking for new ideas and presents that will have meaning throughout the year. An...
by GillyMac | May 23, 2018 | Uncategorised
I loved this bag from the moment I saw the pattern. It was smart, big and had the opportunity to use some really fun fabrics. In May half term my older daughter is off to find some sun in Slovakia, so hopefully, she will like the bag as much as I do and want to take...
by GillyMac | May 16, 2018 | Uncategorised
Deborah and I made this stunning quilt together. She did the hard work in the patchwork piecing and I got to quilt it, and whilst I wanted the background to be a brilliant white, she chose the wonderful colours that make up the rings. It was made using the Mini Quick...
by GillyMac | May 9, 2018 | Uncategorised
I’m a HUGE fan of Aneela Hoey, her patterns and the way she can create such fun mini projects, most of which can be achieved in an evening. This time I wanted to make the All-In-One Box Pouch. The standalone pattern has been recently updated, but a version of it...
by GillyMac | May 6, 2018 | Uncategorised
The Saturday morning girls are always quick to adopt new ideas and find pretty much everything we do (except hand sewing) really exciting. Lola chose to work from the picture of St Basil’s Basilica and the other 4 decided to use the picture of the Dead Sea. Just...
by GillyMac | Feb 16, 2018 | Uncategorised
The announcement this week from Coats (owners of FreeSpirit Fabrics) was shocking in its swiftness, but the writing has been on the wall for some time, had we chosen to look at it. Coats business is dominated by its ‘Industrial’ business (around 70%)...
by GillyMac | Feb 1, 2018 | Beginners, Classes, Designing, Dressmaking
With so much dressmaking in full flow at GillyMac Designs, I thought it would be an ideal time to share with you some tips on how to work your way around a dressmaking pattern. UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERN: Unless you are using a modern pattern, you will find that...