by GillyMac | Jul 7, 2021 | cake, general, GillyMac Community
Cooking and baking are a large part of my life. For that reason, it was always likely that any business I started would have an element of cake included. Since starting GillyMac eight years ago, I must have made hundreds of cakes, traybakes and biscuits. Over the rest...
by GillyMac | Mar 3, 2021 | Beginners, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
Years ago I was once in a class with a teacher who pointed at my thread and said ‘throw it in the bin’. It seemed pretty extreme when looking back, it was insulting, but did the teacher have a point? I think not. Where possible, I will always try and use up old...
by GillyMac | Feb 3, 2021 | Beginners, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
How Long Will It Take Me to Make My First Patchwork Quilt? Beginners ask this question frequently. The answer is ‘not long’ provided you choose a pattern that will help you learn and achieve results without too much fiddly stuff. Furthermore, simple...
by GillyMac | Jan 6, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Dressmaking, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple, Teens
If you are new to sewing machine purchasing or upgrading, it is often hard to know which sewing machine you should buy. Because of this, it can be easier to narrow down the options by price. This is a fine way to start, but really only removes some of the alternatives...
by GillyMac | Dec 26, 2020 | GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Quilting
Today I want to share some sewing inspiration for 2021. I have gathered images of many of the items made in and out of class in 2020 by the GillyMac Community. This represents just a hint of the creativity within this wonderful community. I hope it inspires your...
by GillyMac | Dec 23, 2020 | Applique, Classes, Designing, GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Quilting, Virtual Retreat
I am relishing working on the project for the GillyMac 2021 Spring Virtual Retreat. It is such a nice bright piece and just what is needed in the current climate. The Spring Virtual Retreat Project is a beautiful applique table runner based on a log cabin block. It is...
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 27, 2018 | #tiptuesday, Christmas, Teens
At the weekend, the Saturday girls and I made reusable wipes as Christmas Gifts… The circles we used were 4″ in diameter. I created a video of the process to make the wipes and next week I’ll do the same for the bag. The idea is the mesh bag that is...
by GillyMac | Nov 8, 2018 | Christmas, Patchwork, Teens
I am lucky to be in the position to see the advent panels from many of the fabric suppliers in the Summer months, which means I can order them ahead of time. Two weeks ago a bold of gorgeous advent panels arrived from Dashwood Fabrics. I have some new Junior Sewing...
