In this edition: Class list New Classes Dear Jane Opening times New fabrics Charity work And more…

The Peacock and the Tortoise, 29 George Street Perth, PH1 5LA 01738 717009 www.thepeacockandthetortoise@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 2017

Dear Jane: This wonderful quilt was finished in 1863 by Jane A. Blakely Stickle. We have the book for sale with

the pattern and the full story of its history.

News More clubs and less one day classes

This spring, we are offering more ‘clubs’ and classes spread over more than one day so that you can really get your teeth into some textile craft techniques! You can learn everything you always wanted to know but never dared ask (and a little more) about Applique with Diane over four Fridays between March and May. There are now Saturday quilting classes for complete beginners with Sue Everett for those that can’t make weekdays. Learning everything there is to know about the ancient Japanese embroidery art of Sashiko with UK expert Susan Briscoe. And for those wanting a revisit neglected dressmaking skills and those completely new to dressmaking there will be several classes Sewing with Gill, for you to learn. For our perennial quilters there are two of Diane’s challenge classes to hone your skills: Lone Star and Bargello.

EPP kit We are developing an English Paper Piecing kit. It will contain all the fabrics to make the quilt top, the papers, the glue pen and all the instructions. This will

come to you over a period of 10 months and we expect the price for this to be around £16 per month, paid by Direct Debit. We

hope this is available by April. Register your interest.

Baby Box The Baby Box works as follows: As soon as you know you are going to be a Mother, a

Granny, or an Auntie, you can sign up for the Baby Box. Over five months, you will get a box with the fabrics, the wadding and the backing for a “Quilt-as-you-Go” baby quilt. This quit can be made by hand or on the machine and you will have a full set of instructions, suitable for beginners.

On the sixth month, you will get the wadding, sashing and binding to assemble the blocks and finish the quilt. It could be ready before

the Baby is born! Available in two bright colour schemes; we estimate this box will cost £12 per month for six months. Available from April 2018; register your interest.

Treat Box for Christmas Treat yourself or a fellow crafter to a Christmas Box. The contents are a surprise and festive themed; and there will be a few project ideas thrown in which you can make use of if you wish. The box will contain 1 m of this season’s fabric, other fabrics, trimmings and haberdashery items and the retail value of it will always be more than the money you pay for it. We love the contents and it has been fun putting it together. We might continue with this idea throughout the season if it is met well. The cost is £25 for the box and £28 if you would like us to post to a friend or relative as a gift. Available as long as our stocks last, they will be available from the mid -November.

Fidget Blankets for Charity There are three drop-in Thursday afternoons where you can join in making Fidget Blankets. Fidget Blankets are tactile quilts with lots of unique additions and different textures. These blankets will

be given to charity and are used for people with dementia. Diane will be on hand and we will try and beg some material from our suppliers. The dates are: 1March, 29 March, 26 April and 24 May, 1.30 till 4. No fee. Your time only.

New Fabrics coming in: Liberty We are excited to be “exclusive” stockists of a patchwork and quilting range of fabrics from Liberty. Entitled ‘The English Garden’

New collection from Janet Clare Moda is bringing out a new collection of the ever-popular designer Janet Clare. The collection is called: ‘Ahoy me Hearties’ and it will be in stock sometime in November.

Pinterest We are now on Pinterest – share your pins with us! You can find us via the website.

Our regular classes General 8-session patchwork and quilting classes (day & evening) for beginning and intermediate quilters and Quilty Pleasure groups. Please make sure you read our terms and conditions at the back. Start Quilting and Patchwork class Cost: £70. Day class are 10.30 till 12.30, afternoon classes from 2 to 4 and evening classes are 7 till 9. Monday Evening: 26 Feb, 12,26 Mar, 9,23 Apr, 7, 21 May and 4 June Tuesday morning: 27 Feb, 13, 27 Mar, 10, 24 Apr, 8, 22 May and 5 June. Wednesday evening: 28 Feb, 14, 28 Mar, 11, 25 Apr, 9, 23 May and 6 June. This class takes a longer look at the art of patchwork and quilting, fortnightly, through the construction of patchwork blocks using classic techniques. This course will include how to assemble the blocks into a throw, lap quilt, table runner or a double bed sized quilt. Each session you will be given colour copies of patterns of 3 blocks (payable to the tutor £1 per session). It is difficult to state exactly how much fabric you will need, as it depends on how many blocks you make. The fabric is best bought at the first class as Diane or Sue will teach you

about colour, tone and shade. Count on at least eight fat quarters or 2 metres of fabric and 2m for the background with an extra 1m later in

the session for the sashing and border. ( ie 5m) Please bring a general sewing kit: small sharp pointed scissors, pins and a notebook to take notes. Be prepared to do sewing homework! If these classes fill up we may open up further classes so please do ask. NEW FOR THIS SPRING Saturday Start Quilting Class Come along and try your hand at making a patchwork quilt in our Saturday Sessions.

You will learn patchwork basics including various 9

patch, 16 patch and log cabin blocks.

How to add sashing and borders and how to complete

your quilt with quilting and binding. These sessions will run from 11 until 3.30pm with four hours in class being both tutored and supervised as you crack on with the sewing in our workroom. Options to make a wall hanging, lap quilt, single bed quilt or bed runner. Hand out available so you can come along with your materials ready to start. Saturdays: 10 March, 24 March, 7 April and 21 April, from 11.00 till 3.30pm.With a 30 mins lunchbreak. Cost for this course is the same as the 8-week course: £70. Carry-on Quilting & Patchwork class Cost: £70 Tuesday morning: 20 Feb, 6, 20 Mar, 3, 17, Apr, 1, 15, 29 May.

Thursday evening: 1, 15, 29 Mar, 12, 26 Apr, 10, 24 May and 7 June. This is for those who can already do patchwork and quilting and are familiar with all the common blocks and quilting techniques. This class will teach more advanced techniques, share tips and will include curves and blocks that give secondary designs. Count on 8FQs and 2m of background fabric. Every session there will be colour copies of the patterns taught (£1 payable to the tutor). We have class haberdashery including rotary cutters and mats. Quilty Pleasures Groups Cost: £60 Tuesday evening: 20 Feb, 6, 20 Mar, 3, 17, Apr, 1, 15, 29 May. Wednesday morning: 21 Feb, 7, 21 Mar, 4, 18 Apr, 2, 16, 30 May. Tuesday evening: 27 Feb, 13, 27 Mar, 10, 24 Apr, 8, 22 May and 5 June. Thursday morning: 1, 15, 29 Mar, 12, 26 Apr, 10, 24 May and 7 June. This group is for people who want to meet up and sew in a creative environment with an expert tutor on hand and an open shop for supplies! These groups were born from previous or current students of classes who want to carry on quilting on their own projects and get on top of their unfinished projects. Come along and finish your own projects, go back over previous blocks or techniques with help or troubleshoot your weak points. There will also be a teaching curriculum in place that Diane will run which you can opt in/out when and if you choose. Creative Textiles Group Tutor: Morag Gray Cost: £65 Dates: Monday afternoon: 19 February, 19 March, 16 April, 14 May

Textile designer Morag Gray encourages you to explore your creative potential and learn exciting textile techniques to transform your stitching into artwork. Most of the materials used are things you might already have in your stash, but a list will be given before each class of what is required. The four classes include;

19th February Make your Mark! Use print, subtle stencils and stamps to create more distinctive designs on paper and plain fabrics for next month’s class. 19th March Create a Textile Collage using your printed pieces along with favourite fragments, pieces of lace and decorative treasures. Hand-stitch techniques such as Boro and Kantha can be used to make a highly personal book cover or iPad case. 16th April Weave up a new and wonderful textile by machine-stitching sari ribbons and other strips of fabrics and trimmings to make a stunning cushion cover. 14th May Fashion flowers in 3D textiles for a timeless bouquet or truly fabulous fascinator! Using machine embroidery to special effect on Tyvek and/or soluble fabrics. Sashiko Sampler Class

Tutor: Susan Briscoe. This eight-week class will run on Thursdays: 10.30 am till 4.30 pm. Dates for 2018 are: 8 March, 22 March, 3 May, 17 May, 31 May then 14 June and 5 and 12 July. Cost £280, ex material. This is an in-depth class taught by Susan and from all the smaller samples of the

various stitches you will be taught, you can make a beautiful sampler. Visit our website (or Susan’s blog) for a picture. More information and a requirements list available in the shop when you sign up. An Introduction to Needle Felting Tutor: Sarah Urie Cost: £48 Friday 2, 9 and 16 March, 1 till 3 pm This is a relatively new craft, which replicates the dry felting industrial technique, using one barbed needle. The course will cover 2D and 3D methods, showing how easily beautifully coloured wool roving can be transformed. It is an addictive and inexpensive hobby which can bring hours of pleasure. Each person

will be supplied with their own tool kit and enough wool to work in class and practise at home. This class is organized by the tutor, not by the Peacock and the Tortoise. For more information and booking: sarahurie@gmail.com; 07969 256886 NEW FOR SPRING 2018: Appliqué Club with Diane

Everything you always wanted to know about

appliqué. ❶ This activity runs on four consecutive Fridays: 6

April, 13 April, 27 April and 4 May. 10.30 till 4. Cost for these

four days: £140 ex. materials Materials 1 m of background materials, scraps of different patchwork cottons, threads and a sewing kit with small, sharp scissors. Applique is securing fabric shapes to a background piece of fabric and stitching around the edge to secure them, in various ways. The Applique Club will

explore many ways of achieving this and some methods to be used are machine and

needleturn applique, using Freezer paper and

wool felt. Use the applique to make a notebook cover, panels for a quilt, a wall hanging or cushion cover. Inspirational!

ALSO NEW FOR SPRING 2018: DRESS-MAKING CLASSES❷ These classes can be booked individually or as a block. The dates are: Monday 29 January, 26 February, 9 April and 4 June. The cost for these classes is £40 per class or £140 for the block. All

classes are taught by Gill McBride. 29 January: Understanding Sewing patterns: This small class of six is suitable for a confident beginner who has some sewing experience. You will be making a toile (a calico practice run) of your chosen pattern on the day, learning the best pattern adjustments and getting it properly fitted and ready to make into your final garment. Hopefully, you will also

be cutting your material and preparing to sew for your final garment on the day. The

emphasis is on getting the best out of your pattern and making a toile fit and preparing you for an excellent final finish on the garment. Please ask for a HANDOUT explaining what you will need to bring and prepare for the day to get the most out of this course. Small class of six. 26 February: Sewing with stretch This is for someone who has some dressmaking experience and would like to widen their repertoire to mastering stretch! Learn about stretch fabrics, how to cut and handle them and learn how machines react to stretches. You will make a simple T-shirt of your choice* (from the HANDOUT list) and take home lots of tips, techniques and a finished T-shirt ready for your summer wardrobe! Small class of six. 9 April: Little Black Dress This is aimed at intermediate dressmakers who can already make up clothing. You will be asked to make up a toile of your chosen dress prior to class and bring the toile, your pattern, fabric, lining, zips and notions on the day and you will learn

about pattern adjustments and how to transfer them, getting the right fit and then get cut out and perhaps started on your final dress with expertise help and advice. Please note that you will provide the fabric, your choice of pattern and are unlikely to finish your dress on the actual day. Please ensure you come prepared to get the most out of this small class of six. 4 June: Trousers! In a small class of six learn how to get the fit right on tricky trousers! Bring along your own chosen pattern, a prepared toile and your final fabrics, pockets, linings, zips etc and learn how to transfer fitting adjustments from your pattern and get the fit right before embarking on the final garment. Take home lots of samples on the day, a perfect fitting toile and perhaps the final fab trousers too if you are fast! Expertise help and advice from a very experienced teacher of dressmaking on the day. Let the challenge begin!!❸ These two-day challenges are for advanced quilters (please ask Diane for advice on your level!). You have over a Friday and Saturday to explore a new technique. This semester Diane is offering two challenges: Lone Star and Bargello. Friday and Saturday 9 and 10 February Lone Star ❸ Two-day Class: 10.30 – 4.30 Tutor: Diane Smyth Cost: £70 Materials: 1m light coloured fabric

1m medium coloured fabric 1m dark coloured fabric 2m background fabric Sewing kit including

pins and thread to match your fabrics. This is a stunning pattern one of the most easily recognisable, as well as being one of the older patterns. The star has eight points sewn with strip piecing, and is all about the use of colour, using both warm and cool colours to influence the design. It can be used as a single large star filling the quilt centre or make smaller stars to be used as in a repeat pattern on the quilt top. Makes a small single quilt or wall hanging. Friday and Saturday 18 and 19 May Bargello❸ Two-day Class: 10.30 – 4.30 Tutor: Diane Smyth Cost: £70 Materials: 1 Jelly Roll – the fabrics must contain definite shading from dark to light and for enough fabrics to create 2 dark areas and 2 light areas. Alternatively 3m, comprising of fabrics cut across the width of the bolt, in different shades of similar colours that work together, from very dark to very light. Sewing kit including pins and a neutral thread for the fabrics. Bargello echoes Florentine embroidery

where parallel vertical stitches are worked in shadings of wools that rise and fall to create the patterns. To create Bargello in fabrics the patterns are made up of strips of fabrics pieced

together with straight seams. It is sometimes referred to as an optical illusion design because of the way the pattern appears to move across the quilt. Sewing Tasters for Children This spring we offer two sewing tasters for children. Both are set in the Easter

Holiday and are taught by Coral Bell, who has ample experience as a teacher for this age group.

Garlands and Bunting a taster for 10 –

12 year olds: Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 April, afternoon only from 1.30 till 4.30 Cost: £50 including materials. These classes take place over two consecutive afternoons and are a fun introduction to sewing for 10-12 year olds.

There is a maximum of six in the class and both hand and machine sewing will be used. Kids can

choose between traditional buttoned bunting flags and a felted Woodland Toadstool bunting. Lots of fun and skills learnt over the two sessions. If you have a bag of buttons, scraps, ribbons you would like to bring along and use you are welcome otherwise all materials and everything needed is in our workroom and ready and waiting for you!

Crazy QuiltingTaster for bigger kids:12 –

16 year olds: Wednesday 11th April (10.30-4.30) and Thursday 12 April 1.30 (note, afternoon only) till 4.30. Cost: £80 including basic materials* Small class of six learning Crazy Quilting for beginners; loose, fun, imaginative way of creating interesting embellished fabrics. Traditionally Victorian, this technique is great fun with amazing results. You will make up sample pieces of Crazy Quilting and then on the second day incorporate your fabric into in a range of different ways* there might be an additional cost

here if you choose to use half a metre or a FQ of fabric to make up a cushion, wall

hanging, pot stand or bag etc. All other fabrics, stabilisers, threads and materials are included in the cost. Again, if you have a wee bag of scraps, buttons, ribbons you would like to bring along and use please do. One Day Classes All of our one day classes are £40. In some one-day classes you will make a project and go away with it completed. However, there are classes teaching you a particular technique and you will go home equipped with the knowledge how to finish a project. Ask us for more information. The few half-day classes we have are individually priced. Some classes require some preparation, like cutting and ironing at home, to get the most out of the class. At the time of booking a preparation sheet or pattern will be available for you. Please ensure that you get this sheet and come prepared. Difficulty levels The numbers ❶❷❸show the rate of difficulty: ❶ means that anyone, regardless of experience can achieve the goal of the class, ❷ means you have to have some sewing experience, such as being able to use the sewing machine; and ❸ means you need sewing experience to get the most out of the class. Saturday 17 February Start using the sewing machine❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30

Tutor: Trudy Duffy Materials: will be prepared for you: approx. £4 per bag. Suitable for absolute beginners who would like to start using the sewing machine. Learn about different stitches, tension, different feet and learn about putting in a zip. A great start for all other fabric-based courses. Saturday 24 February Mile-a-minute: Start Quilting with Jelly Rolls ❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30pm Tutor: Mhairi McNeill Materials: you will need a jelly roll. Bring one or buy one in the shop and get your 10% fabric discount for this class. Threads. The Jelly Roll pattern is a very simple technique with amazing results which has the potential to make a quilt top very quickly indeed! Come and see what all the fuss is about, anyone can make this quilt! Saturday 3 March Make a Tote bag and working with Leather ❷ Full day: 10.30-4.30pm Tutor: Gill McBride Materials: Materials: for the morning class of Tote Bag you will need to bring 0.5m of canvas, ticking, light upholstery fabric or tweed, 0.5m of Vilene and 0.5m of patchwork and quilting fabric for the interior (the latter two items you can buy in the shop with a 10% discount). 2 metres of webbing for strapping, pelmet Vilene for the bottom of the bag and a magnetic clasp or clip you can choose on the day during class. Matching thread required. For the afternoon class, we will have small A5 pieces of soft Nappa leather for sale on the day and you can purchase or bring a zip so as to make up a practice piece in leather. Will need matching thread.

The idea of the day is to make up a robust Tote bag in the morning learning tips and techniques that will give you a neat, professional finish to your bags to impress your friends and family! Working with slightly heavier fabric for the outside you will master the perfect finish. In the afternoon, you will be learning the basics working with a soft leather on a domestic

machine and how to get a lovely finish on leather items; you will make a simple zipped pouch or pencil case or if you want to avoid the

dreaded zips you can make a folding spectacle case instead. Saturday 17 March and Friday 1st June Taster session on Free Motion Machine Quilting ❶ March: AFTERNOON HALF DAY: 1.30 – 4.30 June: MORNING HALF DAY: 10.30 – 1.30 Tutor: Sue Everett Cost: £28 Materials: Fabric and wadding is included in price of class. Thread is not so please bring or buy a selection of bright colours. This short introduction into the dark art of freehand machine quilting will teach you the basic techniques for free hand machine quilting – stippling, walking the dog and lots of other techniques and stitches. Break the fear barrier and learn about how versatile and effective this is. Friday 23 March Ribbon Weaving ❶ Full day: 10.30-4.30pm Tutor: Susan Crosby Materials: 60cm fabric for the cushion cover and matching thread, 4 different colours of ribbon approximately 3-4

metres of each for the weaving depending on the width. The narrower the ribbon the more you will need. I recommend using anything from 10mm to 15mm wide and you can mix widths. Double sided satin, lurex edge, organza, jacquard ribbon, plain or patterned are all suitable. Wire edged and paper type ribbons are not suitable. 1 metre of ribbon 20-25mm wide for edging the ribbon weave panel when complete. Piece of medium weight fusible interfacing approximately 40cm x 20cm,, long glass headed pins and a loop turner. In this workshop you will learn how to make a piece of ribbon weaving then incorporate it onto a cushion cover. No sewing skills required for the ribbon weaving but basic machine sewing skills are required to finish the cushion. Once you have mastered the technique of ribbon weaving you will be able to use it a variety of ways e.g. cards, using it as a panel in a garment, and in soft furnishings.

Saturday 14 April Structured handbag ❷ Full day: 10.30-4.30pm Tutor: Janet Haigh Materials: ask in shop for HAND OUT with details. There is some preparation at home for this course. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to make a stunning structured handbag in cottons of your choice. Once you have the basics from this class you are sure to be making them in tweed or even leather. One of our most successful and fun classes

Friday 20 April Creative Machine Embroidery ❶ Full day: 10.30-4.30pm Tutor: Morag Gray Materials: the basic materials you need (black cotton, bondaweb) will be ready for you to buy at approx. £4. Bring bright

threads. Scraps will be provided. Make friends with Machine Embroidery! Learn to get the best out of your machine using the different stitches to create a whole range of interesting effects with a few tricks for

decorative details too. Also good as a refresher to encourage you to be more creative with lots of lovely samples and inspiration! Machines can do more than sew straight seams! Saturday 28 April Introduction to Sashiko ❶

Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30 Tutor: Susan Briscoe Materials: not included. You will need one skein of sashiko thread, 4x 10 cm square pieces of sashiko fabric, both available in the shop on the day with 10% discount), needles, marking pens. Snips and ruler are available. Shonai Sashiko is a traditional stitch technique from the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture, north west Japan. Intricate patterns are formed by straight lines of running stitch crossing and intersecting. During the workshop, four basic stitch patterns plus some variations are taught, providing a good introduction to the four main stitch groups.

Saturday 5 May Get to know YOUR sewing machine❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30 Tutor: Gill McBride Materials: Bring scraps and threads. Back by popular demand… our course designed to give you the very best out of your own machine. Stuck in a rut? Using the same stitches and feet all the time? Not sure what all the buttons do and scared of some of the features? Then

come along to one of our 8 places on this popular course which enables you to get

more out of your machine and will put a new lease of life into your relationship! YOU HAVE TO HAND IN YOUR MACHINE by Thursday 26th April TO BE PAT TESTED, (unless it is less than a year old or it has been PAT tested after April 2017 with a validation stiker on machine) The test is free. Please note: the test is only for electric safety, it will not show if your machine is not properly working. Friday 11 May Boro bag❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30 Tutor: Susan Briscoe Materials: a variety of shot or plain cottons, stripes or checks. Denims are possible. Other patterns are best avoided. Larger scraps will do. One 100m skein of Sashiko thread, needles, marker pen. The term ‘boro’ is derived from Japanese boroboro, meaning something tattered or repaired. In this class you will create a piece of Boro and make it into a practical and unique tote bag. Saturday 12 May

Crash Course Quilting❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30 Tutor: Zoe Kemp

Materials: 4 fat quarters ( recommend you buy on the day at start of class), matching sewing thread and pins, sharp small scissors. Ever wondered what the fuss is about? In this course you will learn some of the basics of quilting: rotary cutting, piecing a block and sandwiching it with wadding and backing. Friday 25 May❶ Manipulated Textiles Full day: 10.30-4.30pm Tutor: Morag Gray Materials: some background

Experiment by raising the surface to make your fabric creations really stand out! Playing with a variety of

machine-stitched techniques

challenge your creative potential

and make some exciting 3D sculptural artwork. Be more bold! This class can follow-on from the machine embroidery or stand alone to inspire you to try something new! Saturday 26 May Advanced handbag ❸ Full day: 10.30-4.30pm Tutor: Janet Haigh Materials: ask in shop for HAND OUT with details. There is some preparation at home for this course. 0.5 m chosen outer fabric, 0.5 m chosen lining fabric, 1m light to medium weight interfacing. Magnetic clasp, 6” zip (colour

of your choice to match fabric), pair leather sew in handles (we have used 50cm handles, again colour of your

choice). This class will take a basic handbag making principles, and take them a little further, to include internal zipped pockets, the use of bag feet, and instruction on

how to use and sew in leather handles. A mid to heavy weight cotton / linen mix fabric would work best with this bag, and we will be using layers of interfacing to produce quite a structured item. Saturday 2 June Lampshade Making ❶ MORNING HALF DAY class: 10.30-1 Tutor: Caron Ironside Cost:£30(including the lampshade making hardware you will need) Limit 8 places. Materials: You will need to provide 30cm of 1m wide fabric. This needs to be lightweight cotton or a light linen/cotton mix. No upholstery, curtain or heavy weight fabrics are suitable. Pale fabric will disperse more light through it, darker will encourage light to come out of top/bottom of shade etc. You will learn how to make a 30cm drum lampshade in a fabric of your choice. You can use it as a pendant or on table lamp. The finishing touch to that special room you have created…. Friday 8 June Free Motion Quilting❷ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30 Tutor: Sue Everett Materials: Please ask for HAND OUT in the shop. At the end of the day you will have completed a patchwork sampler that can be made into a cushion or table runner.

This course follows on from the half-day introduction, taking the art of machine quilting up a few levels with our in house expert Sue. You are required to have completed Sue’s half day introduction. Saturday 9 June Introduction to Crochet ❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30pm Tutor: Trudy Duffy Materials: partly inclusive. We will provide needles and scrap wool for practice, but if you want to start a project you may need to buy either wool or crochet cotton. Believe it or not, crochet is making the same comeback as knitting has done. Learn the basic stitches in crochet, how to read a simple pattern, how to make a Granny Square and how to do filet work.

Dear Jane Quilt

This wonderful quilt was finished in 1863 by Jane A. Blakely Stickle. Each block is different; and despite a 150 year gap between now and Jane’s time, it looks very contemporary. There are ‘Dear Jane’ fanatics all over the world. Google it or go to www.dearjane.com for more information. We are investigating if we can form some international co-operation to create our own ‘Dear Jane’ quilt. We have the book for sale with the pattern and the full story of its history.

Newsletter Some time ago we launched a colourful electronic newsletter with the lastest news about fabrics, classes and other activities. It also contains competitions/ give-aways; you can win fabrics, classes and haberdashery. As per the spring of 2017 we have decided to stop the postal distribution of our paper newsletter. You will still be able to pick up a copy from the shop. To subscribe to our newsletter: www.thepeacockandthetortoise.co.uk and go to the bottom of the page. On the same website you can see our classes, as much as possible with a photograph of the sample.

Our polite request The shop opens at 10 am, all courses start at 10.30 am. Often the tutor has some preparation to do, or Mhairi or Trudy need to do some administration. We realise some of you come by public transport and/ or come from further away and want nothing else but to get to the shop and sit down. However, we ask you not to come to the workroom before 10.10, so as not to interrupt the tutor’s preparation. Also, please don’t come before opening time as we may need some time doing administrative duties. Many thanks for your understanding on this sensitive matter.

Changes to our Fat Quarters and our cutting practice One day we looked at our FQ baskets and we found Fat quarters dating back from (nearly) the beginning of the shop. Perhaps like your own stash….? So over the last weeks we have been clearing out the baskets, taking out all the FQ of which

we have no yardage anymore, apart from our Super Hero FQs, our Tilda FQs and our Kaffe Fassett FQs. We will sell these lonely FQs in our annual sale – so there is a good opportunity to acquire some vintage fabrics! From now onwards we will sell long quarters of any quilting fabric. So you can buy: 20 cm, 25 cm (LQ) 30cm, 40 cm, 50 cm etc. We will still cut you a FQ if your pattern asks for a FQ! The result of this is that our pre-cut FQ selection will be smaller, giving us more space for other things………

Our terms and conditions Our classes There is a brief description of each class. We aim to have samples of most of the finished items you’ll be making on display so please come in and have a look. We have a maximum limit of 10 per class. All our classes will run where we have a minimum of 6 students. Where there are less than 6 students booked on a class we withhold the right to cancel the class and issue a full refund.

All classes have to be paid for in full at the point of booking – you can book by phone or in person. If you have booked and paid for a place in one of our classes but for some unforeseen reason are unable to come we will refund your class fee in full provided a replacement can be found by yourself or by us. Sorry, but there is no refund if you cannot make the class and we cannot fill your place.

All classes will be held in our workroom at The Peacock and the Tortoise. The majority of classes are 10.30am to

4.30pm. There will be a 30-45 min break for lunch at the discretion of the tutor, packed lunches welcome. We have disabled access, toilet facilities and tea and coffee is freely available throughout the day. Please ask advice about parking options if you are not familiar with Perth city centre. The Peacock and the Tortoise reserves the right to refuse people.

Please refer to this newsletter for special arrangements for any course; what to bring (basic sewing kit for instance) and which materials to buy. There is a hand-out for some courses which, if necessary, will be given at the time of booking. Use of most equipment is included in the class cost. Materials are generally not included; there will be an additional charge depending upon the nature of the class and the quantity of material needed – see individual class descriptions for details please. If you buy your fabrics/yarn/wool for a particular class in our shop in one transaction, you are entitled to a 10% discount. This does not include haberdashery items and you do get stamps on your loyalty card as usual. Unfortunately, due to current health and safety and our insurance policies we are unable to allow students to bring their own sewing machines to classes. However, all students in all of our classes will have the use of our own Husqvarna machines which will be at a ratio of 1 student per machine this class session. On

our regular patchwork and quilting classes we offer the current students the “right of refusal” on their current place with a commitment to the next term and payment in full by Wednesday 10 January 2018. After this date we are then able to offer any unclaimed places to the general public and people on our waiting list for these classes.

We have done everything to make sure that the following information is correct. It is almost inevitable that changes will occur. If and when you have booked yourself a place on a course and we have to make changes, we will inform you as soon as possible to offer you an alternative day or a full refund.

And Finally:

You know you are a Quilter If........

There's more Fabric in the House than Food; "Fat Quarters" are not the heaviest part of your body; Your ironing board is always set up but you never iron clothes; You pet Fabric; People are always picking threads off you; You can measure a scant 1/4 by eye; You clean up your sewing room & your family thinks you are moving out.

Full Course Schedule

January

Monday 29 January day Understanding sewing patterns Gill

February

Friday 9 February day Let the Challenge Begin: Lone Star Diane

Saturday 10 February day Let the Challenge Begin: Lone Star Diane

Saturday 17 February day Start using the sewing machine Trudy

Monday 19 February Textile Art group 1 Morag

Tuesday 20 February Start regular quilting classes week 1 Various

Saturday 24 February day Mile-a-minute Mhairi

Monday 26 February day Sewing with stretch Gill

Monday 26 February eve Start regular quilting classes week 2 Various

March

Thursday 1 March afternoon Fidget Blankets for Charity Diane

Friday 2 March afternoon Felting class 1 Sarah

Saturday 3 March day Tote bag and working with leather Gill

Thursday 8 March day Sashiko Sampler 1 Susan

Friday 9 March afternoon Felting class 2 Sarah

Saturday 10 March day Start Quilting 1 Sue

Friday 16 March afternoon Felting class 3 Sarah

Saturday 17 March morning Introduction free motion quilting Sue

Monday 19 March afternoon Textile Art group 2 Morag

Thursday 22 March day Sashiko Sampler 2 Susan

Friday 23 March day Ribbon weaving Susan

Saturday 24 March day Start Quilting 2 Sue

Thursday 29 March afternoon Fidget Blankets for Charity Diane

April

Monday 2 April Shop closed (evening class goes ahead)

Tuesday 3 April aftternoon Bunting and Garlands for children Coral

Wednesday 4 April afternoon Bunting and Garlands for children

Friday 6 April day Everything Applique 1 Diane

Saturday 7 April day Start Quilting 3 Sue

Monday 9 April day Little Black Dress Gill

Wednesday 11 April day Crazy Patchwork for children Coral

Thursday 12 April afternoon Crazy Patchwork for children Coral

Friday 13 April day Everything Applique 2 Diane

Saturday 14 April day Structured handbag Janet

Monday 16 April afternoon Textile Art club 3 Morag

Friday 20 April day Introduction to Machine Embroidery Morag

Saturday 21 April day Start Quilting 4 Sue

Thursday 26 April afternoon Fidget Blankets for charity Diane

Friday 27 April day Everything Applique 3 Diane

Saturday 28 April day Introduction to Sashiko Susan

May

Thursday 3 May day Sashiko Sampler 3 Susan

Friday 4 May day Everything Applique 4 Diane

Saturday 5 May day Get to know your sewing machine Gill

Monday 7 May Shop closed, evening class to go ahead

Friday 11May day Boro Bag Susan

Saturday 12 May day Crash Course quilting Zoe

Monday 14 May afternoon Textile Art club 4 Morag

Thursday 17 May day Sashiko Sampler 4 Susan

Friday 18 May day Let the Challenge Begin: Bargello Diane

Saturday 19 May Let the Challenge Begin: Bargello Diane

Thursday 24 May afternoon Fidget Blankets for charity Diane

Saturday 26 May day Advanced Handbag Janet

Thursday 31 May day Sashiko Sampler 5

June

Friday 1 June morning Introduction free motion quilting Sue

Saturday 2 June morning Lampshade making Caron

Monday 4 June day Trousers that fit! Gill

Monday 4 June Last week regular classes week 1

Friday 8 June day Free- motion quilting advanced Sue

Saturday 9 June day Introduction to Crochet Trudy

Monday 11 June Last week regular classes week 2

Thursday 14 June day Sashiko Sampler 6 Susan

July

Thursday 5 July day Sashiko Sampler 7 Susan

Thursday 12 July day Sashiko Sampler 8 Susan

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We will close on Christmas Eve at 2pm and reopen again at Thursday 28th December. This Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will open 11 and 4 pm only. We will reopen on Saturday 6 January 2018 at the normal time of 10 am, with our annual sale.