Colour of the Year 2019: Living Coral

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Pantone Living Coral

Living Coral is the colour of the year for 2019 and you’ve no doubt seen it making its way into products and clothes all around you. It’s a vibrant, natural and energetic colour that reflects changes in culture and society that have taken place this year. The Pantone colour institute carefully analyses trends and their experts consider this and several other factors when choosing a colour of the year. You can be sure that these colours not only incorporate the current mood but also will be influencing trends in product design, fashion and of course fabrics, this year and going forward.

If you’re seeking to create a quilting project in 2019 make sure it includes this gorgeous shade. To give you a headstart on finding the right quilting fabric, here are a few of our favourites, all available from our online store.

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How to Create Beautiful Quilt Fabric Flowers

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Flower crafts

Fabric flowers are a great way to use leftover quilting fabric, fat quarters and jelly rolls. Quick and easy to make, they’re a simple project to do with young children as an introduction to quilting and sewing, and can be used to embellish other quilted items like tote bags, throws, cushion covers and more.

What’s more, there are several different styles of fabric flowers to choose from, so you can find a style that you like, or experiment with several different styles.

Making Fabric Flowers

purples

There are plenty of patterns and tutorials to create fabric flowers as intricate or simple as you like. Here we describe a pattern to make a basic, pointed petaled flower. This is a great pattern to get started as it can be altered to include more petals, layered to make a more complicated flower, or left as it is for a sweet, simple effect. You can really customise it as much as you like, and once you have made a few flowers you’ll find that your creativity takes flight and you come up with new and different designs.

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Making Memories with a Memory Quilt

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memory blanket

Quilting is a wonderful way to explore and use different fabrics to create unique pieces. A memory quilt is a lovely project which allows you to enjoy the memories of clothes and textiles that you might not be using anymore. Instead of throwing away these precious fabrics, you can incorporate them into a quilt and get more use out of them in a different way. As well as providing a way to keep all your memorable pieces in one place, your finished quilt will take you on a journey of reminiscence and is sure to become a family heirloom.

What Types of Fabrics Should You Use in a Memory Quilt?

Most memory quilts use a combination of old and new fabrics. It will depend on the types of materials you have already, the amount, and the size of the quilt you would want to make. Typically you start off with your memory fabrics and then choose complementary fabrics to go with and to finish off your piece. You will also need materials such as quilt wadding and of course matching thread.

When choosing the fabrics, you might be surprised how many pieces of clothing, blankets and other textiles hold nostalgia for you. Baby clothes, uniforms and home decor are all popular sources for sections. A good rule of thumb is to stick to cotton fabrics as these will be easiest to sew and using pieces that have the same level of stretch will help your quilt keep its shape. Make sure when you are cutting the patches to use that you get a memorable part of the item. For example, if a patterned piece of clothing, find a section that is representative of the overall pattern. Sections with embroidery, text and embellishments are all good to include as they will take your mind back to the treasured piece. Make sure to wash and iron all these pieces before you start so they’re fresh and ready to work on! Continue reading →

Sewing Bee 2019 Inspired Quilts

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The much anticipated 2019 series of The Great British Sewing Bee concluded last month and it’s been received as the best series so far. We loved seeing the ten sewers grow in confidence each week and stitch together some amazing creations.

The last challenge of the series gave the three finalists the task of creating a strapless ballgown. The three gowns were each stunning and unique in their own way. At Doughty’s we appreciate fabric, and have created some quilt ideas that are inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee Finale, so that you can take the excitement of the sewing bee into your next project.

Bright and Summery

Dashwood yellows

Leah produced a fresh, floaty gown in a vibrant yellow. For a bright, lively quilt, we would recommend Dashwood Studios Emi and the Birds collection. These designs also have a natural focus and though keeping yellow as a dominant factor, are as playful as Leah’s gown with their charming prints. Continue reading →

Visit Our Fabric Warehouse in Herefordshire

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Doughty's fabcric warehouse in Hereford
The Doughty’s website allows you to browse our entire range of quilting fabrics, wadding, haberdashery supplies and more, all from the comfort of your own home. We endeavour to provide high-quality images of our products, along with dimensions and specifics, to make it easy for you to see exactly what you need and we even offer free delivery for orders over £100.

What you may not know is that although we strive to provide the best online experience for our customers, we do have some brick and mortar premises in the Herefordshire region, and these include our fabric warehouse at 100 Barr’s Court Road. This is our main warehouse and it is the biggest stockist of quilting material in the UK. Our warehouse isn’t just for keeping the stock we send out to our online clients, it also presents an amazing day out for quilters, dressmakers and anyone who loves fabric.

As quilters ourselves, understanding our fellow quilters comes naturally to us. This is apparent in Doughty’s online shopping experience, but also when you visit our warehouse. Shopping for fabric should be a fun, stressfree and exciting experience as you plan out future projects and soak up the inspiration. There is a seated area where you can relax and contemplate your purchases while enjoying refreshments. Our warehouse also has its own parking, so you can buy as much as you like without worrying about carrying it for miles back to your car. Continue reading →

Backing Fabric for a Perfect Finish to your Quilting Masterpieces

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There are certain things that are essential when embarking on any new quilting project. Obviously, you want to choose the best quilting fabric to complement whatever you might be working on. Likewise, we’ve already discussed the importance of using quality wadding in your work. There is however, one thing that has yet to be touched upon, and yet it’s something that holds any quilting project together.

We’re talking backing fabric.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Extra wide backing fabrics

It’s easy to forget about the importance of backing fabric when it comes to making a quilt. After all, it’s not like anyone’s going to see it, is it? The side you’ve put all the effort into is the side that’s going to be on display, and that’s the important bit, right?

Well… yes… but the last thing you want to skimp on is backing fabric. First of all, despite your best efforts, there will come a time when that quilt you’ve made will get crumpled, or fall to the floor, or even flipped over for one reason or another by a well-meaning visitor. Don’t you want them to think you put the same effort into both sides? By choosing a strong and well-designed backing fabric, something that complements the front side, you’re showing just how important quilting is to you.

There’s also a practical concern – cheap fabric wears out. What’s the point in having a perfect quilt on quality quilting fabric, if the backing sheet that holds it all together gets worn through with holes?

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Fall in Love with Liberty Quilting Fabrics

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In this cold month of February, you may be staying inside and snuggling under your homemade patchwork quilts. However it’s time to lighten the mood as in preparation for Valentine’s day, we have picked out a brand from our online store that is sure to awaken a feeling of romance and excitement: Liberty Fabrics.

Liverty adventures in the skyWhat are Liberty Fabrics?

Liberty Fabrics are a brand with rich heritage, dating back to 1875 when it was founded by Arthur Liberty. Immediately recognisable with colourful prints and carefully thought out compositions, these fabrics make great use of colour and shape in repeating patterns.

The high quality of the print and the premium fabric sets Liberty fabrics apart and makes them extremely desirable, especially for clothing, though the prints are versatile enough to add charm to almost any piece.

Liberty Fabrics at Doughtys

Doughty’s are proud of our diverse range of quality fabrics to suit every quilter, every project and every budget. We talk here about three of our favourite Liberty collections. They are all made from 100% ‘Lasenby’ cotton and printed using traditional techniques that allow deep penetration of the rich and vibrant inks. Continue reading →

Quilt Wadding for Cosy Winter Blankets

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Polydown waddingChristmas is over but there are still several months of cold winter weather before we head into spring. If you’ve been working on a quilt, the long nights at this time of year give a great opportunity to finish and get some use out of it before the temperatures start to rise.

Quilt wadding can often be overlooked in the face of beautiful patterned fabrics and bright threads, but it’s a crucial part of finishing your quilt and choosing the right wadding will make a big different to the overall project.

What is Quilt Wadding?

Wadding is the material that goes in between the two layers of your quilt, bulking it out, providing shape and of course warmth. When choosing wadding you need to consider the type of quilt you are making. How warm does it need to be? Are you using a sewing machine for your quilt, or making it by hand? How do you intend to wash you finished quilt? Once you’ve answered these questions, you are well on your way to choosing the best material for your project. Continue reading →

What are Fat Quarters and Why do They Make the best Christmas Presents for Quilters?

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With Christmas just around the corner, deciding what to buy for the quilter in your life can be difficult. Fortunately, at Doughty’s Online, we have just the thing – fat quarters.

What are fat quarters?

Fat quarters are pre-cut swatches of quilting fabric. They are taken from a single yard of fabric, which is cut in half along its length, and then again along its width. These pieces end up measuring around 50cm x 55cm apiece.

Why do quilters love fat quarters so much?

A quarter yard of material cut from a bolt of linen fabric normally measures 112cm x 23cm, because of the width of a standard bolt. By cutting a yard of fabric into quarters, you get a more uniform shape: one that is almost square, and therefore offers more applications to the dedicated quilter. Whether they prefer patchwork or appliqué, fat quarters are the ideal size for any number of quilting projects.

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Creating a Diwali Gift Blanket

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diwali

Taking place at the beginning of November, Diwali spans five days and is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all around the world.

Bali Batik Purple VinesCelebrations include lighting lamps, decorating the house and giving gifts. Sweets and incense are ever-popular gifts, however as Diwali coincides with the onset of colder weather and longer evenings for cosy nights in, why not give a handmade gift blanket? Doughty’s has a fantastic range of quilting fabric for a unique and quirky present your friends and family will love.

Since the festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, bright colours are essential for any Diwali craft project. Doughty’s Bali Batiks range, with bright and bold prints, are an excellent option to create an eye-catching quilt that will look fantastic thrown over the back of a sofa, as well as cosy to snuggle under as the temperature drops. Continue reading →