AUTUMN 2019

In this edition:Class ListsFor SaleChanges!Can’t do withoutMore EPPNew ClassesOpening hours

The Peacock and the Tortoise, 29 George Street Perth, PH1 5LA01738 717009www.thepeacockandthetortoise.co.uk

Welcome to ourAutumn 2019 Newsletter!Book your classes early to

avoid disappointment!

This Peacock lives in a Chinese park

Send us your Peacock/ Tortoise pics and feature on our front page!

Important news inside

NewsTreat BoxesOur Treat Boxes are a continuing success. People from far and wide make an effort to get their hands on one – as there are never more than 35 available! You can pre-order yours so you don’t miss it!

£28 to send out, £25 to pick up.

PricesAt the time of writing, the UK is set to leave the European Union- or maybe not. We still don’t know whether there is a deal and what exactly is going to happen. We do expect prices of fabric and haberdashery to go up because of the (at the moment) weak pound. As a small business, we have no option but to increase our prices if our suppliers increase theirs.

Mhairi recommends a book:

Christmas Launch and Flash SaleSaturday 31 August only! 10 till 4.30 – we expect to have all the Christmas fabrics in. Mhairi and Trudy invite you to a Christmas Launch to start off your Christmas crafting. Expect reindeer, snow, possibly crafting activities. This all along with a flash sale to make room for our new stock!

Shop for SaleIt all started with a dream at Trudy’s kitchen table and after 8 happy years we have decided to pass our precious baby onto someone else! Trudy; young as she looks, is set to retire and make all those quilts she has been meaning to find the time to make, and Mhairi is moving onto her next challenge. Therefore, our business is up for sale as a going (and growing concern - all enquiries welcome!) as we want to ensure as much as possible that the community of quilters here in

Perthshire continue to be stimulated and have a good patchwork and quilting shop on their doorstep. A new owner will be fully briefed and assisted so the shop can continue with minimal disruption.

There is no impending deadline and it will be business as usual for The Peacock and the Tortoise for the foreseeable future

until we hand over the reins. It is full throttle ahead with all of our classes, which will continue as per usual and our stock will be as exciting and as tempting as ever!

The only real change is that we will close on Mondays from July 1st onwards through the summer. We may review the situation in the autumn.

New Shop Hours from July 1stTuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10 till 4.30. Closed on Monday (subject to revision) Special opening hours around Christmas:

Christmas Opening timesWe will close on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December at 2pm. Between Christmas and New year we will open on Friday 27 (11 – 4) and Saturday 28 December (11 – 4.30). We will be closed on Monday 30 December till Friday 3 January and will reopen on Saturday 4 January.

Our regular classesGeneral 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.

Start Quilting and Patchwork classCost: £75.Day class are 10.30 till 12.30, afternoon classes from 2 to 4 and evening classes are 7 till 9.Thursday morning: 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 10 Oct, 24 Oct, 7 Nov, 21 Nov, 5 Dec.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. (i.e. 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.

Saturday Start Quilting ClassCome along and try your hand at making a patchwork quilt in our Saturday Sessions. The Saturday Sessions enable people who

work during the week to experience quilting in four Saturdays. 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: 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 23 Nov, 7 Dec, from 11.00 till 3.30 pm, with a 30 mins lunch break. Cost for this course is the same as the 8-week course: £75.

Carry-on Quilting & Patchwork classCost: £75There are two Tuesday morning groups, starting on 27 August and 3 September and a Thursday evening group starting at 5 September as well as a Monday evening group starting on 26 August. There may be other groups, depending on demand.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 GroupsCost: £65There are two Tuesday evening groups, starting at 27 August and 3 September resp., and a Thursday morning group, starting at 5 September. Other possibilities may open up, so please enquire.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 GroupPlease note, this class will now run on Thursday afternoons!Tutor: Morag GrayCost: £70Dates: Tuesday afternoons 1 till 4 pm: 17 Sep, 15 Oct, 12 Nov, 10 Dec. 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. More information and a requirements list available in the shop when you sign up. Looking at making your fabric waste into something more exciting. Textile Designer Morag Gray will be working on three dimensional structures using stitched techniques to make "off the

wall" artwork. A series of four sessions once a month will cover a variety of methods making a range of vessels, "Clothy Pots", bowls, and other decorative items that would make beautiful gifts. Imagination more important than experience! Awaken your creativity and surprise yourself with what you can do with leftover materials.

Crochet: beyond the basicsIf you enjoy hooking and making woolly creations, then this is the class for you. Marianne likes to craft, knit and crochet, is an enthusiastic teacher and will help you build on your basic skills, or refine your techniques with easy to follow instructions and all-important encouragement. To attend and get most from the classes, you should be familiar with some of the basics of crochet: if you can make a foundation chain, are familiar with double crochet and trebles, you have a good chance of coming out of the class infected with the crochet bug!

T echniques : The Waffle stitch The Basket weave stitch The Apache stitch Corner-to-Corner - join-as-you-go Introduction to Tunisian crochet Two-colour Bobble stitch

Materials:Bring your favourite yarn and matching crochet hook. If you are new to crochet, start off with an acrylic yarn, double knitting (DK) weight, and a size 4 hook. Additional yarns will be introduced and samples provided by Marianne.This class will run on 4 Tuesday afternoons: 15 October, 29 October, 19 November and 3 December, from 1 till 4 pm.The price for these four sessions is £60, payable to the tutor. Contact Marianne on: mliebingwilson@gmail.com 

NEW FOR THIS AUTUMN!!Piece by Piece: Paper Piecing Explained.If you think that English Paper Piecing is an outmoded technique: think again!

In three Wednesday afternoons Sam will teach you how to make the above blocks and some others as well. Classes are:Wednesday afternoon: 1.15 till 4.15, 4 and 18 September and 2 October. Price for these classes is £65, ex. material.

One (two) Day ClassesAll of our one day classes are £45.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 levelsThe 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 24 AugustStart using the sewing machine❶Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Trudy DuffyMaterials: will be prepared for you: approx. £6 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. You will make a small zippered bag to take away. A great start for all other fabric-based courses.

Friday 6 SeptemberUnderstanding Sewing patterns❷Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30pmTutor: Gill McBrideThis 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.

Saturday 14 SeptemberCrash Course Quilting ❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Sam ScottMaterials: 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.

Saturday 21 September andSaturday 5 OctoberTaster session on Free Motion Machine Quilting ❶Morning: 10.30 – 13.30 Tutor: Sue EverettCost: £30Materials: Fabric and wadding is included in price of class. Thread is not so please bring or buy a selection of bright colours.Join us for a 3 hour class on the technique of free motion quilting using the shop machines. Learn free motion basics... how to set up your machine and yourself! How to prepare fabrics and which needles and threads to use. Stitches such as stippling, pebbling and curves. After tuition and

practice there is time to make a sampler of the stitches you learn, which you can take home for reference

Saturday 28 SeptemberPinwheels ❷Full day: 10.30-4.30pmTutor: Diane SmythMaterials: the following is enough for a small lap quilt or a wall hanging: 5 times 10” squares is assorted colours, 1 m black or navy, grey or white marking pencil and thread to match.Use your stash or reduce your scrap bag to make these colourful pinwheels – use as many colours as you like with a minimum of three, on a dark background.

This course is suitable for those who have made a quilt before.Learn how to make this stunning block and how to show it off in a quilt!

Friday 11 OctoberCreative Machine Embroidery ❶Full day: 10.30-4.30pmTutor: Morag GrayMaterials: 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 12 OctoberStructured handbag ❷Full day: 10.30-4.30pmTutor: Diane SmythMaterials: 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 and Saturday 18 and 19 OctoberNew York Beauty❸2-day, Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30pmTutor: Diane SmythMaterials: choose the background first as this will be the largest piece of fabric. Next choose the centre fabrics, the fabrics for the points and last the fabric to the points. The latter should contrast. Background 3.5 m, centre 1.5 m, points 2.5 m background to the points 3m. Also 3 m stitch and tear, threads to match.

A real challenge for advanced quilters. This is a classic starburst pattern, foundation pieced to break down the

block into manageable accurate pieces, using a combination of high and low contrast fabrics to achieve the design. Use bright fabrics such as Batiks to achieve a stunning quilt. Ask for a handout in the shop.

Friday 25 OctoberIntroduction to Sashiko ❶Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Susan BriscoeMaterials: 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.

Friday 1 NovemberChristmas Wall Hanging❷Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Diane SmythMaterials: 1/2 m background fabric, a long quarter of each: red, cream, green, gold and light gold. 1 m. Steam a seam. Sewing kit and threads to match the fabrics. Make a cheerful Christmas wall hanging por table runner with oversized gold bells, curly crimson ribbon and decorated with

holly and ivy leaves. Use ‘ steam a seam’ and secure with machine applique.

Saturday 2 NovemberSew an Advent Calendar ❶ Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Sam ScottMaterials: one advent calendar top, piece of wadding (able to purchase), 60cm of backing and some matching thread.Come and learn how to assemble an advent calendar. Once made it is perpetual and can be brought out by loved ones for many years to come. Once the top is assembled you can hand or machine quilt it as little or as much as you want prior to putting the back on it. This class is for complete beginners and is a very manageable and useful first project.

Friday 8 NovemberGet to know YOUR sewing machine❶Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Gill McBrideMaterials: 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 Monday 4 November TO BE PAT TESTED, (unless it is less than a year old or it has been PAT tested less than a year ago with a validation sticker 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 15 NovemberIntermediate Free Motion Quilting❷Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Sue EverettMaterials: Please ask for a handout in the shop. Suitable for those with some experience with free-motion quilting. 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.

Saturday 16 NovemberStitch and fold a Decorative table centre ❶Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30Tutor: Sue EverettMaterials: ask for HAND OUT in the shopStitch and fold a nature-inspired table centre. Using straight stitch, zig-zag stitches and appliqué techniques you will make a stunning centre piece to use around a candle or around a bowl on your table.

Friday 22 November❷Trousers!Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30pmTutor: Gill McBrideMaterials: Ask for a handout in the shop

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.

Friday 29 November❷Sewing with stretchFull day class: 10.30 – 4.30pmTutor: Gill McBrideMaterials: Ask for a handout in the shopThis 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.

Saturday 30 NovemberChristmas cushion ❶Full day: 10.30-4.30pmTutor: Jane MorrisonMaterials: ask in shop for HAND OUT with details. Learn how to pipe a cushion and put a zip in. You don’t have to make a christmas cushion and the technique taught can be used for any cushion. Everything you always wanted to know but never dared ask!

Friday 6 DecemberIntroduction to Crochet ❶Full day class: 10.30 – 4.30pmTutor: Trudy DuffyMaterials: 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.

Saturday 14 DecemberFinishing Class ❶Morning: 10.30 – 1.00 (finishing class)Tutor: Sue EverettCost: £25, This class is suitable for those who have been doing a beginners’ quilting class but have questions about how to finish their quilt. The morning class is dedicated to finishing techniques: how to put wadding in, quilting methods and binding your quilt.

Subscribe to our newsletterSome 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 requestThe 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, this is a full 20 mins before the classes are due to start. Many thanks for your understanding on this sensitive matter. There is a wonderful Café just next door run by Craig and Mark,and P & T customers get a 10% discount. Their coffee is better than ours! Although you do have to pay…..

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 Thursday 10 July. 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. PinterestWe are now on Pinterest – share your pins with us! You can find us via the website.

Christmas English Paper Piecing Table RunnerThe EPP quilt has been a great success. Therefore we have decided to offer our customers another EPP box – this time a Christmas table runner in modern Black and White fabrics, with some gold added. At the time of writing we cannot yet confirm the price, so please keep an eye on Facebook or on our website, where we will announce the launch of this kit.It will come in one box and contain all the fabrics you need for the top of this runner (120 cm by 50 cm) plus the gold lamé bias binding.Photos below give an indication of the pattern. Trudy’s Can’t Do Without Gadget

Completely bowled over by Clover Gold Needles and Silk appliqué thread.

The difference between a normal needle and the Clover gold needle is unbelievable. Try it yourself and you will not be disappointed. You will keep these needles behind lock and key!

Full Course ScheduleAugust

Saturday 24 August day Start using the sewing machine TrudyMonday 26 August Quilting courses start this week variousSaturday 31 August day Christmas Launch and Flash SaleMonday 2 September Quilting courses start this week various

SeptemberFriday 6 September day Understanding patterns GillSaturday 14 September day Crash Course Quilting SamMonday 16 September afternoon Textile Art MoragSaturday 21 September morning Free-motion quilting introduction SueSaturday 28 September day Pinwheels Diane

OctoberSaturday 5 October day Free-motion quilting introductionFriday 11 October day Introduction to Machine Embroidery MoragSaturday 12 October day Structured Handbag DianeFriday 18 October 2-day New York Beauty DianeSaturday 19 October 2-day New York Beauty DianeFriday 25 October day Introduction to Sashiko SusanSaturday 26 October day Saturday Quilting Class Sue

NovemberFriday 1 November day Christmas Wall hanging DianeSaturday 2 November day Make and Advent Calendar SamFriday 8 November day Get to know your own sewing machine GillSaturday 9 November day Saturday Quilting class SueFriday 15 November day Intermediate free motion Quilting SueSaturday 16 November day Stitch and Fold a Table Centre SueFriday 22 November day Trousers! GillSaturday 23 November day Saturday Quilting Class SueFriday 29 November day Sewing with stretch GillSaturday 30 November day Christmas Cushion Jane

DecemberFriday 6 December day Introduction to Crochet TrudySaturday 7 December day Saturday Quilting Class SueSaturday 14 December day Finishing class Sue

To all our Customers: Happy Christmas and a

Fabric-filled New Year!