Patchwork

One of the main projects I wanted to work on this month, instead of knitting and crocheting, was some patchwork using the English paper piecing technique.

I've done quite a bit of patchwork in the past, using the good old sewing machine and I particularly love the log cabin designs.  But I've never tried the hand stitched EPP technique.  I realised that I had seen this technique before when I was reviewing my Mollie Makes magazines.  There was a tutorial on it in issue 18, but I must have glossed over it the first time I read the magazine.

It was seeing Lorraine's beautiful work that piqued my interest.  I found this helpful online tutorial and set to work.  For my first project, I'm making a small piece of fabric that I will turn into a bag.

I can't believe how much I'm enjoying working on this.  It's a great evening activity and reasonably portable.  Once the paper and fabric had been cut, it all seems to have worked up very quickly.  I can't wait to start sewing all the little hexies together.

I had thought about using squares, but I was fortunate to find in my grandma's sewing box, this plastic template.

I'm feeling so inspired now, that I popped out to the local library and borrowed these books.

Some lovely projects in them.

The future could very well be filled with patchwork quilts.

Carnegie Library

In the council district that I live, we have (had) thirteen libraries.  Our local library has been in existence for over a hundred years.

In 1902 the local council approached the American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie for financial help to build a library in our area.  Generously, he donated £4,000 of the £5,750 building costs.  In total there were 2509 Carnegie Libraries built between 1883 and 1929, of which, 660 were in Britain and Ireland.

The foundation stone for our Carnegie Library was laid on 11th May 1904 and the library officially opened on 23rd June 1905.

The building is a Grade 2 listed building.

Yesterday, it closed its doors for good.  The council, due to major funding cuts has had to take the difficult decision to close over half of the libraries in our council district.  Ours was the fifth to close with two more to close before Christmas.

A tea party was held at the library yesterday afternoon and it was lovely to meet up again with the librarians past and present who I've known over the twenty six years I've lived in the area and frequented the library.

It was a rather sad afternoon, seeing the almost empty shelves and knowing that most of the books are being sent off for recycling.

A last chance to read the newspapers for free!

The deserted children's section.

We've lost an amazing resource.