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Melanie

@mel_function_ing

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I capture everything for myself! #notjustcraftlife #lifelife #cats #feminism #politics #absolutelyagnostic #greatwilbrahamsummerschool Cambridge, UK x

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My students are so talented and look at what they made from a sewing machine, some fabric and a whole bunch of imagination! (The actual ladies themselves feature in our last few reels here on Instagram - check them out!)

Just a few of the many highlights of our wonderful retreat, which was this time last week sadly coming to its closing stages 🥲 What an absolute blast it was.

I think you’ll agree the projects here, (all completed) are looking absolutely beautiful, which proves that our students are very talented and committed to their craft, but also that our teachers are INCREDIBLE teachers! I’ve put the pictures of our teachers after each project they taught. So @iothealien faces, @quiltsfromtheattic candles and @sotakhandmade pouches and @miesjechafer EPP!

Quick shout out to the beautiful gifts I got; the little pouch from Elaine and the wonderful quilted Cat from Sarah Spencer! I also got a bag from Elaine, but it’s currently filled with stuff because I’m using it! I didn’t get a photograph of it! The pouch will be put into action very soon with pencils! ✏️ 🤗❤️

Thank you to everyone who came from across the country, and to my wonderful artists/teachers for sharing your knowledge and making the trip all the way from Canada, the Netherlands, Wales and Portsmouth and also everyone who has rebooked for next year, 2027 is completely sold out now for our retreat calendar!

You are all amazing, ‘ maybe we can make it if we’re heart to heart’ that’s all it takes. Heart chakra wide open, sewing machine at the ready, off we go….💪❤️😘🤗

Love you all xxx

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A much slower stitchy week this week (pesky work!)
Started the next section of colourwork whilst spending a crafty afternoon with @mel_function_ing last weekend, and have chipped away at the yellow all week!
Onto the brighter colours now 🤩

#crossstitch #doodlecraftdesign #dragonsandbeanstalks #crossstitchersofinstgram #inprogress

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This week saw a return to the #greatwilbrahamsummerschool and first up was the awesome @aneelahoey. Once the painstaking fabric choices we made we were tutored through her fabulously written pattern with hints and tips!.
With some unpicking and mild panic along the way but the end product is pretty damn good - proud!.
#allinoneboxpouch #completeditmate #ilovesewing

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It’s been a few weeks since @thefestivalofquilts and I want to continue sharing some of the amazing work on display. These have a special place in my heart because they have a message, a statement, something to say. So much that’s happening in this world fuels a fire in my belly and these quilts are important. I was especially fortunate to be with Mel which she worked on her quilt and the devastating figures it conveys.
Beautiful work by:
@mel_function_ing
@fiona_burrows
@craftydyslexic
@carinacraftblog
Queen’s College Preparatory School
Matilda Creasey
#lovelyjubblyfabrics
#festivalofquilts
#statementquilts
#makersgonnamake
#quiltersofinstagram

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Thank you to everyone at the Sunday #stampswap at @thefestivalofquilts

What a lovely bunch of people to meet and what with!

Makers are hopefully tagged in the have an Instagram account!

My favourite is from Rhiannon, the little smiling cat on the bottom row. I hope you had a fab time swapping and love that you were so inspired to make your own!

Thank you to @sarahashfordstudio for arranging another delightful event!

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Another year - great fun as usual - lots of amazing quilts and seeing amazing people. Spent 2 days retreat sewing @hillscourtrednal and bumping into fabulous friends 🧡 counting down the days for next year already.

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My favourite quilts at @thefestivalofquilts ! I’m not a quilter (I do quilt adjacent things such as boro, sashiko, kantha and kwandi on a small level) and I’m always blown away by what people can make. My Mum is a wonderful quilter and has made me beautiful things that keep me warm and give me so much joy! One day I’ll convince her to submit one of her many pieces of artwork.

I always find it interesting which ones I’m drawn to, it’s the modern, original design and art categories I’m most drawn too and I can see parallels between lots of these and one day I’d love to make my own with big bold shapes and colours!

These are just my favourites from the main exhibition, not the other exhibitions, there’d be too many! I’ve tried to tag as many people as possible!

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#greatbritishquilter Day 4 - Top Tips my number one tip tip is find your people! #quiltyfriendsarethebest is absolutely true. With these wonderful folks you can achieve anything! I am so super grateful for all the amazing people I have met in this magical, inclusive & supportive community. I will be hugging so many folks at @thefestivalofquilts next week 🥰💝🌈⭐️🎉🥳 #greatbritishquilterchallenge

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Day one #greatbritishquilter Introductions Hello I am Nicola 🥰 I run a sewing studio on the Wirral & teach anyone who wants to learn to sew. The whole studio runs on donated materials, equipment & machines. We have a very neurodiverse community including an amazing blind sewer who has just completed her first quilt 🥳🎉💝 we don’t let anything stop us. I absolutely love seeing people achieve goals they only dreamed of. I’m a huge fan of colour. I adore meeting people and cheering them on. What do I like to make…quilt coats & sneakers I hope to see you at @thefestivalofquilts 💗 #festivalofquilts2026

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Another fantastic weekend @modernquiltclub retreat. My gorgeous swap gifts from @janeegancresswell and my secret Santa from the ever lovely @mel_function_ing . Last pick is one of my secret swaps for @janeegancresswell - a Cheshire Cat wall hanging for a Cheshire Cat from a Cheshire Cat. Didn’t finish my project I was working on but it won’t be long!

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The #kitepants workshop at the weekend was a great success! We had a range of colour combinations in blue, pink, black and green, some with a fun panel, others with popping pockets! This is another great pattern from @matchymatchysewingclub Their patterns are so beginner-friendly and perfect for my workshops.
Congratulations on beautiful stitching by @mel_function_ing @karina_loves_to_create @rosariapolito9161 @crafting_rambler , Becca and Kelly.
#learntosew
#dressmakingcourses
#sewsewsew
#sewingcoursecambridge

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June Round Up! June has been jam packed with goodies, a donkey sanctuary visit, 2 retreats, playful puppies, a heatwave and the ‘magnificent’ Harry Styles! It has been awesome. Plus a sneak preview for the July round up there is another Harry Styles treat 😍 #sewjo #harrystylestogethertogether #maverick #donkeysanctuarysidmouth #sewingretreat

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