QBOTMC News - Amish Basket Block, Hand Sewing Tips and Cauliflower Cheese Cups
Published: Tue, 08/15/17
We hope you had a great week. I hope I'm not being premature, but I think Spring is coming!!!
It's still August and we should be cold, but it's definitely warmer, and the spring flowers are all
coming early. Hooray!!!! Spring is my favourite time of year, and the prospect of being able to
shed a few layers of clothing is always a good one. I have my fingers crossed that this is it now,
and there's no nasty weather surprises around the corner.
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This week's block is another basket block. You may like to collate the basket blocks we've had
so far (and collect those still to come) and try a basket sampler quilt for yourself.
Please click the link below to download the Amish Basket Block pattern.
http://www.quiltblockofthemonthclub.com/download.php?file=amish-basket-block.pdf
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I found these tips for helping hand stitching recently too from the Quilting Daily Blog:
"Long upholstery needles can reduce finger fatigue. If you do a lot of hand stitching, consider using
long upholstery needles, like fiber artist Lynn Krawczyk. “I find that it reduces the fatigue on my
fingers and wrists because there is more needle to grip. I can work much longer when I use these
needles,” she says.
Use a thimble. Speaking of fingers, you will have less pain and better leverage when pushing a
needle through dense material if you use a thimble. You might have to try several types and sizes
before you find one you like, and then practice with it, but it will be worth it.
Match the needle and thread to the project. Hand stitching goes faster with the appropriate needle
and thread. If your fabric is very fine, you’ll want to choose slimmer needles and slender but
strong thread or floss. Likewise, if you are stitching hand embroidery designs on tapestry or
upholstery fabric, you can use a thicker needle and heavier thread.
Lasso floss with a key ring. If you do a lot of hand embroidery and therefore a lot of floss, avoid
tangles by looping the skeins by color on a large metal key ring, which you can hang on hooks in
your studio."
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These sounded nice too -
Cauliflower Cheese Cups
50g/1.3/4oz butter, melted
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
500g /1lb cauliflower, cut into florets
1 egg, lightly beaten
250ml /1/2pt light cream for cooking
1 1/4 cups almond meal
3/4 cup grated reduced-fat tasty cheese
2 shortcut bacon rashers, trimmed, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to serve
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 220C (428F)/200C fan-forced.
Step 2
Using 1/2 the melted butter, grease the holes of a 12-hole (1/3-cup-capacity) muffin pan. Spoon
2 teaspoons of breadcrumbs into each hole and shake to coat base and sides. Shake out any excess.
Step 3
Reserve 1/2 cup cauliflower florets. Place remaining cauliflower in a food processor. Process
until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl. Add egg, cream, almond meal and 1/2 cup cheese.
Season with salt and pepper. Divide mixture evenly among prepared pan holes.
Step 4
Thinly slice reserved cauliflower florets. Place in a bowl with bacon, thyme and remaining cheese.
Toss to combine. Top cauliflower cheese in pan with bacon mixture. Brush with remaining butter.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and just firm to touch.
Step 5
Stand in pan for 10 minutes. Using a butter knife, carefully lift cups from pan. Serve sprinkled
with extra thyme.
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It's bag pattern week again this week too, but I'm still writing up the pattern, so please watch this
space, and I'll get it to you as soon as I've finished it!
Until Next Week - Happy Quilting!
Regards,
Jody & Annette