Quilts for Heroes

This month we had a very inspiring and uplifting evening lead by Brenda Lincoln. She is the driving force behind a local group which calls itself 'Quilts for Injured Servicemen' and makes quilts for those servicemen (and women) who are recuperating at Headley Court Hospital. Her husband, Dave, was a serviceman himself, and benefited from the healing powers of the staff at Headley Court, so this is one way for her to show her appreciation, as well as supporting our forces. She had a fund of funny and heart-rending stories which show the power of the human spirit over adversity, and serve to put our everyday problems into perspective.

Here is Brenda with several quilts she brought to show us. These are utilitarian quilts, made often from shirtings (complete with pockets - for their fags and lighters!), masculine fabrics, including camouflage fabrics, and the obligatory Union Jack!

This one is one which was brought along on the night for Brenda to take.

Here is another one with a very patriotic colourway!

Once she had inspired us, everyone got to work. Here are some members chosing fabrics from the selection Brenda had brought.

Some people had brought sewing machines, while others cut, ironed, advised or supervised!

Every little helped, and Brenda was pleased to take home several completed strips ready to be made up by her group of volunteers.

Some people spent time perusing the goods on the sales table - which grew from one table to three as more and more items arrived. Most of us were tempted to buy a goodie or two, and some of the sellers must have a lot of room in their cupboards now!

The show and tell was varied, as usual. Elaine showed this whimsical wall-hanging which she had made in a workshop. What a clever use of log cabin blocks.

Here is the first completed item from the Anja Townrow workshop we held last month. What a fabulous choice of colours.This is another, different, piece from the workshop - the lime green definitely adds a certain something!

Andrea had made this lovely 'Through the Window' wall hanging at a Jenny Almond workshop. I wish it was the view through my window!

Ann had made this piece as the centre medallion of a quilt, but when her daughter saw it, she thought it would make the perfect wall-hanging for the stairs of their cottage. Guess who won?

Ruth had taken some novelty fabric with boats on it out of the Linus box, and had managed to make two appealing quilts out of it. This one has appliqued boats and quilted waves.

Di had also been inspired by the novelty fabric, and had made two prem quilts, this one with nursery rhyme figures on it.

She had also made this lovely quilt for her great nephew, with tractors and farm animals on it. It's a pity I didn't take a picture of the back, as it was a bright rural scene, which would make the quilt reversable. Last month we challenged the group to make blocks for our group quilt, which will be domnated to the Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance. The blocks were to be 12" stars of any design, in autumnal colours. Here are the first few blocks. I can't wait to see them all!

We have a full programme of workshops and trips. Look at the meetings side bar to find out when they are and make sure you don't miss out!

February meeting

This month's meeting will be a charity sewing evening. We will endeavour to make some quilts for the local charity, Help for Heroes. There will be a short introduction by Brenda Lincoln followed by a workshop making quilt tops. Could you try to bring a used man's shirt or sheet or duvet cover or fabric from your stash in masculine colours? Plains, stripes or checked look good.If you can bring along your machine, cutting board, large scissors or rotary cutter as there will be jobs for all. If you have time beforehand ready cut 6 inch squares will mean we can start to sew straight away.

See you there!