More sewing in schools

I had a lovely treat this week.  Jenny Rolfe had a practically new Janome sewing machine which was surplus to requirements, and she gave it to me 'as I did a lot of charity sewing and might be able to use it'!  How fabulous is that?  No sooner was it in my possession that it was threaded up and sorted out, given a nice carrying bag, and earmarked for use today at one of our schools sewing sessions.  Chris was able to use it and was particularly glad of its facility to regulate the stitching speed, as his Bernina doesn't have that.  It makes all the difference to young sewers if they can sew slowly at first.  So many thanks, Jenny.  This session of sewing in school will be the sewing machine's first outing of many!

 

 

Here is Di keeping an eagle eye on a novice seamstress.

 

Gwyneth's two boys were as keen as mustard!

 

One of Maria's pupils was heard to say, 'This is way better than PE!'  What an accolade!

                                             Here is Chris enjoying using the new Janome.

 

Beverley's two pupils were super speedy and were the first to finish.  That meant she could help out others who weren't as fast.  So kind.

 

Paula 'the flattening lady' as she had been called last time, was a star at keeping us all supplied with pressed fabrics and borders.

 

 

Here is a finished bag with its proud owner.

 

 

And here is a variation on the pattern which was made by one of Chris's students accidentally, and then liked so much that it was adopted as the design! 

 

 

I'd like to say a big thank you to all the people who gave up their time to help with this project, and if there is anyone else who would like to join in, there will be more opportunities in the autumn.

 

White Cottage Crafts

For the June meeting we had the pleasure of Jackie Taylor from White Cottage Crafts who was both speaker, trader and the next day's workshop leader.  Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a reasonable photo of her, as she was busy talking or busy selling her gorgeous fabrics.  You can just spot her below at the back of the tables. 

 

 

She was a very good speaker as she is full of tips and ideas.  Her quilts are not complicated (lots of squares, rectangles and triangles) but beautifully made in rich country colours.  She was very generous and not only passed some quilts round for the audience to appreciate at close quarters, but let us look freely at any of the quilts we particularly liked. 

 

The weather yesterday was gorgeous, and June had chosen the perfect raffle theme!  What better prize could anyone want than fabric and chocolate!  Perfection!

 

We had the last blocks for the Mystery Quilt, and here are some of last month's Wonky Houses.  They are all so gorgeous, and I particularly like the little green house which seems to be jumping in the air!

 

Show and tell was a bit thin.  I think people have been busy either on holiday or in their gardens.  Paula has been finishing Linus quilts to replace the 53 quilts which went to Fostering Futures in Nottinghamshire.  This one is made from some of the half square triangles the group made last year.  The block is Dutchman's puzzle, and it looks beautiful in this arrangement.

 

These dollies had been donated to Linus (can't imagine why!) and they will make some little girl very happy.  Paula thinks this one looks a bit of a madam!

 

Mile a minute - always good fun.

 

Here is Chinese Coins, bordered by Sue and quilted by Paula.  At this rate I'll soon have another 53 quilts for Linus!  Hooray!

Chris had attended the Ruth Jarman Heirloom Quilting workshop, and had joined her blocks together with this lovely gold fabric.  It really showcases the blocks.

 

Chris had also been busy with this fabulous quilt for her grandson who is shortly to be going in a bed (rather than a cot).  Any little boy would be thrilled to have this on his bed!

 

Di had made this whimsical bag for her niece.  The middle sheep is knitting!  How clever is that!

 

Then today seven people went to a local school and did patchwork bags and cushions with the Y5 children (10 year olds).  Here we all are ready for the off.  We have Julie, Gwyneth, Maria, Chris, Beverley, Paula and me.  Maria is hiding behind Chris and I'm hiding behind the camera!

And here we all are hard at work.  In these sad days, we can't show children's faces, so I asked them all to look the other way.  It's a shame, as they were delightful children who worked hard and all were delighted to take their choice of a cushion or a bag home at the end of the afternoon. 

 

Many thanks to all the kind volunteers, and to Waitrose for suppying the money to buy the fabric.  One more session to do, and then 70 Lutterworth children will have had the chance to learn patchwork.  Well done us!