November meeting

Traditionally, our November meeting is on a Christmas theme, with a tasting supper.  This year we had booked a speaker, although unfortunately Janet Bolton had hurt her foot, couldn't drive and had to cancel.  Luckily Amanda Hall, from Monkey Buttons, was able to come and wow us with her gorgeous quilts and bags.  

Here she is with one of her clever patterns.  Those fish look so realistic! 

She brought some of her distinctive fabrics, both printed and woven.  

She also brought samples of her patterns and the patterns themselves.  It's always good to see a finished example of a pattern, and lots of people took advantage of this opportunity to buy. 

June was on form with her raffle prizes.  This time it was a free raffle, and I think the prizes were too good to open! 

There was some show and tell from the Sarah Fielke workshops.  Here are the bits and pieces bags. 

And here are three of the garden pouches.  Delightful. 

June made these cute Amish people some time ago, and didn't quite know what to do with them.  She cleverly made this pieced landscape to put them on.  I love the hanger! 

Paula made this quilt at a class and called it Remember the Ladies, as it's made up of blocks named after famous women.  She made it in the Sufferagist colours of green, cream and purple. 

Here is a small quilt for Linus made by Ruth. 

She made a larger one too.  Thank you Ruth.  They're lovely. 

Here is a Linus quilt which was made by Piecemakers members at this year's sewing evening.  Looks great! 

Here is a reversible disappearing nine patch.  

This Leicester Tigers motif was made by Vicki for her grabdson.  She just brought it to show Maria, but it got into show and tell as well! 

Julie was learning to use quilting rulers and making this quilt as quilt as you go.  It's now finished and absolutely fabulous!  Well done. 

Chris has made these snuggle quilts for all her grandchildren, and here are the next two.  They are made from fleece garments are are very tactile. 

Here is the back of the quilt. 

This is the next quilt. 

And the back.  They both look so lovely. 

We look forward to seeing everyone in January.  

Have a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year! 

Sewing with young people

It's a while since we did any sewing with young people, so I was delighted when Sian asked if we could come and do some sewing with a group of Year 8s ( that's 12 and 13 year olds in old money! ).  The answer was, Of course!  The year group were having an arts and crafts day, and the theme was China.  Since Sian assured me that she had 20 sewing machines and that all the pupils knew how to use them, I decided we would make a Chinese fan (Dresden Plate to you and me) appliquéd on the front of a bag.  Paula, Gwyneth and Rose came along and off we went to New College.  

Here is Gwyneth helping a young man. 

Paula was her usual patient self. 

Rose was happy to help out wherever needed.  

While there were plenty of sewing machines, not all of them were in working order, and even those which worked seemed to have minds of their own!  Poor Sian was kept busy replacing bobbins, broken needles and solving all kinds of other issues, such as skipped stitches, tension issues and minor adjustments.  It didn't help that the machines were various different makes, Bernina, Janome, Brother and Singer.  She said she often feels more like a sewing machine mechanic than a Textiles Teacher!  

Both boys and girls were in this group, which was lovely to see.  

And here is one of the finished bags!  Fabulous!  All the children worked really hard and were delightful.  Unfortunately, I had overestimated their skill level, and not everyone was able to make a bag in the time.  Those who worked a little slower made their appliqué into a cushion.  

This was a good way of using this design. 

Here you can see a cushion being stuffed. 

And here you can see a cushion being finished off. 

Some of the youngsters were quite innovative with their fans - I particularly like the butterfly!  

We had a very good day, and it was lovely to help youngsters achieve something different.  We would definitely go again, so watch this space! 

Sarah Fielke

We were delighted to be able to welcome well known Australian quilter, Sarah Fielke, in November. She was on a European tour, with just three destinations on her British leg, those of Shaftesbury, Halifax and Lutterworth!  It's thanks to Ann that we had this treat, as she organised dates, venues and everything else!  

Here is Sarah with her favourite quilt.  Her designs are original and innovative and her use of colour is masterful.  She has written several books, the first two, 'Material Obsession 1' and 'Material Obsession 2' with Kathy Doughty.  Since then she has written more books on her own and then designed BOMs which were released digitally.  Several Piecemakers' members have completed these BOMs and have thoroughly enjoyed them.  

Sarah gave a trunk show on Friday evening, and was generous at letting people examine her quilts.  You can see the bright colours she loves to use. 

She prefers to hand quilt her quilts, and we all enjoyed examining her tiny stitches. 

Sarah held two classes while she was in Lutterworth.  She particularly enjoys needle turned appliqué and has her own simple method of doing this. 

This is what the class participants were making, a lovely Garden Pouch.  I don't think everyone completed it on the day, but all had a good time. 

There was another workshop the next day, working with these improvised letters.  Unfortunately I couldn't get any photos of this, but I'm sure it was great fun. 

We wish Sarah (and her husband and quilt holder) a good journey and safe return home. 

AGM

Some groups have difficulty getting their members along on AGM night, but at Piecemakers, we keep it very functional.  We need to have an AGM for insurance and transparency purposes, but also because it is an opportunity for the members to have their say about the running of the group, both compliments and criticisms.  It only lasts about half an hour and means we can have time for some other activity as well.  This year we made some little bags to put teddies in for children having medical treatment on Mercy Ships.  

Here is a teddy which Paula made earlier, and some of the 24 bags which were made on the evening.  Some people took some home to make, as they were very easy.  

Here are people sewing by hand and machine. 

At the same time we had three sales tables.  Chris brought goodies from the Bloodwise charity shop.  This is a go to destination for haberdashery and fabrics.  They have donated zips, laces, braids, buttons, ribbons, threads, wool, knitting patterns, sewing patterns and the famous 'odds and ends'!  I bought a load of brand new zips for 50p each! Bargain! 

Julie brought delectable batiks and other fabric at bargain prices.  

Gill had had a clear out and had all kinds of bargains for everyone.  Looks like she's just negotiating a sale. 

June was in Halloween mood with the raffle, and had spooky fabric plus spooks! 

The show and tell was varied.  Gaynor had made this lovely wall hanging at a workshop.  Gorgeous. 

Here is an example of a sample made at a Jenny Rayment workshop. 

Here is another one of Jenny's techniques made into a cushion. 

Jan made this cushion cover at the Tentmakers of Cairo workshop.  She left the cushion at home to save bulk. 

Another workshop piece, with contrasting circles.  This looks very complicated! 

Paula brought two wall hangings.  This one is so cute.  All the deer look very realistic. 

This one is topiary trees.  

Here is a Linus quilt made to use up 2.5" squares.  It was fun to make and I think it'll be fun to own too. 

This quilt is called 'Remember the Ladies' and each block is named after a famous woman.  They range from Martha Washington to Grace Darling.  

Gill started this quilt about four years ago, and finally finished it thanks to help she received at a sit and sew day.  She had despaired at getting it together, as not all the blocks were the same size, but it looks great!  Look out for the sit and sew days for next year.  Maybe you have a project which could be completed with a little advice. 

Vicki is looking forward to a new member of the family.  Lucky baby! 

Ruth's grandchildren are growing up, and she has decided to make each one a quilt to mark their 21st birthdays.  This is for grandchild number 2 and all made from fabulous Oakshott fabrics.  Lucky grandchild! 

We are looking forward to exhibiting at The Big Textile Show at the end of this month, and the visit of Sarah Fielke in November!  Hope to see you at both events!