Silk evening

Our September talk was by the lovely Teresinha Roberts and all about silk.  I have heard this talk before, but thoroughly enjoyed hearing it again.  She told us all about the different kinds of natural fibres and how silk is completely different to the plant fibres of cotton, flax and wool.  She told us about her own experiences rearing silkworms and showed lots of different types of silk.  Who knew that it was possible to make garments from spider silk?  

Here she is in her beautiful silk blouse (she let us into the secrets of washing silk items too) and with a silk moth.  

She brought lots of different silk items to illustrate her talk, and it was fascinating to be able to examine them at close quarters afterwards. 

June was in September mood, not with The Last Night of the Proms, but Proms Last Night.  If you couldn't make it to the Albert Hall, you have your own instruments and flags! 

Show and tell was very varied.  Here is a seasonal wall hanging made in a recent workshop.  Beautiful. 

Denise was inspired by a recent talk she attended by John Cole-Morgan (look out for him on next year's programme!).  He encouraged us all to enjoy our wonderful hobby and not to stress about perfection.  Denise says she did just that at a recent workshop, although it looks pretty perfect to me! 

Pat had attended a felting workshop and made this amazing coat!  This is the front. 

And this is the back.  Absolutely fabulous! 

This quilt has been quilted with big stitch quilting.  Unfortunately my photo isn't clear enough to show it!  Big stitch quilting is a great way to add decoration to a quilt, plus to hold the layers together. 

These elephants are lovely, and in little families. 

Here is a quilted mat.  It's hard wearing, durable, washable and double sided. 

Here is the other side - just as good! 

Paula is ahead of the game and has made these two bags as Christmas presents for two friends.  Lucky friends. 

Here is a Linus quilt made by various people and assembled by Julie.  It is a Bonnie Hunter design, Grand Illusion. Bonnie gives instructions for a mystery quilt every November.  Look on her website quiltville.com for details. 

I have completed my Sarah Fielke BOM 'Down the Rabbit Hole'.  I loved doing it, but when I got to the penultimate border (the rabbits) I just ran out of steam.  Not a problem with Sarah's design, just with my short attention span!  So I just put a border round the edge, and I love it! 

I had appliquéd all the rabbits, and have decided to make them up into baby quilts.  Here is the first top, ready to be quilted.  

Jill had been given a bag full of hexagons.  She made a quilt for her daughter in law and this Linus quilt, and still has quite a lot left.  She has donated them to Project Linus, so they will be put to more good use! 

Julie was tempted by ruler quilting and is already a master of it!  She is delighted with this technique and is making this quilt in the quilt as you go method.  Fabulous! 

Here is another of the pieces of the quilt.  I can't wait to see the finished items!