New Year's Party.

We usually end our year with a Christmas party, but we had booked a speaker for our November meeting, and didn't think it fair to limit their talk so we could munch and talk to each other!  So the party was moved to our January meeting.  We generally have an activity at the November meeting, but this time the committee asked me to give a short talk.  I have recently designed a quilt composed of blocks named after famous women, and I spoke about these inspirational women. 

The quilt is called 'Remember the Ladies', a quote from a letter from Abigail Adams to her husband when he was away from home helping to write the American Constitution.  Abigail's husband subsequently became the second president of the USA.  The blocks are named after Martha Washington, Grace Darling, Marie Curie and Eleanor Roosevelt among other luminaries. People were kind enough to say they enjoyed the talk, and since I donated my fee to Leicester Women's Aid, it was a good result all round! 

June was unable to attend the meeting as she had a cold, but she had sent the raffle prizes for us. 

Show and tell was very good.  People have obviously been using the winter weather as an excuse to stay inside and sew.  This is a Linus quilt made by Ruth. 

This quilt is so colourful and the batiks almost shimmer! 

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Chris made this Linus quilt with some little animal pictures. 

This is my 'Good Fortune' quilt, Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery quilt.  I made it smaller than she suggested, as I will donate it to Linus.  

Paula has been making courthouse steps blocks and put them together in this arrangement.  It looks a bit like Chinese lanterns. 

These are Paula's log cabin blocks.  They look great in this arrangement.  Both these quilts are for Linus. 

This fishy quilt looks lots of fun!  The blocks should have had strips inserted, but Madeline cleverly used up add pieces of ribbon and tape in her bits box.  Good result. 

Maria is part of a group which has been making a Pat Sloan quilt.  This is the first time Maria has machine quilted a project, and it looks fabulous! 

Here is a jolly child's quilt with animals on it. 

Vicki made this quilt to a request.  She didn't have the pattern but found it easy to construct, until she came to the side triangles!  She's made a great job of it! 

Sue had made this Linus top from lots of pink strips. 

This wall hanging incorporates fabrics bought on several foreign trips.  It's full of memories. 

Here is a bag made from a Monkey Buttons pattern. 

Ruth has made some small art quilts. The work is stunning .

Here is a lizard, made by Ruth. 

                                   And last, but not least, two more of Ruth's intricate quilts.

This quilt is a masterclass on how to big up a small panel.  Perfect! 

 

This quilt is a masterclass on how to big up a small panel.  Perfect!

Over thirty people signed up to our Sew-a-Row quilt challenge and the instructions for the first row, a braid will be sent out shortly by email.  If you decide to join in, just contact a committee member and I'm sure they'll add you to the list. Happy sewing!