The Underground Railroad

 This month we were lucky enough to have a talk by Janice Cook about the Underground Railroad.  This was an organisation which helped black slaves escaping from the southern states of America to freedom in Canada or elsewhere.  Janice told the story through quilt blocks, illustrating the various difficulties these escapees faced.   If any one is interested in finding out more about this subject, there is a fictional book called 'The Last Runaway' by Tracey Chevalier which is very thought-provoking, or a historical and quilty book by Barbara Brackman, 'Facts and Fabrications: unravelling the history of slavery and quilts'.  I can thoroughly recommend both books.

 

It was a hot evening, and June's raffle of seaside fabric (plus a teddy complete with sunglasses relaxing in a deck chair!) just hit the spot.

 

The border of the mystery quilt was revealed, and some people had brought their completed quilt centres for show and tell.

 

Gwyneth has made two quilts, one in blues and another in sophisticated turquoise, tan and burgundy.  My blocks wouldn't play nicely together, so I substituted a few.

 

Here are Hazel's blue and brown, Chris's blue and one in autumnal colours.  I'll look forward to seeing them all in September!  

 

I have been finishing off.  Here is a Bonnie Hunter leaders and enders project which will go to a family member who is now 18.

 

 

And here is another Bonnie Hunter design, 'Easy Street' which will go to the young man's twin sister.  I hope she likes bright colours!

 

Liz bought one of those 'samplings' packs, with a set of fabrics from the same range which are different sizes.  The biggest piece was enough for the inner border, and the rest of the fabrics made the four patches.  As ever, it's Liz's fabulous quilting which lifts it from lovely to stunning! 

 

Paula has been finishing Linus tops.  This one was made from some of the four-patches we made last year.  Really pretty.

 

The back is just as nice, and Paula finally remembered that she bought it for a very good price from Ally Pally.

 

And here is a Mile a Minute she has quilted and bound.  The red really sets it off.

So I'm hoping that people have been busy with their mystery quilts, and will bring them for show and tell in September. Have a good summer and see you in the autumn.

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! 

New England memories

In May we were lucky to have a tour round New England with quilts!  Claire and Wendy LeMaistre told us all about their New England trip and showed the fabulous quilts this inspired.  They are mother and daughter, and how many people in the group envied their joint passion for quilting (and fabric!)

 

Their quilts were wonderful, bears, eagles, pumpkins, rainbows, they had all of them!  It was a really inspirational show.

 

More inspiration was in the 'Little House' blocks, especially for those of us who are a little behind in this mystery!

 

June is always full of inspiration, and here are her May raffle prizes.  Beautiful floral fabric, tied with pink tulle ribbon and decorated with flowers.  Wonderful!

 

And now for the show and tell.  I am constantly fascinated by scrap quilts, and here are Mile A Minute blocks combined with my other favourite - lime green!

 

More MAM in a different design. 

 

This is a striking double Wedding Ring quilt, which (according to its maker) is 'poor workmanship'.  Everyone can see how gorgeous it is, and the yellow background makes it extra gorgeous.

 

This quilt hasn't responded well to my 'point and click' camera style.  It was originally made for an Olympic theme, but wasn't finished in time.  (How familiar did we all find that strain!)  Still, it's finished now, and absolutely stunning.

 

Piecemakers were lucky to have a workshop taught by Ruth Jarman on Heirloom Quilting, and here are two quilts made by this method.  Debbie has made 20 beautiful blocks and got them assembled.  This quilt repays closer inspection!

 

And Ruth had got completely carried away and made 42 blocks for her fabulous heirloom!  Again, you had to look closely at this quilt to appreciate it.  Beautiful work.

 

Why are people so mdest about their work?  Who is this hiding behind this vibrant quilt?  I love the colours.

 

This is definately Di trying to hide behind this lovely quilt made from various blocks.

 

Di was lucky enough to have this snazzy bag given to her as a birthday present from her brother.  Can you see, it's made from a suit sleeve?  That's the ultimate in recycling.  What a thoughtful present (and from her brother!!)

A wonderful strippy, Chinese coins style.

 

And lastly, a Linus quilt completed by Paula.  Bright and cheerful!

Threads, threads, threads!

In April we had a visit by the Empress Mills team, Christine (pictured in her amazing glassses with built-in reading light!), William and Charles.  They brought an incredible amount of stock with them, and it was eye candy heaven for everyone who was there! 

 

Apart from an extensive array of threads, they had fabrics, haberdashery and all kinds of Vilenes, including one with squares printed on it -which one member had just ordered from America! - and some which laminates fabrics and is ideal for wash bags or anything which would benefit from extra durability. 

 

 

Here is William proving not only that men can iron, but also demonstrating a special Vilene which turns quilted fabric into a version of the fabric found in ruched swimsuits of the 1950s.  Ideal for those who want that kind of effect!

 

Christine's talk was called 'The Evolution of Thread', but turned out to be the fascinating history of Empress Mills, and then an opportunity to learn about (and handle) all the different threads they carry, cotton, silk, linen, poly, slubbed, metallic, thick, fine and fancy.  It was a super evening, which culminated in an opportunity to buy - although there was absolutely no pressure to do so.

 

June's raffle prizes had a sunshine and showers theme, with a rainbow of fabrics, held together with shimmery 'raindrop' ribbon, and decorated by cocktail parasols!  Wonderful!

 

And here are the book wraps waiting for Sarah to collect them.  For a group with over 60 members, I have to say that's not a very impressive number of wraps.  If you feel like making more to raise money for the Quilter's Guild, I know Sarah will be delighted to receive them.

March meeting

I can't believe I am so behind with my blogging - it's already nearly halfway though May and I haven't even written about the March meeting!  Add to this I've got a dodgy internet connection, which means that the photos aren't uploading properly, and you'll understand my frustration!  However, I'll do the best I can.

 

The March meeting was very informative.  We were lucky enough to have Yvonne Orchard with us, and as a very early member of the Quilter's Guild (she has been to every single AGM!) she was able to tell us all about the founding of the guild, it's evolution and news about the guild's museum in York.  (Sorry that she looks rather 'in the pink', but that's the wonders of modern technology for you!) Several people were interested enough to join the guild that evening, which is a very good thing. 

 

We were also lucky to have had Eunice bring lots of goodies from her shop, The Quarter Inch which is in Market Harborough.  Lots of people were pleased to be able to buy fabric (and such lovely fabric!) without having to travel, park etc.  Thank you Eunice for your hard work!

 

 

Another person who works hard is June - she always gives us an imaginative raffle.  This month's theme was 'Spring is here!' and it certainly looks as though it has by these delicious-looking prizes! 

There was the usual excellent show and tell, but I'll post this while I have the chance, so sorry to disappoint readers.  Hopefully I'll have more luck uploading photos in the future.