February meeting

In February we were delighted to welcome Yvonne Brown, who was a very interesting speaker and very generous with her tips and tricks.  Her forte is using synthetic fabrics, including kunin felt (I'd always wondered exactly what that was!) in a reverse applique technique and then burning the edges away to give neat and intricate shapes.  She brought lots of her work to share with us, and enthused us all!

 

 

I had forgotten my camera (so disorganised!) but luckily Sian was able to use her phone.  Here is a lovely Linus quilt in a wonky log cabin arrangement.  The red sashing really makes it sing. 

 

Last month's Scrappy Trip evening inspired Chris to rummage through her scrap bag.  She cleverly used a red square running through the centre of each block.  It looks wonderful!

 

Here is one of my Linus Mile a Minute quilts.  I love making these blocks, and they are so versatile.

 

The blocks we made at the last meeting were put together at 'Knit and Stitch' and I have layered and quilted them.  It doesn't matter which colour is used for the border, as all colours are already there!

This beauty was made by Carole from an Anja Townrow pattern in 'Fabrications'.  It's stunning!  It turned out to be quite large, so she asked Liz if she would longarm it for her.  Liz has done a superb job (as usual!)

 

Di ran a box workshop recently, and Bunty, Stephanie and Carole brought their boxes to show.  (Bet you can guess which one's Carole's!) 

 

This is what they look like inside - a bit like the Tardis!

 

Liz challenged some people to make these lattice blocks, and has put them together into a charity quilt.  I can't remember which one was mine, but I remember that accuracy rather than difficulty was the name of the game. 

 

This quilt came from a pack of charm squares, which waited for inspiration to strike.  They look so good with this pale blue background, and the little embroidered Kantha circles tie the whole collection together.  

 

Half square triangles in pink - what's not to like?

 

Di has a friend who is a member of a walking group called 'The Red Hats' as they all wear, yes, you guessed it, red hats!  She appliqued this bag for her friend to carry her sandwiches and other essentials.  Let's hope they don't all want one!

 

The day following the meeting Yvonne ran a workshop.  Here are some of the results. 

 

I'm looking forward to the next meeting so I can see what this inspires!

New Year blast!

The weather was kind to us for our first meeting of 2014, and nobody needed snowshovels or deicer to make it.  We started the year as we mean to go on, with a sewing evening.  Strips 2 1/2" by 16" were provided, and Scrappy Trip Around the World was the block we made for Project Linus quilts.  Members were instructed to take a mixture of fabrics (pretty, OK and ugly) for each block, and not to match, as it's the scrappiness of the blocks which gives the quilt its charm.  Most people had fun using different fabrics, and were amazed at how the ugly fabrics get hidden by the pretty ones.

 

 

Of course, there are always some people for whom scrappy is a step too far.  Despite their best efforts, they end up matching fabrics and colours, as they just can't help themselves!  These will be fine with the rest of the blocks.  Altogether we made 29 twelve inch blocks, which is nearly enough for 2 Linus quilts!  Very good result from just an hour's sewing!

 

Membership has stayed steady, and we were able to accommodate a couple of new people who wanted to join the group.

 

 

No wonder people want to join the group with all the fabulous show and tell!  Unfortunately I can't remember whose quilt this is, but isn't it sweet?

 

A gorgeous tree skirt which will come in handy year after year.

 

Sampler quilts are always great, and such a learning curve.  This one is unusual with its spools, jars and tea cups!

 

This is Sue's jelly roll quilt which she made for her son.  His bedroom is black and white, so she used those colours with the addition of red.  Absolutely stunning.  I particularly like the border.

 

Here is Paula's Turning Leaves Quilt.  It was made completely out of Linus fabrics, and will delight a teenager with its variety.

 

There were some cute embroidered pictures in the Linus donated fabric, and Paula has put them together beautifully to make this pretty cot quilt.  A fun evening and very pleasing outcome.  Thanks to all who came. 

 

November meeting

The November meeting is our Christmas celebration!  June was in the festive mood with her raffle prizes, which were all mysterious presents.  It was a free raffle, so everyone was entered.  (I didn't win, as usual!)

 

 

We had our tasting buffet, which had lots of delicious nibbles, both sweet and savoury.

 

We had a Christmas item competition, and I didn't manage to take any photos of the beautiful entries.  Everyone voted for their favourite one by leaving a coin next to it, and all the coins were given to Chris as a donation to Leukemia Research.

 

There was a bumper amount of show and tell.  Here is my Basket Weave which was a project at Rocheberie Schoolhouse Quilters at their recent sewing day.  I pieced it and Liz quilted it beautifully on her longarm.  Thanks Liz.

 

 

Here is an example of the same block in a different arrangement,

 

and this is yet the same block, in another arrangement!  Very versatile.

 

This my Orca Bay, a Bonnie Hunter mystery from a couple of years ago.  Bonnie has started another mystery 'Celtic Solstice' which is free to everyone.  Click on the link if you'd like to join in - it will be fun!

 

gaynor brought this lovely quilt which has embroideries of genuine antique sewing machines.  Gaynore collects miniature sewing machines, so couldn't resist this pattern.  There are some really unusual machines here, and the colours are beautiful.

 

This is a really fun Christmas quilt. 

 

Gorgeous Christmas stars.

 

This photo doesn't do Bunty's quilt justice.  It's panels quilted in various designs with a subtle variegated thread.  It is very impressive.

 

Jenny had been feeling a bit guilty that she hadn't brought show and tell for us to enjoy, so she brought a fabulous bag full!  Here is a lovely Christmas wall hanging.

 

This runner show cases some intricate machine quilting.

 

Her tree skirt has been made from strips joined together.  I love the colours!  Very jolly!

 

Jenny said she can't do random, and could only contemplate bargello if it was controlled.  The repetitions make the design really stunning.

 

A 'simple' yet very effective runner.

 

This is a work in progress, quilt as you go.  Fabulous!

 

Muriel continues her love affair with scrappy stars.   The black background really makes them sparkle.

 

Jan's soduko quilt has the answers included!

 

Judy and Ruth went to a workshop with Jan Hassard.  Judy used her offcuts as a border,

 

and Ruth used hers on the back.  Clever.

Our next meeting will be a sewing evening.  Please join with a friend and bring a machine between you: one sewer, one ironer/cutter/gaffer!  We will be making blocks for Linus quilts in the Scrappy Trip design.  If you want to bring some fabric cut in strips of 2.5" x 16" (or longer) that would be lovely, but I will bring plenty for everyone to use.  Have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year!

Exhibition success!

Our exhibition was an unqualified success!  As ever, the setting up was a little stressful, but the helpers all took it in their stride, and did their usual fabulous job of displaying the quilts.

 

 

Our banner was still looking good, although Di said that she had had to repair a few of the letters where the wind had damaged them slightly.

 

The sales table was very popular, and lots of fabrics and ready made items were sold.

 

 

Here is a better view of the goodies available, fabric bowls, fat quarters, book covers, pin cushions, broaches, threads, cushions, wall hangings, magasines, books and lots more. 

 

No exhibition would succeed without a good refreshments area, and this was quiet, restful, and furnished with an amazing array of delicious home made cakes.

 

Here you can see how the quilts were laid out - lots of space for visitors to admire them.

Here is our trader, Jenny, who kindly came along after our original trader let us down.  She had an array of fabrics and kits to tempt us.  (I certainly succumbed!)

 

June did us proud with the raffle (as usual) and made baskets to illustrate 'A Quilter's Year'.  There were baskets of delights on the theme of the four different seasons, Christmas and Easter.  These prizes were very popular indeed!

 

Here are Eileen and Jenny on the door.  They made sure to give Visitor's Choice slips to everyone.

 

here are some of the 'House and garden' quilts, designed by Andrea.  They were all fabulous, and all so individual.  Most people had modified the design slightly, and some had used it as a basis for their individuality.  What a talented bunch we are!

 

These three quilts are a kind of 'variation on a theme'!  The blocks are in different places on the middle and left hand quilt, while the right hand quilt has a different block at the top.  Wonderful!

 

 

 

More variations in blocks and borders,

 

and more variations in colourways.  (Is that a ladder I see on the trapunto tree?!)  If you missed out on the mystery quilt, and would like the pattern, Bunty is proposing to print some more.  The cost will be £10 (as it will be a much smaller run) and if you would like one, please leave a comment on this post or contact Lynda. 

The whole exhibition attracted over 250 visitors and was praised by all.  Here's to the next one in 2015!