Lots of vintage quilts.

 The June meeting featured a talk by Carolyn Gibbs who talked about vintage British quilts.  She also brought lots of vintage quilts from her collection, and showed us frame quilts, mosaic quilts, whole cloth and strippies as well as Welsh, North Country and Scottish quilts.  

Here is Carolyn, with some of her patterns. 

Here is a dramatic red and white strippy.  The beautiful quilting doesn’t photograph well. 

This strippy is unusual as the fabrics aren’t plain coloured. 

This is the ultimate in mosaic patchwork, made entirely from silk ribbons! 

A different mosaic quilt. 

A log cabin quilt.  This design, while British, could have originated from Canada or the USA, it’s not certain. 

This mosaic quilt is sashed with Turkey Red, the first red dye to be run proof and fade proof. 

This frame quilt dates from about 1820.  I knew that Carolyn had a collection of old quilts and had brought one I have, to show her.  When this quilt was displayed I couldn’t contain myself, as it was so similar to mine!  We displayed the quilts together and you can see for yourself! 

My quilt, in a sorry state, is on the right.  Both are frame quilts with very similar designs, but mine is just a little younger.  Carolyn was able to date it to around 1830, as there are blue/green fabrics, which used a dyeing technique not known until 1830!  The quilt had been given to me by its previous owner, and I decided to gift it to Carolyn, as I knew she would appreciate it and be able to share it with lots of admiring people! 

And then there was the show and tell!  This is a block from a vintage quilt which took my fancy.  I thoroughly enjoyed choosing the colours for this one. It was my new technique challenge as I used the Vilene and glue method of preparing some of the applique shapes.  I usually just needleturn. 

This is Vicky’s new technique.  She used Quarter Inch Tape to help with the HSTs.  She said it was a good method. 

This is Gaynor’s attempt to reduce her scraps.  She was able to confirm, yet again, that they don’t ever reduce! 

This hasnt photographed well, but is a ruler quilting sampler.  It was made using quilt as you go, but the maker has vowed never to use that method again! (I’m with her!) 

Here is my purple quilt.  It’s made from purple and neutral 2.5” squares.  I make 16-patches and join them together to make it easier to handle. 

Here are some more challenge items made by Jan. 

This gorgeous quilt is a gift for a dog.  

Jacquie has been busy making this stunning sampler.  It’s her embroidered challenge. 

This is another machine quilted sampler.  Lovely fabric choices. 

Gaynor finished this UFO for Linus.  Thank you. 

Jacquie made this quilt, which looks very complicated! 

There were other show and tell items which I haven’t had chance to share.  Keep ticking off those challenge cards, as November will soon be here! 

Village Life

 We were lucky this month to have the pleasure of admiring Cosby Quilters’ suitcase collection called Village Life.  They were all small quilts and what a fabulous variety of subjects and techniques!  

Here is just a selection.  The techniques vary from knitting, patchwork, appliqué, candlewicking, red work, beading and fabric painting.  The subjects were realistic, symbolic and representational, with a bit of abstract design thrown in!  We thoroughly enjoyed looking at them, and it has inspired us to make a collection of our own in the future.  

Caroline had attractive fabric for the raffle, 

And Julie had brought some fabrics to tempt us into spending our money! I’m afraid I couldn’t resist!  

Show and tell was dominated by challenge items, which is fabulous.  Beth had made three.  Firstly a bag (glad she told us what it was, or we’d have never worked it out!) 

Then a project bag with a zip.  

Then finally ….. she couldn’t remember which box this ticked, but was sure it qualified! 

Here is Julie’s Lone Star quilt which is a birthday present for her brother.  She says there is still quilting to be finished in the corners, but it looks perfect to me. 

Here is a stunning quilt with New York Beauties. 

Gaynor made this gorgeous Dresden Plate quilt with a kaleidoscope technique.

A Jenny Raiment workshop quilt from Lesley. Lots of quilting here. 

Madeline made this quilt using Kaffe Fasset fabrics, and counted it as her purple item.   

Julie finished this Dresden Plate quilt with lots of different techniques.  She was going to enter it into a competition, but unfortunately life got in the way and she couldn’t.  It would have been a winner. 

Ann had made this cushion as a gift for a friend.  

And here is another project bag.  These are so useful, and the see through front is a godsend! 

Ann tried a new technique.  These fabric horses needed gussets, and it must have been successful, as she made two! 

This is a Linus quilt I made from scrap 2.5” squares.  It was a fun make. 

Another project bag. 

And finally, a quilt made using the strips which were sewn at the recent Linus sewing evening.  Looking good! 

The recent trip to Malvern was a great success, and if you would like more quilty inspiration, here’s information for you. 

Dawn Cameron-Dick

 It’s a while since I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Dawn Cameron-Dick, and I was very much looking forward to her talk.   She definitely did not disappoint!  I must say it was one of the most enjoyable and inspiring talks I’ve heard in a while.  She was entertaining, amusing, down to earth, stimulating and informative.  

She brought more than 24 quilts to show us, and they showed the progression in her work.  Her first quilts were traditional quilt colours on cream, but her later ones are much brighter and with her trademark IMA (invisible machine applique) and reverse applique.  Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures, but luckily Sue took a photo at the New York Beauty workshop the following day. 

What a great selection!  Admire those points!  

One thing which came up at the meeting is the fact that we need more committee members.  Lynne has recently resigned from the committee (thanks for your hard work, Lynne) which leaves just five people, Jacquie, Ann, Lynda, Chris H and Chris T.  This is not enough people to keep the group going, and Chris H and Ann have decided to give up their roles as treasurer and speaker finder, which is a further complicating factor.  It was suggested that it would be helpful to let people know what is involved in being a committee member, so here goes. 

A committee member must like people and value community activities. 

They must be very interested in patchwork and quilting. 

They must be able to send and receive emails. 

They must be able to attend as many Piecemakers’ meetings as possible. 

They must want to meet up with like minded people for a cuppa and chat about six times a year, to plan group meetings and activities. 

Anyone who is chair must be organised, be able to book meeting dates, keep an eye on the smooth running of the group and be willing to stand up and speak at the front of meetings. 

Anyone who is treasurer must be organised and able to deal with and record financial dealings. 

The speaker finder must be organised, computer literate and patient. 

If you think it might be your turn to help in the running of our group, please discuss it with any committee member. 

Jennie Rayment

 It was a very blustery evening, but the thoughts of hearing a speaker of the calibre of Jennie Rayment and seeing her fabulous work was enough to tempt us out!  And, as ever, she did not disappoint on either front!  She started by telling us that when she checked into the Lutterworth Travelodge she realised she had forgotten her overnight bag!  The receptionist was helpful in directing her to Aldi, just across the road.  She managed to buy what she needed there, including pyjamas - you never know if there’s a fire drill or even fire in the hotel.  And if the fire brigade should attend, they would be delighted to see her in her lovely, new Mickey Mouse pyjamas! 

Here she is with one of her tucked circles.  Stunning! 

She brought lots of quilts and bags to show, as well as hats and some other items.  A feast for the eyes, and stimulus for the imagination. 

Julie brought her fabric stall to encourage us. 

 

Caroline hid the raffle prizes in recycled bags.  

There was lots of show and tell, most of it related to our inspiration challenge.  Here is a plastic lined wash bed with zip.  Lots of challenges there. 

Nik used a new technique to make this lovely doll.  Love the shorts. 

She also made this bag with chenille panel. 

This beautiful quilt was a block of the week made during lockdown.  Simple blocks look so good in monochrome, and the triangle border really sets it off. 

Chris made this fun elephant quilt from a free pattern on the internet.  It’s a gift for a baby. 

Chris was so inspired by a visit to Istanbul that when she got home she designed and made this stunning quilt.  The colours and designs are all based on traditional Turkish designs. 

Gaynor made this hold-all as a present for a friend. 

Paula finished this Celtic Connections wall hanging as something purple. 

This cute penguin was made by Jan as a present for a child.  The lantern should have been on a pole, but she decided it would be safer to omit the pole as a safety feature. 

This roomy bag was counted in for the challenge.  Nice and roomy. 

Paula also completed this quilt for a child.  Such gorgeous toning colours. 

This quilt is for a new baby.  All the birds are needleturned applique.  Any baby would be happy to be sick on this! 

This is a roomy toy bag.  

This quilt was made from designs in one of Jennie’s books!  It was great to see it in this gorgeous colour way. 

Edith made this fantastic quilt from a Cowslip Designs pattern.  It’s a shame the quilt holders up weren’t a foot taller, as you can’t see all the beautiful applique in the top and bottom borders.  

Di made two small messenger bags. 

Jacquie is part way through this BOM as her embroidery challenge.  There are three different blocks each month, so there are quite a few more to complete! 

I’m so glad that lots of people have signed up for this challenge, and are obviously enjoying it. 

The next meeting will be a Linus sewing evening.  Bring along your sewing machine and cutting equipment, and any strips or strings which are more than 4” long, of any width from 1” upwards.  We will be making scrappy piano keys strips and I’ll bring some ideas for using them up. 

Jennie ran a workshop the next day which was thoroughly enjoyed by all!  I love seeing all the different colour combinations!  Thank you Jennie and well done everyone!  

Here’s to 2022!

 It was good to get together again in January.  The regulations seem to differ every month (or every week!) but they don’t deter us from getting together.  I forgot to take any photos, which is a shame, but 20 odd of us came together and shared a temptation of snacks and a lot of laughter!  

Several people have told me how they seem to have lost their sewing mojo, so the committee have decided to encourage members by running an Inspiration Challenge.  The idea is that you are given a card with twelve sewing suggestions, and if you manage to complete six items and bring them for us to admire in Show and Tell, then you will get a prize at the November meeting. 

Here is the card, so you can see there are lots of ideas.  Someone asked if you could bring a bag which is a present, has purple fabric and embroidery, has curved shapes and is from a pattern, could you cross off six squares at one go?  Nice try!  

Next month we have the entertaining Jenny Raiment, and a workshop.  There are still places left on the workshop, and you ca enrol at the next meeting.