Kantha

 Our July meeting was all about Kantha.  This is a simple running stitch technique which was originally used to sew old saris together to make a fabric thick enough and stable enough to use as bed coverings in Asia.  Gradually the stitches were used to make a variety of different patterns and designs. 

Angela Daymond was our speaker and she brought along lots of examples of this versatile technique. 

Here are some examples.  They don’t look like simple running stitch at all! 

She also brought some of her kits and books.  We always like a shopping opportunity! 

The demands of gardens and holidays have taken their toll on sewing time, so the show and tell was limited. Here is a jeans bag cleverly made from the body part of the garment. 

This is a Christmas cushion made from a ‘12 days of Christmas panel.  Sumptuous. 

This is a stunning hexagon quilt.  The different shades of turquoise really make the design pop. 

This is a very clever technique, with the illusion of curves. 

And last but not least some gorgeous multicoloured sheep!  Cute! 

Travels with Lynn Pretty

 Our June meeting took us on a worldwide tour!  Well, a worldwide fabric tour, and what better way to travel? She showed her collection of fabrics bought from Japan, China, Indonesia, America and lots of other exotic places, along with some pieces she made from inspiration on her travels.  There were very few quilts, but lots of lovely eye candy for us all! 

Here she is with a Chinese inspired piece. 

This is obviously a piece in response to World War 1.  

Her are images from Hiroshima. 

And here is a Sudoku quilt made from Japanese fabrics. 

Show and tell is always a treat. 

Vicki made this quilt using some samples she got from Roxanna of Hannah’s Room.  She sewed them reverse applique in horizontal strips.  

Here is a pattern which Vicki trialled for Linda Chevell.  She said it was tricky, not because the instructions were poor, but because she wanted to do things her own way, which of course, isn’t helpful if you’re pattern testing.  

Here is a gorgeous panel bigged up with a suitable border.  Lots of lovely quilting here.  

Nik made this quilt for a Christmas exhibition.  Stunning. 

This is a UFO which has been languishing for a long time.  The maker couldn’t remember the name of the pattern. Barbara Brackman identifies it as Winding Ways. 

Paula made this cute quilt to keep her hands busy while she was watching the snooker. 

Jacquie is very amused by Chris T’s contribution to the suitcase collection, which she calls ‘Spare’.  Perfect! 

Chris H bought a pack of gorgeous charm squares, and made this beautiful quilt with them.  Good result. 

Vicki reminded us that we need volunteers to help at the exhibition, and that more ‘put ins’ are still needed for the tombola.  So, get sewing! 

Project evening

 We are coming up to our biennial exhibition, and want to make sure it is a huge success.  The tombola will be ‘containers’ or ‘things to put things in’ and we want to make sure we have plenty of items.  Our membership has gone down by over a third since the pandemic, so we decided a tombola sewing evening would be a good idea.  People were able to share expertise and ideas. 

This group were making tissue holders amongst other things. 

They made 24 in total!  All out of colourful scraps too. 

Lots of different things going on here, including Paula’s hexagon tea cosy. 

This group had brought their machines for speedy work. 

Lesley demonstrated her easy zippy bag. 

Lynda showed how to use snaps and eyelets.  They make bags look so much more professional. 

The raffle this time was looking forward to warmer days!  

Here are some of the tombola items which have been made so far. Impressive! 

There wasn’t a lot of show and tell, as I think people have been concentrating on the tombola.  This foundation pieced bird makes for an eye catching bag panel. 

Maria is obsessed with chickens.  This quilt is great fun. 

Here is a wall hanging made at a workshop.  It was inspired by a Christmas card. 

Di made this gorgeous jigsaw quilt.  She was asked if it was curved piecing, but no, luckily the pattern instructed that the knobbles were appliquéd on! 

Gwyneth brought her entries for the suitcase collection.  She has done three! 
 

Here is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth completely hand sewn. 

This one is my personal favourite.  

Remember, we need as many entries as possible, so get sewing! 

The Quilts of Gee’s Bend

 This month we had a fascinating talk by Andrea Lechner about the Gee’s Bend quilters and quilts.  In America in 1816, Joseph Gee moved 17 slaves from North Carolina to Alabama, a trek of over 600 miles, to start a cotton plantation in a bend of the Alabama River.  This spot was quite isolated and hemmed in by the river, such that the nearest town by road was about 25 miles away.  The plantation flourished and the population grew, and it was taken over by Mark Pettway in 1845.  When the slaves were granted. their freedom in 1863, many people stayed to continue the only trade they knew.  There was little interaction with the outside world and when the women made quilts to keep their families warm, they developed their own unique style, by using old clothes and worn out linens.  When these quilts were discovered by the outside world in the 1960s, they were compared both with modern art or the improvisation of jazz pieces.  Their style is bold and confident, and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing slides of many beauties. 

Here is Andrea in front of a slide of one of the quilts. 

Here is one of the Gee’s Bend quilts.  Stunning. 

Show and tell was inspiring. 

Here were some of the gorgeous ‘Doodlebirds’ made at the recent Gail Lawther workshop. 

A great stash buster or jelly roll quilt. 

Paula’s ‘Chilhowie’ quilt : this year’s Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt design. 

A great sampler quilt. 

Gwyneth made this farmyard quilt for a new baby.  Lucky boy! 

These New York Beauties were made by foundation piecing.  It’s the best way to get those sharp points! 

This brightly coloured fabric just cried out to Di to become a bag.  Good decision. 

Here is a wall hanging made from a kit.  Superb sky. 

A small quilt made from another bright print. 

Paula made this sheep quilt from hexagons.  I love the way they each seem to have their own personality. 

 

The jacket and bag belong together, obviously. 

Nik has kindly donated this fabulously quilted masterpiece to Project Linus. 

This is another Linus quilt, made QAYG by Di. 

This is the back of a football quilt. 

This is the front!  

Vicki informed us about our upcoming exhibition, ‘Sew Beautiful’ which will take place on 23rd and 24th September.  Since the pandemic, we have become short of members and short of funds and we need this event to be successful to keep us afloat.  The tombola will be ‘something to put something in’ and we need as many items as possible.  Next month we will be having a sewing evening to make tombola items and share ideas for more.  Bring your sewing machine or sewing kit and some fabric or the makings of a purse, zipped pouch, bag, container or cushion - or anything else you can think of!