Future meetings

Unfortunately we have decided to cancel the next two meetings.  This means there will be no meetings in April or May, plus the Stuart Hillard workshop and the coach to Malvern are also cancelled.  At the moment we are hoping the June birthday celebration meeting will go ahead, but we will have to decide that nearer the time.
In the meanwhile, I thought I would share a simple quilt pattern which you can make from your stash.  It’s a Jenny Doan pattern called ‘Falling Charms’ and you can watch her show you how to make it in detail on YouTube.

Here it is.  You need some coloured 5” squares and background fabric cut into 2.5” strips. I used all kinds of novelty fabric squares, but it would look lovely with a colour theme. 

Cut a 2.5” strip into a 5” and a 7” piece. 

Join the 5” piece to one side of the 5” square and then the 7” piece alongside it. 

Make another, rotate it 180 degrees and join them together.  Make more, join in rows etc.  

It will probably make your brain ache working out how to put it together (it did mine!) but you can do it! 

Stop press!

Sorry to say that tonight’s meeting has been cancelled, due to the Prime Minister’s instructions on how to limit the spread of Covid-19.  We aren’t sure how to proceed, but we have already heard that the Stuart Hillard workshop on May 15th is cancelled too.  Members check your inbox for future details and non-members check before you travel.
Keep well and keep sewing!

Project Linus Sewing Evening

Every year the group is generous enough to devote one meeting to sewing some blocks for Project Linus.  It’s very kind of everyone to give their time and skills to make something for children in need of a hug.  This year we made ‘Delectable Mountains’.  It’s an easy block made from half square triangles.

Although I had planned the evening and cut all the fabric, I was laid low with a cold, so Paula was good enough to supervise events on the day.  Thank you, Paula, you are a star!  

We had been challenged to make a 12.5” block on the theme of trees, to be used to make up quilts for people who had lost their homes in the recent Australian bush fires.  What a variety of interpretations there are! 

Show and tell had its usual variety of goodies.  This quilt has rail fence blocks and feature blocks beautifully combined. 

Here is one of the Hannahs Room journal quilt kits, if I’m not mistaken.  Gorgeous! 

Someone has made Luna Lapin and friend.  So cute. 

This farm themed quilt will delight a young person. 

I think this is a bag, with a complex pattern on it. 

Beautiful colour choices and fabrics here. 

Is this a sleeping cat?  Looks very peaceful. 

Another sew a row quilt.  I think it’s on its side, unless all the youngsters on the top row are lying down!  

Simple primary colours make a stunning quilt. 

I’m not sure what this is, but Jacquie looks fascinated by it! 

I love clever designs like this one, where all the edges are straight, but it looks as if there are circles! 

A pretty baby quilt. 

This table runner is very striking. 

I was very sorry to miss the meeting, but look forward to seeing everyone in March. 

January party

Instead of having our winter celebration at Christmas, we decided to have it at our January meeting.  It was a very relaxed evening, with just a couple of sales tables, lots of chat and lots of food!

There were no activities this meeting, but people seemed happy to just catch up with friends.  

Julie had brought her gorgeous batiks and other goodies (I bagged some Stuart Hillard fabric) and Chris brought all kinds of things from the Bloodwise shop.  This charity shop in Lutterworth has an extensive haberdashery section, and is always my first call for any sewing requirements.

June was rather tempting fate with her raffle prizes, but so far we’ve managed to avoid any of the white stuff here! 

There were several of the 2019 sew a row quilts, all spectacular.  

Keeping to a colour theme was popular.

Sorry this one is a bit dark and you can’t appreciate the lovely applique. 

The houses on this one are fabulous. 

Just to prove that rows can go in any direction! 

Multi colours also look great! 

This is a Linus quilt I made from mainly mile-a-minute blocks, with a few cars for interest.  

This was a kit bought from Hannahs Room.  Beautiful. 

A Sarah Fielke design. 

This quilt is from Stuart Hillard scrap quilts book.  Very patriotic. 

Next meeting will be a Project Linus sewing evening.  You need to bring a sewing machine and cutting equipment, and I will supply all the fabric.  This is a fun evening producing quilt blocks to be made into charity quilts.  If you don’t want to bring your machine you can still help out by ironing and cutting, and if you just want to come and chat, that’s fine too! 

We are also asking members to bring a 12.5” block (12” finished) with a tree on it.  The blocks will be put together and sent to victims of the recent Australian bush fires who have lost their homes and possessions.  Great cause. 

Christmas fun!

At our November meeting we generally have a sewing session.  This year we had a choice of projects selected by Di.

Listening to instructions. 

Ready, steady, go! 

Lots of people had a busy evening.  Obviously, not everyone was up for sewing, but they happily supported the evening and came for the gossip!

Here is my effort - Gary the gnome.  Ready to hang on my Christmas tree in a week or two. 

June made ‘green’ parcels using recyclable materials as raffle prizes.  Gorgeous! 

There was plenty of show and tell.  I think people have been using the recent dull days to sew. 

This quilt was made by Jacquie from some Dresden Plate wedges which were left over.  A great arrangement. 

Jacquie also made this quilt for her son.  It’s an amalgamation of designs by Sarah Fielke, Monkeybuttons and Pat Sloan.  I’m sure he’ll treasure it. 

Rocheberie quilters recently had a challenge competition, which was won by our very own Gaynor!  Well done! 

Paula is in a group where the members all made quilts with different Dresden Plate blocks.  There are quite a few different ones. 

Chris made this cute quilt at a Stuart Hillard workshop.  Such fun. 

Here is my entry for the Rocheberie competition.  I had great fun making it. 

Maria brought some rugby fabric from New Zealand and has used it in this quilt to great effect. 

Gina went to a local class an made this quilt which was inspired by Jen Kingwell’s Circle Games.  She calls it Coffee and Cream! 

Here is a fun Linus quilt. 

Jacquie also entered the Rocheberie challenge and won third prize.  We are such a talented group! 

Chris made this quilt for a family member who asked for a green quilt.  I think this fits the bill admirably 

Here is Paula’s version of the same quilt as Gina.  Don’t they look different! 

Maria’s daughter complained that a draught is coming under her door.  Not for long, because Mum has made her this stylish draught excluder. 

Rose spied a bag of hexagons on the sales table and took pity on them.  She has used them creatively in this beautiful Linus quilt. 

We won’t be meeting again until January, so I will wish all a very happy Christmas and a healthy and productive New Year!