And the projects keep coming.......

Although I have belonged to several quilting groups over the years wherever I have lived, this one is by far the most enthusiastic and productive!  Maybe it's because we are a "young" group with members who are still new and enthusiastic in their techniques, or maybe because the stitching and knitting world is changing so much, with fabulous fabrics and yarns to tempt us,  or it could be because we now have access to so much freely-given information and patterns on the internet that it is easier to learn new things.  Maybe it's a combination of all of these factors, but whatever, our Group certainly has the "bug"!
New workshops are in the pipeline for the Autumn, one of which will be a Row-by-Row project with Christine Speller.  This will take the form of a block of the month project, but instead of regular square blocks, participants will be making strip or rows each month.  Christine has a busy summer ahead, making up samples and a quilt to inspire you all.  It's expected that this workshop will begin in October, but dates will be confirmed after the summer break.  Any Group members who would like to take part should email Christine to register their interest.
Another proposed workshop is to take the form of helping participants to draw up their own quilt design, along the lines of a kaleidoscope style.   The quilt will have a basic kaleidoscope shape with lots of applique shapes added and could be made in  any size from a wall hanging to a bed quilt. Participants will be able to use any theme they like to make the project individual to them.  I too will be busy working during the summer, drawing up samples for this project, and hopefully starting my own quilt ready to inspire others to join me.   Again if any Group members are interested in this project, please contact me.

There were more beautiful projects, large and small on show at this week's meeting.  Some are works in progress, and others completed.  Cath has all but finished this bed quilt using up scraps of fabric left over from previous projects.  Only the label needs attaching then it will be displayed on the bed in Cath's spare bedroom.

Cath also showed us her completed Bargello project, made during a workshop with Christine earlier in the year.  Cath used satin ribbon to separate the strips, in place of  regular cotton fabric and these give the work a 3-D effect.  Cath is pleased with the result, but says it was hard work as the ribbon was so slippery and it is narrower than 1/4", she probably wouldn't repeat the exercise! There are also tiny beads attached in various places on the work, although it is difficult to see these from the photo.

Cath also brought along a small project she is making for one of her grandchildren, featuring outer-space themed fabric

Jan then showed us further progress on her jelly-roll quilt.  She has now added the borders and went off to Torre del Mar during the morning, to see if Isabel at Mar del Plata, had any toning fabric which she could buy to complete the outer border and binding.  She came back with a very nice batik, so watch this space for the completed quilt.

Jan likes to work on several projects at a time and below is another of the quilts she is working on using up scraps of fabrics left over from previous projects.

Kath has been working on a celtic- themed very large quilt for own bed.  I believe this is the fourth attempt Kath has made to make a quilt for herself.  The previous three applique quilts she has made over the last couple of years, have been snapped up by ex member Doreen, as gifts for her daughters.  Kath began the first applique quilt intending it for her own bed, but when Doreen heard about it from Pam, she aproached Kath and asked if she could buy it from her without even seeing it finished.  The second and third quilts were commisioned by Doreen from the word go. The first two quilts can be seen  by following this link http://www.vinuelasewandsews.eu/group_members/kath_mclean/kath_mclean_gallery.htm , then clicking on the "art nouveau thumbnail .  As it is so large, Kath is making this quilt in the quilt-as-you-go method, and has a further 12" border and binding to be added.  I'm not quite sure how we'll manage to hold it for photographing when it's completed, Kath and Jan are at full stretch holding this size!

It was good to see Trish in the meeting today.  Trish is working on a small project inspired by the colours of a goldfish of her son's.  She is using the project as a means of practicing her free-motion technique.

Our two newest members were also busy at their machines.  Carol was unhappy with some of the machine quilting  she had done on her quilt, and after seeking advise, decided to unpick a small area, then continued stitching in the ditch in other areas of the quilt.  The main problem seemed to be a particular fabric in the quilt, that although it is 100% cotton, has a much looser weave than other fabrics around it, causing it to ruck up when quilted.  I don't think it wil be long before we see the finished quilt.

And Vanessa is thoroughly enjoying using her machine and has made quick work of the centre piece of a cushion panel, her first patchwork and quilting project.

Sheila Maureen and Sandy spent the morning adding more to their knitting projects.  

Judging by the look of the pattern, I would guess Sheila has used it numerous times before!

Maureen is making quick progress on this roll neck cardigan for her grandson.  Talking of grandsons, I believe the Hungry Catterpillar quilt Margaret made recently for her grandson in Germany, has been very popular.  So popular that he didn't want to leave the quilt in the bedroom all day, it had to be with him downstairs!  But now it has turned too warm for regular quilts on his bed, he is happy to sleep with it upstairs as it is lighter in weight.  You must be thrilled Margaret, that your first patchwork project was so well liked. I wonder what your next one will be.

Pam will be bringing in her completed projects next week, before they go off to her grandchildren as Christmas presents, and Christine is winning the battle to finish the three bed quilts she's making for her grandchilden.  I hope to be able to photograph them next week too.  Ann and Cath spent the session working on their small projects,  Ann had to resort to hand couching some gold coloured ribbon on her Christmas table runner, as it was too slippery for the machine to cope with, and  Cath had to chase paper patterns and bits of fabric around the room as they got lifted by the lovely strong breeze blowing through the doors and windows! This hall is so much more comfortable to work in than the previous one.  Being an old house, the walls are very thick, keeping it pleasantly cool for us.  Although the Group always has a "summer break" from mid-July to mid-September, I think this year there may be several more members continuing to meet through the summer months than in past years.  

Next week is the last meeting of the summer for me, so there won't be the regular blog updates unless I can convince some of the girls to send me brief updates and photos while I am away in England for 4 weeks visiting family and friends!! I will be going to the Festival of Quilts at Birmingham in August so as long as we are still allowed to take photographs, I will attempt to blog about the show at some stage while I'm away.  I am planning on meeting up with two other group members, Yvonne and Ann at the show, who are also spending time visiting family.  We hope to be inspired by all the usually amazing quilts on display, and come back fired up with renewed enthusiasm.  I'll have to leave my purse and credit card at home though, the traders stands are always very tempting!

That's it for this week, happy stitching, see you here again next week.

                                                                                                        Rachel