Month: October 2025

The Final Stretch, Completing a Quilt

It was pleasing to see that the first afternoon meeting of the Autumn season was well attended by members eager to hear what Frances had to tell us, and we were not disappointed.

Frances had brought along a selection of smaller quilts which she used to demonstrate various options for free motion quilting.  She explained that when you were ready to quilt you needed to decide whether you wished to enhance the patchwork or draw attention to the quilting pattern.   She explained that free motion quilting, which many of us found daunting, could be helped by practising a design with pen and paper or a whiteboard in order to imprint the design on our brain before we started sewing on our actual quilt.  Then using her whiteboard she demonstrated a method for working a feather design.  Various samples of fabric were passed around to demonstrate the difference between the cotton fabric used for piecing and the extra wide backing fabrics. She had brought along several quilts which were also passed around enabling members to take a closer look at the quilting patterns.  Everyone agreed it had been a very enjoyable and interesting evening and Frances was thanked for all the useful hints and tips she had given us.  I am sure that with all the information Frances had given us it would enable many of us to improve our future free motion quilting skills.

Thanks go to Jane and Sally for making the tea and coffee and providing the delicious cakes.

The evening started with Alyson showing us her quilt and reminding us we still had time to make one for Christmas.  She said she hoped to see a forest of Christmas Trees displayed at our Exhibition next year.  Val showed her quilt, with patchwork ornaments, which she had adapted to hang on a door.  Chris had been busy and showed us one of the two quilts she had made.

Sue displayed the clowns that she would be showing us how to make at the mini workshop on the 5^th November.  Members interested in taking part in the workshop were asked to add their name to the list circulating.

Kate advised that a Wake, for our late member Maggie Farmer, had been arranged for the 6^th October, anyone wishing to attend was asked to let her know. 

A letter received from Leominster Wellness Club asking for a small donation to enable them to take their members out for a Christmas lunch was considered and it was agreed that a donation of £100 should be made to help with this.

A cascade list was being prepared in case it was necessary to contact members in an emergency.  Members were asked to let Maureen know if their telephone numbers had changed.

As everyone sat and sewing Maureen reminded them that 2026 was an Exhibition year and several items were discussed following the feedback from the previous Exhibition.  It was gratefully noted that Alyson had been able to organise storage for the Exhibition Stands, thank you Alyson. Thanks also go to Marion and Chris for serving the refreshments.