Author: maureenbilbao

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.

Looking forward to a day of sewing members and guest participants began arriving early ready to set up their workstations. When all members were ready and Crafty UK had their sales table organised Andy and Jo were able to start their workshop.

Andy gave us a detailed explanation of the Hexagon ruler we would be using and showed us the different patterns that could be made.  We were then shown how to use the ruler to cut our fabric in order to make a block.  Amidst much chatter and discussion members moved to their individual spaces to begin their project and helped each other, some of us taking a little longer to get our heads around what we had been shown.  By lunch time most members had been able to finish their first block, whilst others had made several and were well on their way to a finished project.  As members enjoyed their lunch Andy explained how he had developed his acrylic templates to help make traditional blocks more easily.  With the help of Jo they then showed us a wide array of quilts that had been made with the aid of his various templates.  Everyone agreed they had thoroughly enjoyed the day and many said they would like Andy to return and run another workshop.

As lights to the main room were turned off and the only light came from the projector screen, a hush of anticipation descended on the room.

As Maggie presented each slide she told us how Hawaiian quilting had originated and gave us the name and significance of each quilt.  Members watched in awe as each new slide appeared.  It was noted that the Hawaiians did not include images of people or animals on their quilts but took inspiration from the local plants and flowers.  As the slide show finished and the lights came back on in the room Maggie showed us and talked about her beautiful quilts that she had brought along to show us.  As they were passed around the room we were able to examine the superb workmanship at close quarters, which caused much murmuring and discussion amongst members

As refreshments were served, Maggie kindly showed a few members how she prepared her templates, marked her quilts and the fool proof method she used to produce such superb appliqué patterns and points.

Thanks go to Maggie and her husband for visiting us and showing us her wonderful quilts.  Everyone agreed that the quilts were beautiful and the slide show had been fascinating so much so that it might encourage some of us to try Hawaiian quilting.

20 August – Sit and Sew

Whilst members sat and worked on their individual projects Beth from Worcester Remade described some of the items she had brought along and gave a brief outline of the work their Charity did to save unwanted items being sent to landfill.

Members then took the opportunity to look at the items on the sales table, and many members were seen walking away with smiles on their faces and armfuls of goodies.

Thanks go to Beth for visiting us with some of the items they have on offer in their shop in Worcester.

Thanks also go to Debbie for the Birthday Cake and to the ladies who once again helped in the kitchen.