I'm Liberated!

Last week I attended the 27th Annual Beaver Island Quilt Retreat, hosted by Gwen Marston.  This is the second year I've attended and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

Jeannette, Lois and I left bright and early Tuesday morning and headed north towards Elk Rapids, MI.  We made it to Midlebury, IN by lunchtime, looking for the lunch spot Lois and Jeannette remembered from years past.  Unfortunately, it was no longer in operation so we stopped at the Village Inn.  This cafe/restaurant is reminiscent of small town cafes I've been to in lots of midwestern small towns.  The most enticing items on the menus were the pies so we saved room for dessert.  In my case it was easy - my ham and cheese sandwich came without ham!  But the waitress adjusted my check as she brought me my pie.  Yummy.

We just happened to notice a fabric shop next door!  So despite the edict that there was to be "No Stopping" along the way, we figured we were already stopped so we shopped.  I found a great fabric for a backing and both Lois and Jeannette managed to find some fabric to purchase as well.

Then on to Elk Rapids with No More Stopping along the way.  We actually made good time and arrived just as the Rules of the Week were being pronounced.

Gwen Marston sharing a preliminary overview of the Liberated Quilts she would be sharing with us.

This year's theme was Liberated Quilts Revisited.  Gwen has quite a stash of liberated quilts, liberally pictured in her two books, Liberated Quiltmaking and Liberated Quiltmaking II.



This antique quilt, c 1925 - 1950 and pictured in Gwen's first book, displays liberated techniques.   

 The display of quilts started with some antique quilts Gwen had collected and progressed to those she had created while investigating how to become liberated.  Rest assured that liberated doesn't mean sloppy.  It means using tried and true designs in a new fashion.  Placing square blocks on the diagonal, skewing the sides of blocks, angling flying geese in different directions and all other manner of liberated techniques were discussed over the course of the retreat.

White Birch Lodge is the home for the retreat - a lovely, old family-oriented lodge (think of the camp featured in the movie Dirty Dancing) with placques on the dining room wall honoring those families who have attended for 15 years, 20 years and even 30 years!  By the time the quilt retreats start, the lodge is through with family camping for the year and the dining room becomes the sewing room.  All 30 of us quilters set up our sewing machines, cutting mats, irons and began sewing and talking. 

Jumping to the end of the retreat, here are some of the results of the Columbus crew that was at the retreat.  How many of these will be in our upcoming show???

Lois with her Hallowe'en quilt.  Individual blocks were given to her by friends and she assembled this quilt during the retreat.  See the polka dot type fabric just above the three eyed monster?  That was purchased in Middlebury during our Non-Stop Stop.

Carol completed Riley's quilt.  After the quilt display Saturday night, Carol actually got the inner and outer borders attached.  The quilt is now loaded and ready for quilting.  It was fun to watch Carol assemble this variety of blocks using materials purchased at a Guild auction.  The only fabric added was the striped fabric which complemented all of the solids beautifully.

Jeannette actually COMPLETED a quilt.  See the small square hanging on point?  That even has batting, binding and has been quilted.  Jeannette also completed the quilt top above with liberated square-in-a-square blocks.  The sand pail is also Jeannette's.  I can't wait to see the quilt that has that block in it.

Stay tuned for more pictures. 

Cheers!
Margaret