Applique Group - 1st Meeting

Today was the first day of our newly formed Applique Group.  Susan, Rosie, Carol and I met for an enjoyable two hours to discuss potential applique projects.  It's clear who the expert is (Susan) and who should probably consider trying something less challenging (me!). 

Susan has a table runner project all picked out.  Rosie has some thoughts about a project, perhaps using a pattern she bought from Ginny Keiser at the CSQ Quilt show last month.  Carol has worked on her applique pieces started at the Beaver Island Quilt Retreat.  And I have grand and glorious ideas about either a Baltimore Album quilt or a Hawaiin quilt for my masterpiece!  Now all I need is lots of practice before I start either one of those projects.  Perhaps a small wall hanging first?

Rosie and Carol talking about potential projects.  See the fabric and books scattered across the floor?

Susan brought books to look through.  Carol brought project ideas and managed to rule a few out.  Rosie brought a quilt to bind - don't think she got even one stitch done.  I had books checked out from the CSQ library, a wonderful quilting resource thanks to our Librarian.

A selection of books, Susan's table runner pattern on the left, a calendar from the Victoria & Albert museum with wonderful designs and Carol's clippings for potential projects just below her shoe.  Okay - I need to work on the layout when I take pictures but you get the idea.

In the midst of all the books, I dragged out my collection of SewBatik fabrics and we found one that would work with Carol's project in the works.
 

Susan found the perfect SewBatik fabric for one of her projects.  The Color Blend Applique book on the table has wonderful patterns for flower applique blocks.

A tip from a fellow longarm quilter made Susan's day.  Harriet had suggested using a piece of plexiglas and a dry erase marker to audition quilting designs prior to quilting them out.  Susan jumped on this as a way to trace a current quilting design that she loves from an heirloom quilt.

I only have a small piece of plexiglas - need to get a larger piece for it to be really useful.  But you see the idea.  You also see the hair clips that Rosie uses to keep the binding in place in preparation for stitching it down.

We also talked about tracing applique patterns.  A fairly standard technique for tracing patterns is to place a light source under your dining room table, pull the table apart as if you were going to add a leaf,  and lay a piece of glass across the gap with the pattern on top of the glass.  Then with your tracing paper on top, you can follow the lines as the light shines up from below.  Rather than use glass, which has a tendency to break in my hands, use a piece of plexiglas.

It is strongly suggested that you tape the edges of the plexiglas and write TOP on the tape of one side.  When using the plexiglas to trace patterns or for testing designs on a current quilt top, the tape is a visual clue that you're nearing the edge so you don't draw on the quilt and also prevents the plexiglas from snagging the fabric.  Identifying the TOP of the plexiglas keeps you from laying a previously used side next to the quilt.  Even though you've wiped the dry erase marker stuff off, there are likely still remnants of the color left.  Finally, a way to use those small scraps of batting - as erasers!  Use them a few times and then you won't feel guilty about pitching the used scraps as more will have accumulated in the meantime.

All in all, a wonderful afternoon sharing tips, techniques and dreams.

Handbell Workshop

How does a Handbell Workshop fit with quilting?  Quite easily, as it turns out.

Four members of our church handbell choir went to a workshop in Greenwood yesterday.  We listened to a short concert by the Joyful Sounds, a community handbell choir that is quite good.  It was interesting to hear the bells from the audience side to see how some of the special techniques sound to the audience.

There was a music vendor there and here's what I bought from them:

Although they're great for ringing handbells, these will be my White Glove gloves for handling quilts at shows!

After the concert, we broke up into groups for three separate workshops.  Each workshop lasted an hour and we rotated from session to session.  After two sessions, and after talking with my fellow ringers, I decided to skip the third session and go to what I thought was an antique shop just down the street,  I walked in, walked around quickly, and walked out.  Since it was a beautiful but chilly day, I continued walking.  I knew the Greenwood library was close.  Just inside the front door of the library was their used book sale area. 

Guess what I found...

We're starting an Applique Group so I was intrigued by the patterns in the Treasury book.  I've always wanted to do a Watercolor quilt and the Dancing Quilts has some wonderfully interesting patterns and techniques.

At great prices!  So I bought them.  Now all I have to do is cut, sew and quilt!

Cheers!
Margaret

QOV Fall Display

The Columbus Quilts of Valor (QOV) group is quite prolific.  There was a display of quilts this past May and this weekend is another display of 221 quilts that have been completed since then.  Flossie, a 92 year old member of the group, is one of the most prolific but she's slowing down slightly.  Recently, she's been piecing about 4 tops a month, down from her previous 4 tops a week.  Either one of those figures beats my record any day!

There are so many quilts, they are folded in thirds and drape the front of the dais and the side of the sanctuary.  This is just one side of the sanctuary!  They are also draped and hung across the back of the sanctuary.

The quilts are on display at the Community Church of Columbus and can be seen in their sanctuary this Sunday or Monday morning.  Be forewarned:  if you show up on Monday, you might get to help take them down! 

Carol happened to show up while I was there.  She's in front of one of her favorite quilts. 

Ken made the two quilts hanging in the center of the front display.  He also made several others scattered around the display.

Go Colts!  Even in quilts, we express our team spirit.

Cortland Elementary kids worked on four of the quilts on display.  They used crayon to color squares that were then alternated with fabric for a very touching display of patriotism.

Here's one of the squares up close.  Each block had  an expression of thanks and appreciation along with each child's unique drawing.  I like this Statue of Liberty, don't you? 

It's always interesting to see a collection of quilts and this is no exception.  While several of the quilts are patriotic in their design and colors, others are just wonderful collections of colors and patterns.  I was also looking for quilting patterns and saw a few that were new to me.  Who knows...they may show up on a quilt in the near future.  I've already tried some of them on today's newspaper - my informal sketch pad.

Cheers!  And my deep gratitude to all who serve in our armed forces.

Margaret 

Sew for Riley Day

Wednesday was the monthly meeting of the Columbus Star Quilters Guild.  Despite the Guild's quilt show just a month ago, there were lots of Show and Tell items. 


I had just finished quilting this for Rosie.  She picked out the fabrics on a quick trip - wish I had her eye for color.  It's gorgeous.



One of five quilts for Rosemary's granddaughters.  I love the lime green color - could well turn out to be my favorite color over the next few months.

Another quilt for one of Rosemary's granddaughters.  The turquoise and brown are beautiful together.  Now I know what to do with all of that turquoise in my stash.  But I'll have to buy some browns to go with it!

See - another lime green.  Isn't this a stunning quilt??  I could whip up the background in a flash.  The applique might take a little longer.

Mary called this quilt Communion Cups.  Mary is also wearing a quilted "pillow" necklace which has tiny, tiny pieces.  Mary specializes in using tiny pieces in her quilting - all very nicely done.

I had a hard time getting Anne to hold still.  This is her son's Hallowe'en costume.  With the Daffy Duck tail and him waddling around the neighborhood, he was a hit.

 Kay also had a great way to make the Attic Windows block.

Kay demonstrated a slick way to make the attic windows design using three half square triangles.  Just sew one of the folded triangles into the seam and then open it out.  A little bulky with the layers of fabric, but alot faster than the traditional way of piecing this block.

And here's the quilt made from using that attic window tip.

Strips laid out and ready for sewing into long lengths.

 It was a Sew Day for Riley Children's Hospital. Several members brought in 2 1/2" strips to create colorful quilts. Others had baby quilt panels and still others were working on smaller quilt sizes to be used to drape over NICU incubators. Even smaller quilts are used inside the incubators. Because these smallest quilts are without batting, they technically aren't quilts but so what - they surround a newborn with warmth and extra love.

There were sewers and there were pressers and there were cutters.  I was a flitter - I flitted from one place to the next, pressing, cutting strips and more pressing, until I got caught to go through some old treasurer files.  Much more fun being a flitterer.

Another group working on a variety of quilt projects.  This guild is a great group of women.

Cheers!
Margaret