Thursday, November 3, 2011

And the Winners are...

Our Quilt Guild had an Unfinished Object (UFO) Challenge this year. The guild was divided into two groups - the Calicos and the Batiks. The challenge was to see which group would complete the most unfinished quilting projects by our November meeting. The guidelines were pretty loose - the project had to have been started before 1/1/11 and it had to be quilting related - not rug hooking, embroidery or other needle arts.

Rosemary had these leftover half square triangle fabrics and set them with white HSTs for an interesting visual effect. Way to use those leftover pieces!

The challenge picked up momentum through the year. It was interesting to see the projects finally completed - some begun in the early 90's and others as recently as last year. Quilters really got in the spirit this month - cheering teammates on and waiting for the final tally:
Batiks - 126.5 ........... Calicos - 155.5

The .5 related to a quilt completed early in the year where two guild members did equal amounts of work on the project. Rather than split hairs, each team got credit.

Carolyn is modeling her completed quilting project - a jacket she started last year on a quilting vacation with her sisters and completed on this year's vacation.
Colleen had this beautiful string quilt - I love the bright diamond-shaped stars made by the design as well as the alternate cream stars in between the colored fabrics.

It was wonderful to see how projects were completed - the variety was endless. Several orphan blocks ended up in smaller quilts that will be given to our local Firemen's Cheer Fund for distribution with dolls to area children.

Mary delights in working with small pieces of fabric. Her quilt above has 56 different fabrics.
I also liked Mary's comment that they weren't "doll quilts" as much as they were quilts for little girls who had a doll.

We also enjoy seeing the Halloween costumes that are made for the lucky children of some of our members. This year had a back to nature theme...

Anne, modeling her "tree" outfit that she wore to her son's school Halloween party (his outfit was cute but I missed my chance for a picture).
Susannah's daughter had a wonderful earthy type costume - note the headdress! It's wonderful to be surrounded by such creative women.

Cheers!
Margaret