June Quilting Weekend

We had six busy workers this weekend - Leonie, Evelyn, Patricia, Robyn, Elaine and Betty. Helen and Marion had sent their completed blocks back as well so they were with us virtually.
Our first task was to finish our Betty's Basket quilt. We've now quilted it and added the binding but need to hand finish the binding next time, label it and tie of the loose ends.
Our next task was to arrange all the blocks from Evelyn's Bee Quilt. There was much discussion and negotiation but we ended up with an arrangement that should work well. This of course meant a shopping trip to Spotlight where we found sashing, binding, backing and wadding to suit.

Then our next lucky dip revealed Leonie's flower fabric and block so Leonie was able to complete her two blocks because of course she already had matching fabrics.

Don't forget to add the next date to your diary for 23-24 August. See you all then.

More books about quilting

The Quiltmaker's Gift is a great kid's story with a quilting pattern book to go with it. Great story, great quilt patterns.

Another great book is Hidden in Plain View - a history of quilting in the USA. A critique from another perspective is give at Antique Quilt Dating.

Elm Creek Quilt Novels

I was given the first three of these novels for my birthday by Ellen and they are great. Find out more at Elm Creek Quilts.

News from Jane, UK

I used the pattern for your last quilters weekend to make a cot quilt for a friend of Kate's. I did all the small pictures (60 in all!) of animals and novelty fabrics which was fun. I put some Australian fabrics as the Mum & Dad had just returned from travelling there. I will have to do a few more as it was fun to do. I am trying to finish a wall-hanging I started a while ago. I have 2 years to get some new pieces for our next quilt show I am determined to make a better show of myself.

News from Marion in Mass, USA

The charity quilt I was working on is finished. It is the first quilt I have tied, using embroidery thread (all six strands), and tied with a square knot. I was browsing in one of my quilt books, and realized that the name of this pattern is "Rail Fence", which takes on a completely different look with so many fabrics used. (I have made a rail fence quilt with only three colors, and wider strips, than the 2 and a half inches in these blocks.) We don't know how many quilts will be made by our group yet, because we have until September to complete them. This one is a small one. I had extra blocks, so this has 6 blocks across and 8 down. Each block was 6 and a half inches.