An experiment from Elaine

 Elaine created these scrappy blocks by sewing onto polar fleece then joined them as a quilt-as-you-go quilt with no other backing. 

It certainly worked well!

First the front...

Then the back...

Our Coronation Get Together (May)

 Last weekend our get together coincided with the coronation of King Charles III. Whether you are a monarchist or a republican it was certainly an historical occasion!

Kathryn came to stay over on Friday night and made a Coronation Quiche for our lunch the next day.

It certainly looked great even though we had some difficulty with the pastry as gluten free flour does not handle well. Eventually Kathryn moulded small lumps of the pastry into the pan. Yes, she used the broad beans but I noticed she peeled the seeds and only used the inner seed part.

On Saturday we started with our show and tell.

Stephanie brought along her version of her latest scrappy quilt. Please note that the pieces are all 2" cut then used in a disappearing 9-patch which is then cut.

I have also progressed a little with mine but it is made with 2.5" pieces as well as lots of our leader and ender squares which end up 2.5".

Glenda brought along a quilt that had been given to her. We all discussed issues with lack of quilting. It is absolutely stunning which you'll see better if you click on the picture and zoom in.

Glenda also brought along our latest finish. It has gone to Karen to donate to a cancer support place in Melbourne where her late friend Rick had spent much of his time during his battle with his cancer. We forgot to attach the label.

As always, a lot of time was spent chatting about the pros and cons of various quilts. We also spent time making more blocks for the brown quilt which now has prospective owners - David and Carlos from London, friends of Elaine's.

Lunch was amazing of course and the quiche was delicious and there was even a small amount for Kathryn, Stephanie and I to share while we watched the coronation later in the evening.

Our next gathering will be at Stephanie's as I will be away. You'll all get to do a little of the quilting on our black stars quilt using her long arm quilting machine. I will send out details before I go.

An amazing maze (or is it a labyrinth?)

Jeanette sent along these photos of her latest creation - Labyrinth.

How cool is that!

 

Another one from Elaine

 Elaine calls this one Cats in the Window and used lots of cat fabrics that were donated to Stephanie and passed on.

So many cats!

April Update

 With so many interruptions to our little group over the last month, mostly caused by me, I thought it was time to post a few of the finishes people have sent me pics of.

The first is a beautiful little 3D picture of fabric flowers and a butterfly by Christine. 

One of Elaine's latest kiddy quilts..

Karen completed a table runner using aboriginal fabrics..

 

I've done very little but am progressing with my next scrappy top..

I am using my leader and ender 4-patches and other 2.5" squares.

Stephanie is also doing one of these tops (she alerted me to the idea) and is using 2" squares for hers..

They look so complicated and tedious but are really easy to do. Another disappearing 9-patch idea.

March Together

 Last weekend we welcomed Judy to our group and hope we did not put her off with our funny ways and our 'Bet'-ocracy. Judy brought along some lovely quilts that she had done with lots of applique. They are beautiful!

Karen was presented with the Almost Celtic quilt that she won.

We did a lot of discussing about the backing for our Disappearing Hour Glass quilt which is now all ready for sandwiching when we have an appropriate backing. It really looks stunning and will be bound in black when quilted.

Karen and Elaine worked hard all day joining the Brown Blocks together with their apricot sashing. The fabric on the left will be the backing and perhaps we'll have an apricot border all around the quilt top as well.

 

And our next finish was completed by Glenda with binding and label. If you would like to put your name into the draw for the quilt below please let me know asap.

 

The rest of us played with curves with a new block draw from Carol. It is a Drunkard's Path block and provided great opportunities for discussing colour contrast and sewing curves.

My show and tell was some chevron strips I am making out of my scrappy strips which just must be used up as I have no more space for them. I will continue sewing them as leaders and enders. I'm starting with the greens.

Our February progress

 With our Almost Celtic (below) finished it is now time to put a claim on this one if you would like it. If I get more than one person wanting it we will have a draw. Expressions of interest should be in by the end of February.

After lots of discussion last Saturday about whether to have sashing on our brown blocks or not Stephanie arrived at mine yesterday with the perfect sashing fabric in apricot that she had dyed herself some years ago.

We spent the afternoon arranging  the blocks and today Glenda came for a few hours and we put the short pieces of sashing on and joined the rows.

All outstanding brown blocks should be in by the end of next week. We are hoping to put some on the back of the quilt as well but can always add another row to the top or bottom of what we have.

We have found a great border for our disappearing hour glass quilt top and anytime someone feels the urge please come and we can work together on that one. It is currently on the back of the design wall.

The instructions will be ready for our next block so be patient with me. I will be mailing out the fabrics in the next few weeks.

Please make sure all outstanding blocks are back to me by the end of February.

Stephanie and Betty are nearly finished

 As Bubble Buddies during lockdowns we had lots of fun creating. Then in 2022 we came up with a plan for a very large quilt which ended up as two quilts. Our non-identical twin quilts are nearly done. 

They were such fun to do as a joint project.

All I need to do on mine is bind and label it.

Where to next?

Two extra quilting days this week

 Our day together on Saturday was amazingly productive with labels sewn on and binding finished we had 6 quilts ready to pass on.

On Tuesday Glenda and Stephanie came to mine for a bit of fun. Much was achieved...

Glenda created a quilt top from all the disappearing hour glass blocks Karen trimmed on Saturday.

Then we all started discussing what options we had come up with for our next block challenge.

Elaine's fabric was drawn during our Zoom session.

Stephanie and Glenda brought a variety of blues on Tuesday so we could choose the best match.

This is going to be beautiful when It is finished I think. We've cut all the pieces ready to send out. The instruction are on the way but of course we need photos for them so Stephanie and I are doing the challenge ready to include the photos.

Today Stephanie came for an hour or so to show some of the ideas she has had and they are looking good. She also brought some fabric for me to use for the idea I have selected.

All will be revealed when the instructions are complete.

Quilts gone

 Stephanie has taken all our quilts listed in the previous post to Gabby's Angels who are distributing them to various organisations as raffle quilts. I am pleased this is happening because they are certainly lovely quilts and could earn a bit that way.

Today I quilted Party Lights and am passing it on to Glenda to do the binding. Thanks Glenda. Then we'll have the first finish of 2023 ready to go.