Now Saturday

Star with fussy cut centre

Framed stack and whackery four patches

Whenever I come to a stop in my bout of projects I set out a few novelty squares to make up 12" blocks. It's fun and very moreish.
The first thing I did was working on the Drunkards Path blocks from Carolyn Forsters' workshop. I shall add a border when I get home and once quilted it will be for Linus. In the evening I made some 6" centres for Star blocks. I'm not yet sure how this Shell quilt is going to go.

Still Friday

Later on Friday I framed some my stack and whackery squares and made some more novelty blocks, my stash boosted by Jackie's multifarious purchases. We did a bit of a swap. I have yet to upload the photos so here is some work by others.

Julie's House and flowers quilt in the making.

Detail

Detail from centre of Mandy's quilt

Heather's crosses under construction

Mandy's Christmas project

Complicated blocks from Yvette

Liz's before adding borders

Kathy's using wovens

Colette's, recipient unknown

Day's work

9" four patches

My work

All the pieces

8" four patches

Today I've been working on some stack and whackery squares from a Philip Jacobs fabric depicting shells.Sadly I absentmindedly used the fabrics I intended to combine it with on something else so I am making do.

Views from the Retreat

Heather's zigzag batik quilt longarmed by Mandy Parks

Colette's Christmas quilt

Detail of block from Pat's quilt

Detail of Heather's quilt with gold binding spark

Flower detail from Julie's quilt

Pat's quilt, a Debbie Caffrey mystery pattern

Julie's version of Irish Chain with appliqued flowers

A bit of a slog

Top done; started in a workshop with Maggie Kingston.

Having sewn seven of my half hexagon rows I thought I was on target to finish the top by lunchtime (1 O'clock). At noon I still thought I woud but it was five by the time I finished. I seemed to have to do a lot correcting and unpicking but the finished result minus top and bottom borders (fabric for these at home) is distinctly pleasing

Wednesday evening

Detail

. Just don't look at the back! After the hassle it was relaxing to sew a few 12" blocks from novelties cut into 2",3",4" and 6" squares.After sewing ones of the same size together I'm now coming up with combinations.
Finally I worked some stack and whackery four patches using shell patterned fabric by Philip Jacobs.

Philip Jacobs fabric

Four patches

12" blocks

2",3" and 6"squares to make a 12" block

And one with 3" and 6" squares.

A good day

I planned to finish my Glimma crosses top today and was thrilled finish it by lunchtime - the wonder of joining rows instead of  my usual threesies and foursies. After lunch I worked on my twirling stars started in a workshop with Maggie Kingston. The half hexagons which were very low contrast have been much improved by the red frames. It will be smaller than my usual efforts but I am very pleased with it. The batiks were bought during my Millennium sojourn in Malaysia. There were some super projects today including Yvette's magnificent Jinny Beyer piece immaculately fussy cut and foundation pieced.

Twirling stars

Glimma crosses from a Keepsake kit designed by Ashley Newcombe

Detail

On my bed

detail of fancy stitched border

Yvette's masterpiece

Square created from four fussy cut quarter square
triangles

Quilt Retreat

This is the first day of a five day retreat meeting up with old friends and lots of sewing. I did my shopping at Ikea, local quilt shop, family store and butchers before arriving and now am all set to sew. I've brought my not quite bound Dollymaids quilt to sleep under and duly admire along with other retreaters' work brought to show and complete.

My Dollymaids quilt

detail of Mandy Parks' quilting on Heather's quilt

Heather proud maker of this stunning modern quilt.

Julie made the top 10 years ago and has just quilted it on her longarm.

Pat's quilt ready to tack

Usual Suspects get together

Sheila's cushion

Backing a retired shirt front?

A U3A member who can't attend the last sessions sent me pictures of her cushion front and back.The Usual Suspects got together today to share a delicious lunch and sew while it alternately shone and poured outside. I am sewing the binding on my Dollymaids quilt I quilted this weekend. I might add a spot more quilting. I'll take a photo shortly.

Belinda's 1930's twirling hexagons started in Maggie's workshop.

Detail of quilting.

Belinda's current project: Liberty hexagons

Detail

Tracy with a Lori Holt designed cover for
her Featherweight christened "Pearl" as it's
white.