Sandown 01

My 70 Not Out quilt as I think of it. Made QAYG and a Piece o' Cake pattern.

And a proud(ish) pose

My Japan DNP, simple but effective.

I think the title of the show is National Patchwork Championships but we all call it Sandown. As far as "National" goes it's been superseded by the much grander Festival of Quilts at the NEC in August. However the more homely approach has its appeal and there are always quilts by Oast members as well as other people I know. I  didn't take pictures of the superb rosette winners mostly with incredibly dense and complex longarm quilting because I wasn't attracted to them. I now take pictures of quilts I find personally inspiring or contain ideas I can draw on. Now I also record work of forthcoming or potential Oast speakers to use on our Facebook site to alert members and to promote workshop bookings.
Anyway I'll start here with my two quilts and those of friends and acquaintances. I should say that my Japanese DNP and Tracy and Belinda's quilts were all professionally long arm quilted by fellow Usual Suspect, Maggie Breakspear.

Oast member Barbara Amblard's Jewel Box using no two
fabrics the same. Must bear in mind for leader enders and
using scraps

Detail: flipped corner squares?

Woven Ribbons 1 by Margaret Harrison using Beth Studley fabrics. She used the scraps
to make a smaller version. I teach U3A alongside Mragaret and would love this to be
one of our projects.

Hey Zen Dash instantly recognisable as Usual Suspect Tracy Aplin's work with plenty of
dash.

Julie Barnes "Starburst" a technical tour de force, Julie is one of the Belsey "girls".

Super Psychedelic Star by Usual Suspect  Belinda Jeffries from a workshop with
Carolyn Forster.showing well managed colour placement of the Tula Pink jelly roll.

Stash Sale Day

Wonky stars block: we were asked to not use "too many" pinks or purples.

Messy bits

It was the Guild stash sale today today postponed from last March because of snow. Despite my best intentions I was very naughty but am nevertheless very pleased with my purchases. When I got home I completed my Siblings together block of the month, wonky stars on white.. I made quite a mess with cut off bits of fabric.

I find these gold effect fabrics very useful
and these wiil replace those I nearly  used
 up on my Japanese DNP.
I think these were Beryl's sold  for her 
by Judi.

I'm doing a using stripes workshop at the TQG
weekend and these fair trade fabrics from Maggie fit
the bill.

And shirtings from Janet: I'm always on the look out for red
and pink checks. Goody.

Mug Bags

Tracy is going to teach a Guild workshop on making mug bags in July. Here is a selection of some she has made for friends and herself. Mine was nibbled by a mouse so I shall go and learn how to make another one.

Tracy with her mug bag

Group picture

Belinda's

Valerie's

Oast UFO Day

Thirteen of of us had a very enjoyable and productive UFO day.  On the way home, the longer country route, I stopped to photograph a field of poppies. Plenty of inspiration there, that particular colour of green against the orangey red. 
Photos posted with permission.
Hexagons by Ann Wood from Judi Kirk's workshop, Tracy Aplin with applecores and Katrina Loveridge's completed UFO Bargello top.

Ann's

Detail

Tracy's applecores

Katrina's bargello

Bear's Paw

Spacious old school hall

Hard at work

Considering options

The workshop with Bears Paw went well, I thought. I was pleased some of the attendees opted for the triangle variation and I ws very taken with their projects and choices.

My quilt tops laid out on the floor: we had plenty of room.

Some of their work: stripes very well managed by Naomi and Pat's Santas all the right way up. Sharon on left and
Janet on the right below opted for a Christmas theme and Louise's nine patch squares were all different. 

Sewing Days

Jenny sandwiched this top she is completing for an older friend.

Judy O with delicate applique

Gillian with DNP top

This week it was our bi-monthly sewing day where Jenny had finished a quilt for a friend who has had to give up the craft.  Lots of old favourites among the fabrics.  Judy has put together the blocks she was working on at our retreat in May. Then Wednesday evening off to Quay Quilters where Gillian has made a DNP from William Morris fabrics. Today It has been lovely day here with dear friends. Mary has made a lovely quilt with an Australian theme for a tiny person person downunder.
Tomorrow Oast UFO day and a disappearing nine patch workshop on Sunday. No more scheduled.

Sewing with friends at my house

Mary with her downunder quilt 

Workshop day

I've just spent a very pleasant day with the friendly ladies of Twydall Quilters who made disappearing nine patches in arious colourways Here are some of their blocks. I hope I've got names right and some I didn't catch.

Sue's

Irene's?

Elaine's

Barbara sewed lots of strips

This student made an interesting asymmetric arrangement planned as a
topper for a garden table.

Snapshots

Louise Mabbs cushion

Zip closure

I've finally taken a picture of the cushion project started in a workshop with Louise Mabbs using a French seams technique. Very useful was learning how to use a placket to cover the zip. I've always just folded over the back before but this was much tidier. My husband likes this very much so it's a keeper.
Also my husband did duty once more to hold up the charity batik DNP started with Castle Wall Quilters. I sewed the last stitch of binding down at the weekend.

Warm and cool colours alternately placed
within the blocks.