Sewing Stints

Marking the lines of stems . .

Hand pieced block 9" square

Trimmed applique block

Batik blocks

I have been getting on with various tasks and have finished the latest applique block and have been marking out a line for the stems on the next one with a serrated wheel and dressmakers' carbon which I've had in my possession for 40 plus years.

I took out a centre block from my hand pieced top as it jarred on me  and have sewn a new one; it took a long time.

I've also make some batik blocks assigned to me for a group project.

Happy Christmas everyone!Houston Stars

Houston Stars quilt designed by Gwenfai Rees Griffiths: it goes on my bed every Christmas Eve and remains there
until Twelfth Night

So far so good

I am forging ahead with my applique blocks as I know I shall stall if I stop and I love the fabrics so much I don't want them to go to waste. The hand sewing is very absorbing and restful. The preparation is quite tedious and I find the stems a bit troublesome but I'm developing new strategies for dealing with them all the time. I am currently stitching the fifth 15" block and have the templates for the next three ready to cut out and the  background sandwiches pre-quilted and assigned their places.

Homefront

Picture Squares for Linus

Dinosaurs on the back.

I quilted  another Linus quilt  and attached the binding which a friend is kindly going to sew down for me. And, mainly, I've been working on applique blocks as I need hand sewing to do on Christmas visits.

Applique block, Piece 'o'Cake pattern.

And another one

Passing it forward

When we did a house exchange in Adelaide, Australia, very kind and sociable neighbours "adopted" us and through them we got to meet more people, to walk in the bush and learn about flora and fauna and to experience the wonderful produce market to the full and altogether have a much more immersive and enjoyable time than otherwise. On venturing out on the first day I was thrilled to discover in the  row of neighbourhood shops a spacious and well stocked quilt shop. (There was also a very nice secondhand book shop). The Quilt Shop ran little evening events to socialise with other quilters, see new projects and learn about additions to the shop wares. Dian accompanied me to these and this was her introduction to quilting and she has gone on to quilt for herself and meet up with sewing friends. A lover of all things quintessentially English she is a Liberty fan and this Christmas sent me pictures of the beautiful Liberties quilt she has made for her mother which, with permission,  I show here.

What a beautiful quilt with well chosen colours.

The bestest present

I am the proud possessor.

Yesterday the Usual Suspects enjoyed their annual Christmas lunch at the Three Mariners and I received very appropriate presents from not so Secret Santa, Tracy. One was a little tin with a carefully wrapped little can and small bottle. Those who know me will know the contents. I had hoped she would make me something and I was delighted to discover a hot water bottle with personalised cover. Almost too nice to use - I shall save it for trips.

The Linus quilts are coming together - I added the binding on an another one today and Judy has quilted and bound two and assembled and finished a third for some lucky recipients of her lovely quilting.

Quilted and bound by Judi

Back and lovely quilting

Quilted and bound by Judi

Back detail

Assembled, quilted and bound by Judi

Backing provided by Judi

Weekend activities

None of my sewing this weekend has been  "for me". The 2D items of underwear are at the behest of the Quay Quilters' group and I have sandwiched, quilted and attached the binding to a Linus top from the Birthday Party morning sewing session. A kind person has offered to hand stitch down the binding.

And Saturday was taken up with a family get together as my son is away for Christmas so he got his presents early - one earned the accolade "best Christmas present ever" and came from my daughter and family.

The present

The recipient and the giver.

Lower Hardres Christmas Feast

The Usual Suspects and friends meet at a local hall to sew together bi-monthly and today had a Christmas flavour. Thanks to Maggie the table always looks beautiful and today we had Christmas colours and food such as sausage rolls and mince pies had a Christmas flavour. Courtesy of Joy a Christmas pudding had bubbled away all morning and there was brandy butter and cream and custard too while Belinda brought a fridge "bake" equally rich and delicious. As Judi had completed her judging course with flying colours we had a glass of bubbly too!
I was busy helping to glue baste people's quilts and sort out some Linus sandwiches - I managed to get a volunteer quilter for two of them. Thank you Judi. The rest await in my spare room. Meanwhile I have 5 quilt tops of my own, very daunting. One has gone to Maggie for longarming and I cut out the wadding on the day and noted the top left block so I know where to put the sleeve.

Marigold's cobblestones

Detail Sheila's block of the day, still in progress.

Ingrid's Rail Fence

My aide memoire photo

OAST

Show and Tell at the Oast Quilters' meeting didn't disappoint and here is a mini selection.

My friend Tracy's Christmas quilt started on a retreat together earlier in the year. Super pattern.

Runner started at my S & W squares workshop in June.

Quilts by Blockmakers for MS sufferers.

Quilt tops by Blockmaker member, Pearl, to be finished.

Another riot of colour from Pearl.

Cilla's quilt started at my workshop - gratifying to see.

Back with the U3A

Anne's Owls bag

Sheila's inimitable tartan version of
Margaret's design

Stephanie with the term's initial project

Grace with one in the soft colours she favours

It was the end of term at the U3A with finished projects to show and plans for the New Year. This is such a friendly group and is really valued by tutors and students.

Margaret's double sided quilt, the starting point for next term's work

A detail

The reverse side

Detail of back

Housewarming

Tracy brought her Modern Log Cabin blocks from Judi's workshop to show us.

Sewing around the table

Several of went to celebrate Maggie's house move. It was good to see the longarm machine in its new quarters and enjoy a new set of lovely surroundings. Lunch was delicious and so was the chat and sharing of projects.