U3A November Project

Done done

I finished the birthday party morning project which was a stand up pencil case. However despite being told which way round the zip went and despite knowing which way it went and despite thinking quite smugly I was putting it in the right way I inserted it the wrong way so opted for a pouch instead  - right size for a rotary cutter? I have learned not to fear zip insertion and will learn more pouch patterns from the net.  Excellent instruction from Stephanie.
I also made the U3A bag using a construction method taught by Margaret. I put in pockets including a zip up one to make it more useful. Our residents' association is having an arts and crafts day in November and I'll probably put a for sale price  on them.

Bag side made from four pre-quilted pieces.

Inside: three pockets

39

We celebrated the Quilters' Guild's 39th birthday on Saturday which was as ever a lovely day, especially lovely for me as, no longer Guild rep. I could sit back and enjoy the jolly organisation of the Pogles Wood girls, Tansy, Beverley and Jacquie.
In the afternoon we had the most wonderful presentation by Inger Milburn of quilts employing a log cabin technique - so inventive and so beautiful with construction and design samples posted on the design wall behind her.
Just a taste!

A one block piece

Detail

The crinkled effect was achieved by washing so the base fabric shrank.

Siblings Together

It's my turn to request and receive blocks this month and these came through my door, beautifully made.

From Margaret

From Mags

From Gillian

A precious gift

A kind person gave me this improv. hexagon quilt, just the right size for my bed!

Made by Heather Hasthorpe

From above

U3A

Here is a small selection of bags made by the class using a clever construction technique taught by Margaret. We plan a group picture at the end of term.

Add captionAngela

Rosemary

Anne

Jane

Margaret

Table Mats by Jane

Retreating 04

On the last day I cut out masses of triangles for square in a square sashing pieces and made use of Mandy's cutting machine to cut out half square triangles for a workshop next year. I also worked on a sample for the log cabin star I'll be doing with the U3A in November. Method Photos to appear in November. 

We all loved this made by someone not on the retreat and using shirtings and checks.

Detail

Colette's set out for pinning

Debbie's with very effective sashing

Maggie's magnum opus using African fabrics

Miriam's Quilt of the Crosses

Kathy's 

Mandy's taupe BOM made larger

Yvette's for charity

Detail

Retreating 03

A lot of work got done yesterday. I had a productive day too, finishing my Westminster blocks and then cutting 200 squares for the sashing units. Mandy had brought in her electric die cutting machine and after some hesitation it came into use. I am doing a workshop next year involving masses of HST's and I took the opportunity to cut up some of my Westminster fabrics, all pales.

Julie's stripped hexagons

Miriam's angel

My Westminster blocks

Heather's baskets

Detail

Heather's fish: Julie was the recipient

This one came my way; I love it

Jackie's aeroplanes

Detail

Belinda's Liberty log cabins

And her jelly roll quilt

Detail

Colette's super top

Mandy's
's

M

and detail

Maggie's: I'll sleep under this when I visit her in South
Africa

Heather  with a quilt which gained an award
at the West Country Show

Retreating 02

Experts from the class tried out my machine; one phoned her expert engineer and the other talked him through it.  Such helpful people. The view was the machine is faulty and needs to be replaced. At least it's not me. I'll get on to it as soon as I go back home. Then a wee morning shopping trip and  then I got out my my trusty basic Bernina and off we went - what a relief! I completed my current stint on our joint (secret) quilt and then got to work on Westminster Chimes blocks.

Julie's pieced hexagons taking shape.

Detail

Isabel's top in the making

Detail

Two of my Westminsters

A whole row