The Quilt Retreat

 

Going home morning

The previous group I used to travel with decided to call it a day for reasons of cost, travel plans, age etc. So along with two newbies of my acquaintance we joined a group of five from the midlands. They were great, friendly and jolly and we all got along splendidly.

I worked on Gypsy Rose mostly with a respite from pernickty piecing provided by working on unearthed long ago block swap sets and joining completed blocks.

St Brigid Cross blocks awaiting a border

!930's repro. blocks not quite joined as I need
to swap out one of the centre yellow blocks.

The others worked on jelly roll strip sets together plus individual projects 

Jackie's first quilt

Angela's Christmas stocking
for the youngest (great?) 
grandson

Gilly's Dresden plates, quite a feat with more done by the end.

Strip sets sewn ready to be cut into squares and sliced.

while my companions,both fine sewers worked on applique and hand quilting.

 

It seems a long time since the Usual Suspects met and we had a lovely day together on Wednesday. Judi's latest project was much admired. It is a Modern Quilt Studio (Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr) mystery though Judi knew the result before embarking.

At home I was looking for some 1930s reproduction swap blocks from a decade plus ago and emptied a bottom drawer. Long forgotten items emerged and various odd blocks . I did find the basket blocks but also masses of 9-patches and applique flowers inspired by a Lynn Edwards' talk and pattern. Although I probably have enough for a double bed I think that might be a bit much and will start with a baby size quilt top.

A motley crew

I thought I had laid out 7 by 8 blocks but I realise I am one row short and will add another one. If I had also made blocks with white in the corners that would have given me more options.

I am looking through Mary Mashuta's Cotton Candy Quilts which is giving some leads about using these fabrics.

 Another coherent set of nine blocks emerged and I'll audition some possible sashing, either a gingham type check or some somewhat grungy Tilda chambray.

I think the block's name is "Boys' Nonsense"

Here is the basket block. I thought they might serve as leader enders but realise I would need to pause and do quite a bit of preparation and I already have a ton of cutting for my current project.

Back home

Back home I unearthed a Fons & Porter kit bought in the US in the noughties and have started cutting (there's a lot) and sewing. It will be a massive piecing effort. The pieces will be cut  to size so I shall need to concentrate on being as accurate as I can. My first foray isn't perfect but will do.

These are a soft brown. Next there is a set of pink stars. I am following the pattern using seven eighths and five and a quater inch measurements which leaves no room for error and try as I might I am losing points.

I thought I would sort out a layer cake leader ender pattern inspired by a Moonkin YouTube video but the leader ender took over and I have been making quarter log cabins as fast as I can. I'm using two similar Moda layer cakes from a lady's destash. I have left a batch to trim while on retreat and sets of strips to sew into blocks, good on retreat when I am tiring.

At firstIworked randomly but then I
did some sorting to make sure
every fabric in the block was different
and a mix of value.

Sets of cut 10" squares and of mixed up
layers ready to dew into blocks

I got home on Tuesday then it was Quay Quilters on Wednesday where Jenny talked about slashing fabrics and the now assembled raffle quilt top was produced for us all to admire. It's impressive.

Pastures new

 

We have been away on a family weekend to Pett Level, the shore between Rye and Hastings. Time to enjoy the lovely views out to sea from our lofty bedroom.

We went to Rye where Merchant & Mills was seething with eager shoppers.

Pretty corner in Rye

Aja handed me the Cherrywood fabrics I had had posted to her parents in the US seen here in the basket I bought in Rye.

On another day we visited Hastings where we went up the furnicula.

I prepped some sewing to take having recently made progress on my quilt of the crosses one inch at a time.

The photo served as an aide memoire as it's a bit like a jigsaw to assemble