And another.....

This is Karen's bag. It's her first attempt and she's chuffed to bits with it; so she should be!!

Wendy and Pam are not far behind with their bags, but are now also working on their cushions, and the dog. Boy, will they be busy.

Rosemary's about to start a different bag, Ann's hand piecing a different cushion and Gill's working on a quilt she's hoping to get to keep for herself this time. 

I've got my work cut out too with a challenge to design a cat pattern for English Paper Piecing (rather than the dog).

Another finish

This darling little doggy was stitched by Chris and she's given me the OK to post a photo of it on her behalf for 'show and tell'.

I don't know if it has a name yet, but it's to be gifted to a granddaughter. It has felt eyes and, I believe has been stitched by machine with a single square gusset.

Coming up

Due to popular demand, this will be our next project, probably starting in May, giving everyone time to finish their bag and/or cushion.

The technique used here is English Paper Piecing (EPP), that is hand piecing over papers. This 'Scottie Dog' is made from 2" squares so stands about 14" tall. The gusset is two squares wide so he's wide enough to stand up on his own. Add some weight (e.g. sand) and make a doorstop. Make from smaller squares and you've got yourself a puppy! 

Start saving those scraps (min 2 1/2" square) - lots of them - and paper otherwise destined for the orange/pink sack (magazines, printer paper and used envelopes will do).

March 20, 2013

Well, we had our first 'show and tell' tonight, this absolutely gorgeous patchwork cushion, started last month and all hand-pieced by Anne. 

Karen got as far as boxing the bottom of her bag tonight and just has the lining to do so, another 'show and tell' next month maybe? Let's hope so (no pressure Karen)!

Wendy, Pam and Sheila are onto handles and deciding what colour/fabric combinations to use, whilst Gemma's decided to quilt her background fabric all over.

In amongst all this hard work, we also managed to come up with some ideas for projects for the rest of the year, including Christmas, and a suggestion of a little trip out into Essex one day to show some of the newbies a patchwork and quilting shop or two!

February 20, 2013

The new group met for the second time last night and was delighted to see a new member, with a second new member expected next month. That's 12 of us now so, a brilliant start.

Our first projects - the bag and the cushion - are now underway and, surprise, surprise, everyone wants to make both so we know what we'll be doing for the next couple of months!

To keep a record of our achievements, we'll try and find a way that anyone who wants to can add photos to the blog.

Insured & Affiliated

Today we received confirmation that the group is now insured and affiliated to the Quilters' Guild of the British Isles.

Just a bank account to sort out now.

First things first

The Founder Members of the group, many of whom are patchwork & quilting beginners, decided last Wednesday upon their first projects:

• There's one unfinished object (UFO), some pretty charm square placemats, that need quilting and a mitred binding. 
• There's a very pretty cushion cover like the sample photographed. This uses scraps of fabric and lace. 
• And a project bag in which to bring all our bits and pieces to future group meetings (and here's a sample of the proposed bag).

The requirements lists have been sent to everyone so, snow permitting, we'll be out shopping for fabric and/or searching through our fabric stashes. 

The group's initial constitution has been circulated for comment. A very important task but nowhere near as interesting as buying fabric!

And for the second time is almost as many weeks, we may make the Brentwood Gazette as the correspondent for Warley has been in touch.

There's still a few places for anyone wanting to join the group (it's not too late) so do get in touch to register your interest. You will find detail on the contact page.