Message to Cornerstone Quilters

Block of the Month (Mo)

Size 10"

Style - Any Style

Rich colours

Block of the Month (Val)

Size 10.5" Calico Background

Style - Applique work

Pastel colours

Harrogate Trip 4th September

If you haven't already given your name, ring Josie

1st April
Julie, from Making for Charity, sends apologies that she cannot come on this date to demonstrate how to make the syringe driver bags for cancer patients. She will arrange another date to visit when she  will tell us all about the need for these bags but meanwhile Julie has sent Jo a pack with pattern, instructions and samples so that we can all get started.
 Beads of Courage Bags

Jo will also bring samples for making Beads Courage Bags which reward children for their bravery whilst going through their cancer treatment.

The children receive a bead for each procedure they endure, lumbar punctures, bone marrow, etc. Each colour represents a different treatment, e.g., Stars for being a good patient, blue and red for blood samples, but the most important one is the final flower bead to signify the completion of it all.
Beads of Courage (or Bravery Beads)

The hospital requested that each child has an interesting bag each in which to store these precious keepsakes so they can identify their own and keep them safe.

The bags should be approximately 8 ins x 10 ins, preferably lined and with a double draw string to close.

They should each be slightly different so each child can identify their own bag and they don't get mixed up.
Don't forget colours and designs for boys and also for teenage girls and boys.
There's a chance here to practise your appliqué skills by adding a simple motif to plain bags if there isn't any printed fabric available.
No need to go to great expense as odd remnants of fabric can be joined to pieces of good condition unwanted sheet or duvet fabric.

Windmill Bag

We will be having a visit and short talk at the next meeting from Julie, of "Making for Charity" who will tell us all about making the syringe driver bags for patients going through chemotherapy. 

She has provided the pattern and samples for us so we, as a group, can help by make some bags for this good cause.

Have a sort out of all your unwanted fabric ready to make some bags. 

The bags are lined and Julie suggests this, and/or the bags, can made from good condition, old duvet covers. 

I'm sure we can share and mix and match from what we have without going to great expense and still provide an attractive finished result for them.

Windmill Bag 

Here are few guidelines for members of the group who are making the Windmill Bag (below) on April 1st, which will give over two weeks to get prepared. 

This is a much simpler version of the original pattern, making it a quick and easy bag to sew.

Prepare 4 panels comprising of patchwork strips (see first bag example) or squares (second bag)

The above bag consists of 10 rows x 2 x 2.5 inch squares 

A slightly bigger bag can be made by cutting the squares 3 inches.

A chequer board effect from two strongly contrasting colours would be effective

or you could choose to make your panels using windmill blocks, which would be  really appropriate for a Windmill Bag! The choice is yours!

For each panel you will need;

batting, cut 1 inch bigger than all sides 

and lining, cut 2.5 inches bigger then all sides

(as shown in the next 2 pics below)

The bag is an ideal way of using up small scraps of fabric but take care of colour balance. After taking the photograph, below, I realised how the two very dark squares really didn't work so I changed them.

It's an idea to first lay the rows out on a design board to select finished layout.

The four panels before lining...

If you wish, the panels can then be quilted by hand or machine onto the batting and before lining, but if you do this you will need to put some light interfacing fabric behind the batting.

For each panel you will need;

batting, cut 1 inch bigger than all sides 

and lining, cut 2.5 inches bigger then all sides

(as shown in the next 2 pics below)

Bring these ready to the meeting.

However, if you wish, the lining can be sewn at home down each side, positioned as below with right sides together, 

then turned inside out and pressed ready to form the finished panels for the bag to be quickly assembled at the meeting and instructions will be given for different ways to complete it. Handles, fasteners, pockets etc.

If in doubt, wait to do this stage on the day.

Completed panels

2.5 inch squares        3 inch squares

If you are interested in joining us there are still a couple of places available....

Due to a couple of our members having to leave us through health reasons, we are now able to offer their places in the group.

 If anyone can manage to get to Liverpool for two Wednesdays a month and would like to share quilting skills, fun and friendship, in a pleasant spacious environment, please leave a comment with contact info (which will not be published) and we will get back to you with full details. 

We have a mixed level of skills, styles and interests, and beginners are welcome but please note that,  whilst we have occasional workshops we do not have regular formal teaching sessions. As you can see on this blog, we also make smaller items such as bags, hangings, seasonal decorations and, each month we set a block challenge. 

We also make small items needed to help cancer patients.

As well as our quilting sessions we organise days out to shows and places of interest.

Quilts Complex & Simple / Black Sheep Visit

So much work in this quilt by Kathy with all those interwoven bias strips so accurately laid out in Celtic design, but the result makes it all worthwhile. 

Isn't it spectacular and what a treasure!

This quick to make strip quilt by Pat B is so effective with it's random vibrant fabrics. The 2.5inch strips of varying lengths, are stitched together at random, alternating with 2.5 inch squares of one contrasting colour.

Here's another that Jo made, inspired and instructed by Pat and using the same technique.

The quilt top was so huge that, when it was cut to a suitable size, there was enough left over to make this runner for the foot of a bed.

Yesterday's visit to Black Sheep Wools in Culcheth  was a pleasant day out, especially as there was a sale and a cafe! It's a pleasant drive through the Lancashire countryside once you get off the motorway and it's not too far from Liverpool. 
Black Sheep Wools has increased it's range of fabrics and sewing notions so it is well worth a visit to both knitters and sewers. 
Their website has lots of information, patterns, and also a blog, click HERE.

It really doesn't look as if there will be very much inside from the front entrance but it opens into a really spacious, attractive modern, shop. 
The staff are all so friendly and helpful.

Now here are the areas we aim for....

before a welcome cuppa in the cafe which serves simple refreshments of good quality and prices.

More racks of fabric, increasing their range.

 Baskets of fat quarters.

I call this "The Men Creche" and whilst some are happy to sit here reading the papers, it was good to see quite a few men in the store selecting their wools and fabrics for their own use!

The wide range of quality wools can be seen above but there is now a new bargain area tucked away in a corner off the main shop.

Plenty of embroidery kits and equipment....

So many unusual specialty yarns too.

After bumping into a crafty friend and having a lovely chat, she and her friend have decided to join our lovely quilting group. 

We look forward to welcoming Sylvia and Hilary very soon.

At last I've managed to get a followers button on the side bar so if you would like to see more of Quilt Cornerstone blog then add your name there and you'll never miss a post. We'd love you to leave a comment too.

Thank you!

If you too are interested in joining us there are still a couple of places available....

Due to a couple of our members having to leave us through health reasons, we are now able to offer their places in the group.

 If anyone can manage to get to Liverpool for two Wednesdays a month and would like to share quilting skills, fun and friendship, in a pleasant spacious environment, please leave a comment with contact info (which will not be published) and we will get back to you with full details. 

We are a mixed level of skills, styles and interests, and beginners are welcome but please note that,  whilst we have occasional workshops we do not have regular formal teaching sessions. As you can see on this blog, we also make smaller items such as bags, hangings, seasonal decorations and, each month we set a block challenge. We also make small items needed to help cancer patients.

As well as our quilting sessions we organise days out to shows and places of interest.

Quilt in Progress and House Blocks

Irene has been forging ahead with the  blocks for her sample quilt and is hand quilting them before she constructs it.

There are some great blocks, traditional and modern and above can be seen a Dresden Plate and a circle of Flying Geese, amongst others. Below are Tumbling Blocks. 

The Blue colour scheme works so well  with such lovely fabrics.

More great House Blocks came in for Pat Mc, who will make them into a quilt in aid of Breast Cancer, hence the pink doors and windows.

Patchwork Skittles & Quilts

Margaret H has been making these fabulous soft play skittles which have been such a success with the children who have received them. A great idea and super fabric too.

Mo is still diligently hand quilting this quilt with great detail.

Cilla too has been busy hand stitching to reach her deadline for the family party when this quilt will be given as a golden wedding gift. It's getting close!

Margaret M made the same quilt in slightly different shades and here it is in all it's glory, finished. 

close up to see detail.

Some squares came in for Block of the Month where anything goes this month.

Fig leaf

Applique

More to come over the next few days of what's been happening at the Quilt Cornerstone so keep popping in.

Provencal Quilt & Chicken Teacosy

Last Show & Tell from our meeting two weeks ago and there will no doubt be more on offer after we get together on Wednesday.

This quilt is perfect for the onset of Spring as it is so bright and cheery. The fabric was bought in France by Pat Mc and it really is Provencal in style. The colours and fabrics are so effective.

Here's a view of the matching backing and now it just needs binding, which Pat will have finished in no time.

Pat used some of the offcuts to make this fabulous chicken tea cosy.

Looking forward to Wednesday now to see what everyone has been doing since our last meeting.