Monday, 29 June 2015

Quillows by Cilla

When we complete our strip quilts we decided that it might be a good idea to make them into quilts.

Cilla's brought in the Quillows that she made for her grandchildren. The love them so much they have even taken them on holiday.

Here Cilla shows how to fold them up ready to pop in their pockets to transform the quilt into a comfy pillow.

The motifs tell a story with great personal detail in each of the pictures....... here's the family....

and the dog, cat and goldfish....

The numbered house....

Grandma?

and a bit of the extra love that Cilla puts in all her family quilts.

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Sewing Bee Time to Vote

Last week Jo shared a fantastic day at Black Sheep Wools

with a group of fantastic people for a Patchwork Sewing Bee. They all had a wonderful day of stitching fun and here are photos of what was made that day.

What's more, it's a competition so it's time to vote,

if you would be so kind to pop over to Black Sheep's Blog http://www.blacksheepwools.com/blog/ ........

take a peek, and vote for your favourite on their blog via pinterest, Facebook or instagram and have a look at their fabulous shop.

It's an Aladdin's cave of yarns and fabrics.

If you do manage to vote for the one by Jo, our group member, then many thanks but they are all exceptionally gorgeous so it could be a really hard job choosing.

Here's Jo's Japanese twisted (or Windmill) bag in bright Kaffe Fassett fabrics by Rowan.

Ali's super shopper

Diane's Handy Pots

Lucy's cushion

and Rachel's Pinwheel shopper

www.blacksheepwools.com.... no longer just wools but fabric too.

Stitchers Heaven!

Sunday, 21 June 2015

Strip Patchwork & Works in Progress

Instead of making a "Block of the Month" in our group, we decided a change was in order so we have started making Strip Patchwork which means that we will all, eventually, have super quilts when we join them together.

Here are the first fabulous strips from some of our members.

Come on now, lets see more on show at our next meeting on 1st July.

In anticipation of twin girls in the family, Pat Mc is making two really lovely baby quilts for them.

The pretty colour scheme, her choice of fabric, and lovely hand embroidered detail, makes them into special treasures.

Here's another Celtic Braid in progress for Christmas.

It will be really festive in those perfect colours when the binding is applied and it is completed.

Still more to come from last Wednesday's meeting so keep popping in.

Friday, 19 June 2015

Our Day Out at the Gresford Show.

Once again, we were so lucky that the sun shone for our day out.

A party of our members ventured forth, by train and bus to North Wales, to see Gresford's Annual Festival of Crafts.

Not as many quilts or examples of beading this year but it was still an exceptionally creditworthy show.

Congratulations to all concerned for such a lovely day and we will certainly visit again next year.

The lovely church is such an excellent back drop to all the exhibits.

We all admired this reversible table runner.....

It was interesting to see the mix of skills and the embroidery was such fine quality......

but of course, we especially loved to see the quilting for inspiration.

I think this was specially written for our Cilla.....

The Sewing Angel sewed every day

It made her life special in every way

She sewed the alphabet and 123

and made quilts for all of her family

Carrotcake Quilters Banner in a corner of the church where the ladies exhibited and generously demonstrated their work.

A group of us had a mini lesson, thanks to a lovely lady of the Carrotcake Quilters, for making this super, quilt as you go, appliquéd hearts quilt including an easy way of stitching the joining strips.

Though I may travel near and far

My home will be wherever you are.

There was a fascinating display of the detailed work of Chester Miniatures Club and this Gypsy Caravan was stunning.

Even a crystal ball and tarot cards!

A mini WW1 battle field hospital

The photographs, poems and memories were transferred onto fabric to make this touching tribute to the men of Caergwrle and Penyffordd who fell in the Great War.

Finally, all the home made refreshments, in the Old School House, were excellent and we sat out in the sunshine to enjoy our lunch.

However, a few of the group kept up the tradition and went for the fabulous fresh fried Fish & Chips from the village chippy, eating them outside with kind permission from the local pub!

Wednesday, 17 June 2015

Latest Showcase of Makes.

Well done to Irene, one of our newest members, who has finished this beautiful sample quilt.

It was made block by block, as Irene chose the "quilt as you go" method.

We were all so delighted to see the result of her work and I know she is really proud of her quilt.

Here's the back showing the lovely fabric and her choice of colours.

Jo has been in Christmas mood, and made this festive, 24 inch hexagon shaped table centre. Far easier than the Celtic Braid of a few weeks ago as it is all straight lines to deal with, so gold ribbon was used to edge the appliquéd segments instead of bias.

It was a good week for "Show & Tell" at our group meeting so there'll be more to post over the next few days. Be sure to pop back so you don't miss any of our member's super makes.
A group of us will attend Gresford's show tomorrow .... can't wait!
Watch out for a report of the day!