Festive Makes by Group Members

Our members have been extra busy stitching for Christmas and brought in an impressive range of special makes for our "Show & Tell" at the last meeting.

A Japanese folded patchwork tree hanging by Pat Mc 

Margaret M finished her panel from our recent workshop and the golden beads added a super touch to the effect.

 Margaret also made her padded wreath but chose Autumnal colours instead of Christmas fabrics so it could be on display for longer than the Festive Season. Great idea and it looks very home spun.

Pat Mc also brought this cute Christmas Owl panel
"Owl be at home this Christmas Hoo Hoo", well that's what it says on the fabric!

and finished her tree panel. Pat was the only person in the group to stitch the windswept trees which proved more difficult to everyone else. Well done Pat!

Maria has been stitching hexagons and showed us how to make these lovely little basket shapes.

She has started a cushion panel in fussy cut hexies 

and finished this beautiful shopping bag in stunning Japanese fabrics.

Val has completed these two quilts for her twin grand babies and she hand quilted all the animal motifs. Great job and such a modern colour scheme.

Kathy showed a group of members how to make the elements of this fabulous fireplace hanging and whilst it could be used all year round, the colours and fabrics are also perfect for Christmas.

Below, detail of a triangle point

A second one in progress

Kathy showed us how to stitch a piped, bound, edge and here are a few photos to help remind everyone how to do it...

The piping fabric is accurately cut a quarter of an inch wider then stitched down the length

When pressed with the two raw edges together it forms the piping.

The prepared binding is then stitched to the wrong side and turned over so the contrast gold piping shows on the right side. This can then be top stitched.

Thanks go to Kathy for such a great idea and all her hints and tips.

Jo made several tree blocks so decided to make a small quilt from them.

Jo made 4 of the padded wreaths but has already given a couple to friends.

This plaited wreath still needs a bit of tweaking and a couple of stitches to finish it. (After requests, here are a couple of details) It was such a lot of stuffing in the three tube lengths of around 48 inches. The fabric width was 4. 5 inches but it could easily be sized up or down to choice. There was no pattern or guidelines, a similar one was just spotted recently in a window in a Lake District charity shop.

Well done everyone and let's see what comes in after another two weeks. 
Meeting, at our usual time but at lunchtime we will be strolling over to the Sefton Arms Pub in the village for our Christmas Dinner.