4th Tuesday FEB 2010 Hearts class

Paper Piecing is not for everyone BUT I am so proud of the gals that tried it.
Some even 'like it."

Twelve hearts were turned in. Each is unique and just wonderful!


My goal is to incorporate the 'home-work' into an additional donation quilt.

Linda and I stayed after class and pieced the blocks using the D-9 pattern

Special thanks to Mary M for bringing a beautiful quilt to share. Her paper-piecing skills are just fantastic. She also free-motioned quilted it on her home machine. (Another skill our group is going to learn this year)

Dawn brought a large print floral top she is working on for her mom- just fantastic!

Of course I didn't get pictures- my bad. Linda had to remind me to get a shot of the heart blocks after the meeting.

Sherry brought in scraps to add to the 'crumb' box- can't wait to get to that class! She also did the pink panther heart block. It is great!

Pat and Dawn both made additional blocks in Americana fabrics to keep- which is a good idea, they can be used along with other things we are doing to make a small quilt.

Debbie H and Edna both missed the last class so we did a little catch up on the How-To's, Debbie finished one heart block and it is in the group quilt.

One of the donation pieces we worked on last year was trimmed and is ready to be bound.

We have a very fun group this year and I am looking forward to seeing what each of us can get done. Next month is a class on stack-and- whack- we will discuss concepts, fabrics, patterns and see how it goes. I have at least 6 quilts in mind from this way of layering and cutting. Can't wait to see if the others get as excited as I am. be good - cheryl

Let the Sewing Begin- again- 2010

Our church quilting group meet for the first time this year. I am so excited to be a part of such a fun bunch of gals. I always like to see 'new' people join us. Thanks Pat for bringing Sher, I hope you both learned something new to you.

I was telling the group that some of my cyber friends also hang out in yahoogroups. Hopefully a few will check them out. My favorites are stashbuster@yahoogroups.com and quiltvillechat@yahoogroups.com Both of these groups seem open to newbies and are great for lurkers too. (Raising my hand- love, love, love the eye candy!)

I also have other groups that that I just like to 'see' what gals are doing, most yahoo groups can be set to a digest form of getting info. I like to look at the new pictures and occasionally comment on what people are doing, for the most part I just lurk.


Tonight's class was on paper-piecing and we were challenged to complete TWO heart blocks to donate for a group quilt. If anyone wants to join a group that takes paper-piecing serious- check out CarolDoakQuiltingGroup@yahoogroups.com "paper piecing" that will excite and challenge you.













Our class was a little less demanding. We had two blocks to work with. One had all the steps complete on the original piece of paper. The other was a two-part pattern. We were able to get one 95% finished before having tech. difficulties with the sewing machine. (My bad, I was going to get to the building early and do a little tune up but was running late.) We did get the concepts down and got to enjoy digging through scraps to take home for practice.
















Basics to Remember on paper-piecing

1- for smaller blocks, use small strips/scraps

2-shorten your stitch length (makes it easier to tear off the paper)

3- respect the seam allowances (don't cut yourself too short) (Do as I say not as I do-oops)

4- save your scraps- we are doing crumbs later (I haven't shown them what crumbs are, I will let some be surprised!)

5- Remember to put right sides of fabric together, hold up to the light to see that the seam is covered, sew directly on the line, trim after each seam. (I know that is a lot for Five steps but I didn't want to sound bossy-lol)

We looked at examples of pineapple block, sunshine and shadow, log cabin/courthouse (all great for saving strips and strings) Mary M will bring a top next time for show & tell.

Linda was nice enough and showed up early to help me get things lined out. Don't know what I would do without her.

Mary S made my day by being on time (just kidding, we have been begging her for years to join us and due to scheduling it has been hit and miss- hopefully this year will be a few more hits)


Ladies in attendance got to pick from a pre-printed valentines fabric blocks for a piece to use as a focus block or label. I can't wait to see what the quilters come up with.

This is the first year that we have on-site storage for our 'stuff'. Hubby moved a nice size cabinet over for the quilters to use. We have it full after one meeting. How nice this is not to have to carry everything home. Both of the machines I brought up need a little attention, Linda offered to bring her new machine in to have on hand. I have been collecting extra rulers and mats to take to group and now I can just leave them at the building.

Dawn came up with the idea of a swap. I qualified it by saying that anything "taken" and not used by August has to be brought back. (I am meaning kits) I am hoping to go on a mission trip to El Salvador in Sept and am looking for projects to take with me.

This is a bit wordy, especially for not having any photos. I will edit in a shot or two of our blocks, just to busy tonight to pick up the camera. (done) Two points for getting a couple of quilts trimmed for bindings.

If you didn't make it out tonight (it is so cold here) and want a copy of the pattens we are using, give me a shout and I will make sure you get them. You will be expected to make two for the donation top before the next meeting.


This year my motivation for the group is in memory of my mentor, Hope. She influenced my love for scrappy. I learned paper piecing from her before it was a popular thing to do. I am looking forward to showing off a few of the pieces she helped inspire me to make.

This pattern will be shared with the gals that completed the two donation blocks.




Take care- be good- cheryl

2010 Quilt Group

Quilting 2010- and the sewing continues

Goal is to meet on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30 in the Fellowship Bldg.

Most material will be provided for classes, individual projects are on your own.

Traditionaly we have worked on Grad. Quilts, charity quilts,
a quilt/top to show at ladies night and a Mystery or Block Exchange.

This year I would like to expand on pattern and piecing theory and touch on
Free Motion Machine Quilting on your personal home machine. I have projects in mind that will allow each of us to work at or above our comfort levels.


February- paper pieceing hearts w/a block exchange (Participants in the exchange need to donate 2 heart blocks for a project to be announced later)

March-Stack & Whack- this will be your quilt to show off

April- Grad Quilts (we will also work on bindings)

May-Donation quilt work nights- fabric is provided- children's prints

June-Strings! Americana fabrics- bring your scraps

July- Letters- another scrappy!

August- Crumbs and another block swap

(if you do June/July/Aug in similar prints you will have enough
blocks for a scrappy top)

Sept/Oct/Nov -Free Motion (Fireman Quilts and children's Prints)
Celtic Knot former mystery revealed-
pattern will be available for those who want another TO-DO


The goal for this year to learn a few new things about quilting and each other.
We will continue to work on individual and group projects. Love, Laugh and Learn!

As always you are not limited to just the projects on this list, if you have questions and/or suggestions, feel free to throw them out there and see what sticks.

Organize the stash (This is a do as I say, not as I do!) , pick patterns, color theory, machine quilting, scrap projects, sharing what you make with others, there are so many things we can work on in Quilt Group!


I realize that SCRAPS are not for everyone, each class will be taught so the
participant can do a controlled project is so desired.

As always I will be thrilled to see what all we get done this year.-
be good cw 366-0057



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wish list of TO-DO's that we can encourage you with--

Testing a block idea

I am teaching a class starting in March based loosely on the layer and cut idea. (stack and whack)



I was playing around with a yd of material that I like the colors of but there is not enough to do multiples.



I was able to get Nine 4-patch blocks cut at 4.5" and some left overs that may make for an inner border.



This may end up being one of those tops that just gets to grow as the mood hits. I want the gals to realize that one doesn't have to stick to the pattern but to feel free to use what she has and work outside the box. (as a disclaimer- I know it looks wonky but it is just the way it is hanging on the mini-blinds)


These four blocks are the same sq. turned with a different center.

Each is unique. I think I like the look where it swirles a little form the center out.

I am thinking I want to strip with black or dark green and see what that does for me.

An On-Point setting, perhaps?

Mirror ART (?) Reveal

And to think, I don't even drink--sure looks like I was on something to start this.

Mirror was left over from one of the girls. Jewelry is from my grandmother's costume collection. Misc pieces came from my junk drawer.

Letters are formed from necklaces and bracelets and some with beads. I did purchase the little sq. mirror shapes to add dimension & a pack of charms (Faith, Hope, Love). There are a couple of pieces from Hubby's mom's yard sale pile.

I am a little surprised at the lack of color to this piece, does that make it timeless? Maybe my brain just interpreted the "scraps" with out the "S's" (lol)

It is hanging up above the closet, the fingerprints don't reveal themselves in real life BUT I will stand on a chair and polish the mirror.

In the grand scheme of things I would rate this above "macaroni art" but a tie for a good button colloge.

I would like the thank the makers of craft-clue for making it possible to adhear the metal pieces securely.

Now that this is off the TO-DO list I can get on to more important distractions.- be good cw