March All Comers Day

Madalyn asked for people to help at the March All Comers Day. The Quiltfest Raffle Quilt needed some willing sewers to sew the hexagon flowers together.  Anyone who could spare  1/2 an hour, an hour or a couple of hours to come and help sew would be welcomed with open arms.  When I arrived the flowers were laid out on the backing, and pinned in place. 

Hexie flowers cascading down

Dianne and Jude started stitching the hexie flowers together

Before too long others arrived to help, Jill and Jackie soon settled down to stitch around the table,  stitching those flowers together in groups. Lynne and Janneke arrived a little later and joined in too.

Four willing stitchers working together

There was an “oops moment” when the placement wasn’t going to plan.  No problem – Lynn had taken a photo on her phone and the hexie flowers were soon rearranged in the correct sequence.  Some of the ladies left after a morning’s stitching, leaving the Afternoon Shift of Janneke, Lyn and Dianne quietly working away together. 

I’d never worked with hexagons so brought along my own projects - two little just completed baby quilts,  with me.  With the bindings hand stitched down on both before the end of the day, I was a happy quilter indeed. 

As you know, we meet in the Vintage Car Club Rooms, and there was all sorts of activity outside in the car park.   The members were gathering there before they went  off on a ride, showing off their wonderful cars.  I went outside to take a few photos.  I rather liked this one, a Model T Ford, the owner told me.  But he didn’t offer to whisk me away on a vintage car jaunt, so I went back inside to get on with my stitching.

Model T Ford

It was another lovely All Comers Day, so nice to meet up and chat  with club members.

Jenny Benton

March Club Night

Our speaker for March was the very talented and amusing Christine Hartigan, who is a sales representative for Nutex Fabrics, a very experienced quilter who has been guest exhibitor at several Quilt Shows. Christine told us about her experiences as a sales rep, and how she came to get her “dream job” after working and teaching in several quilt shops for some years.  This job takes her overseas several times a year.  She also brought along a selection of her quilts, including her very first, a queen sized Garden Tapestry quilt with fancy pieced borders, made in a class at Stitches Plus.  (I have one of these myself at home, and remember that the borders took forever to stitch.) 

Christine told us she likes to put her own stamp on her quilts, and likes to make her own designs these days.  Another mega undertaking were the several years spent doing City and Guilds through Nancy’s Embroidery shop.  Her old farmhouse certainly invited a close inspection, and is created with paint, patchwork and thread painting, and hangs in her home.  

The Show and Tell brought along by members is always fun to see.  Kay had been finishing off several UFOs, she told us, all for grandchildren.  An activity book, a little pink hand bag, a bed for dolly, and a rather cute jack-in-the-box.  Hasn’t she been busy!

Goodies for Kay’s grandchildren

Summer Rain, made by Sarah was lovely, a beautiful fresh looking quilt, and using up some strips, she told us.

Sarah with Summer Rain

Marjorie has been working hard making a Plus quilt, not letting an arm injury slow her down.  She is making this quilt for the Levin RSA to to be raffled for funds.   There is some gorgeous poppy fabric in there, and several commented how they liked the crosses coming out into the border.  Due to the lighting in the hall, the colours are more red in real life.

Marjorie and the RSA raffle quilt

The meeting continued in the supper room with a few notices, a cuppa, and the raffle draws.  Another interesting club night, as usual.

Jenny Benton