March Remnants Night

There was not such a big group along to the March Remnants night.  Most of the regulars were there, plus prospective club member Ute, who drove up from Ohau to join us for the evening.  That’s not to say that we didn’t enjoy another delicious shared meal.  As usual, there was a nice selection of delicious offerings to choose from to put on our plates.  As well as a bowl of those yummy chocolate fish – a couple of these sprat sized fish really work as an energy booster.

Leigh was the guiding hand behind organising the floating four patch blocks the club members had made for charity quilts into some sort of order.  The blocks were laid out on one of the large tables and we all gathered around to check out the colour placement.  Comments like “swap that one over there with the second one in the fourth row ”, and  “we can’t have those two blue blocks together” and the light and dark blocks were shuffled around the table until everyone was happy.

How about this arrangement, girls?

The blocks were then pinned into rows and Vickie and Leigh busily sat at their machines sewing  it all together.  Janelle and Kathy were kept busy with the pressing.

Kathy was on pressing duties

There were enough of the floating four patch blocks stitched by club members to make two quilts, so thank you everyone for that.  And special thanks to Leigh, Vickie, Janelle and Kathy for spending most of their evening working on these two charity quilts.  Here is Vickie hiding behind the first quilt top.  They will need borders, backing, and quilting, of course, but it was great to see so much progress made during the evening.

The first quilt top

Some of the others were working on their own projects too.  I was tracing and fusing appliqué blocks, and Kaye worked on a couple of projects.  There is plenty of room for anyone else who would like to come along to the next Remnants night on the last Friday in April.  They are always fun, there is a wealth of experience to call on if you get stuck, and don’t forget those chocolate fish always come along too!

Hard at work

On show at Winchester House

Town and Country Quilters supply a never ending supply of quilts to be displayed at Winchester House, the Cancer Society rooms.  I occasionally attend a meeting in the rooms, and it is always interesting to see which quilt is in pride of place for the month.

The quilt on show this month had quite a New Zealand flavour.  Designed and stitched by Luchelle Cottrell, it was inspired by NZ artist Shane Hansen and the 10 cent New Zealand coin.   “Myth” portrays the very heart of the North Island where Luchelle was raised.  She used many techniques – collage, needle turn appliqué, fused appliqué, machine an foundation piecing, and free motion machine quilting.

With swirling koru fronds, the Maori face from the coin, and dainty kowhai blossoms, it is full of New Zealand icons.  It says “I love New Zealand” to me.

Myth, by Luchelle Cottrell

Patients, visitors and volunteers all love to see the quilts at Winchester House.  Many thanks to all the club members who loan their quilts for the community to see and enjoy.