Sashiko Workshop

Today was our turn to have Diana Turner visit to give us some instruction on 'Sashiko' embroidery/ quilting.  Diana gave us an insight into this ancient art, she also explained what a learning curve it has been for her.  
We were given the choice of fabric, cotton thread, and patterns.  Choices, choices, choices, we were so very well behaved when it came to our turn to choose.....all lined up and took our turn.  The fun then began and  we all set about creating our first 'sashiko' work of art.

They look busy, they don't even have their cups out.

Eye's down working hard.  

These folk seem to be enjoying the afternoon.... as did we all.

I think she has done this before!!!!!

Busy busy busy....... but a little time for Tea.

Oops!!! We seem to have some missing ladies in this picture, but the work is there.

Not sure who this is, but she seemed to like the biscuits

Diana with some of her samples, and the book she donated to our Library.

Thank you so much Diana, it was another great afternoon.  Think we should now have a competition to see who can make something from their embroidered piece, cushion, pincushion, wall hanging, or even for the brave a quilt.  

Linus project day

February it seems is the traditional month when we all give a little of our time to make quilts for the Linus Project and today was no exception.

Lots of ladies arrived to spend the day making quilts for sick children in Northamptonshire.  The cutters were out in force along with the sewing machines, needles and thread, and everywhere you looked there seem to be piles of fabric, which quickly began to turn into quilts. 

You have to start somewhere, and this fabric looks fun.

Sweet Sun bonnet Sue, and some quilting the bunnies

More Sun bonnet quilts .... so cute

This was a joint effort, one did the machine stitching, and the other all the hand work.

Clowns, Elle's and is that a teddy???

This was just a few made over the past year by just one person.

Another of our group had spent many happy hours making this pile

Lesley showed a few how to make these beauties.  They will be great for the older children.

You will be seeing more of these over the coming weeks as we all get them finished. I can't wait to get a photos of all of them together..... even if it does mean I have to stand on the roof to get them all in.  Well, maybe we might just have to take a photo once they are all in a pile.

Last year 3 of us followed an on line quilt along.  Little Miss Shabby did a free block of the month called 'Birdie Stitches'  and this is the first one finished.

Well done Angie.  It really is stunning.

Next week Diana Turner will be with us again to show us all how to 'Sashiko' embroider.  Don't forget there will be kits to buy, but please bring some calico, wadding, and a needle (chenille No, 18 was recommended).

Monday 13 Feb

Once again we had a good show of ladies today.  Many seemed to be making new quilts for the new year, and  a few are enjoying their embroidery. 

Some neat little blocks going together nicely, and is that some hand quilting
going on??

Sun bonnet Sue and some teddy bears getting worked on here

Is that Carol's heart block peeking out??

Some ribbon embroidery going on in this corner.

 We have had some new members recently, and one of them has finished her very first quilt.  Definitely a Tah Dah!! moment.

Can you see Yvonne looking over the top...or is she  having 40 winks????

Didn't she do well (large round of applause please).....

Today was the first meeting of those that have offered to help on the new committee.  It was agreed that we should have a constitution, along with who will be carrying out the different tasks.

Watch out for more news on the Notice Board.

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One thing that we do have arranged is that next week is going to be our Linus project quilt day, so to make sure some of our older fabric gets used up, some of us spent the afternoon cutting it up.  

We weren't cutting up those sweet little hexies

We should have some nice quilts made next week.

Sashiko workshop

Diana Turner came this evening to show how to "Sashiko" - (Not the dance). We were provided with the Japanese fabric and thread before she told us a little of the history of this style of stitching. Diana also very kindly gave us a copy of Susan Briscoe's "Sashiko" book for our library. 

Jo beginning her flower

Ann & Louise admiring their work

Ena looking very smug with hers! No mistakes there for a change!

We had several designs to choose from

A fun evenings sewing!

some finished quicker than others

And some spent time looking for thread! Never did find it? 

We were all pleased with our progress

Lynda having some one to one tuition from Diana
(can you see the corner of the table behind? Is THAT this missing skein?)

We all had a very pleasant and relaxed evening and are looking forward to Diana coming to our Monday meeting in a couple of weeks. Maybe we will have some finished items to show off then. Here's hoping!

Chilly Weather, but warm welcome

Over the weekend we all woke to a winter wonderland but the snow did not stop the fool hardy of us making our way to sew today.


We had a show of the bags we made for this years challenge.

What a lot of creative folk we have.

Some have even made matching mug rugs.... Well done ladies.  Of course there are probably this many again, but the weather made their owners stay at home, may be we will see them next week.

The other thing a few of us were working on today was the starting block of the Christmas Wall hanging.  June had given the pattern for the Angel last week, so it was all go.

See even Angie and Jo made a start.

 Looking good

 Barbara is busy.... is that a second one she's making???

There's definitely two here..... some folk just like to show off.

Muriel has also been busy, just look at the very special quilt she has made for a very special grandchild.

Name and date of birth included.

and fully reversible.

Just to let you into a little secret, Angie has quilted her 'Birdie Stitches' quilt, that some of us worked on last year.  So, as its almost completed we must look out for show and tell and pics in the next few weeks.  Yeah!!! 

Bags of bags!

The hardy amongst us braved the weather tonight. Everyone was quite industrious, maybe to keep warm?

This evening was the deadline for our Christmas Challenge Mug Bag!  Lots of pretty little bags turned up.

Some big and some small - most with pockets for your TBags!

Even a co-ordinating bag big enough for lunch too.

Some one forgot to fill her bobbin! Bless!

We are be arranging a "Round Robin" quilt group with those that want to join in, or maybe two groups. Details next week. Looking forward to this girls.

Don't forget that Diana Turner will be coming to teach us Sashiko at next weeks meeting. Kits available, please let us know if you have not yet ordered one.