Last weekend, I went to Marshall for a sew day. I spent all day (from 10 am to 5 pm) with Linda (The Quilted Pineapple) and her friends (I guess I can start calling them my friends, too!), sewing. It was really great, and I cannot believe how fast the day just FLEW by. Here's what we were working on...
Pat was working on sewing together little 1" (or maybe 1.25"?) strips to make the spool quilt in Edyta Sitar's newest book (there's a link to it on the right sidebar of my blog). Very pretty. (Pat doesn't look too happy that I'm snapping a photo of her, does it?! haha I'm pretty sure she wasn't.)
Notice how she sews on a little Janome Jem? I feel right at home here...That's my Jem right over Pat's shoulder. It's my "travel" machine. Linda (in the background) is sewing on her Janome 6600. In a minute you'll see Hannah's Jem. It's a little Janome family! haha!
By the way, I commented on the little plastic table Pat had to go with her Jem. I didn't know they made one. She said she had another one in the car that was a little bigger and she'd sell it to me for $20. I gave it a try and loved it. SOLD! It was so nice to have a table to sew on instead of just that little arm sticking out!
Here's a pile of Pat's spool sets. So cute. I thought they looked so cute next to her cute pincushion!
Here's Hannah, working on her Jem. She's also sewing strips for one of Edyta's quilts...the same one I'm working on. More on that in a minute.
Here's Linda (The Quilted Pineapple). She's working on a small quilt, Sweet Spot, for her Le Petit monthly challenge. I thought her fabrics were so amazing. She STARTED this quilt on Saturday, and YESTERDAY she posted the FINISHED top! I bow to you, Linda! Well done. It's gorgeous! You should take a little peek at it. Click here to go to her blog post about the finished top.
Linda gave us all a demonstration of how to use Monique Dillard's Fit to be Geese rulers to make flying geese. It was pretty neat. They look like a good tools to have in your arsenal (but you all know I am a tool junkie--more tools=more plastic storage containers to keep them in! LOL). Linda really likes them, and also Sherri (A Quilting Life) also recommends them highly.
Here's a quilt top someone brought in. She had made it all from scraps from her previous projects. She cuts up her scraps and sews them into little nine-patches. Isn't it great looking?! (I apologize to the owner. I cannot remember who made this. I even asked Linda on more than one occasion, but my memory is shot to h*$#. My sincere apologies to the maker.)
Here is what I got done. Yes, I started a new project. I know I said I wouldn't until I finished my Tree of Life, but since I'm so close to finishing that one, I decided it was okay. These are strip sets (strips were 1.25-1.5" in width before I sewed them together, I think) I made for the house blocks for one of Edyta Sitar's new quilts (again...the book is on the sidebar of my blog). You might remember I bought the kit for this project. I used the "house fabric" to make these, but I also added strips from a strip exchange that is ongoing amongst the ladies I'm sewing with in Marshall. So, I added in a bunch of different fabrics from them, just to add variety to the mix. (And some of my own, too.)
Here is a photo of Edyta sitar signing my books. This was taken in December, when Edyta did a book signing and trunk show in Marshall. I blogged about that here, if you want to read more about it. I am reposting this photo, because the quilt I'm now working on is (a) the one on the cover of the book she is NOT signing in this photo, and (b) right over her left shoulder in the photo. The strip sets I was making will be the house blocks. I got 11 of 12 sets done on Saturday, so I made really good progress! (By the way, I really want to do that quilt over her right shoulder as well!)
It was a really fun day. I had a great time. We were all sad to go home. It was cute. All of us were saying that the day went way too quickly. We had enjoyed each other's company so much.
Patti, we missed you.
Well, I have made NO sewing progress so far this week. Maybe today. I am being pretty lazy! Last night, since March is Reading Month, I taught Sweet Pea how to make a little book, and she wrote and illustrated it. I am thinking tomorrow I'll give you a tutorial on this very simple project. Your kids, young and old, might enjoy it!
Have a wonderful day!
Until next time,
Mama Pea
Don't you love sewing in groups? The day is NEVER long enough . . .
Posted by: Shelly | March 02, 2011 at 08:39 AM
That looks like so much fun! Love the little house quilt can't wait to see yours.
Posted by: Jewel | March 02, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Great post! Pretty sure, actually I know I got the least amount accomplished! LOL! We did have fun didn't we?? I'll bet you'll have your house quilt done by the next sew day! Yes, we too are doing things for reading month.
Posted by: Linda | March 02, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I did want to come to the sit and sew, but it turned out to be a very hectic and busy day for me. Now, with the kitchen remodel starting who knows what will happen. I'm thinking my sewing room will have to be packed up and put away to avoid dust. I'll have to switch to nothing but hand work. I have a bunch of wool projects from PG that I have on my short list.
Posted by: Patti | March 02, 2011 at 10:58 AM
What a great thing to do with the scraps - and if you do some right away, all of a sudden you'd have enough without it seeming like so much work. I also like the one over Edyta's right shoulder.
Posted by: sisLH | March 02, 2011 at 12:08 PM
You are so lucky to have such a nice sewing group. The fabrics you are using ar so pretty - can't wait to see your progress and project! I like that way nine-patch has two different slashing fabrics. Looks really nice.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | March 02, 2011 at 12:36 PM
We drove through Marshall last week but I couldn't find a quilt shop. Where were you sewing at. Looks like you had a great time. Hugs
Posted by: Cathy Buel | March 02, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Gorgeous projects - good for you on getting that table!
Posted by: Allie | March 02, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Sonds like you had so much fun! And it reminds me of having to find a group here :)
Posted by: Johanna | March 02, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Sounds like a mini-retreat! I have friends who refuse to go on retreats or bring their machines to guild for a class or sewing afterward. They just think how much trouble it is to pack up their stuff for travel. I've tried to explain how much fun it is, but until they do it, they don't get it. I don't bother trying anymore. I just think how sad it is that they are so set in their ways that they won't try something new and hope I never get like that.
So glad you have found a fun group to play with! The strip sets look great.
Posted by: Lynn | March 02, 2011 at 05:38 PM
I love sewing with friends! I have two days coming up next weekend!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | March 03, 2011 at 07:17 AM