MO ON THE GO

On Friday Sharon returned from a long trip overseas.  She brought with her lots of stories of travel but then revealed an oldy but goodie story about some fabric she was given as a child.  Her grandmother gave her lots of bits of velvets and Sharon cut them with pinking shears and sewed them together.  Years later their home was flooded.  As Sharon surveyed the watery pond in the cellar a bag floated past her.  She picked it up, looked inside and found the squares.  It is now decades later and Sharon has resurected the squares and here they are...

The pieced blocks are 50 years old and then she found the velvent block fabric on a vintage fabric website and now these pieces will come together at last.  Funny how old is new and these blocks look right at home on the wall.   That is what I call a quilter's story!  

That wasn't all she brought to class.  This was in her bag as well and is just as pretty as a picture.

That green background says old and new at the same time and the basket fabric combinations are just sweet. 

When you look close up at a quilt the personal detail of choices become evident.  The miracle of fussy cutting little hexagons engages us as we find tiny delights everywhere we look.  These quilts take time so current favourite fabrics get used and then rediscoverd with love even before the quilt is finished.  That centre square has special meaning and sits amongst the hexagons just waiting to be discovered. 

Then yesterday Cath and I headed out to the Wentworthville Quilters monthly meeting with a carload of goodies.  They meet at Lynnwood, a home built in 1890's and full of glory, faded in some places
but still whispering of the original family owners as well as the orphanage that it then became.  Heads up because this group is having a show the weekend of September 18 & 19 at 25 Byron St Gilford.  Put that on your calendar and we'll see you there! 
There were special features everywhere we looked.
They don't make houses like this anymore. 
It is always a pleasure to go on the road and visit quilt groups.  Here they are listening while busy fingers everywhere worked on an enormous variety of projects.  There were quilts in progress with everything from hexagons to foundation piecing, knitters, crochet, needpoint...it was all happening.  When the meeting started and they were reviewing the plans for the upcoming show I felt like a spy from my own quilt group.  I could hear the ideas of delicious family recipe treats for the kitchen that filled the airspace...then discussions about the craft stall, books and magazines...ah yes.  Quilt shows!  Then at the end of the meeting Annie passed out birthday cards for the month of September which was really touching.
It is always hard to decide what to take to these events.  We decided to feature our templates and took a variety of them plus the patterns that match and they were a big hit.  We also took our new wool and that was also a big hit.  Then we took kits which were popular...

And end of bolt specials as well as our popular Whacky Backs.  It is one thing having groups come to the shop but it was fun to be able to do demonstrations of products and to meet the quilters in their own space and see what they are doing. 

We are happy to go on the road to groups with a trunk load of goodies so if you have a group and would like us to come just pop off an email.  It is also possible to get a Colour Workshop with theory and application, template workshops at your groups or at the shop. 

We had show and tell as well...

 

 

So to all the Wentworthville Quilters, thanks for having us and we look forward to seeing you all again soon at your show!

As for me, as I type I am packing up some things to do in the car.  We are going "OUT BACK" or at least outside...  I am going for a run first because, well sitting still is not in my nature and also because I have to get rid of any excess energy because I have to BEHAVE on the road.  My Marching Orders will be coming a mile a minute.  I am scared and excited at the same time.  So, throwing caution to the wind here we go....see you in a few days. k

 

Comments

[Lesley Coleman]

Are the "flowers" in the photograph of what you took for display, made from felt and do they have a pattern are they free form cut please

[Jodie Esler]

Hi Kathie,
Imagine my surprise to see on your photos one of my old block of the month quilts (fifth photo from the bottom). Great to see they are still being done even after all this time.

[Anna]

I love the story of old and new! the grandmother flower garden blocks are amazing! and then to top it off with the beautiful setting and show 'n tell...thank you for a wonderful sunday morning with my cuppa coffee!

[Peggy Grow]

That purple quilt in the last picture is stunning!! I have a weird fascination with purple and all its variations. Thanks for the photos!

[Oakley Sunglasses]

The article is worth reading,Thank you very much! I will keep your new articles.

[anu]

very good patterns

anitha stephen

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