Quilt Retreat Part 1

I was lucky enough to be invited on a quilting retreat again this year. I went with my friend, her grandmother, and friends of her grandmother. These women have known each other for years and are good company and excellent sewers and quilters. There is so much support and experience in the room it's so fantastic.

Unfortunately, this was our last retreat at the place we went because the owner has sold the property. I've only been there twice and am sorry to see it sold. Hopefully we can find another venue for next year. (And I'm hoping we can convince L to come along).

I finished two quilt tops, more or less. The more part is today.

This is a quilt for my cousin's 5 year old daughter. This little lady has a mind of her own and loves pink. I hope this meets with her approval!

This is the finished top...

I've always had a dresden plate in mind for this quilt and I'm so happy with how it turned out.  I used an 8" dresden ruler and it took 20 pieces to make a circle. I varied the height of the fabric to get the different sized dresdens. The inside circles are all the same size.

The original fabric I purchased years ago didn't suit my fancy anymore so I picked up a bunch more pink last week when I was out with L shop hopping. I'm really glad I went with the new fabrics.

The centres are a solid that I've appliqued on - by machine. The dresden's are appliqued on by machine as well. Before putting the solids on I added a circle of batting to the back of them for two reasons - I'll get some extra puff when I quilt them and the uneven centres of the dresden's are hidden as well.

This will likely get a feather design of some kind when I get to quilting it. I'll keep you posted!

Mini Sewing Retreat At My House

On Saturday I hosted a mini sewing retreat at my house for myself and three friends. At first I wasn't sure we'd all fit, but it worked out fine.

We were scheduled to start anytime after 10. By the time we all arrived and quit gossiping catching up, it was nearly noon until we got started. Lunch was roasted red pepper soup - great for a chilly day.

K is working on a pillow case.

L had several projects on the go - she got the most done I think - amazing what happens when there aren't two little ones around.

One of L's many projects

C was tracing and cutting a suit for a body building competition

I made these

the top pair go with the low volume quilt (for a baby girl) and the bottom go with the knitted hat below (for a gender unknown) baby

I finished this quilt last week and gifted it to the parents (I work with both the mom and dad to be) on the weekend. They loved it (and the shoes too)

Here's a few close up shots

the quilting looks best on this, but the colour is awful

my helper

the whole idea

some of the back side

I also finished up this little hat this week - it's going to be gifted to the baby getting the elephant shoes. I work with the soon-to-be-first-time-mommy. She and her husband do not know the gender of the baby.

100% merino

The stripes came in this cute colour package

sunset by the lake

It's been a busy time around here. Spring break starts on Friday - I've got to get those drapes finished!