Sunday, April 7, 2013

Got Cuddle Quilts?? Bring 'em in!

Cuddle Quilt made using
pre-cut strips and the "lasagna"
quick quilt assembly method.

Do you have any cuddle quilts in the works? Now is a good time to finish the quilting and get them bound! A representative from the Chambliss Center for Children in Chattanooga will be talking about the Center and sharing its mission in a presentation at the April Choo Choo Quilters guild meeting.

The Choo Choo Quilters and the Chambliss Center have had a long-time partnership through the guild's annual Cuddle Quilt Project. At the January guild meeting, a demonstration on making a "lasagna quilt"—a quick sew technique using pre-cut fabric strips—was given that could be used for making Cuddle Quilts. A show and tell of quilt tops followed at the February meeting. Guild members are urged to finish any of these tops and bring them to the April 15 meeting so they can be presented to the representative from the Center.

Several lasagna quilts were turned in at the March meeting. You can see a Show and Tell of these colorful quilts here. Be inspired to finish yours!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

More Quilted Things that are Not Quilts

Pam and her team lead the program.
Here she shows a quilted casserole carrier and hot pad
made in Tennessee's orange and white color scheme.
When you hear the word, "quilt," your mind immediately visualizes something on the bed, in a crib or possibly on the wall. The program at the Choo Choo Quilters March guild meeting, "Quilted Things that are Not Quilts," was enjoyable and inspiring as much as it was surprising! A quilt that's not a quilt?? Hmmm...

Guild members brought in dozens of "quilted things" that were not quilts... maybe a few you hadn't thought of... and possibly many more will come to mind after you see these.

Quilted tree skirt and quilted bag for a yoga mat.
Dog show award ribbons sewn together into a Wall of Fame.
Quilted jacket.
Becky hangs this banner in her garden. It's made from an old pair of bib overalls.
Detail of the Pocketful of Posies appliquéd overalls.
Quilted totes, carry-alls and purses of all shapes and sizes. 
A quilted coloring caddy... complete with crayons and drawing pad.
Other quilted items included a sewing chatelaine, scissor case, framed miniature quilts, pouches and coin purses, tablet covers, quilted ornaments and even quilted postcards.
Sewing chatelain, scissor case, quilted postcards.
Framed miniatures.
Zippered chicken pouch.
Coin purse and quilted ornament.
Yoga mat carrier, tablet cover and other quilted items.

Show and Tell
Guild members completed more Cuddle Quilts made from Lasagna quilt strips and shared other projects during Show and Tell.
Lasagna strip quilts.
More strip quilts.

Strip quilt with flying geese border.
Beverly made this scrappy batik quilt for a family member.
Dawn rescued this bow tie quilt.
Delores embellished this lap quilt with organza ribbons.