New record! 45 spray basted Cuddle Quilts in 1 day

Yep, we did it! 
We broke our previous Cuddle Quilt record of 27 from 2011 with an astounding 45 spray basted quilt tops at a Cuddle Quilt workshop! Are the Choo Choo Quilters amazing or what?!?

Group spray baste session—a real team effort!

The Choo Choo Quilters hit the ground running on Saturday, August 19 for the annual Cuddle Quilt workshop. Cuddle Quilt coordinators extraordinaire, Sherry and Ginny, were organized and well-prepared and we thank them for their amazing job! The day started with an assortment of packaged, pre-cut quilt kits...

An assortment of pre-cut quilt kits were available at the workshop. 

a variety of backing fabrics, binding strips, extra scraps...

Backing fabrics, scraps and blocks for quilt top assembly.

piles of "Making Do" blocks...

Scrappy "Make Do" patchwork blocks.

assembled quilt tops and pre-cut batting ready for the spray basting session...

Pieced quilt tops and pre-cut batting await basting.

and sustenance for the day.

Guild members bring dishes to share for the workshop.

Layout of the kit quilts began.

Marti (left) and Nancy at the cutting station.

It was nice to have past Choo Choo members, Marti and Cheryel, at the workshop. We appreciate their contribution.

Laying out the blocks from the kit.

A lovely floral surrounded with colorful small print blocks.

Blocks from previous workshops resurfaced and were assembled into quilt tops.

Cristy (left) counts out blocks for 3 quilts. Martha (right) begins chain piecing.

 New quilt tops emerged.

Linda works on one of the kits.

Marti (left) and Teresa show their completed quilt tops.

Garie shows a Snuggle Up top (left) and a Wonky Star quilt top.

Group spray basting session—always a winner!

The highlight and probably the most productive aspect of the workshop is the group spray basting session. We've got this down to a science, folks—like a fine-tuned, production basting machine! 

Ginny (left), Kaye (center) and Garie roll out batting for quilt basting.

Ginny headed up the spray basting process this year and indoctrinated several of the newer guild members to the procedure.

Measuring the batting and trimming to the right size for the quilt.

Ginny and Linda (right) smooth out the basted top.

Spray basted cuddle quilt top.

Various members helped with the spray basting efforts and cranked out 45 basted cuddle quilt tops! Guild members took the basted quilt sandwiches home for quilting and binding.

The spray basted quilt top pile grew and grew.

Here are two examples of quilt tops made with "Making Do" patchwork.

Two tops made from fabric samples and scraps from the February "Making Do" program.

Two completed quilts and three crocheted throws were donated at the beginning of the day. Five cuddle quilts were free-motion quilted by Veronica during the workshop. We're well on our way to making a great donation to the Chambliss Center for Children in February.

Veronica free-motion quilted 5 cuddle quilts during the workshop.

So, if all the quilts from this Cuddle Quilt workshop are completed and returned, the total from this workshop will be 47. 

NOTE: In 2010, the Choo Choo Quilters initiated and participated in the Great Cuddle Quilt Quest that resulted in 73 quilts donated to the Chambliss Center for Children. 

Can the Choo Choo Quilters surpass this record, too??

August 21 - Solar Eclipse AND Martha Steele

Sure, next Monday, August 21, will be the first total solar eclipse visible in the United States in the past 38 years, but it will also mark the return of Martha Steele to the Choo Choo Guild!  Martha has been quilting for years, worked at the beloved Sew Bee It, and teaches quilting classes at multiple places all over the Chattanooga/North Georgia area.  She will be showing us some of her favorite projects using multiple innovative techniques.  She will also be demonstrating a method of quilt-as-you-go that she has found useful for all kinds of quilts.  

Members will not need to bring anything for the meeting except your show and tell.  You can just come relax and take a break from the hot muggy summer weather.

As a special treat, we also will be meeting Martha for dinner before the quilt meeting. Everyone is welcome to come to Choo Choo Barbeque Restaurant just north of Valleybrook Presbyterian on Hixson Pike.  We will be meeting her at 5:00, and if you are interested in joining with us, please RSVP to Ginny Minninger. (On the other hand, should you find yourself able to go at the last minute, come on anyway!)

Remember:

Our Cuddle Quilt Workshop is this Saturday August 19

Come join us all at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church at 3204 Hixson Pike from 9:00 to 2:00. We'll be making quilt tops, spray basting completed tops with batting and backing, and enjoying a day with friends.  All this will benefit the Chambliss Center for Children, our local foster care and extended child care facility who has been helping local children for 140 years!  So bring your sewing machine, cutting supplies, completed tops, and we'll provide fabric, batting and backing for your cuddle quilts.   

We hope to see you both Saturday for the Cuddle Quilt Workshop and Monday for the Choo Choo Quilters Meeting!