Prairie Points program and AQS QuiltWeek experiences

Dawn showed quilts incorporating Prairie Points.

At the September guild meeting, the Choo Choo Quilters enjoyed a program on Easy Prairie Points. Dawn provided step-by-step directions so guild members could follow along with a make-and-take example.

In the afterglow of AQS QuiltWeek Chattanooga, the meeting also included Show and Tell about new techniques learned in classes, class projects, can't-live-without purchases found at the vendor mall, and the beautiful quilts that were on display.

Step-by-step display for making a continuous strip of Prairie Points.

The guild's collection of Cuddle Quilts is also growing. JoAnn, the Cuddle Quilt Coordinator, said 16 were turned it at the meeting with several more to come. The total completed so far is 33. Way to go, Choo Choo Quilters!

Ginny made this quilt inspired by a previous guild program.

Disappearing 9-patch Cuddle Quilts.

More Cuddle Quilts.

Dawn made a dog bed filled with fabric and batting scraps. It was suggested to incorporate batting scraps into these beds so when they are washed, they will dry.

Dog bed stuffed with fabric and batting scraps.

A few guild members finished quilt tops from the guild program on Sudoku quilts.

Sudoku quilts.

Tales from QuiltWeek

From classes with Dianne Hire.

Techniques from classes with Dianne Hire.

Veronica's quilt was pictured on banners hanging in the show exhibit hall as well as on AQS attendee name badges.

Veronica's quilt featured on the show floor banner.

Lots of really cool fabrics found several new homes with our guild members. Imagine that!?!

"Take me home! Take me home, pleeeease!"

Sherry adds these beauties to her stash.

Show and Tell

Sudoku puzzles are 9-patch compatible

Need a quick layout for a scrappy 9 patch quilt? Look no further than the Sunday paper's puzzle page, your browser window, or an app on your smart phone. The Choo Choo Quilters enjoyed a program featuring Sudoku quilts at the August guild meeting.

Sudoku  Quilt

Sudoku, a numbers-based puzzle, uses a 9x9 grid—not unlike the 9-patch blocks we use in patchwork. If you like puzzles, you can work the Sudoko puzzle and use the resulting solution as a layout for a 9-patch quilt.

Solving the Suduko puzzle.

Becky, the program presenter, explained the concept of Sudoku puzzle and then shared her tips for organizing fabrics for the patchwork process.

Becky explains the Suduko block.

Organizing your fabrics is the key to making these quilts. All you fans of sticky notes™will feel right at home with this tip.

Organizing the fabrics.

You'll need 9 different fabrics to achieve a true Sudoku block. The fabric squares used to assemble the blocks can be most any size.

Small patches.

Larger patches.

The puzzle's solution is the roadmap for block assembly and quilt layout. The blocks can be sashed, set side by side, or on point.

Sudoko patchwork.

There are many varieties of Sudoku puzzles and degrees of difficulty—from easy to fiendish. You can challenge yourself to solve the puzzle… or go directly to the Answers page and make a quilt.

Show and Tell
Here's a great idea for those fabric scraps and batting trimmings. Fill-as-you-go dog beds. This one uses a novelty fabric with cute "wiener dogs" on it. Ginny recommends NOT to put threads in the scraps for stuffing in case the animal chews or pokes a hole in the fabric cover and the stuffing comes out.

Dog bed stuffed with fabric scraps and batting trimmings.

Dogs beds will be given to a local animal shelter if anyone would like to make one or contribute scraps. The dogs will love them!