Blending Embroidery and Quilting

Power be to the hands that create the stitches.

Hand embroidered quilt block.

Before there were fancy, computerized, multi-needle embroidery machines or the hundreds of decorative stitches that are status quo on most any sewing machine these days, we had built-in tools for creating stitches on fabric—they're called our hands.

At the April 21 Choo Choo Quilters guild meeting, the program will be on "Embroidery on Quilts" and will highlight several hand embroidery and needlework techniques to accentuate, adorn and add dimension to quilts. Many examples and quilts will be shown, and guild members can bring other examples for Show and Tell.

A hands-on demonstration will be included in the program. If you would like to participate, bring the following supplies to the meeting:

• sewing scissors, such as small embroidery scissors
• Milliners needle (Size #1) or a long, large-eyed hand stitching needle

Other supplies will be provided.

Hand stitched Redwork rabbit on a quilt.

Reminder: We'll also be taking photos for our member directory. New members (and anyone who missed the last photo shoot) should bring a quilt for their photo.

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Have you been Hexed?
After last month's program on Hexies, has the hexie bug bitten you? If so, there are quilt shops around town that have options to expedite the cutting process:

An Accuquilt die-cutter that cuts hexagon shapes from up to 10 layers of fabric is available in-store at Spool. Quilters are welcome to bring their own or buy fabric and use the machine for free. Hyderhangout Quilt Fabric & More has the Accuquilt Studio and Go! Fabric Cutters, cutter supplies and a selection of dies for cutting multiple hexagons and other fabric shapes. Ready Set Sew offers the Cameo Silhouette machine and software that allows quilters and sewists to cut fabric, paper or card stock using files from their computers. Cameo users can purchase downloadable designs or create their own. And, Pins and Needles Quilt Shop has the Hex N More acrylic rotary cutting rulers in two sizes and a variety of English Paper Piecing paper templates.

Thanks to all our local quilt shops—they have it covered! Remember to "shop local" at YLS (your local [quilt] shop) for all your quilting fabric and supplies and support our local businesses.

Hexie-mania abounds at the March meeting

Veronica's vintage
Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.

What does St. Patrick's Day and geometry have in common? Nothing really, except that the Choo Choo Quilters had an informative and inspirational program on "Quilting with Hexagons" at the March guild meeting—which happened to fall on St. Patrick's Day.

From the mosaic and honeycomb quilts of 1700s and 1800s, the all-time American favorite Grandmother's Flower Garden, to the 21st century hexie quilts, there was a profusion of geometric mania and hexagon inspiration during this month's program as well as the evening's Show and Tell.

The meeting was kicked off with a digital slide presentation that offered an overview of hexagon geometry, a plethora of examples of hexagon quilts spanning four centuries, and a bit of "hexie inspiration"—accompanied by Veronica's original hexagon poem. Guild members and guests brought vintage hexagon quilts, antique family heirlooms, works-in-progress and a variety of examples of how this humble 6-sided polygon can be arranged to create numerous patterns, motifs and layouts. The evening concluded with a hands-on demonstration of English paper piecing with hexagons.

Vista shared the story of this family heirloom that was made by
her husband's great-grandmother.

Hexagons were shown in pieced and appliquéd quilts.

This quilt top features a new fabric collection.
The hexagon clusters were hand pieced and hand appliquéd.

A planned color placement creates hearts, flowers, and spirals.

Linda's table topper has hexagon hearts and flowers.

Linda's beautiful use of multi-colored hexagons.

The black background hexagons set off the variety of colors
and prints in Kim's patchwork.

There was even a "faux hexagon" tote bag made from a printed hexagon fabric...

…and a crocheted afghan made of hexagons. 

Veronica's great aunt was a prolific crocheter.
This wool afghan was made in the 1960s and has a picot edging.

Hexies are the perfect portable project! No batteries or electrical outlets required.

Linda showed her Hexie Travel Suitcase for on-the-go hexagon patchwork.

Everything you need for Hexie English paper piecing!

Show and Tell 

In addition to hexie quilts, Choo Choo guild members showed off their latest projects and other fabulous finishes.

We saw two quilt tops from the kaleidoscope program.

Congratulations to Vista who had her entry from a Mini Prayer Flag challenge published in the current issue of Quilting Arts magazine!

Vista shows her project that was published in Quilting Arts magazine.

Sherry's paint stick project from a recent class.

Oh, the refreshments at the meeting sported a "green" St. Patrick's Day theme with green tea, a chocolate mint cheesecake dessert, a party tray of green vegetables and dip, and green St. Patrick's Day tableware accoutrements.

Get your Hex on!

Are you ready to be hexed by Hexagons? 

At the March 17 meeting of the Choo Choo Quilters, we'll continue the year with a program on another technique done by hand—English Paper Piecing with hexagons. The program will be presented by Veronica Hofman-Ortega and Team Sherry.

If you'd like to participate in the hands-on portion of the program, bring the following supplies to the meeting:

• hand sewing needle (milliners or sharp are good choices)
• 100% cotton sewing thread in a neutral color (50wt. or thinner)
• thread conditioner (like Thread Heaven) if you have it
• small, sharp sewing or embroidery scissors
• thimble (optional)
• straight pins
• at least 7 small pieces of 100% quilters cotton fabric* (approximately 3" x 3" square). At least one of the fabrics should be a contrasting color.

* For this technique, it is helpful to starch your fabrics with sizing, Best Press, or similar product, especially if your fabrics have been pre-washed.

If you have a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt, or a quilt that incorporates hexagons in the patchwork, please bring it for Show and Tell. We'll be showing off our "hexie" selves at the meeting.