Choo Choo Quilters

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Cuddle Quilt workshop this Saturday

UPDATE: The location for the Cuddle Quilt Workshop has changed to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church , 3204 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37415.

Our annual Cuddle Quilt Workshop will be held this Saturday, August 27, at Senior Neighbors, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. We'll start at 9:30 am. Parking is available next to the building with overflow parking around back.

Sherry, our Cuddle Quilt Coordinator, has collected many blocks and batting will be provided. We are in need of backing fabrics—large pieces approximately 2 to 3 yards of 44" wide cotton fabrics. Bring your sewing machine, an extension cord and basic sewing supplies (scissors, roatry cutter, pins, thread, etc.). A few irons, ironing boards or ironing surfaces are also needed.

Bring a lunch or we will order something as a group. Last year we finished around 2 pm. and were very productive, so we expect this year will be also.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Threadwork program

Threadwork program at August meeting.

In addition to "collecting" fabric, quilters also love collecting thread... at quilt shows, sewing centers, quilt shops, on line, or wherever they come across it. Self-proclaimed master thread collector, Veronica Hofman-Ortega, will be presenting the program on "Threadwork" at the Choo Choo Quilters August 15 guild meeting. The program also includes using photos as inspiration and working in a series.

The reading assignment from the "Fearless Design for Every Quilter" textbook is Chapter 7, "Using Images from Your Surroundings," and "Working in a Series" on pages 80-89.

Members are also reminded to bring items for Show and Tell and any completed quilt blocks for the Cuddle Quilt workshop scheduled for Saturday, August 27.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Piece Curves, Inset Strips, or Just Sew Crazy

Curved piecing example

Inserted strips example

We have all sewn straight lines thousands of times, but how about mixing it up and sewing some curves? The August meeting of the Choo Choo Quilt Guild focused on innovative piecing techniques, which produce beautiful and unusual looking quilts. During the meeting, our experts showed us how to sew a "Gentle Curve" four patch, how to easily insert strips for a funky look, and maybe simplest of all, how to cut 9 layers of fabric at once and sew a Crazy Nine Patch. The Crazy Nine Patch was the basis of a Pointless Wonder program several years ago.

Crazy Nine Patch

All of these techniques are fairly quick, and can be combined with other techniques. For example, using the strip insert method with assembled curved 4 patches creates a really complex looking quilt. Also, using a monochromatic crazy nine patch quilt as a background canvas for applique, or even adding some inserted strips of contrasting colors can really produce a unique, complicated-looking result. There are so many possible combinations using these methods.

There were alot of beautiful things at this month's "Show and Tell". Several people showed off purses and tote bags. There was a beautiful t-shirt quilt, one from all oriental inspired fabrics, and one that was all made from curved pieces. And we found out we have at least one published author in our group (no doubt more to come). Veronica showed us the multi-page article showcasing two garments she designed using Shirbori dying techniques, one with a free-form crocheted collar made from hand spun and hand dyed wool. These are published in the summer issue of Belle Armoire magazine.