Hand embellishing quilts

Embellishments on a quilt.

Looking for ways to add a little zing and bling to your quilts? Consider embellishments.

At the July 21 Choo Choo Quilters Guild meeting, the program is about "Hand Embellishments." Come and see how thread, embroidery stitches, buttons, beads and other recycled ephemera can add texture, color and another layer of design to your quilted pieces.

To participate in the hands-on crazy quilt stitch sampler demonstration, bring the following supplies to the meeting:

• embroidery floss
• hand embroidery needle
• scissors

If you have finished hand piecing or hand quilting your Choo Choo mug rug (and even if you have not), bring it for Show and Tell. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm and refreshments will be provided.

Hand piecing and hand quilting a train mug rug.

A Hand Piecing Review

The Choo Choo Quilters May meeting featured a hand piecing review, for those of us who either have never done it or haven't done it in a long, long time.  The relaxing rhythm of hand piecing is far removed from the fast paced stitching in machine piecing, and allows for more precision for tricky shapes.  We worked on a train block that can become either a mug rug or part of a larger piece.  We are to complete the piecing this month, and bring the block back to the June meeting, where we'll learn about hand quilting on this block.

Our Show and Tell had several lovely items, including Pam's little quilt using the hexies we pieced in a previous meeting, and a flag quilt she finished recently.

Nancy had completed this watercolor quilt.

Sherry had worked on a couple of cuddle quilts for the Chambliss Children's Home.

And Veronica was rightfully proud of her AWARD WINNING quilt Pi E2 (Exponentially Embellished), which won in the 2014 Home Machine Quilting Show!  This was Veronica's first entry into a machine quilting show, and we're all proud of her accomplishments!

It's great to see everything our guild members are doing - we'll look forward to more beautiful and creative work at the June meeting!

Get Aboard the Hand Piecing Train!

In continuing our handwork theme for 2014, Team Pam will present a mini-workshop on Hand Piecing at the May 19th meeting.  Each member will have the option of making a name tag for our Choo Choo guild or a train-themed mug rug.  We will need to bring just a few supplies to participate:

• Your favorite piecing needle (Sharp and Between needles are both used—you get to pick your fave!)
• Thread in both a light and dark color
• Scissors

All other supplies will be provided, so come and reconnect with the peaceful rhythm of hand piecing.

As always, we will want to see your current projects during show and tell, and should you have any cuddle quilts completed, bring those too.

We look forward to seeing everyone this Monday, May 19, 6:30 at Valleybrook Presbyterian Church at 6001 Hixson Pike.