Ready… set… go make Cuddle Quilts

The Choo Choo Quilters had another successful and productive Cuddle Quilt workshop yesterday. Patchwork units were pre-cut and ready...

Pre-cut fabric squares for the Disappearing 9-patch technique.

instructions for a quick 9-patch technique were on display...

Disappearing 9-patch (left) and fabric panel kits (right).

nourishment, caffeinated and sweetened motivation were laid out...

Plenty of yummy goodies.

so when the quilters arrived with sewing machines in tow, they hit the ground running—or make that "quilting."

Here is a recap of the day's activities. Trimming and squaring up...

Dawn and Sherry at the cutting table. Joanna at her featherweight.

piecing and chatting...

Multi-tasking: sewing and talking at the same time.

laughing and layering...

Fluff that batting!

and spray basting (oh, so fast!).

Smooth out all the wrinkles.

"You get a ticket for another basted quilt."

Cuddle Quilts are great reason to go through the stash and purge those fabrics that you've forgotten why you purchased in the first place.

So, how deep is your fabric stash?
Sherry B. had a piece of fabric from 1996.

1996 fabric print.

Ms. Deep Stash, Ginny, uncovered a Daisy Kingdom print from 1992!

1992 Daisy Kingdom fabric panel.

The end-of-day tally showed we surpassed our previous 2011 record of 27 with 28 basted Cuddle Quilts! The basted quilt sandwiches and binding strips went home with workshop attendees for quilting and binding.

Take home

Thank you to Sherry (left) and JoAnn (right), our CQ Coordinators extraordinaire!

Sherry and JoAnn, 2015 Cuddle Quilt Coordinators.

JoAnn announces the name on
the winning ticket.

To make the day more fun, tickets were given out to attendees for various tasks: piecing a top, basting a quilt sandwich, bringing in a dish to share, staying for the clean-up. etc. There was a drawing for a $25 gift certificate at the end of the day.

And the winner is…

(You gotta come to the August guild meeting to find out.)

August Meeting - Sudoku Quilts

          Our upcoming meeting on August 17 will be about Sudoku Quilts.  Just like Sudoku puzzles, these quilts involve 9 blocks with 9 squares each, with each block containing 9 colors.  The puzzle part comes into play with the arrangement of those colors - with no repeats in either horizontal or vertical rows.

If you want to have your quilt colors puzzled out like a Sudoku puzzle, you'll need to bring your squares to the meeting.  You can choose the finished size for your quilt based on the size squares you cut.  Pick from the following sizes (which do NOT include a border):

                    For a finished quilt 51" square, cut your squares 5 1/2" each (will finish to 5").

                    For a finished quilt 39" square, cut your squares 4 1/2" each (will finish to 4")

                    For a finished quilt 30" square, cut your squares 3 1/2" each (will finish to 3".

Whichever size you choose to cut, you will need 9 fabrics, and 9 squares of each fabric for a total of 81 squares.  You will also need a contrasting fabric for the sashing (cut 1 1/2" wide).

In addition to the program, you are encouraged to bring your show and tell and any cuddle quilts to donate to the Chambliss Center for Children.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for our 2015 Cuddle Quilt Workshop!

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church

3204 Hixson Pike

9:00 - 3:00

Each year, we make small kid-friendly quilts to donate to the Chambliss Center for Children, which provides 24 hour affordable daycare and early childhood education, emergency foster care and residential care for children who have been removed from their homes.

In keeping with our 2015 Challenge Theme, we'll have panels, batting and backing fabric available for you at the workshop, along with other fabrics  You are also welcome to bring your own fabrics to work on any design you want.  You can work on piecing a top, layering and spray basting your quilt before machine quilting, or even tying your quilts during this time.  We have members with experience in all aspects of quilting, so come and learn something new!

Supplies you'll need to bring:

• Sewing machine, bobbins, needles and such
• Scissors, piecing thread
• Rotary cutters and mats, cutting rulers
• Iron and ironing boards (we'll have some to share)
• Extension cords
• Any fabric or panels you wish to contribute
• Snacks to share

We'll have:

• Tables, cutting tables, chairs
• Some snacks and drinks
• A door prize for one lucky quilter!

Mark your calendar for this fun day for playing with fabrics, spending time with friends and helping out the kids at the Chambliss Center.

And special thanks the Joann Lotan for hosting our 

Cuddle Quilt Workshop!