Retreat 15-18 September 2016

The Annual BBQ Retreat is a much anticipated time of sewing, learning, fun, and, also eating, it appears. Originally a weekend in September, it has grown a little to now be four days. This makes it really worthwhile to cart all that gear up the mountain! Thanks to Robyn for the organisation. It seems it was a wonderful experience once again.

Brenda and Cheryl showing off their very tidy workstations.

The other side of the room was very busy sewing too.

Jean demonstrating how easy it is to sew with such a beautiful Eungella rainforest backdrop.

Elizabeth sewing away very happily.

Brenda's first project getting larger on the floor.

Charmaine's black and white floral quilt. But there is always a little flash of colour.

The back of Cheryl's quilt-as-you-go banana quilt

Elizabeth's pretty little Friendship Star

Joan was the first to finish something. 

Charmaine did one the same pattern as Joan, but in much brighter blues and purples.

Cathy working on her woven in and out tablerunner

And this is how the woven tablerunner looks finished

A table of fabric soup plate holders to warm in the microwave. They are easy to take out by the corners without burning fingers and are lined with microwave approved heating wadding.  (Quality inspection approved!)

Robyn excelled in making these cute little lollypop fat quarters for gifts. Good enough to eat!

Everyone dressed up  and looking like they are enjoying themselves at dinner in the restaurant.

(An article on the retreat will appear in the Activites section of the blog sometime shortly.)

Wednesday 14 September 2016

It was quite a busy day today with a committee meeting, week 2 of the tablerunner demonstrations and some ladies eager to get home to pack up for the annual retreat at Eungella which begins tomorrow. Poor Del is without a voice but if everyone is frantically sewing for four days, she won't need to talk, will she? Have fun ladies and we are looking forward to seeing the results of all your efforts when you return. 

Robyn won the badge draw today and Marilyn was the lucky monthly raffle winner.

Many thanks to Robyn who pieced together the blocks we made for Gay who is no longer able to sew and has left the club. She also added the borders and a minkee backing and quilted it. It is just the most perfect soft quilt for someone in a wheelchair. We hope Gay loves it.

Cathy's neighbour turned 87 a couple of weeks ago and this quilt is for her. Considering Cathy only got the idea a week before her birthday, she has done very well to finish it for a belated  present. Cathy used the traditional method of quilt as you go as taught in the workshop with Margaret earlier this year.

Barbro is on a mission to get rid of all her scraps. Yes! This is the second scrappy quilt in two weeks. That pile must be disappearing quickly!

Linda has taken about 18 months to finish this quilt for her own bed. She wasn't entirely happy with it when she started, but has perservered until it is something she loves. A couple of scrappy geometric pillowcases to match are tucked under her arm.

Wednesday 7 September 2016

September is here and it not only brings spring, but our "Tablerunner Month". We are having a workshop to make a different tablerunner every week in September. It looks like we will have 8 made from today's pattern. Well done ladies! And we have a lot of 5"charm squares left over as well. We can keep making this pattern for ever it seems!

Some lovely ladies who brought their sewing machines in today to piece charm squares together for the Zig Zag Tablerunner. Don't they look busy? 

Kaye and Lynn showing one "Just like this one I made at home" by Diana and one top fully completed. (Kaye is a particularly quick sewer!)

Barbro brought in this colourful scrappy quilt today. All the squares were just randomly picked up and sewn together. It is backed with a very special piece of Swedish cotton from Barbro's mother.