Spring Cleaning Continued...

It was another month of focusing on Spring cleaning 

at our April Sew*Quilt*Share meeting.

In addition to trying to sew up all the kits we have on hand, 

we tested out a new table set up that I would like to share.

In the past we simply put two lines of tables down

 the center of our long, narrow room.  

However it was time consuming to walk 

all the way around the tables 

and hey...

we need to make the most of our time! lol

This is the table arrangement we came up with.

By setting the tables in this pattern, it creates a workspace

to the left of each sewing machine. It also enables 

those sewing to easily communicate with each other.

Extension cords were taped down under the tables to

prevent potential safety issues.

Irons, ironing boards, and cutting tables were located 

around the perimeter of the room making it easier

for a large number of people to move throughout the area.

Hopefully this arrangement will enable our group 

to make the most of our time and allow us to be more intimately connected:) 

So let's check out those projects!

Some projects were in the planning stages.

Some projects were well on their way...

...and some projects were almost completed!

Click on the box below to view more photos from our April meeting!

If you are unable to view the slideshow, click here and you will be

taken to an online photo album .

May you always Sew in Peace!

Spring Cleaning

This month the ladies of Sew*Quilt*Share focused on Spring Cleaning.

Well, not "cleaning" in the traditional sense of the word. 

The goal of this meeting was to complete all the projects

 that have already been started. 

Here is a glimpse of how things went.

There is no set deadline,

 so each month there are 

a variety of quilts in different stages of completion.

Nice job ladies!

In an attempt to make our meeting room more intimate for fellowship,

a new layout was tested.
We are hoping to come up with a table arrangement that will make it easy to 

communicate while still providing enough workspace for each person.

Click on the box below to view more photos from the March meeting.

If you are unable to view the slideshow, click here and you will be

taken to an online photo album .

May you always Sew in Peace!

Ohio Stars

The Sew*Quilt*Share ladies began the year by sewing stars.

Ohio Stars that is!

The Ohio Star is a classic pattern known to quilters 

and this sixteen block quilt sews together quickly making

it a speedy little baby quilt.

Finished size of quilt: 37"x 37" square

By using four solid blocks in the corners, 

a star can be made using the Sweet Sixteen Pattern found here. 

If you decide to make this quilt, please note that the four corner blocks 

used to form the Ohio Star pattern need to be cut to 9 1/2" to equal the size 

of the other blocks in the Sweet Sixteen instructions.

Once you decide on a layout, the blocks can be quickly sewn together.

Simple straight line quilting finishes this quilt nicely.

These are a few of the Ohio Star quilts completed this month.

Beautiful job ladies!

Click on the box below to view more photos from our February meeting.

If you are unable to view the slideshow, click here and you will be

taken to an online photo album .

May you always Sew in Peace!

Strippy Flannel Baby Quilt

The ladies of Sew*Quilt*Share met recently and stitched up a stack of 

"Strippy Flannel Baby Quilts".
These quilts wash up so soft and cuddly!
If you like to make one of your own, click on this link to download the pattern
and follow the steps outlined below.

                                     

To begin this project, you will need seven different fabrics

each cut into strips.

Fabric "sandwiches" are made by layering the strips of flannel.

Sandwiches are "quilted" by sewing a line down the middle of each strip.

Arrange the strips in a pattern that makes you happy:)

Sew the sandwiches together using a 1/2" seam allowance, 

making sure to backstitch! It will be helpful to use a walking foot for this step.

         

Now it's time to trim off those selvedges!

At this point the quilt is ready to be finished. It can be bound

 like a traditional quilt, or you can choose to snip it.

Snipping requires a good sharp scissors.
The scissors in the photo are made by Fiskars.
It features a spring action release and is designed
to make snipping rag quilts easier.

When snipping the layers, be careful to cut up to the seam but NOT through it.

Once the quilt is snipped, you will want to wash and dry it,

creating a lovely flannel blanket.

Special thanks to Sue for writing up this pattern for us!

Click on the box below to view additional photos from our monthly meeting.

You can find free patterns for most of the quilts along the sidebar to your right.

If you are unable to view the slideshow, click here and you will be

taken to an online photo album .

May you always Sew in Peace!