August 2025

 August saw us making zippy purses, these are very useful as gifts for friends and family, the size can often be adjusted to make them bigger (easy) or smaller (not so easy). There were two designs to try, a simple zipped purse and a slightly more challenging pyramid purse. Both are suitable for hand or machine sewing. Instructions.

Both patterns were enthusiastically received with participants choosing to try one of the patterns. Some just cut out and decided to sew at home by machine, others went on to sew by hand.

A selection of zippy purses by MW, DG, AB and SO

A selection of pyramid purses by MM, IM, HM

Other patterns with zips can be found on the 'Patterns and Favorite books' page under 'Fundraising projects', 'Circular zipped box' and 'Inserting a zip' on the same page may also be of interest.

One member continued to stitch some hexagons, an ongoing project with no deadline to finish, some mindful sewing.

AP hexagons

There were some Show and Tell quilts, the first from CE made from the QGBI block 4 patch variation. The shirting checks set off the design very nicely. Instructions here.

Another from AP, very nice green sampler quilt with impressive machine quilting.

Finally two simple Linus quilts from CD. These can be made in a weekend as pieced by machine, backed with fleece and machine quilted in the ditch, what could be easier. Instructions here.

July 2025

 This month sees the last of our QGBI block demos. There were two on offer this month an simple 'Two by Two' block, another one useful for using up scraps,

Two by Two

and a more complicated 'Cabin in the Corner', more suitable for yardage, although if you planned it well it could be made from scraps too. Instructions link.

Cabin in the Corner

Some members decided to carry on with a project from previous months. 

4 patch variation blocks by MW and CE

Framed square variation blocks MM

While others went for the new blocks.

Two by Two blocks by ME, LB and DG

Cabin in the Corner by HM

We had some lovely Show and Tell projects.

Cathedral Window, a striking first attempt by AP

Some blocks made from a bag of scraps and similar coloured fabrics left over from a previous project.

Seaside themed scraps by AD

Two framed square variation quilt tops showing different orientations. 

Framed Square Variation blocks by MW and ME

Two more quilts, one scrappy and one from stash fat quarters.

Scrap quilt HM

'Quilt as you go' from fat quarters AP

Some finished Demo block quilts destined for Project Linus.

4 patch variation, Framed square variation and Logcabin sampler CD

Apologies to IM who also showed her Framed square variation quilt in progress. I thought I had taken a picture but it was not available to download. Hopefully we will get to see it when it is finished.

Lastly the second Fractured logcabin quilt has been completed by CD and is off to Project Linus.

Fractured logcabin group quilt for Linus

June 2025

 June sees us making another of the Quilters Guild patterns from the Knitting and Stitching Shows, this one is called Framed Square. The blocks are 8 inches finished squares, this sample will have borders added to make it a larger quilt for Project Linus. Click here for instructions.

The block was received with enthusiasm and everyone had a go at it. These blocks can be used for cushion covers, bags, table runners and wall hangings as well as quilts. They could be up sized to make a quilt more quickly, or down sized if you prefer working small!

blocks from MM, JN, HM, AP, ME, MD, MW, IM and LE

Hopefully we will see some nice quilted items from these blocks.

From last month we have a couple of the 4 Patch variation block by HM.

And a small quilt made by IM using the this block.

Lastly a finished group quilt, the first of two, using the fractured Log Cabin design, assembled by HM and quilted by CD.

May 2025

This month our meeting was on the second Monday of the month to avoid a bank holiday. For the next three months we are sewing some Quilters of the British Isles (QGBI) blocks that were used at the shows I helped at in London several years ago. They are suitable for hand or machine sewing by beginners. The public were encouraged to have a go at either technique at the shows, the helpers then took the blocks home and made up the quilts for Project Linus. The first one we are trying is a 4-patch variation that can be assembled in a variety of ways. Most of these blocks can be used with two colours or multiple colours and a neutral contrast fabric. The class example was made with scraps of coloured and neutral fabrics as a 6 inch block, the original instructions are for a 9 inch one. Click here for instructions.

4-patch variation

Here are the works in progress, orange and purple seem to be the popular colours.

We had some lovely Show and Tell quilts.

This pretty braid pattern was by AP showing front and back. The panel on the back was trimmed a little too narrow for the front, to avoid waste it was added to the back.

These two are by LE and destined for Project Linus

Finally these two were made up from our Fractured Logcabin blocks made over the last few months. MW cut them up, HM stitched them together and they have been taken by CD for layering with fleece, quilting and binding. These will go to Project Linus when finished.

Next months block is called Framed Square.

April 2025

 We continued with logcabin blocks this month. There were quite a few blocks for the fractured logcabin group quilt, which were being cut into four and rearranged to make the quilt. It's looking very nice.

Fractured logcabin blocks being quartered MW

Fractured quarters being laid out for quilt HM

Logcabin CE

Logcabin from shirts MM

Logcabin using African prints

Scrappy logcabin using Japanese prints DG

There was a piece of very small foundation piecing.

6 inch foundation piecing IM

Two members were knitting

A teddy bear swimming costume for a nephew AD

Knitted hats for the Ukraine JN

We had some show and tell quilts, AP had bought a pineapple ruler and has been trying it out with stunning results.

Pineapple and umbrella by AP

Pinwheel quilt AP

A second group quilt from the Christmas challenge blocks in blue, green and/or gray.

Group quilt 2 from Christmas challenge blocks

Linus quilt from scraps

Scrappy Linus quilt CD

March 2025

 Another month of Logcabin designs, Fractured logcabin, Chimney and Cornerstone blocks . Instructions can be found here. Most members were finishing last months blocks.

Here are some finished blocks.

Blocks made using a jelly roll. JN

Bottom row is pineapple blocks made using a pineapple ruler. AP

IM is making some 6 inch tulip blocks.

JN was knitting mittens for small babies. AD showed us her caravan seat cover, she hopes to make another using the same fabrics with a different pattern.

 

February 2025

 Our first meeting of the year with a change to the day and time, we now meet on the first Monday of the month at 2pm to 4pm. NB May's meeting will be the second Monday of the month to avoid the May bank holiday.

We are exploring the different variations of the logcabin block, of which there are many. The first instalment covered the traditional spiral, courthouse steps and off centre logcabin. Click here for instructions.

Courthouse steps, 2 traditional spirals and an off centre block

This block can be made by hand or machine, using strips or added to a foundation. We were using the strip method and stitching by hand at the meeting. It was enthusiastically taken up by our members.

 It will be interesting to see how these blocks turn out and their variations.

We had some show and tell from HM, a block of EPP, she commented that she may not make another as it was a bit fiddly.

HM has also finished her woodland quilt from last years blocks and added some exotic embellishment. It looks a lot better than the photo, it is such a fun quilt. 

Lastly, one group quilt from our Christmas Challenge is now finished with another one in progress.

First group quilt made up by CD