June 2026

The size of our group has changed dramatically this year, we now have approaching 30 members. We are feeling a little cramped in our current room and have asked if there is a larger one available for use. This is a good problem to have as we appear to be a popular group.

This month we had a demonstration on QAYG (quilt as you go) methods, one using sashing and the other without sashing. Click here for instructions.

QAYG samples with and without sashing

A couple of members decided to have a go after the demo.

Most members decided to work on their own projects and try QAYG at home.

There were some previously demonstrated techniques being worked on.

Kawandi mat HM

Curves for a table runner KP

Mosaic patchwork MW

As well as some personal projects.

Pieced block AB, EPP TD, hexagon bag CW, cross stitch IM 

A couple of prem baby cardigans.

 For Show and Tell we had some finished blocks and items from previous demos as well as some personal projects.

Sun bonnet Sue and overall Sam ME

Blocks from curves MS, CD

A lovely cushion made from curves

Elephant quilt for Linus PK

Small quilt using mosaic patchwork HM

A third Kawandi style Boro bag HM

Roomy bag made using jelly roll strips AP

Lovely bright quilt PK

There were several projects I did not get pictures for, apologies. JH was making knitted Jelly Babies for Christmas shoe boxes to the Ukraine.

May 2026

 This month sees us tackling curved piecing. These can be stitched by hand or machine. The two designs on offer were a swirling design and a tulip. Click here for instructions.

Participants were enthusiastic as usual, to have a go. Some will stitch by machine at home, while others are happier hand stitching.

We also had a finished project from last months Mosaic patchwork demo.

Mosaic patchwork cushion KP

AP was assembling on some hexagons cut out 'a while ago' !

AP hexagon quilt

We also had some Linus quilt donations.

Linus quilt JN

Linus quilts CD

April 2026

 Mosaic patchwork is this months project, it is stitched over papers and is often referred to as English Paper Piecing (EPP). Most block designs can be pieced over papers, but quilters nowadays often prefer to use the sewing machine for speed. There were 2 designs to choose from, one a bit more complicated than the other. Instructions.  When making up these designs they can be pieced as blocks with background pieces or leave out the background and applique your design to a background square.

There is also a technique based on using small pieces of fabric as tiles with stitching as the 'grout', a small project is included in the link, see picture at the end of this post. For anyone wanting to try the fabric tile technique, I would recommend checking out the many tutorials available on YouTube. 

2 designs based on crosses

The majority of participants chose the more complicated design, with green being a popular colour.

Several participants had decided to finish a WIP.

MM UFO from Carolyn Forster workshop

AP background hexagons

LB Kawandi

The results from last months appliqué project were on display. We plan to make these up into a Linus quilt. We are grateful to our participants for donating their work to group projects, as is Liz Powderham (our local Project Linus coordinator) when we present her with one of these quilts.

CE making up a cot quilt with some orphan blocks she was given.

We had some quilts for 'Show and Tell'.

Linus quilts from HM

Front and back of quilt by AP

Pretty lilac Linus quilt using the framed square block JN

Bunny quilt for Linus CD

Lastly, our Christmas Challenge blocks on a seaside theme have been made up into a very colourful quilt for Linus.

Group quilt on a Seaside theme, made up by CD

Mosaic card

March 2026

 Sun Bonnet Sue and Overall Sam appliqué were this months offering. We had a very good attendance at this meeting with some new participants. We have made these patterns in the past, June 2016, due to popular demand they are making a second appearance. We gave out a background fabric so that members could donate their blocks for a Linus quilt, should they wish. Most participants had a go at them, some deciding to use bonding web and take them home for machine stitching, others began hand stitching at class. I did not take pictures of all the blocks being made unfortunately. You can find the patterns and instructions here.

Sun bonnet Sue blocks

Overall Sam blocks

We had some finished Kawandi projects from February's meeting.

Kawandi Boro style bag KP

Two Kawandi Boro style bags HM

Kawandi mat

Kawandi mat made to fit a tray IM

There were also some lovely quilts presented.

Double bed quilt AB

Heart quilt HM

Scrappy strip quilt AP

Quilts for Linus CD. The first 5 were made from leftover fabric from previous Linus quilts.

Two knitting projects were on the go. 

A cot blanket made using self stripping yarn LB.

A little dog with a smart coat SO

LB brought along her Acuquilt machine and some members had a go at using it to cut out Sun Bonnet Sue blocks.

Last but not least CE brought in some Sun Bonnet Sue orphan blocks she had been given. As they are a similar size to the blocks being made at the moment, we may be able to include them in the final quilt. 

In April and May we will be meeting on the second Monday of the month to avoid Easter and May bank holidays.