quilting with friends – Quilting my way through life!

A lot of quilters that I know hate to bind a quilt.

I don’t understand that mindset.

I LOVE to bind quilts!

I love the process & more than anything

I can’t wait to finally see the finished quilt!

Today I’m binding a small & scrappy quilt, Hard Crackers.

Several months ago, pre-COVID19,

Heather & I established a new sewing group.

We decided to meet once a month

& sew on the same agreed upon quilt.

We would meet on the third Thursday & so

the Third Thursday Thread Sisters (TTTS) was formed.

Well, the very first month we were

supposed to meet we were under quarantine.

We decided to form a group text instead

to share & to show progress of our little quilts from 10:00 or so until noon or so…

It seems fortuitous now looking back at the origin of our sewing group.

The idea came from a guild presentation.

It was a group of quilters doing the same thing.

They came and showed their little quilts, many from this book.

It just so happened that Martingale was having a super sale!

So, we acted quickly,

deciding on a couple of books to use for the basis of our quilts.

Again, fortuitous don’t you think?

I made the first choice.

Since we had 9 in our group,

I made a smaller version of this quilt

to accommodate our signatures.

Since the quarantine continued, to help us keep in touch,

we decided to sew each Thursday instead of just the third.

These are my blocks from the first quilt…

but whilst making them I decided they were too light.

I wanted them to hang near my new table runner.

Meanwhile, the next 3rd Thursday was approaching…

Bonnie chose Lizzie’s Tents.

I remade my blocks.

I love the quilt!

So far we’ve assigned 3 quilts, one per month.

Since the third Thursday is this week

I was determined to finish my June quilt.

I finished the top last week.

This morning I layered, quilted then sewed the binding to the quilt.

Tonight I will do the handwork to complete it!

Tomorrow we start our next quilt!

Perhaps you should start a sewing group

with some of the quilting friends you’re missing.

I’m so thankful for this connection with

some of my quilting friends

during this surreal time.

Please let us know what you’re binding

& share them with us on my Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

It’s that time of year when winter really sets in. The days are short and I can’t turn on enough lights to brighten my sewing room. It’s so cold outside that I don’t want to go out. We’ve already had enough snow days that the kids no longer have to make any more of them up.

There is a cure and it’s spelled Q – U – I – L – T R – E – T – R – E – A – T!!!

We’re fortunate enough that a local quilt shop, Rosemary’s, housed in an older home with living quarters upstairs, is available for retreats. The last several years, Kathy & I have planned a January retreat. Rosemary will teach classes if you want, but our group goes to work on our own projects.

Secure a date, round-up some friends…and SEW, SEW, SEW!!!

This year Robin was able to join us from North Carolina, along with Kathy & Susan.

Beth completed a top she worked on during our last retreat, Chris is helping show it off.

Loraine, gets more done than anyone, and always with a smile.

I finished two samples of my new “In Season for Patriotism” pattern. (Coming soon to a quilt shop near you, as soon as I get the instructions written, tested and quilt photographed.)

I also made a bunch of mini Dresden plate blocks. I LOVE these. They’re so much fun to assemble! I have 24 made now. I’ll keep you posted as to their progress.

We had a lot of fun. The biggest decisions were where to eat. Mexican, Italian, Chinese, American, they’re all there in the small town and most of them within walking distance. Since it was so cold, we didn’t waste too much time doing that!

Perhaps you could organize a retreat for you and your sewing friends.

Until next time,

Susan