Scrappy Basket Weave by Wendy F.

Today the group had a work shop for making a scrappy 16-patch. I already had plans to for my 2- inch strips, so I decided to follow through and start on my 'scrappy basket weave quilt.' The first picture is what I had done by noon ( I was working on my tulip quilt part of the morning as well) I was feeling energetic after lunch so I took my CD player and went back over to the church in the afternoon. The second picture shows the additional blocks that I sewed. This quilt is supposed to be on the diagonal so I tried tried to assemble it that way. It will have to be re-arranged so that it comes out on point, and the blocks are not in their final position, I need to make a lot more blocks and there will be a lot more combination's of colour.

2010 photo additions

February 2009-

Mary, Martha,Adele & Dawn looking at??? 

 

16-patch workshop moments Jan. 2010

Look at all those strips!

Learning together

Anneke and Frieda

Sharon measuring her 16-patch

Optical Delusions by Martha in 2009

Member Background

by –  Martha E.


My love affair with quilting began in the 70's when a friend convinced me that we could each make a quilt for our daughters, and quilt them together. Since then, my style has evolved to include reproduction and traditional quilts, adaptations of published designs, and a few original quilts. My skills have improved as well, and I consider myself an intermediate level quilter. Luckily, my sister Nancy is an artist, and I have come to rely on her design skills and great colour sense to assist me in my quilt projects. Together we started the Tidal Threads Quilt and Needlework Guild in 2008 and so far it has been a very satisfying venture. We also have a booth in the Grand Manan Farmers’ Market in the summer where we sell our quilted products.

‘The journey is the destination’ describes my approach to life. I have always loved maps, and my husband and I have been able to fulfill our dreams to travel to many corners of the world. We have visited many countries in western Europe and Asia, as well as the Baltics, Russia, and New Zealand. The journey became the destination in all these trips. This philosophy really came into its own when we spent time living and working in China. There you must relinquish your desire to be in control of what happens to you, and just "go with the flow". Not an easy lesson for a retired educator who was used to being in charge. I am trying to let go of my need to control things, and just enjoy the moment. It's a very satisfying and freeing transformation!

Most of my quilts have been gifts to friends, family, or charities. Putting pieces of fabric together, whether they blend or contrast, exemplifies my attempt to understand others and encourage friendship and love between people of different backgrounds and cultures.

Martha Minutes

Get There Early

I forgot to mention in yesterday's email that I'd appreciate it if everyone were ready to go by 9:15 on Thursday morning. That is, machines plugged in, cutting boards at the ready. We really have quite a bit to do that morning, and we want to have 15 min. or so to enjoy coffee, snack, and a social time too. I'll get there early to set up the room so everyone can plug in her machine and see the demos.

Martha Minutes

I have the workshop quilt instructions ready to photocopy for this coming Thursday, and hope that participants will come with everything they need to start sewing. I will include the list of materials/equipment here for those who want to take part.<!--[endif]--> If you have a power bar, you might want to bring that to increase the no. of outlets in the vestry. Also, if you don't want to lug your ironing board along, a couple of towels and your iron could be used just as well as a board.

Want to know when to bring a snack to Quilting?

Snack Schedule

Jan. 28: Margo

Feb. 4: Brenda

Feb 11: Dawn

Feb. 18: Gladys (cake), Sharon/Sonya (clean-up)

Feb 25: Adele

Mar. 4: Ruth

Mar.11: Ellen

Mar. 18: Gladys (cake), Nancy/Martha (clean-up)

Mar. 25: Diane

April 1: Ineke

Tidal Threads Quilt and Needlework Guild: Good News - Martha and Nancy have returned to GM

Tidal Threads Quilt and Needlework Guild: Good News - Martha and Nancy have returned to GM

Good News - Martha and Nancy have returned to GM

If everything goes well Martha will start the 16 patch workshop on the 28th.  The quild members who have been on the island have been busily cutting their materials in preparation for the real event.  It's never too late to join in the "cutting up" preparation.

16 Patch Workshop by Martha Eaton

This is a copy of an antique quilt made from scraps in the 1890’s. I first saw it in a book by Roberta Horton called SCRAP QUILTS:The Art of Making Do. This quilt is great for using up your scraps, and for beginners to learn many different skills that will be used in most any other quilt they may make. The photo shows my quilt in progress. The measurements below do not include a border (many antique quilts did not have borders, as the borders required large pieces of fabric).

Finished quilt size (without border):



67” X 55” (11 BLOCKS BY 9 BLOCKS=99 BLOCKS) Twin size (sort of, would be better with a 4-5 inch border all around)

55” X 43” (9 BLOCKS BY 7 BLOCKS) Lap quilt size

43” X 31” (7 BLOCKS BY 5 BLOCKS) Baby quilt

(I suppose you could make a table runner, but I think the secondary pattern would not appear because the runner would be narrow.)

Here is what you will learn:

• The need to sew an accurate seam

• Looking at fabrics for colour value

• How to trim blocks for proper sizing

• How to press seams

• How to make Half-Square Triangles that don’t stretch out of shape

• How to make a 16-patch block

• How to “nest” seams when making a block

• How to arrange and assemble quilt blocks

• How to figure what size border you want to add, if any

I will be conducting the workshop on January 28 and Feb 11th at our usual meeting times. This is what you will need to bring with you if you wish to take this workshop:

• Rotary cutter and cutting board, rulers, a soft-leaded pencil

• Large and small scissors, sharp pins

• Sewing machine, with lots of neutral colour thread (tan or gray) and extra needles

• From the group: 1-2 irons and small ironing boards if possible.

• Fabric – already cut: 2-inch strips in a variety of dark and light fabrics. You can cut some from medium value fabrics, but light and darks work best. The strips can be as short at 5 inches, but it is less work in the long run if they are 10-20 inches long. You will need equal numbers of light and dark strips. 4-inch squares in a variety of dark and light fabrics. You can cut some from medium value fabrics, but light and darks work best. We can swap strips and squares within the group, but please bring a few more than you think you will need, especially those of us who have a good sized stash! The number of squares you need is listed below.

Pre-cutting your strips and squares will really speed up the workshop and the time spent at guild will be used to best advantage. It is expected that between Jan. 14 and Jan. 28 participants will work on their blocks at home. Even though this is a beginner’s quilt, a lot of time is required to make the blocks!

Here are the requirements for different sized finished items:

• Twin size: 200 light 4” squares, 200 dark 4” squares, large variety of 2” strips, light and dark, and ½ yard fabric for binding*, 3 1/2 to 4 yards backing fabric

• Lap size: 130 light 4” squares, 130 dark 4” squares, large variety of 2” strips, light and dark, and ½ yard fabric for binding*, 3 yards backing fabric.

• Baby size: 75 light 4” squares, 130 dark 4” squares, large variety of 2” strips, light and dark, and ¼ yard fabric for binding*, 1 1/3 yards backing fabric.

• Cotton or polyester batting, as preferred

• Border fabric if you wish to add a border or two

• * If you wish, you can piece unlike fabrics together for the binding

Here is the tentative plan for Jan. 14:

1. Swap 2” strips.

2. Decide on the size quilt you want to make, and figure out the number of each kind of block you will need to make

3. Looking at value within the blocks

4. Learn how to make half-square triangles starting with 4” squares

5. Learn how to make 16-patch blocks using strip piecing method

Tentative plan for Jan 28:

1. Arranging your blocks – group comments and suggestions

2. Looking at value throughout the quilt

3. Sewing blocks together in rows

4. Sewing rows together

5. Making the binding

6. IF TIME ALLOWS we will talk about borders

Some Photos from 2009

       Tidal Threads Quilt and Needlework Guild November 2009

    Serious business

                                                          

    Nancy's star pillow

                                                     

    "Let it Shine" raffle quilters

    Ellen's cross stitch

                                                  

                                                           

Mary's mini approx 6 x 9