Stack em up in more ways that one!

I met with two Sampler Clubs this week. The group that meets Monday night had a tricky block, so didn't finish their blocks, but they were doing great by the end of the night. Two of them did bring their blocks from the last two classes, shown below. Laura brought her Stack n Whack quilt from last month's class to pick out borders. Pretty pretty! 

Marilyn's Sampler 19 blocks

Laura's Sampler 19 blocks

The Sunbonnet Sue Sampler group met for the first time last night. They just finished Beginning Quilting in June and were excited to be working on their next quilt. They learned how to make and square up half square triangles last night to make Friendship Star blocks. 

 They all chose a variety of fabrics, so it will be interesting to see how they all come together!

 I sent them home with the pattern to make the Shoo Fly block before class next month.
Do you remember your first quilt? What pattern did you use?

 I pieced the backing and prepped the new version of the Which Way is UP? quilt yesterday so it's ready for the quilt machine. I don't think I have posted any pix of it yet, but will do so soon!  I hope to get it loaded today and start the quilting. Wish me luck!

A little of Sue and a little of that...

Last night's Sunbonnet Sue Sampler Club learned how to do fusible applique by making Sunbonnet Sue. I think they had been looking forward to making her as they had asked different times when we would do it. There is something whimsical and traditional about Sue, and there are lots of patterns to make her. We lined them up together to get their picture taken. They are all unique and pretty, but Judy took care to line her hat up on one of the birds on her border fabric. Next month they make their last block! They have been sewing their sashings on to each block as they go, so it won't take much to sew it together.

Last Saturday some friends and I took a road trip to MO. to visit the Missouri Star Quilt Co. We had a blast there, saw and bought lots of fabrics from their three retail outlets. On the way back we stopped at Crossroads Quilting in Cameron Mo. It is a beautiful shop as well, with lots of reproduction fabrics as well as batiks. I managed to find some luscious batiks in both places.

Yes, it was a happy group! We

I worked on getting this quilt quilted on Sunday....I love how the quilting is turning out and will have a special post about this quilt soon.

Pretty fabrics from the Flower Girl line by Margo  Languedoc.

I used the Leafage panto on this quilt...it is one of my favorites because of the way it overlaps and covers well all over the quilt. Plus it's just pretty.

I'm meeting with the Sampler Pick group tonight, plus some of the quilters from the Beginning Quilting class are coming to make up the class they missed last week. Should be fun and busy!

Busy bees...

I have a busy week of classes this week, beginning last night with a group that is making the Sunbonnet Sue Sampler quilt. They took a beginning piecing class last fall and wanted to continue learning more techniques.  

 They made the Churn Dash and Grecian Square last night. It was interesting to see whether their pieced sections fit the half square triangles and to figure out what to do if they didn't. Unfortunately, that is part of quilting...figuring out what went wrong.

Ooh lala...

Two new sampler clubs started this week. Most of Tuesday night's class got their blocks finished.

Lots of pretty blocks!

Monday's club did a great job too. They are pretty new to quilting, so are enjoying the process.

They got the Friendship Star finished, and will finish Shoo fly for homework.

I spent last evening getting packed up for my weekend retreat. I am so ready for a break and sewing and chatting with friends all weekend will be just the thing. I will post pictures from retreat in my next posting.