Thursday, January 17, 2013

Out of My Box

One of the things I love about quilting is that sometimes to make a quilt "work" you have to get out of your box.  You know, maybe try some colors that you ordinarily wouldn't use.  You might have to try making a block that you don't think you will like.  There are all sorts of ways quilts make you get out of your box.  One of the ways I decided to get out of my box in the new year was to join the local quilt guild.  I can be very happy with my cat in my sewing room.  Just the two of us.  Fabric, cat, and me.  Oh, and a snack.  That makes me happy.  However, I can tend to be so happy that I don't want to leave my sewing room.  I decided that I really needed to get out of my box and get out there in the world a little more.  On Tuesday morning, I met some friends and I joined the guild.  Since it was the first meeting of the year, the focus was on organizing.  First, organizing the group and secondly, on organizing our own sewing space.  I listened carefully thinking maybe I could pick up a new idea or two to try.  Goodness knows that I do have an issue with neatness in my sewing room(s).   Try keeping cut strips in their own containers.  You can even label the container.  Check.  I do that.  Fold all of your fabric the same way.  Check.  I do that...well, until I pull a piece of fabric out and several tumble off the shelf.  They don't get put back quite as neatly.  Keep all of your scraps in one area and in one container.  Whoops.  I started that way but now there are multiple containers.  And so it went.  I finally decided the tips were great ones, but they were intended for the average quilter.  I was beyond that and beyond hope!   I give up.  My area is just going to have to be organized chaos.  But I do have some wonderful quilts to show you!




This is just the sweetest quilt.  Peach and creams with a soft blue and yellow backing.  I pieced this because I liked the fabric so well and Sandy quilted it for me.



Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.  Many of you will recognize that phrase.  Simon and I read that book when we are together.  This yellow and brown quilt has lots of monkeys!!



My friend Cindy has donated a stack of quilts to PIECES.  This one is the softest pastel flannels.  It is so soft and cuddly.  A big thank you to Cindy!!



This sweet quilt is another one Cindy sent to us.  It may be hard to see but it has the cutest print of bird's nests with eggs and baby birds.  Cindy not only pieces the quilts but also quilts them.



I think I have mentioned we have a new piecer.  Amy is from Wichita and she pieced this quilt with soft flannels.  This one will be good for a boy or girl.



Paula pieced a fun star in boy prints.  We added a wild stripe for the backing.



This one was pieced by Judith.  She was able to take pink and green scraps and make something totally gorgeous.



Kathy pieced and quilted this gorgeous batik quilt.  It has lots of little pieces!



This quilt was done by Amy.  Again she used soft beautiful flannels.  These fabrics are favorite ones of mine with gentle flowers scattered across the fabric.

Weren't those some great quilts?   Simon approves!!





 Thanks for stopping by!