The 2018 Sleep-in-Your-Own-Bed Retreat

It's hard to believe that just a week ago we were still sewing madly at the retreat.  It was so much fun!
Above, Mary L. is showing us her T-shirt quilt, made with a new product that keeps the T-shirts stable during sewing and soft after washing.
The retreat was held in the (then) empty storefront next door to Sew Many Pieces in Richfield.

As you can see, we had lots of light pouring in from the front windows, and long tables for all our stuff.  Lorraine and company are hard at work here.  (Two out of three of these ladies are school librarians!)

Beautiful sewing was happening all through the room.  These ladies were working on a block of the month quilt.

Lovely batiks are being auditioned on this table with a machine appliqued block.

Here's our own Jean in the foreground, cutting and piecing.

Shelley made this baby quilt for a rapidly approaching baby shower.  She sewed the top, and Mickey took it next door and quilted it.  (How's that for service?)

Mary Z. was working on these gorgeous pink blocks.  (She did NOT want her picture taken.)

It did snow a little on Saturday evening, but not enough to stop Wisconsin quilters.
I didn't take a picture of the snack table, with all the goodies people brought, but it was PHENOMENAL.

Part of what I got done at the retreat were these two little doll quilts.  They are going to a lady in New Berlin who makes dolls for kids with differences (such as a missing limb, etc.).  The project is called A Doll Like Me, and you can read about it HERE. 
A quilt blogger has taken this on, and a fabric manufacturer has donated fabric bundles.  If you make a quilt by the end of the month you can get in on the drawing for a nice stack of fat quarters.  If that's too soon, don't worry, I'm sure she will continue to need doll quilts to go with the dolls.

I'll do a post in March with a tutorial for the Block of the Month, and reminders for the March meeting.
Until then, stay warm and keep sewing!

February Meeting Notes and Block of the Month

First, I'd like to give a belated thank you to all the members who helped make the Christmas party so much fun.  There was wonderful food, the gift exchange, and even a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, who brought us these great mug organizers.  As you can see, I'm using mine to keep my favorite tools close at hand (and not buried under piles of scraps!).  Thanks to Nelly, Colleen, Mary, Joan, Nancy, and everybody else who helped create such a festive evening.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

This month's meeting data:
Next Meeting:  Wednesday, February 21st., 6:30 p.m. 
Don't forget we changed the time!!!
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, Wisconsin
All are welcome.

Special notes:  Bring any Valentine quilts, heart quilts, red and white quilts, etc. for show and tell.

Did you make the Christmas shirt block?  If so, please bring it (and tell me where I'm going wrong).

Block of the Month
Below is a tutorial for the Block of the Month.  If you are participating, please bring your blocks to the meeting.  You get one chance to win for each block you make!
This month's block is Buckeye Beauty, and will measure 12 in. square when finished.  We are making these blocks in fall colors.

 These are the directions that were handed out at the meeting, along with my cut pieces.

First, let's make the 4 patches.
1.  Cut 4 light squares, 3.5 in. x 3.5 in.
2.  Cut 4 assorted print squares, 3.5 in. x 3.5 in.

3.  Sew these squares into 4 patches, as above.  Each 4 patch will contain 2 light squares and 2 dark squares.  The 4 patches will measure 6.5 in. square at this point.
So far, not too hard, right?

Next, let's make the triangle squares.
1.  Cut a 6 7/8 in. square of light fabric. 
2.  Cut the 6 7/8 in. square of light fabric diagonally from corner to corner, making 2 triangles.
3.  Cut two 6 7/8 in. squares of darker fabric (mine are brown and green).  Then cut these squares diagonally from corner to corner.  You will have two extra triangles, one brown and one green (in my case---use whatever colors you like).  I used them to make a second block.

4.  Sew one light and one dark triangle together to make a square.  Do it again with the remaining light triangle and a different dark triangle.  These should measure 6.5 in. at this point.
Now, let's bring it home!

Arrange the sections like the photo above.  The dark squares should chain through the block from upper left to lower right, as shown.   The dark triangles should be on the outside of the block.

And that's all there is to it.  This block should measure 12.5 in. unfinished, and will measure 12 in. when sewn into a quilt.  (Maybe by YOU???)
You can also vary the light fabric you use, like so:

It just makes it a little scrappier.  BTW, the square in the upper left corner is actually red, not pink as it appears in this photo.
So that's Buckeye Beauty, a very versatile block that is great for using up scraps.

I hope to see you at the meeting.  We always have such a good time!
Until then, keep warm and keep quilting!