A SRQG Special Report: Free Sew Day 4/16/2010
The guild workshop scheduled for 4/16 had to be cancelled so our innovative Program Chairs hosted a Free Sew Day in its place. The following report was filed with the news room by Rhonda Denny.
As Regards Free Sew Day, April 16th 2010:
It was a beautiful, informative, fun, and productive day. There are so many who took part. Linda T. arrived early. Every table was set and 20 chairs waited. Joni P. brought coffee for all – this gal is a real dynamo in case you don’t know!
Phyllis was first on deck with her ‘Skinny Stem Finished Bias Strips’. The demo was smart and made sense. She gave us a full 30 minutes with this method. I was feeling like I was an expert – until she left the room…
The Lady H, with prepared instructions and Asian fabrics (gifted by our Presidenta Jan) for all to share, explained how to fold fabric into lovely Kimono origami. Her demonstration was easy-breezy beautiful. Now that I am home on my own I am bewildered. However, I do have an excellent instruction sheet and will tackle this even if it hair-lips every duck on the farm…
B-up followed with teachings on ‘Mitered Corner Quilt Bindings’ with previously prepared kits of potholders. I am holding my breath but I am doing it and my ‘Running Wo-man’ looks sew much better now with her new sharp-cornered, mitered bindings. The potholders are not boutique quality but have served to enlighten me.
Tera A. put together an informative, fun, and cute picture board of her ‘Quick Log Cabin’. She had the full attention of the class. The product of her slim-lined method is a sweet toasty quilt for little bodies that need warmth and love. I know Jan A. finished 12 blocks while on-site and Linda Z. followed hard upon.
While Tera gave her lessons, Linda H. and Elaine T. indulged me in a quick tutorial with my much-loved (imho) jumper. Linda, poor dear, was suffering through with a smile as her back was giving her fits. I am looking forward to seeing Skylar’s jumper. The fabric selection was toooo sweet; pink 30’s repo paired with a sage green fairy print. Elaine said she could make it on her own so I’m trusting I’ll see jumpers at the next meeting for one or more of her g’babies.
When we broke for lunch, B ran to a dental appointment. Nourishment was good. We worked hard and the fresh air was the perfect compliment to the break. Lavella dropped off quilts for quilting…
Our ‘Free Motion Machine Quilting’ maven, Betty, was off and running. I’d thought for the past seven years that my machine was broken because the presser foot lever kept getting caught in the raising and depressing. The tool Betty said I needed (that I thought was a dental instrument) is really for free motion quilting and not just for scaring me. Again, she provided kits and the machines were roaring. I really like my quilting efforts. I made hearts that look like strawberries, a kitty cat, ferns and feathers, squiggles, loop-de-loops, crescent moons with stars, and even my name!
To Dotty, Joan, Joy, Gail, Chris, Barbara, Patricia, Nancy, Meadow, our generous instructors, and my partner in Programs and Workshops, Linda T., – I hope I didn’t leave anyone out – a gigantic and heart-felt thank-you! I feel like I’m blossoming in a beautiful bouquet.
Your rolling reporter, Rhonda D