Quilting Retreats!

Have you had a chance to be part of a quilting retreat yet?

If not, I certainly hope you'll give it a try the next time an opportunity comes up.

They are a blast! You get to hang with like-minded quilters who want nothing more than to sit and work on their current projects without any interruptions. Except, of course, for meals, sharing, and chatting with old and new friends.

I love getting away for a few days to spend quality time with my machine and the projects I brought with me. But I've got to warn you, there's quite a bit of work necessary leading up to the actual retreat.

One thing I've learned is to have all your projects cut, labeled, and bagged - ready to begin stitching. Why waste time at retreat cutting everything, unless, of course, you have questions for your fellow quilters about any of the instructions.

Always bring more than you think you'll be able to work on. You might just want a change of pace from say paper piecing to applique or you might finish sooner than you imagined because you're able to focus on what you're doing.

If at all possible, bring a second machine with you. Ask me how I know this! Yes, at my first retreat, a corner of my fabric got caught and pushed way down into the bobbin area. I was able to get it out but it threw off the timing and it needed to go into the shop. Luckily, the retreat was only an hour's drive away so I called my husband and he loaded up my second machine and met me halfway. I was back up and running in no time but now I always bring both machines with me.

I would also suggest you start packing early making sure you have all the necessities (rulers, cutting mat, rotary cutters, pins, extra needles, scissors, thread, small iron, etc.). That way if you need to pick up something, you'll have time and won't have to try to do it on your way to the retreat.

It's a little surprising how much packing there is for a few days away from home. Mine usually fills up my back seat and trunk but it's all worth it!

Well, all my quilting stuff is packed; I just need to get my little suitcase ready and I'll be good to go tomorrow.

Creatively Yours,
StitchingBahma

Meet My Newest Addition to the Family

I know it has been some time since I posted here. What can I say? Life got busy and time passed very quickly!

Since my last post, I retired and then went back to work part-time. Crazy, right? I actually enjoy working and it's only 30 hours a week so I have lots of time to sew still.

Mostly, I want to post that after almost 10 wonderful years together, I decided to trade in my Bernina for a Dream Machine 2! I never had any trouble with my Bernina and loved everything I did on it but updates are no longer being done and there are some features on the Dream Machine 2 that I can't wait to try!

Here's a picture from the shop where I purchased it. What a gorgeous machine!

Now that the holidays are winding down, I can't wait to get started stitching. I've got it all set up and ready to go. Now, it's up to me to put some fabric under the foot and start stitching!

Pictures and updates to follow. I have lots of projects I want to work on so here goes!

Stay tuned for more.

Creatively Yours,
StitchingBahma

Free Motion Quilting Practice

I finished the Humbug Bag (pattern by McKenna Linn) I started yesterday. It turned out really cute. It's kind of big so I'll keep it for myself and make smaller bags for my granddaughters.

I cut out blocks for a couple more bags and did some free motion quilting just for fun. Tonight I didn't feel like change the thread colors and looking for different stitches, so I practiced some stippling, leaves, and random circles.

Here are two blocks with free motion quilting. It is hard to see because I used a thread that blended instead of a thread that contrasted.

Since these blocks are smaller than my first one (about the size of a regular piece of paper), it's very easy to sandwich them together quickly and practice new techniques. I still want to do some more couching and thread deco on one of the blocks, but it can wait until later.

Foray Into Thread Art

Last night I decided to make a small purse for my granddaughter. I made her one a few months back and she carries it around everyday and has literally worn it out.

The pattern suggested either simple quilting or free motion quilting since it's such a small piece of fabric.

I put the three layers together and was going to do some free motion quilting but instead ended up using some of the decorative stitches on my Bernina and did some simple couching. After I finished the decorative stitches, I serged the four sides so it will look nice when it's all put together.

Wow - it was a ton of fun! Nothing fancy, mind you, but I enjoyed it and can't wait to get home and try again on another small piece of fabric for another purse. It's a beautiful piece of batik fabric which just begged me to practice this technique and I think it worked together nicely for this project.

Quilter's Candy Store

I spent yesterday at the Long Beach International Quilt Festival. If you've never been, you gotta go! It's like a huge candy store for quilters and stitchers.

Here is a photo of the treasures I brought home with me.

I also purchased a new foot and binding tool that will be shipped to me this week.

Everything and just about every vendor you can imagine is at this event. There are also many very beautiful quilts that help stretch the imagination for your next quilting project.

Guess what all the grandkids are getting for Christmas this year.

 

Weekend Sewing Plans

Let's see - tonight there is a dinner meeting, then there's a birthday party tomorrow for my goddaughter and a family 4th of July BBQ on Sunday just because that is the day we were all able to get together. The weekend's barely started and it's already full of things to do.

Somewhere this weekend I hope to be able to do some sewing. I have several baby quilt tops that are done but they need to be sandwiched and quilted. I have some red, white & blue fabric to make things for the grandchildren which I haven't even started yet. There are still a number of Christmas motifs that need to be embroidered, and I have two, maybe three, jelly rolls that are just waiting to be made into quilts.

Oh I hope I can sew this weekend. I have many things to do and am anxious to work on all of them!!

The Itch to Stitch

All I want to do this week is sew, sew, sew. Unfortunately, there have been way too many interruptions!

I'm going to try again this evening and see if I can't accomplish a little sewing. I always feel better after I've spent time at the sewing machine. What about you? Do you find sewing and crafting relaxing?