Virtual Retreat 2017

[twiglet]

ouch just sewn through the end of my finger, needle broke in it! pulled it out but sore. must use a probe to send edges under foot. what a twit.

well Rosemary and Barb you've not had enough stress after these rows either :silly: :P
Hope theres a thread started for it.

[Scoopie]

Yup! I'm in the mini exchange, too. Signed up the first day. My partner is in Denmark, and we are both fiber artists (as opposed to doing a lot of larger piece worked quilts). So, this should be fun!

Geneva, love the bowls. I have not done one yet. But's its on my bucket list.

Since you are chiming in here Barb, I just wanted to let you know that your row (along with Marylyn's) are put on hold for about 6 weeks. I have a push to finish a quilt to get it to my longarm gal by mid June. I need it to fill a huge wall in my Featured Quilter's display. Since I do mostly art quilts, and minis, I don't take up much space, so this biggie will help!

Dawn

[lorra]

Ouch Wendy!!. I have done that before and it hurts.
I did not sign up for the miniature group. I have some volunteer work I need to finish by May 3rd, help with the guilds quilt show on May 13th, finish my rows, make one of my granddaughter's flower girl dress before June 10th. One granddaughter's wedding is June 10th, another's is July 21st. Our 50th anniversary celebration is June 17. A nephew's wedding today, and a niece's baby shower is tomorrow. I just want to go sew something fun for me. :blink: :blink: I am looking forward to September when things calm down. Please post pictures of your miniatures. I would love to see them.

[she-quilts]

I'm in the Miniature exchange. I signed up the first day and was number 60-something. My partner & I are like 2 peas-in-a-pod! Super close friends already and we are going to meet at the AQS Grand Rapids show!! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

I can't begin to count the things we have in common - a funny thing... our husbands names rhyme! :silly: It is totally a divine appointment! We are excited to be together. We are a Canada/US team.

Jules~
(who wants to fix her siggy and photos and all that.... wish that was an option now!!)

[Scoopie]

Cathy, unfortunately we are not allowed to share photos of our mini quilts. It is in our guidelines. It is supposed to be a "secret" until the teammate actually receives her quilt. We cannot even share pictures of our work in progress. So, my guess is that that will be one of the Houston exhibits that does not allow photography. (I'm not sure how hundreds of woman can keep a secret, though.) :silly:

And, I was wondering about a thread, or forum for all of the mini quilters to chat, too. But, I think the goal is for the members in each team to chat with each other and form a bond or freindship that can be expressed through/in a mini quilt.

Wendy, ooooooohhhhhh! You poor thing! I have not done that, but have a friend who did! She had to have a doctor extract hers, and put her on antibiotics. I have a special tool that I use for that. I make them from turkey skewers, with lots of jewels/beads on the end. And, sell them by the dozens at our quilt show!

[twiglet]

I'm waiting for say partner. JULES DID you choose a theme or any guideli rd between you on what you're going to make?

[twiglet]

Lovely Dawn what a good idea

[she-quilts]

Yes, we know what theme we are going with for our mini quilts. It is so exciting!! We threw around a lot of ideas and then it was fast to cling to one. We know not to share details of what we are making or photos but both wanted to share a theme and have done that. We are aiming high!

Jules~

[twiglet]

ouch just sewn through the end of my finger, needle broke in it! pulled it out but sore. must use a probe to send edges under foot. what a twit.

well Rosemary and Barb you've not had enough stress after these rows either :silly: :P
Hope theres a thread started for it.

Yikes Wendy - I can imagine your finger is/was sore!! Hope it mends quickly!

HaHa re the rows!! Already have visions of mini quilts in my head. (I figure Rosemary will have tips and tricks for us)!

Barb :-)

[twiglet]

It won't be mini enough for Rosemary she makes teeny tiny miniature, these ones are bigger than I make most of the time. They're more quiltlets at this size. Mind you if you go for traditional blocks I suppose it's about 1/6th full size rather than 1/12th which is a true mini so a 12" block will be 2" yikes that's small, where's Rosemary! hmy:

Fingers fine now bit tender that's all. I'm going to make a Dawn prodder they are so pretty and I have loads of beads. I may use wooden skewers, wooden toothpicks grab fabric well.

[rehak]

Sorry about your finger, Wendy! I use cheap wooden cuticle sticks for pushing fabric near the needle. I feel like I get a better purchase on the fabric with the flat end and have no worries about hurting the sewing machine if the needle hits it.

[twiglet]

A fortunate error now I have another item to make for the craft fair.

Here are my samples for the confetti quilting I'm teaching










Now you can see how I did it :lol:

[Scoopie]

Wendy,
I hope your finger feels better.
I have always liked the look of confetti quilts, just never got around to making a sample up to see if I enjoyed it.
The top one is my favorite, those colors are right up my alley. I think you have sparked my creative bug,,,
Your class will definitely be a fun time for all that attend.

[Scoopie]

Sorry to hear about your finger Wendy. That is one thing I haven't manager to achieve yet, _{and I hope I never do, touch wood!}

Hints on miniatures
1: paper piecing/stitch and flip is a great technique -I used this for my Maxiatura quilt.
2: if doing normal style piecing use strips of 1" minimum -you need something to hold. And then trim.
3: sew your regular 1/4" seam allowance and trim afterwards to 1/8" - unless you are doing stitch and flip then you can stitch 1/8" seams.
4: check your measurements after each seam and correct then. As Sally Collins says you only need to get it right the last time.

By the way, when we did the Laura Nownes sampler quilt, my centre blocks were only 1/6 scale :whistle:



I absolutely love this quilt.

[Scoopie]

Rosemary,
What are the dimensions of those blocks that comprise the center portion? And, what is the finished dimension of your quilt? It is absolutely gorgeous. I can see why you love it.