April meeting - drier than expected

A few of our ladies hit a little bit of drizzle on the way, but nothing to what we expected.

After getting set up, everyone had to show Machelle how they did on the blocks they did at home.  Notice anything below that doesn't seem quite right?

When Leila started demonstrating her block, I think everyone heaved a sign of relief.  Click on the picture to blow it up bigger - the first step was to do just a partial seam from somewhere around the middle to the outside edge.  The pattern is at the right of this post so that if you were not able to attend, you can still do your block.

After the partial seam on the first piece, you press that rectangle up and then add the second side.

 Everyone got busy on their blocks............

 Press that seam out and add the third side, press that seam out and add the fourth side.

 After your fourth side is added, you fold back over your first rectangle and finish that partial seam.  Here are a few blocks done and looking good.

 Everyone agreed that Leila picked out a fantastic block, one that made us all feel confident.

 Here is Deb's, all pressed and ready to go

 Machelle's looking great

Donnis has some lovely fabrics going in her block

 Here are all three of Susie's blocks - I know you see four - forget that one on the bottom left - we have not done it yet - that is the one that Susie will be showing us in November (or before).

 Picture of Vevia's three, plus an extra

 Donnis made another one in no time

 Everyone finished Leila's block and had plenty of time to go on to other projects.  Deb is doing her third and final whole cloth baby christening quilt, each family gets ONE.  Congratulations on the new expected grandchild.

 Susie brought several projects to work on, this one is a wool applique

 Susie has been cleaning again and found some extra holders that you put on your rulers to help hold them while you are cutting, here she is showing Donnis how to attach it to the ruler while everyone looks on.

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After lunch was time for show and tell..........Remember the fabric that Susie donated last month, Machelle took some and made the box that Vevia showed everyone how to do.  Came out great.  This one Machelle did add batting as she made it as big as the fabric would allow.

 Susie brought in the pre-wounds to tell us about another option for those that want to applique, but do not want to spend heavy money on silk thread.  She gets this package from the Quilting Bee in Salina for about $10.  It is pre-wound 80 weight bobbin thread.  She finds that she gets similar results in applique as she does with the silk and it does come with several colors in a package.

 Vevia brought in her "Spring Rentals" table runner and embroidered block that she did at the Clay Center Piotique Quilters Guild.  This year they are doing a Block of the Season and this bird house foundation block was the Spring offering.

Machelle shared a pouch that she had done in the hoop on her embroidery machine.  Even the zipper is put in while it is in the hoop.  This is darling - and it holds Machelle's camera - just the right size.

Donnis had some extra fabric and some extra time, so she decided to experiment to see what she could do and she came up with the following block - just messing around and the lady is talented.

Looks good with her other blocks too.

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Get ready for next month and Deb's block.  At the top of this blog is the fabric requirements and to help you decide what fabric you want to chose, Deb brought in a finished block and the book showing other options.  

Color is what makes the difference.  The green, yellow and white block doesn't even look like what Deb did.  You really have to wrap your eyes around it to see that it is the same.  And look at the other possibilities.

This will definitely be a block worth checking out next month to see what variants others use.  Thank you Deb for the preview, makes it easier to decide.

Have a wonderful April - see you all in May or at the quilt shops.