September happenings

I was delighted to be contacted by Towanda from Leicestershire Social Services, to say could they have some quilts.  Of course, the answer is always 'yes!'  Poor man set off to collect them from me, but got a puncture - hope it wasn't anything to do with the local roads! - so we had to reschedule.  He was delighted to see the quilts (called them 'patchworks', bless him) and had already planned that some would go to Leicester, some to Hinckley and the rest to Loughborough.  Perfect.

 

 

Then came a Linus outing.  Paula, Julie, Maria and I went over to a meeting of Sew Sociable.  This new group meets in St Martins Café and Bar in Leicester and it's a free monthly event!  The café is well worth a visit if you're in Leicester as it has a lovely menu of food and drinks.  We were asked to talk about project Linus, and then do a simple sewing project.

 

We got there and bagged ourselves some sofas.  Here are Paula and Julie talking to Jenny from The Big Textile Show.  Just a reminder that the BTS will be happening 27th and 28th September at Leicester Grammar School.  It will be great, so don't miss out!  Rosie, the Morsbag queen, was there too, but I forgot to snap her.

 

here's a view across the bar, and the figure in the black and white dress is Julia, one of the organisers.  Apparently there was an applique challenge set at the last meeting, to be judged at this. 

 

You can see what a lovely venue this is, ideal for chatting and relaxing.

 

Here is a view of the applique challenge entries.  Roxanna of Hannah's room in Coalville was to judge them - rather her than me!  Rather a high standard, and such a variety of techniques.  Lovely.

 

People seemed to like my talk about Linus, and then they got going on the sewing.  It was a stitch and flip block using strips sewn onto Vilene, in reds, blacks and greys.  The idea was that since quite a few people were expected, it would be possible to get enough blocks for a quilt suitable for a teenager.  Everyone was up for it and beavered away. 

 

I was waiting for someone to sew their block to their clothes, but they were all too experienced needleworkers or didn't confess!

 

It was interesting to see how many young people there were (by young people, I mean anyone without grey hair, glasses or a stick!).  Perhaps the meeting being held in a bar was the deciding factor! 

 

This group included a young sewer - she must have been about 12.  Love it!

 

And there were 3 men!  We're nothing if not inclusive!

 

Here are some of the blocks which were made.  Julia said there were 70 people present, and we had a total of 72 finished blocks and 6 part blocks (which I have finished).  That is wonderful!  We had a lovely time, and wish the group well for the future.  Julia said that we might be invited back.  We'll look forward to it.