It seems that I’m not the only one who has reaped the benefits of quilting with friends. In a recent post on the designwall in the Feb/Mar 2011 issue of Quilters Newsletter, Helen Kelly was quoted  as saying that in the early 1970′s she spent most of her quilting time in her studio alone. She soon realized that she was missing the many benefits of working and learning techniques from other quilters.

After my first quilting class, I knew that if I wanted to continue on this journey, I needed to be in the company of others who knew how to quilt. I asked the staff at Patchwork Plus, where I had taken that first quilting class, if they knew of a local quilt guild  I could join. Not only did they tell me about the Thumbstall Quilt Guild that meets in the western suburbs of Syracuse, where I live, but most of the staff at Patchwork are also members. In addition the shop owner, Judi West, is a founding member of the guild.  It didn’t take me long to realize the benefits of becoming a guild member.  It was definitely the best decision I ever made.

Not only have I profited from their combined years in quilting, but I’ve made some of the best friends I’ve ever known!    The members have a variety of quilting experience, from novices to award winning quilters.  Someone is always willing to give hints and help when needed.  They are an invaluable resource to help you improve your own quilting techniques.  We all know that quilting techniques, with the exception of the 1/4-inch seam, are not an exact science! Many quilters have developed ‘a better, or easy solutions to common quilting pitfalls.

In addition, I have found unequal camaraderie with members of the guild.  I have gone on quilting retreats, shop hops, bus trips, etc.  and never fail to have a great time, come home with new quilting knowledge and stronger friendships.  I treasure the experience of being part of such an creative group!

One of my favorite things about quilting are the friends that I’ve made over the past 10+ years.  I can’t think of a better way to spend a day than quilting with these friends.

Last Sunday, Mae and Lisa and I got together to begin a Double Wedding Ring Quilt for Mae’s son who will be getting married next year.  She and her future daughter-in-law decided on a double wedding ring pattern using a variety of reds and blues for the rings that will be sewn onto a white-on-white background

Deciding on fabric placement

Mae decided to use the Quiltsmart technique – It’s not only a very accurate way to make the wedding ring pattern but is quite a time-saver too!  For each arch just sew together 8 trapezoids.

Sew the Quiltsmart arch to the right side of the fabric arch and turn.

Quiltsmart Arch

Turning the arches right-side out could be the most tedious part of the whole process.  Mae had brought a tool that is supposed to make the job easier – The fabric tube turner.  And it certainly did!

Perfect Wedding Ring Arch

Using the tool turned out to be so easy:  just insert the hollow tube into the fabric tube that needs to be turned;  catch about 2 inches of fabric with the plunger and turn the whole fabric tube right side out.

I had bought one of these tools to make a tumbling block tube table runner some time ago.  I was intrigued with the pattern since it looked so easy- but the project somehow keeps getting pushed to the bottom of my pile of things I want to make.  So not only the kit but the ‘tool’ has sat in my storeroom, unused,  for quite some time.

What could be easier!

We had a few laughs as we tried to figure out how to use the tool.  I guess that it was just so easy that we made it hard to use!

Putting it all together!

Using the design wall we were able to get a glimpse of the final quilt.  I’m sure the newlyweds will love it!

I’m constantly running into people who complain about our long Central New York winters. True, by about beginning of March I too am looking forward to Spring flowers and green grass. But as I look out my living room window, with the sun shinning on newly fallen snow, I can’t help but be in awe of the beauty of Winter.

Now that we’re back home from our holiday visit to North Carolina, I can get back to some serious quilting.   Yesterday was our monthly quilting day at the library.I was able to finish a kid comfort quilt and get started on a new applique project. And, of course, I had to initiate my new Sew-Ezi table I love it!

Spending time quilting is one of the best ways I know to spend a cold wintry day.

What a surprise!   Last night Mae, Lisa, Pauline and I had dinner before our Guild meeting.  Lisa not only treated us to dinner, but also gave Mae and I each a pillow she had embroidered for both of us.  Mine, of course, features leaves

Autumn Leaves

and Mae’s has gingerbread men and heart buttons.

Can’t thank you enough Lisa.  As you can see it’s found a perfect home on my family room couch!

What a wonderful weekend!  I’m back from the annual retreat at Watson Homestead.  Of course I didn’t get half the projects completed that I took with me – but had a great time trying.

• Baby quilt -  pieced, but I needed to put it up on the design wall before sewing the blocks.  I did that when I got home and finished the top today.
• Bluework quilt -  All the pieced blocks are finished along with two of four embroidered blocks.  I couldn’t resist putting one row together to get a preview. I had originally planned on piecing this block with blue fabrics on the green/beige background.  The green rectangles however picked up the green in the blue ‘wheat’ fabric so well that I had to use it instead.  (It’s great to have the input of fellow quilters.)  I have more than half of the third embroidered block complete.  Just one more to go.
• Autumn Leaves wall hanging -  All the leaves have been fused with Heat and Bond Lite and trimmed to size.  I came back with some good tips for machine applique also.  Now to decide on the final placement.
• Spring Wall-hanging and pillow shams – not touched.  The wall-hanging will be one of the projects that I’ll work on while on our winter vacation in Texas next year. – And don’t worry Tom – the pillow shams will be finished by the time we visit you during the holidays.
• Memory bags – Our guild is making these bags for area hospitals.  They are given to family members to hold the clothes of a  loved one who dies while in the hospital.  (So much better that the clear bags that are normally used.)  Eight bags were made on our quilters weekend and I have been promised four more by our membership meeting on Tuesday. 

Handmade or quilt related gifts are exchanged each year.  This year I made a tote with a woven handle.  It was featured in the April 2008 of McCalls Quilting. 

In return I received a great table runner.  The colors are just right in my family room.And 5 of us topped off the weekend with a “Friendly’s Crowd Pleaser Sunday” accompanied by more and more laughter.