My goodness this year went quickly and what a year it was. Increasing the sewing classes, taking on a Ukrainian family, running the first retreat along with several other workshops, hosting the Block Drive in September for Quilts for Care Leavers along with continuing blogs for UKQU, not to mention the new machine which arrived in time for my birthday – I fell that my feet haven’t touched the ground.
But over the Christmas season I find a little reflection for the past and future is not a bad thing. This year has seen the Sit and Sew sewing groups filling up steadily with Mondays and Fridays being mostly full. There are still spaces on Wednesdays (which was initially meant to concentrate on hand sewing but…..) These all run from 10 to 1 and are pay as you go. (£17 a session.) The retreat went very well, with great feedback, and I have also been running some daylong workshops on a weekend for those that are busy in the week. These started with the Doris Sampler Quilt course but will continue from May onwards in a more personal format, working on different techniques and designs that take our interest.
So what does Strictly Quilting have planned for this year? Off the back of the Doris course I’ve been running, I’ve been asked to do a Block Of the Month (BOM) so I’ve been swiftly designing a quilt which will be free to follow on Facebook or via my blogs. Like my Facebook page and follow my website to ensure you don’t miss it. I had planned on running a similar UFO a month, Un-Finished Object, where we make a list of the projects we have and work through those… This may happen slightly later in the year as I’ll be adding to the UFO pile with the new BOM!!!
The first course coming up quickly is the Free Motion Quilting with Cecilia Slinn. This will be the second time Cecilia has run this course for me and I am looking forward to it just as much as the first time. This is going to be held at the local village hall of Mitchell Troy on three Sundays from 10 to 4, February 5th, March 5th and April 2nd. A buffet lunch, along with refreshments, is included so you can concentrate on learning this new skill and enjoy the experience. This has proved popular and I only have four places left remaining so if you are interested, do get in touch.
We also have booked a further two retreats as the first was so successful. For these, Cecilia and myself collaborate providing support and mini workshops throughout the weekend. We arrive at Hillscourt Conference Centre on the Friday lunchtime and end Sunday afternoon with plenty of sewing time, full board and accommodation in ensuite single rooms. I cannot recommend retreat weekends enough. The first is in the summer – 21st to 23rd July and we will have mini workshops around Cathedral Windows, in various techniques and Wonky Log Cabins where we will look at dealing with curves.
The second retreat, in the winter – 8th to 10th December, will be looking at quilting in all its forms: Free Motion Quilting; Hand Quilting; Big Stitch; Walking Foot; Tying. We will still sew our own projects but if you’ve wondered about the different quilting forms, designs or want some quilting advice, then this is the retreat for you.
I am also hoping to host some Charity Sew Days – I could do with some help putting together some of the charity quilts so, if you fancy a day sewing blocks together to give Care Leavers a gift at Christmas, then let me know. Again, dates will be released via Facebook or blogs.
All in all this year is beginning to look as busy as the one just gone but for now, all that remains is for me is too wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Strictly Quilting 