Quilting Quilting Quilting

It’s all about the quilting at this Bee!  In addition to hostessing Niemeyer Wednesday (from yesterdays post) I also hostess a Longarm Bee each month.  This Bee is no longer just for longarmers it is for mid-arms and short-arms too!  We also gladly invite the sit down quilters using the oversize machines and the folks who love to quilt on their “domestic” sewing machines.  We usually have a topic that we cover, show and share my favorite “How Would You Quilt This?!”  We usually meet the 1st Monday of the month at Pinwheels and Posies from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Merridy stops by our Bee each month to drop off a quilt (or 2) that she has made for the Soldiers at Brooks Army Medical Center - for one of quilters to take home and quilt.
Merridy stops by our Bee each month to drop off a quilt (or 2) that she has made for the Soldiers at Brooks Army Medical Center – for one of quilters to take home and quilt.
JoAnn quilted this one for Merridy last month - JoAnn is a new longarmer and she is having fun mixing computer and free-hand designs in her quilting
JoAnn quilted this one for Merridy last month – JoAnn is a new longarmer and she is having fun mixing computer and free-hand designs in her quilting
A close up of JoAnn's freehand
A close up of JoAnn’s freehand
Our topic for May was Top Anchor Templates
Our topic for May was Top Anchor Templates
Debbie demonstrated how they work and the tips and tricks she has learned
Debbie demonstrated how they work and the tips and tricks she has learned
Some move of JoAnn's "practice pieces"
Some more of JoAnn’s “practice pieces”
And look at the back of the quilting on the snowballs quilt
And look at the back of the quilting on the snowballs quilt
I love the border quilting design!
I love the border quilting design!
Laurie brought this quilt - it is old and hand pieced.  She has a computer on her machine and after ideas were tossed about we think Laurie may be using a large snowflake quilting design on this 7 Sisters Quilt
Laurie brought this quilt – it is old and hand pieced. She has a computer on her machine and after ideas were tossed about we think Laurie may be using a large snowflake quilting design on this 7 Sisters Quilt
A fun modern quilt - lots of ideas were tossed around for quilting on this one - I hope we get to see the final decision!  The ideas included an overall design or my favorite was to highlight the grey "steps" through the quilt to make the design stand out more!
A fun modern quilt – lots of ideas were tossed around for quilting on this one – I hope we get to see the final decision! The ideas included an overall design or my favorite was to highlight the grey “steps” through the quilt to make the design stand out more!
Another community service quilt to practice on - there is some great opportunity for ruler work here!
JoAnn asks for ideas for quilting on this community service quilt – there is some great opportunity for ruler work here!

I love this group – they are so inspiring!  I hope I inspire them too!

Go be inspiring today!

If you would like to join us we meet this coming Monday, June 2 at Pinwheels and Posies in Dickinson, TX.  Leave a comment for more information.

No I haven’t Wilted!!!!

WOW! – I have been so busy these past few weeks.  It will take me a few posts to catch up – but catch up I will do!

Prior to leaving for Montana we had another fun filled Quilt Til You Wilt (Almost 40 hours of sewing over 3 days) at Pinwheels and Posies http://www.pinwheelsandposies.com  I taught the Mariners Compass Quilt  and had some fabulous students.  The class was not full so we also opened it up for previous Mariner’s Compass Students to come work on their quilts.  It was so wonderful for those beginning the quilt to see the progress made by previous students.  Of course Peggy made sure we were well fed, including those fabulous cakes from “Nothing Bundt Cake”, chocolate covered strawberries and lots of nourishing food

Here are a few photos that you might enjoy…

Several of the students are working on the kit using Judy's original fabrics from Hoffman
Several of the students are working on the kit using Judy’s original fabrics from Hoffman
Millie's center
Millie’s center
Millie's quilt is coming along nicely
Millie’s quilt is coming along nicely
Oh Look Millie almost has a wedge
Oh Look Millie almost has a wedge
I love the colors in Sharon's quilt
I love the colors in Sharon’s quilt
Sari has been working on her quilt for her niece
Sari has been working on her quilt for her niece
And the last seam is done - oh but wait she now adding the expansion border!
And the last seam is done – oh but wait she now adding the expansion border!
Did someone say sustenance!
Did someone say sustenance!
Can't go wrong with Gio's
Can’t go wrong with Gio’s
Yes - a very fun group indeed!
Yes – a very fun group indeed!

Quilts Quilts Quilts!

This morning I slept in – the sun was already over the mountain.  We had a lot of entertainment last night and so the pillow was very welcoming.  I would love to share some of the entertainment, but what happens at a Quiltworx Retreat – stays at a Quiltworx Retreat!  (Well at least it won’t be printed here!)  We also had a very important history lesson – we all now know why George Washington chopped down the cherry tree!

Breakfast yesterday - they removed the calories for us!
Breakfast yesterday – they removed the calories for us!
These nectarines were soooo juicy!
These nectarines were soooo juicy!
Pieces and parts
Pieces and parts
Judy demo's removing the paper!
Judy demo’s removing the paper!
Oh - so that is how you pin that unit!
Oh – so that is how you pin that unit!
The master demos sewing tips and tricks
The master demos sewing tips and tricks
Peggy was the first one to get a wedge together - she was so excited!  (PS - this was the one Judy used as her demo)
Peggy was the first one to get a wedge together – she was so excited! (PS – this was the one Judy used as her demo)
Marking the S Curve on the feathered star queen size
Marking the S Curve on the feathered star queen size
Pinning the S Curve
Pinning the S Curve
Sewing the S curve
Sewing the S curve
Ginny is going to BACK AWAY from the quilt!
Ginny is going to BACK AWAY from the quilt!
This describes Ginny's quilt!
This describes Ginny’s quilt!
WOW!  Ginny - we love your Captain's Wheel!
WOW! Ginny – we love your Captain’s Wheel!
Back Door Quilt Shoppe's new Mariner's Compass - Lauren is form Billings, MT
Back Door Quilt Shoppe’s new Mariner’s Compass – Lauren is form Billings, MT
And here it is with the ropes added!
And here it is with the ropes added!
Cozy Quilts from Ontario, Canada is making this beautiful Mariner's Compass - I wish you could see the prints on the batiks in her sails.
Cozy Quilts from Ontario, Canada is making this beautiful Mariner’s Compass – I wish you could see the prints on the batiks in her sails.
Quilting from the Heart in Camrose, Canada has me lusting after the Kaufman Radiance Silks!
Quilting from the Heart in Camrose, Canada has me lusting after the Kaufman Radiance Silks!
Carol from Batiks Etcetera is working very hard - I just love her autumn colors
Carol from Batiks Etcetera is working very hard – I just love her autumn colors
Sally has made so much progress - I love the purples, greens and blues
Sally has made so much progress – I love the purples, greens and blues
When they figured out how to work the A/C, Ardelle had to creative to stay warm!
When they figured out how to work the A/C, Ardelle had to creative to stay warm!
I really haven't been doing much so I have borrowed Judy's table runners so you can see what the finished quilt will look like!
I really haven’t been doing much so I have borrowed Judy’s table runners so you can see what the finished quilt will look like!
Pinwheels and Posies sample is simple elegance at its best!  The quilters back home are going to love this one!
Pinwheels and Posies sample is simple elegance at its best! The quilters back home are going to love this one!

It’s not a quilt until…….

Several years ago I had the opportunity to take a workshop led by the fabulous Mary Lou Weidman, she asked us two very important questions at the beginning of class, the first question was “What is your favorite food?”  The second question “What is favorite thing about quilting?”  My answer to the 2nd question was “Sharing information I have learned with new quilters” or something to that effect.  I host two bees that are focused on just that – sharing information.  Today’s blog will share with you what we did in our “Longarm Bee” on Monday.  

This group email list contains about 80 names – we have a monthly attendance of approximately 30-35 attendees.  This months topic was “backings”  I will do a blog post in the future with photos sharing the process I like to use for my backings.  I believe there is a good class on Craftsy showing options for this as well and as of this writing it remains a freebie from Craftsy.  

We also have show and share – here are some of the quilts that were shown.

Grandma and Grandpa helped this 10 year old make her first quilt.  She did the quilting all by herself on Grandpa's gammill.
Grandma and Grandpa helped this 10 year old make her first quilt. She did the quilting all by herself on Grandpa’s gammill.
Grandma and Grandpa helped this 10 year old make her first quilt.  She did the quilting all by herself on Grandpa's gammill.
Grandma and Grandpa helped this 10 year old make her first quilt. She did the quilting all by herself on Grandpa’s gammill.
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt.  We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt. We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt.  We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt. We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt.  We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt. We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt.  We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter had lots of fun with this applique quilt. We loved the back almost as much as the front!
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt.  A medallion with large borders.  The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt. A medallion with large borders. The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt.  A medallion with large borders.  The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt. A medallion with large borders. The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt.  A medallion with large borders.  The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt. A medallion with large borders. The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt.  A medallion with large borders.  The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Marcia from Stitched Memories did the fabulous quilting on this quilt. A medallion with large borders. The borders on the sides were a different width than the borders on the top and bottom.
Sara had to finish the quilting on this quilt prior to her machine being sold.  She is upgrading and through the bee a new owner for her previous machine had been found.
Sara had to finish the quilting on this quilt prior to her machine being sold. She is upgrading and through the bee a new owner for her previous machine had been found.

We also have “how would you quilt this”  here are some photos of quilts that we tossed out ideas for.  This is my favorite part of the bee!

Patricia made this cute little quilt - we gave her several ideas - but what we really wanted to know is "Where did you get that really cute fabric?"  We want some!
Patricia made this cute little quilt – we gave her several ideas – but what we really wanted to know is “Where did you get that really cute fabric?” We want some!
Cindy from the Garage Quilter will be adding a modern spin to this quilt - hopefully there will be pictures to share in the future
Cindy from the Garage Quilter will be adding a modern spin to this quilt – hopefully there will be pictures to share in the future
Pauline will be working on this sweet baby quilt.  Small borders on the top and bottom, no border on the sides.
Pauline will be working on this sweet baby quilt. Small borders on the top and bottom, no border on the sides.

Here’s hoping you have a wonderful Wednesday!  My weekend starts tomorrow with a girls weekend of shopping (antique festival in Round Top, TX) and quilting!

Denise