Daytime Stitchers Meet

 

The Daytime Stitchers met Monday at the Bob Hershfeld Memorial Library in Benton and had a tutorial treat.  JoAnn taught us how to make Christmas ornaments.  Would you like to make your own?  Be warned, for each ornament you will need a little bit of extra patience, nimble fingers and:
one 3" styrofoam ball
about 300 1" flathead straight pins
fabric that has been cut into  2" squares. (It is best to choose 2 or 3 fabrics with good contrast.  Select solid colors or very small prints.)   The center star on each side of the ball requires four 2" squares for a total of eight 2" squares.  Each row after the center star requires eight 2" squares.  You will make about four rows on each side of the ball.  Each row should contrast with the row next to it.  So if you are using two fabrics, this is how many squares you will need:  Fabric 1--24 squares; fabric 2--32 squares.  You  might as well cut extras.

Begin with Fabric 1.  Fold one 2" square in half and finger press.  Fold it in half again and finger press and this will help you find the center of the square.  Open the square and insert a pin through the center of the wrong side of the fabric.  Fold the fabric in half again and push the pin into a starting point on the styrofoam ball.  Then bring the folded part down the center to form a triangle.  (Can you see the folds meeting in the center below?)  Secure the two folded parts and the corners with pins along the bottom of the  triangle.   (You will use 5 pins per 2" square of fabric.)

Repeat this folding process with another square of fabric and pin it opposite the first folded square.

Fold two more squares of the same color and add to complete the center.

You may have to adjust your folds so that the styrofoam is covered in this area. 

To start the second row, use fabric #2 and begin 3/8" down from the center of the star on any of the folds or center lines of the center star.

 

Continue in this manner to complete the second row.

You will see a star pattern emerge as you complete the row.

For row 3 you may repeat the first color or add a new color as shown below.  By way of review, 4 squares were folded and pinned for the center.  Eight squares were folded and pinned for the second row.  Now eight more squares will be folded and pinned for the third row.

 

 



 Fold and pin eight more squares for a fourth row. 

Then repeat the whole process on the exact opposite side.  At the end of the folding and pinning on both sides, there will be an open space around the middle of the ball as shown below.

Measure a length of ribbon and adhere it to the ball to cover this open space.  Then glue another length of ribbon to use as a hanger.  Now that you have the hang of it you can make a whole bunch of these ornaments! 

Here are the beginnings of two more balls:

 

As is our usual custom when we quilters get together, we like to see what everyone is working on or finished.  Sidney made a quillow (the quilt folds up and fits into the pillow)

 

 

the quilt

the pillow

 

Sweatshirt jacket by Sue:



Detail of back of jacket.

 

 

Jean's progress on her table runner:

and Jean's sweatshirt jacket. 

 

Nola decorated a blue jean shirt with pockets and tags removed from children's clothing:

 

Katherine brought some napkins for inspiration.  You can use this idea to make Christmas napkins.  For each napkin cut 2 circles of fabric that is contrasting or complimentary.  Place them wrong sides together and serge the edges all the way around.  Then fold in half.  By making 2 more folds  you will have a Christmas tree:

Gwen showed her swirly Christmas tree wall hanging.  This was made using the pattern by Crystal Stanworth of Frivolous Necessity and is available here if it is not in your lqs.

 

Marge made some lovely ornaments using yo yos and pearls and beads:

 

 

Until next time, 

Gwen

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guild Meeting

The Saline County Quilters Guild met Monday night at the Senior Adult Citizens Center in Benton.  Of all the times to forget a camera, this night should not have been one of them!!  Our special guest speaker was the very talented and energetic Jaynette Huff.  We were treated to an incredible array of her beautiful quilts which featured celtic work, beading and tiny (1/8") hexagons.  She does her own quilting, has written a number of books, and has won numerous awards for her fine artistry.  If you missed the meeting, you missed a real treat.

Until next time---have a blessed Thanksgiving---
Gwen

Better late than never...

QA and First Wednesday met last week and this exciting news is just now getting posted!!  Here are some quiltaholics who gathered at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library last Monday.  It looks like everyone is busy working on various projects, getting advice, visiting, having a good time.... 

 

A little eye candy for you:


Jane's work in progress

 



Fay's hexagons

 

(The back is just as neat as the front!!!)
 

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First Wednesday (a potluck that is held at various member's homes on the first Wednesday of the month) was held at Phyllis' home.  Food and fellowship takes center stage at these gatherings.  It is hard not to eat too much!

 

 

Phyllis made her shrimp linguine that is to die for.   In addition to her many talents, Phyllis is also a master gardener. 

It is a treat to walk around her place and look at all the lovely things growing.

 

 

 

 

I was so distracted by the beauty outside that I failed to get many pictures of  the wips (works in progress) inside.  Here is Jean's lovely table runner.  Of course it is all hand appliqued and it is probably being finished as this is being posted:

 One last picture from Phyllis' garden:

 

God bless you all as we enter this busy holiday season.

Gwen