Workshop 2

Today I was lucky to have a place on my quilting groups' workshop making a Double Wedding Ring quilt with Dawn Cameron-Dick. I and another member were the class swots by having aleast 9 rings either pinned or baste glued down ready for invisible machine appliquing. The method of making the rings was very theraputic and once you had a rhythm I found I got through the fabric squares quite quickly.

Dawn was a good teacher and moved around the group all day - helping members out with machine problems and advising with choices of colours. The photo abouve shows Dawn explaing how to place the rings using my colourway.

This photo shows the rings all plaited together. I really am amazed by how the fabrics go together although I'm not convinced about the background. I was having an economy drive and was not prepared to go and spend a huge amount of money on a technique I was unsure I would like. So I raided the stash! Well, I do like the technique and may make a "proper" quilt next time. This top needs sewing down and quilting - off to the WIPS pile it goes!!!!!

Workshop 1

Yesterday I went to Sandown Racecourse for the Stitch and Craft Show. I have been attending this show for some years now, my friend makes cards and like to go to this one as there are alot of stockists she uses. I usually go for the day out and end up purchasing fabulous beads and ribbons and maybe some fabric from the few patchwork stalls, oh and maybe a gadget I haven't got that after a demonstration I know I must have! So I was disappointed to find that this year only the ground floor was in use. In the past all three floors have been utilised. My friend noticed some of her sduppliers hadn't turned up this year. "Has the bubble burst on crafting?" she asked "Or is this the result of the credit crunch?" We usually arrive by 10am and leave reluctantly at 2.45pm to collect our school children. Yesterday we were done by 12.15. After lunch my friend wished to look over a few more stalls so I kicked my heels until hearing there were places still available on the Lucet Workshop - something else that wouldn't usually happen! So I had a fun hour mastering the Lucet, I had bought a Lucet two years previously in readiness for the braiding section of Module 3 but found it hard.

Now I can Lucet away til my hearst content! All thanks to Ziggy. All of you who visit Ally Pally in October will proably know who I mean, he is usually in the knitting area where the fashion shows take place, tuck around the edges with the Guilds and Societies - he is usually with the Braid Society, or is that Guild?