Tag: Williamsburg

Turkey Tracks: Quilting Retreat Project

Turkey Tracks:  March 7, 2014

Quilting Retreat Project

I left my Virginia quilting friend today–and was so grateful for this time spent with them.

We have been sewing together for about eighteen years–not every year since I moved to Maine in 2004, but steadily all along.

I left with 98 string-pieced 6 1/2 inch blocks–made from the torn selvage edges of my quilting fabric.  When I cut up my stash this past summer (all but pieces a yard or more long), I tore strips from the selvage edge with the little colored dots and/or writing.  I tore at least 1 1/2 inches of the colored fabric–and some times two inches if I liked the color.  One also needs some fatter pieces to use in corners I found–and fortunately I had included some when I put together what I was bringing to this year’s meeting.

So, I sewed on to pre-cut paper squares from an old drawing pad.  And I brought along an old telephone book in case I needed more paper.  Both mediums tore away easily after I had finished sewing and trimming my blocks.

I’ve had a long strip of green, pieced rectangles made a very long time ago–at least 12 years ago–thinking I’d use it some day for a border or binding–and I used that in some of the blocks.  The effect was quite nice.

I pinned the blocks into piles of ten.  I have some ideas for using these blocks, but no set plan yet.  It will be fun devising a setting (or multiple settings) for these blocks.

98 blocks–and I have at least 13 at home:

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I really like the way the words and the color dots on the selvages came out on these blocks.

 

Turkey Tracks: Wacky Weather

Turkey Tracks:  March 5, 2014

Wacky Weather

So…

I expected to have a little warmer weather here in Virginia than I left in Maine–where it has been bitterly cold while I have been gone.

It was REALLY cold here the first few days–especially since I brought jeans and summerweight t-shirts and sweaters.  I have sweltered down here in February on other trips.

Finally, the temps soared into the low 70s.

Then, the very next day, snow appeared in earnest.  All the schools closed for at least two days.

Here’s the view from the timeshare:

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Turkey Tracks: Quilting Retreat

Turkey Tracks:  March 6, 2014

Quilting Retreat

I’m in Williamsburg, Virginia, with friends I’ve quilted with for about 18 years, save the past three.  It’s good to see them again.

We hunker down and SEW!  We eat when we want, leave to get out a bit when we want, sleep when we want, and so on.  There is a lot of laughter, lots of catching up with everyone, some serious conversations and lots of good listening.

I’ve been ripping off selvages for the past year and leaving at least 1 1/2 inches of fabric.  More is even better.   And I’ve been saving all strips that are just under two inches, but uneven.  So, I’m strip piecing 6 1/2 inch blocks–using scrap paper as a foundation.  And piecing in all those words and little color dots that I can use.  The blocks are coming out really fun and interesting and colorful.

I color sorted and ironed before I came–to help packing space and to get a jump start.   And that has helped me get  more done.

Over 60 blocks after three days of intensive sewing.

Here’s my workspace–and I’m sewing on friend Rosy Pilkerton’s “Black Beauty”–a vintage Singer machine.

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And from another view:

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And from the back view:

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I have lots more pictures of the folks here with me AND of the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show, but they will have to wait until I get home Monday.