August Meeting - by Irena
When we arrived this evening the tables and chairs were set in a square with a small table in the middle.
The meeting started off by Deirdre telling us that tonight’s meeting was a group discussion and demonstrations about assembling a quilt. She then told us that Kate is recovering well from her recent operation. Notices were also given about two events in September – 13th September there is a Fabric Stash sale at the Scouts Hut in Dulwich and on 14th September there is a craft show at Pluckley Village Hall fromn10.30-5pm. The only birthday this month was Nicky’s. Deidre also reminded us that next month’s meeting is an open one where Janet Clare is going to talk to us.
Gill then showed us the Christmas make that we are going to be making in October. Members were asked to bring 16x5” squares folded from corner to corner to corner. A 4 ½” round cushion lightly stuffed is also to be make before the meeting. Members were also asked to bring 2 buttons and ribbon.
Jill then spoke about Linus quilts and passed around letters that had been received from parents thanking us for the quilts we have made. She has also been asked to make 100 Christmas stockings to go to The Evelina Children’s Hospital, and 24 Christmas stockings and quilts for St. Helier.
Deirdre then started off the meeting by asking members how they layer their quilts. Many ideas were given:
• Sewing a running stitch around the quilt before quilting
• Blocking a quilting is done in the same way as knitting is blocked
• Wash the quilt, pin it out on a children’s play mat before putting the binding on
We were then asked how a quilt is squared off. Ideas were:
Using a 12 ½” square ruler together with a 24” ruler
• If making a quilt for a bed have square edges at the top and curved edges at the bottom
• Use greaseproof paper as a template
• Press with a steam iron
• Use an A3 card
• Use wall paper
The next topic was backing fabrics and laying out the quilts
• Using cotton duvet covers which can be used for two quilts
• 108” wide fabric
• Using left over fabrics
• Start by putting a block in the middle and adding smaller pieces around it
• Have a large border, flip, fold and then put in the backing fabric
• Using a kitchen table
• Using the floor
• Pinning the quilt onto the mattress
• Quilt as you go
• Using swimming noodles
• Using an insulation board
• Using cork tiles.
Types of wadding were then passed around and members were able to feel the different types which were:
• Birdybird wadding
• 80/20 wadding
• Bamboo
• Silk wadding
• Different types of insulated wadding
• Fusible
• Quilter’s Dream cotton wadding.
After tea, Chrissie demonstrated how she layers a quilt using a drawing pin with the pin facing up and covering it with masking tape on her kitchen table to mark the centre. She showed us how she layers her quilt using PVA glue, making sure that she zigzags the glue onto the wadding and then carefully pressing the backing to this, allowing it to dry and repeating the method with the top of the quilt. Once the quilt is dry, she washes it by hand, spins it in the washing machine, allows it to dry, then blocks it before quilting.
We then had Jill showing us her ‘magic border’. First she explained and showed us how to mitre the corners. Before starting to put the binding on she leaves a piece of 10” binding free. (See picture below)
Then she sews the binding on and from this cuts 2 ½” of ( the border fabric is 2 ½” wide) and uses this to create the join as shown in the photo above. She then tests this before sewing the rest of the border. Jill had prepared samples of the binding that members could take home.
Although it was time to go home, Viv showed us two beautiful African quilts that she has made for charity.
The meeting was very well attended and I’m sure we all went home with lots of interesting ideas on how to complete our quilts.
Thank you to those members who showed us their ways of finishing off our quilts.
