Quilting & Knitting

These are some of the knitters, Sara and Toos, showing their completed or nearly completed Mystery Medallion summer projects.

Starting in the centre and adding a new 'round' weekly, measuring and adjusting as they went. It is so cool to see their own personality added to the class assignments, by slightly adding to or changing the stitches, colours or patterns, ON THEIR OWN!

I Love those greens!

Louise led the class through some really great new-to-them techniques. I can't even remember what some of them are called!

I am awed at the range of expertise required, by mostly beginner knitters, to do this lap blanket! You really covered so many unknown problems and solutions doing this one, Louise!

I think the cabled rounds are my favourite!

applause applause

Quilt-as-U-Go Table Topper

This was a fun class. We all picked different fabrics and made huge splashes of colour!
I had done this pattern as a pieced top and quilted in the usual way. (check the gallery in the website) But this class was all done with a sewing machine!
Quilting by definition is three layers of textiles sewn together: a backing, a filler, and the top.
Some fillers(or batting) work better than others depending on the end purpose of the quilted item.
This table topper needed to lay flat and not buckle when things are sat on top of it. So, I opted for a felt filler. Yes! Felt these days is make of polyester, the same stuff poly bats are made of, but uniform and cheaper! It doesn't shrink in the wash and is pretty good at resisting a bit of heat.
We started with the backing face down, laid the filler over it, then started from the centre and 'built' our topper sewing seams through all layers. Some small amount of piecing was required. Binding was added and whip stitched on the back to finish. 2 hours! A done project.
This technique is great for whipping up a gift in a hurry.
Be aware that all sewing is obvious on the back while hidden on the top, so be very neat with your sewing.