Ireland

Chris and I and our 22 Wonderful travelers have returned from Ireland.  We had a great time.  We were lucky, lucky people.  We went to three quilt stores and met with two different quilt guilds.  Whtat fun.

Quiltina got to come too!(Our version of Flat Stanley)

Our evening with the Wilde brothers

Stitching in the Glenlo Abbey

Well we didn't just quilt!

Ireland is a beautiful place!

New Block of the Month first meeting!

Our first meeting is Oct the 8th at 6 or Oct 12th at 1:00.  Let me know if you are coming!

Looking forward to seeing all of you!

Article in the Brookfield News

 A couple weeks ago there was an article about me in the Brookfield News.  I thought some of you would like to read it.  http://www.brookfieldnow.com/news/101995508.html

New Block of the Month Ready to start!

This week on Tuesday at 1PM and Friday at 6PM we will be having the introductory meeting of BOM at Frank's Sewing Center in Waukesha.  Anyone can attend.  There is no cost for the meeting.  You will have an opportunity to find out the details on the next BOM program.  If you are not able to attend here is the information:

Block of the Month Program

Frank’s Sewing Center
2010-2011


The new Block of the Month Program will begin at Frank’s Sewing Center in October 2010. The group meets at the store on the second Tuesday at 1PM or the second Friday at 6PM. Each month you will get a block or section of the quilt to make. The program will run through Nov of 2011. There will be no meeting in July and August of 2011 and the last meeting is a celebration meeting. At the meeting you receive instructions on how to make the block, there is show and tell from the members and Wendy will talk about what is new in the store. There are often discounts that are available in the store just to Block of the Month members on the day of the meeting. Wendy occasionally has other surprises like a little pattern or she organizes an exchange of fabric within the group. This is a picture of the Quilt as done in the pattern and  in the color way the Wendy has chosen (Pictured here in its unfinished state!).

The pattern is from Wing and a Prayer Design. This is a queen size quilt, 96” by 106”. There is additional information on the website, http://wingandaprayerdesign.com/images/king-size-BOM.pdf to make it a king size quilt. The cost of the pattern is $24 and includes an 8” by 10” color picture of the quilt. The pattern is available at Frank’s Sewing Center. You must purchase the pattern to be a part of the program. You may choose to buy the pattern and use your own fabric and the cost of that is $45. If you want to use the fabrics Wendy has chosen the cost will be $180. There will be an additional cost if you make it king size and if you want to purchase the outer border fabric for either size quilt. You may also pay by the month at $15 a month. Sign up and payment is done with Wendy directly. Wrieves@aol.com

Sign up and be part of the fun!

Next BOM

I am 90% sure this is the quilt we are going to use for the next BOM pattern:  http://store.quiltingbythebay.com/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=9278524184779278&Store_id=774&page_id=23&Item_ID=2767

You will have your choice of using the pattern and supplying your own fabrics or purchasing mine.  Natually I plan to make the pattern my own to share with you.  I will do the construction a little different, change a couple blocks and do different squares in the corners.  The pattern will be for sale at Frank's.  Cost of the program to follow!

These are the fabrics I bought to make it
I can't wait to get started so I can show off the finished top!  Stay tuned for more details.  Sign up will begin soon.


Wendy

Waukesha Freeman

A couple weeks ago there was an article about my Monday quilting group in the paper.  This past Saturday the Freeman, Brookfield and Elm Grove This Month came out and they re-ran the story with color pictures this time! Taken from the article:


"Marlene Helsinki, a lifetime member of the church who was on the task force, said she has dropped in to visit with the group. "They're all so kind and pleasant." "It's a very appropriate use of the space. It's a very homey atmosphere".

I am quoted

"There's much more that goes on here on Mondays than just quilting. It is a loving, supportive community that benefits socially and emotionally as well as creatively by being together. Having this group meet in the church is a great way to further the skills God has blessed us with as well as giving us a sense of community."

Work Day

Yesterday we had another work day at Franks for the BOM.  There were eight busy worker bees there!.. Several of them went home with their blocks pieced together with the setting triangles!  They are looking great and I like how each one is just a little different because of the colors chosen. Good work!!!!!!    I know there are several people coming to WCTC on Tuesay for the Finishing Finesse class to finish their quilts.  I will bring my camera and post some pictures!

Barb Fabus sent me a pictur of the previous BOM quilt that she finished.  This is what she wrote to me:

This is my first big quilt. It is my learning quilt. It took me along time to figure out what I wanted, I designed it and did the quilting too. I finally found that an ancient Necchi worked best for the quilting as the arm is a little longer and is it smooth and strong! I also experimented with different feet and stumbled onto one that worked great. Of course, most of the quilting (using the term loosely when referring to my work!) was done by that time. I am sure that 2 or 3 times the amount of thread that is in the quilt now has been ripped out over the course of making it. I would not have even thought of making a quilt, nor could I have done it without the inspiration, help and support from Kay Cone. The overt love of everything thread and needle and all of the enthusiasm of the Tuesday BOM has been great and I will always love quilts now. Wendy, your instructions and designs are excellent. Thank you so much everyone. Barb Fabus

Here is a picture of her quilt.  Awesome.  (Is yours finished?  Mine is now hanging in the hallway at the store if you want to see it)

I think I am getting close to an announcement about the nest BOM so stay tuned!

It is a beautiful time to see some perrenials in the garden here are a couple of my iris pictures

People are starting to get their BOM quilts done.  Here is a picture of Sue Lyon's quilt that she did in her own colorway.  Nice job Sue!  Friday night there were 11 people working on their quilts at Frank's Sewing Center.  They all made great progress.  Remember the upcoming work days are June 1 10-3 at Frank's and at WCTC on June 8th...registration is required at WCTC. (and sign up soon, I still need 4 people or the class will be cancelled!)

Friday BOM

Dont forget that the last BOM for the Friday group is April 8th at 6PM.  We are having a party so remember to bring what you signed up for.  I will bring the wine!  The Tuesday group will get their last block next week and finish up in May. 
There is still room in the spring quilting retreat at Pilgrim Center.  Let me know if you want more information.  It is May 2-5th.

Pictures from retreat 2009

Fall Retreat information 2010

Fall Quilt Retreat Sept 28-Oct 1, 2010
Pilgrim Center

Green Lake, Wisconsin

Join us for four days of uninterrupted quilting and enjoy the fall foliage in a beautiful setting, right next to Green Lake.

Bring whatever you want to work on! Wendy will be there to help you! Those who have gone before know the food is great and the fellowship cannot be beat!

Cost: $210:00 includes 8 great meals and loads of fun
Arrive anytime after 10:00 on Tuesday morning. Retreat will end at 3:00 on Friday


You will be responsible for your own lunch on Tuesday. There are places to eat in Ripon or you can bring a bag lunch. There is always coffee, tea, water and fruit available.

A few weeks before the retreat, you will receive a list of things you need to bring with you to camp. (Towels, bed linens etc)

For information about the Pilgrim Center and a map, go to http://ucci.org/default2.htm

Registration Form


Name:


Address:



Phone Number


E-mail address

Room-mate request: (2-4 people in a room)

New York Beauty #4

Iron the gold edge of the convex piece lightly so you call still see the fold line but it is not turned under. Apply a little washable glue to the inside of the fold line. Place the first arc on top of the gold and heat set with an iron from the right side and the wrong side.

Now go to the sewing machine and stitch on your drawn line.

New York Beauty #3

Now that the first arc is done, repeat the process for second arc.

Draw a line on all the concave surfaces. Clip the concave seam allowance to about 1/8" from the FP.

Iron the concave and convex pieces to the wrong side of your gold fabric. Cut out about 3/4" bigger. Draw the line on the concave side. Clip that edge.

With a fabric brush, put a line of liquid starch along the curved edges of all four sections, and then iron the seam allowances toward the freezer paper using the side of the iron and pulling with the hand that is not ironing.

The sections will look like this. Remove the freezer paper and press again from the right side. Because you did not sew through the template you will be able to use these freezer paper sections over and over. When the shiny side gets full of lint I go over it with a terry cloth rag with a little rubbing alcohol on it.

New York Beauty 2

Iron the green triangle to the shiny side ot the small arc FP template.












Fold the Freezer paper back and trim to 1/4"















Add black piece of fabric with right sides together and sew with the needle of the machine againist the folded freezer paper.
(Turn your head or your computer the right way to see the picture better!)













Finger press. Then press with the iron. The shiny side of the FP will hold the pieces in place. Repeat for the other triangles. Press as you go. Repeat until arc is completed.

Shrink two pieces of 13" freezer paper (FP). Lightly tack the FP to my pattern in a couple spot. On the dull side of one of the sheets of FP, trace the pattern given to you. Be sure the outside square is 12". Add information about colors. Iron to the second piece of FP to make it a heavier template.








Cut out carefully into 4 sections: 2 arcs and the concave and convex piece. Be sure the curves are smooth! On the left over FP, trace the triangles of the arcs. Use these to cut the corresponding fabric 1/2" bigger all the way around.

On the cut out arc, sew on the lines of the triangles with no thread in the machine. These perforations will help to fold the arcs accurately.

New York Beauty freezer paper and glue!

I thought I would post pictures and descriptions of how to construct our the next block so Block of the Month people could refer here for reminders of how to construct the block.

January BOM 2010

The next block of the month is coming up fast. I have been working hard this week with the directions and making sample blocks. It will be a mind shift as this is not the traditional piecing we are used to. There are curves and odd angles but if you are up for a little challenge, you will love it. Imagine paper piecing where you do not have to tear out any paper! Sound intriguing? Have you evver used Elmer's glue when quilting? This month you will! BOM is Jan 8th PM Jan 12th AM at Franks and Jan 18th at Creativity Studio.

I am looking for some beginning quilting students at WCTC. If there are not enough students by next monday they will be cancelled. The day and the evening class that start on Jan 26 both need about 4 students so if you know of anyone or want to sharpen your skills sign up! Here is a link to all the quilting classes at WCTC this Spring. http://wctc.edu/wctcsys/class_search/found.php

Chris and I are still looking for about a few more people to go to Ireland with us in Oct of 2010. WE have a great trip planned. We will even be meeting with a quilt guild in Ireland. If you want more information about the trip: http://chrisquilts.net/Spring%20In%20Holland.htm

I am teaching at the Land Cruise in Racine in March. It is really a lot of fun. You can find pictures of the classes here. http://www.quilterslandcruise.com/class.html




Hope to see you soon

Wendy