What's new in the library?

The library team try to make sure we purchase the resources you want!

We have been very fortunate this year in being able to update our library with a number of new books including these most beautiful recent acquisitions.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (130)

Ricky Tim's Convergence Quilts (131)

More William Morris Applique

All three books will provide us with very different challenges. I only wish I had the time to attempt all the ideas that are generated from browsing through our resources. Even if you don't have time to start a new project it is great fun just looking!

Glo and Beryl

book review: Kaleidoscope by Melanie Hurlston

Last Tuesday {the 10th} I borrowed Kaleidoscope from our library because I really wanted to try making a few of the very sweet, kokeshi dolls on page 58. What I loved most about the book {apart from the gorgeous softies, of course} were the beautiful photographs and the little rhymes and introductions that accompanied each pattern.

The kokeshi dolls apparently symbolise love and friendship which made them appeal to me even more than their sweet little faces! Unfortunately when I went to raid my stash for requirements, I couldn't find any black homespun for their hair or any Japanese prints for their bodies... so I improvised and made one a brunette and one a blonde, then used some lovely polka dots and florals from the Bliss range by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics. I also made one a scarf and a flower for her hair and the other got be-ribboned pigtails. So while they're not traditional kokeshi dolls, I think the spirit is definitely still there!

Here is my little brunette kokeshi, which Cameron calls Mama {me}

My next project will be Bella-boo the pink rabbit softie... stay tuned for an update on her!

All in all, this is a gorgeous book of patterns by Melanie Hurlston {of Melly & Me}. Including 16 different projects that suit both beginner sewers {like me} and those of you who are more advanced; there are soft toys, bags and quilts to enjoy. For each project there are easy to follow instructions, pattern templates to photocopy or trace as well as several photos to inspire you along.

Whether you have little people in your life or are just young at heart, do go ahead and borrow this book {once I return it next Tuesday night} because it has been a real pleasure!

Happy stitching,
Kylie x

handy hint #2

Here are a few really great hints I read in a recent newsletter from Jodie at The Haby Goddess:

1. When using iron on adhesives {such as Vliesofix or Applifix} iron & heat your fabric first. You can then place your adhesive piece onto the fabric and it will lightly fuse and hold in place for when you permanently press it down with your iron. If the fabric is cool, sometimes the adhesive piece can slightly move as you start to iron.
2. When working with fabrics where the right side is a lot like the wrong side it can be hard work trying not to get them mixed up. To help prevent this, once you have cut your pieces and removed the pattern, mark the wrong side with a piece of tailors chalk prior to sewing.
3. One of the reasons sewers prefer not to pre-wash their fabric is because it loses the stiffness. Try adding starch to your wash. It comes in both liquid or powder form and will help retain some of the newness for the fabric.

source: moda bake shop

Cheers,
Kylie

SS&Q Retreat 2011

Again we travelled to "Weekaway" at Benloch for our annual retreat from the 1st to the 3rd of April.  This year the group decided to ask three ladies from Charlton to join us for a bit of light relief after their problems with flooding in their homes, along with all the heartache that goes with such a crisis.  They were a happy trio and added another dimension to the retreat, and from what they said, it would seem that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The Friday night project was well received; the choice was the quilted waste basket or a half size embroidery roll.  Thanks to Jan Borlase for preparing the emboidery roll and the help you gave to those making it, thanks also to Judy Van Dyck for preparing the waste baskets - both projects were fun to make and very useful items...  Judy's brainwave to use our scraps (and we all have them don't we?) to make blocks towards a quilt was great fun, and as usual, there were variations on the original theme so we were all eager to see how the different interpretations turned out.  A most successful project thanks Judy.

Kylie's scrappy quilt

We now have a substantial collection of those blocks donated towards the Raffle Quilt that the group is making for the Autistic School in Sunbury, thanks to everyone who gave their time and fabric towards that.

The retreat challenge was poorly supported this year for various reasons but congratulations to all those members who took the time to participate.  Fancy dress was a good laugh as always, and Carolyn Maxwell and Dianne McAulay were voted as the winners by all those in attendance. Thankyou to all of you who didn't win a prize but dressed up and looked fabulous anyway.

On Saturday night Fiona Karman entertained us with her game and her jokes, thankyou Fiona!! Lyn Peucker surprised us all with a cute bag that she had made for everyone, thanks Lyn, that must have taken you days on end.

The Drapers of Mt Macedon and Tranquility from Essendon were the two shops in attendance, so everyone was given the opportunity for a bit of retail therapy!!

Now I am sure that I have not mentioned the names of some people who also put in substantial effort, but in fact we are all aware who those people are, and that everyone who attends is, in fact, putting in an effort i.e packing up bedding and sewing requirements etc and without each and every one of you being there it wouldn't be the success it was, so Judy and I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.  Until next time....

Marlene,
Assistant Workshop Co-ordinator

President's Natter - April...

Wow! What a fantastic weekend we all had at our annual retreat. Judy and Marlene did an awesome job planning a wonderful weekend and spoiling us all with gifts. The dining room was decorated keeping the "P" theme in mind. The Friday night mystery kits made up by Judy (quilted waste basket) & Jan (a half size embroidery roll) were very popular.

The 'Quilt as you go' project was so popular with 95% of our ladies working on it... what a wonderful project. Approximately 24 blocks in total have been made by members for the current charity quilt... well done ladies.

Our Saturday night entertainment after our fancy dress (which saw 100% participation, dressing with something beginning with "P". What wonderful imaginations!) and 'Happy hour' was most enjoyable. Many thanks to Miss Fiona for her great imagination and entertainment skills and to finish off the evening
we were each given a lovely mystery prize... pretty good especially when Miss Fiona did most of the work!

Sandra and Maureen in costume. Great job ladies!

The relaxation and friendliness of our group over the weekend was commented on by several people who were not personally involved in our weekend. It was lovely to see several of our past members attending and enjoying the retreat as well as getting to know our newer members.

The three Charlton ladies who had been so badly effected by the floods and who were our guests, were overwhelmed, to say the least by the thoughtfulness and friendship we all offered them. To see their photos and to hear their stories will be forever fixed in our memories.

Our group also gave the Charlton patchworkers a donation of $200 to help assist in rebuilding their club. To say they were overwhelmed by our kind gesture is an understatement.

Sadly Judy was called away urgently on Saturday night, our prayers and thoughts are with her. It was sad for her especially after all the effort and hard work she put into the weekend for us all to enjoy.

The lovely entries in this year's "P" challenge!

Many thanks also to Anna for her assistance and Jan for the lovely kits she made.
A huge thank you to both Judy & Marlene for a fantastic retreat and all the work you both put into making it the success it was.

Judy & Marlene will be organizing a time to discuss the theme for next years retreat soon.

Happy sewing,
Lyn