Virtual Retreat Review

WARNING:

Fabrics for a charity block

This is a text heavy post. Feel free to scroll and skim!

Last weekend, I. along with Rosanne, Riza and Alvera who are members of my small group, The Four Amigas, hosted a virtual retreat through the Portland Modern Quilt Guild. Thirty nine participants registered from eight states and three Canadian provinces.

Lots of stitching happened, as well as visiting and there was some learning too! We played games, awarded door prizes, stayed up late, got up early and were inspired by three great speakers. We even included a charity block activity. Being virtual was similar to an in person retreat.
We've received lots of positive feedback 

The first layout

from the attendees making our event a success!

I can't imagine putting on a virtual retreat without being part of a group! Rosanne was our chair. She interacted with the board as we needed.  Budget approval, invoice payments and publicity chair interaction was behind the scenes important work. Our guild publicity chair put together terrific posts for social media which drew people to sign up for the event.

A second layout option

Alvera worked out the schedule. Riza came up with a game that we could play virtually called Blank Slate. Riza modified it to have a quilting theme and only exact matches were awarded one point. People were on their honor to tally their scores. I found a link to play virtual Bingo. It was fun and easy. 

We used Cynthia's (Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework)  Scrappy Chains block as our charity block. I wrote a tutorial for making the block and included information on how to mail it. 

A third layout option

Rosanne made a block a few days before the retreat. She texted me a photo and wrote that her block read purple. The original directions were to use solid or fabrics that read as a solid in one color way. Rosanne's block did not meet the fabric requirements. I let her know about the solid fabric. She said she didn't remember that part. I laughed. She was the one that wanted the solid fabrics!

Riza happened by Rosanne's and echoed the same sentiments about her fabric choices. Rosanne was excited to have used her scraps to make the blocks as now she had made more than one. Riza read the directions out loud and Rosanne immediately replied, "you know I can't follow directions and you know I don't read. This wasn't in Audible!" Rosanne listens to a lot of books! We laughed. 

Adding more blocks to the design

We laughed again when Rosanne discovered she put together her block using the photo of the back of the block rather than the front of her block. She was going to employ Jack and rip out the block

I said leave it. I stated that we would likely receive more blocks with that orientation and it wouldn't matter. We would have the strong pattern of the chain blocks which would carry the design.

Lupine and Laughter as a flimsy

In the end, seventeen people made blocks. We haven't received all of them. We did receive enough before and during the retreat to play with different layouts. The top will be sewn vertically; but, horizontally was the best way to display the blocks. That errant block stitching actually works well with the layout that we chose! Now, we are wishing we had more! We are all laughing!!

Rosanne has volunteered to sew the blocks together and quilt it. The finished quilt or quilts will be given to the charity group at PMQG. I love Riza's layout. Those blocks are super happy!

I also was the contact for the speakers that we hired.  Our speakers were, Sarah Goer (Rules and Options of Planned Improv Piecing), Karen Bolan (Collaboration Is Fun) and Sarah Ruiz (Inspiration to Quilt). Feedback from the participants was that they not only liked the speakers; but, were inspired by the topics.

Green string prewashing and processing

The retreat was open from 5pm Friday until Sunday at 1pm. Most hours of the retreat were hosted. Rosanne managed the Zoom session most of the time. Rosanne is a night owl. Alvera lives in an earlier time zone so she logged on 4am our time which was 7am her time. Riza and I filled in as needed. 

After paying the speakers, we used the remaining money as prize money. Our goal was not to spend money on postage or "things" so we could have more prize money to award. We also knew that a number of our participants didn't have access to a printer, so we wanted all the information able to be used digitally with printing as an option. 

Rosanne set up a number generator program and drew names for our drawings which were $25 electronic gift certificates that were from businesses that support PMQG. If the winner lived outside the business area, the winner chose their favorite area quilt shop.

Quilt waiting for more stitching time

In between, we had breakout rooms. One was for quiet. .. when the conversation became too much and you wanted to sew with a smaller less talkative group for a bit. This was requested during the planning stages; but it wasn't used. 

We had a social issues breakout room. We had a participant from Minneapolis and ten people went there to learn about the happenings in the city. That happened as the retreat opened and all members were back by the time the speaker was ready to present. No one else requested going to the room. 

Some progress is made

The third breakout room was for demonstrations and small group chatting. This room was used once for chatting and twice for demonstrations. One demonstration was two methods of applying a facing to a quiltIt and the other was how to achieve a quarter inch seam. The breakout rooms were available 24/7. To join a room, you needed to ask the host to assign you to the room. All participants were invited to join when a breakout room was requested.

It was a fun experience and I would do it again. I can't say I accomplished much. I did finish the flimsy of Lupine and Laughter. I did finish prewashing and prepping some strings for my RSC blocks. I even spent some time quilting my 2022-2023 Temperature quilt. 

Making progress on the quilting of the temperature quilt was goal number four and attending the retreat was goal number eight on my February list. Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew & Tell.

RSC--The Color Is Green--post 2

Green scrap assortment

I had a small bag of green strings. I picked up more green strings at my Mavens sew day at the beginning of the month. I prewashed the pieces to ensure that they don't leave behind any surprises for me at the end of the project. I'm glad I picked up more scraps. The plastic bag contained a lot of the same fabric and some strings that were "filed" incorrectly. There were teal scraps in the green bag! 

Starting the piecing

My friend, Wendy, is moving. She gifted me some black and gray chunks of fabric to add to the strings. She is moving about half an hour from me which is only a ten minute longer drive than I have now. I miss her already!

First block

This might be a project that I carry into next year or maybe I'll have enough --whether that is enough blocks or experiencing the journey--by the end the year. Time will tell. My thought is to make seven blocks which is 28 rectangles.

Three green blocks in a vertical orientation

In one sewing session I pieced three blocks and had a fourth mostly pieced. 

Three green blocks in a horizontal orientation 

Hm m m . . .What if I flipped the blocks? Would the horizontal orientation be more interesting to the eye? Gertie, my inner squirrel, and I plan to play with layouts.

Regarding the strings, I attempt to use the fabric strips as they will fill the space. I keep the small bits visible so I can incorporate those into the next rectangles. Using as I go, helps me not end up with a pile of small bits.  String piecing is messy; yet, I enjoy the magic that happens when sewing the rectangles together. This project is especially messy because I have gray and black strings in the mix along with the color of the month strips.

What my sewing area looks like

Tomorrow, I'll finish piecing blocks. Making blocks was goal number two on my February list. Linking to Finished or Not Friday, Patchwork and Quilts and Scrap Happy.

Lupine and Laughter Is A Flimsy--post 4

Beginning to piece the outer border

Monday, I spent at our in person Mavens sew day. I worked on piecing the flying geese border. I was impressed after sewing 12 sections together, the measurement was right on the mark. I hoped I could have the same result three more times AND add six more sections!

Stitching row together

Wednesday, I realized (with Gertie, my inner squirrel's "nudge") that if I wanted to work on piecing the back of my improv challenge project this month, I needed to sew these blocks together.  The blocks were on my design wall and I need the design wall to layout the leftovers I have in mind for the back of the challenge.

Center complete

By the end of the Wednesday sew session, I had the blocks mostly sewn into rows. I even had sewn a few rows together. By the end of the sew session on Thursday, I had sewn all the rows together. Friday, I added the skinny inner border. I stitched more of the geese together and I constructed the corner blocks. 

View of a corner

I stitched the blocks together into the border and laid them next to the top. It seemed like the border was going to go on without any easing. . .could that actually be possible? I stitched the border to the top like I was sewing sashing to a block! Now I have a top and I'm closer to a finish. My next step is to prewash the wide backing fabric and get the project to the long armer!

Overall view

Making progress on this progress was goal number one on my February list. I am pleased with my flimsy. I bought no fabric for this flimsy. I'm pleased my scraps with a little help from my friends for the pink worked! Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew & Tell.

2025 Temperature Quilt--An Oops to Fix--post 5

Oops the windows are in the wrong spot

Goal number six on my February list was to make more 2025 Temperature blocks. I was showing a photo of my top to my Monday Mavens when one in the group mentioned that I had a "wonky" house. Gosh, I'm glad Tomme caught that error so I could fix it before I had added more rows!

Last of the yellow background sewn and more house bodies

Fixing the oops was the focus of my day yesterday. I've also sewn all the yellow background for sunny days so I need to wait for my order to arrive before I make more sunny day blocks. If possible, I will make more house bodies. February is an extra busy month for me so likely this is all the progress on this project that I make. I am okay with that fact. Progress has been made and I've not abandoned the project! For me, this is a WIN!

Same view as before except the house next to the tree is in proper order

While I had planned to spend more time on this project, Gertie, my inner squirrel had other ideas. She mentioned that IF I wanted to work on piecing the back for my improv challenge quilt, I needed the design wall. Right now, my Lupine and Laughter blocks are on it. I see her point. 

Lupine and Laughter blocks ready to sew into rows

Today, my focus will be sewing the blocks together for Lupine and Laughter. Linking to Finished or Not Friday and Patchwork and Quilts.

January Recap and February Goals

House bodies waiting for assembly

Wow, the last day of January was yesterday! Goodness, the time has flown!

My January goals were:

✔1. Make more parts for the Lupine and Laughter Bonnie Hunter mystery.

✖2. Bind Grassy Creek which is at the longarmer.--it is still at the longarmer; but, I'll pick it up on Monday!

✔3. Make more 2025 Temperature quilt blocks. I've pieced up to September 9 in the body of the top and I've pieced up to September xx as house bodies.

✔4. Make a few RSC blocks

13 rows complete

--the color for January is blue.

✔5. Work on my challenge blocks.

✔6. Bind the RSC selvage quilt from 2025.

✔7. Work on my sashiko project.

✔8. Make progress quilting the 2023-2023 Temperature quilt.

✔9. Document more sourdough baking.

I even made a second scrappy chain block that is our charity block for a virtual retreat that begins on Friday. I do love the color red!

 2022 through 2023 temperature quilt quilting

I made great progress and even had a finish to show for the month! Honestly, the quilting on the temperature quilt while not difficult, is so time consuming with little to show for the effort spent! I am making progress. I have 14 more rows to quilt. In February, I'm attending a virtual retreat. I will make this project my focus.

Best listen of the month:

The Tree Collectors by Amy Stewart. Amy shares 50 short excerpts of people who collect trees. Why they do it, how they started, how they maintain their collections and their plans for their collections make her book one interesting read/listen.

Fabric accounting:

Current month:

Fabric in: 11 yards

Fabric out: 12 1/4 yards

Net loss: 1 1/4 yards

Year to date: 

Fabric in: 11 yards

Fabric out: 12 1/4 yards

Net loss: 1 1/4 yards

Another charity block

My February goals are:

1. Make progress on Lupine and Laughter.

2. Make a few RSC blocks--the color is green. Angela suggests focusing on the darker green if there is a lot. I will use whatever green will stand out against the gray and black backgrounds.

3. Work on the back for my challenge quilt.

4. Make progress quilting the 2022-2023 Temperature quilt.

5. Work on my sashiko project.

Lupin and Laughter blocks

6. Make more 2025 Temperature quilt blocks. I need to purchase more fabric to have enough to finish the blocks. 

7. Bind Grassy Creek--I'll be picking it up from the longarmer on Monday.

8. Attend and enjoy a virtual retreat.

Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew & Tell.

Virtual Retreat Fun

Yummy orange ricotta cookies

Last weekend, I attended a virtual retreat. The schedule was similar to an in person retreat. I made Jeanna's orange ricotta cookies as a sweet treat. I usually make hummus and slice up vegetables for my treat. The cookies were delicious. Jeanna's blog is Slammin the Screen Door. She posted the link to the recipe. I had the right amount of ricotta on hand. It seems the stars had aligned so I baked a batch a couple days before the retreat. Please visit Jeanna and leave her a comment. She shares her quilting, cross stitching and life happenings in her posts.

First retreat block

We had four days to sew. We were encouraged to make two blocks "retreat" blocks. These blocks will become a Quilt of Valor (QoV). A shop owner donated fabric for the center square of the star and the pattern. The corner squares are four inches, the star points are three inch blocks, the star center is five and half inches and the background for the goose is four inches by five and half inches. I love that the star floats.

It didn't take long to stitch two blocks which measured 12 1/2 inches. I mailed mine to the retreat chair as I don't plan to attend the February guild meeting in person. I used a quarter yard of fabric for these blocks. That makes a 1 1/4 yard net loss from my stash this year. These would be fun to make in different sizes. . .Gertie, my inner squirrel, was ready to play. Instead, we lived through those that actually made different sized blocks. Gertie decided we could make ours when the math was charted so she could focus on the fabric choices!

Second retreat block

My plan was to make progress quilting my 2022-2023 Temperature quilt and making blocks for the 2025 temperature quilts. For a diversion, I planned to start sewing rows together for the Lupine and Laughter mystery. What actually happened was that I spent all my time quilting the temperature quilt. . . .I did have a number of diversions. .  .

Retreat bag and contents

    For example, there was a tissue paper holder kit, which I stitched. These seem to be popular to make; but, do people actually use them? The mystery gift I received was a kit to make a jar opener. It is two layers of cotton fabric, two layers of fusible interfacing and one layer of shelf liner. It is an eight inch circle. I also stitched it.

I did participate in the Altoid container challenge. The tin that received the most "Ahhs" was the one that contained a dental pick, dental floss, breath mints and ibuprofen! I put some mini HSTs in my tin.

Progress at the end of the retreat

At the end of the retreat, I had quilted at total of 19 rows of the blocks. I was a little past half way. Gosh, this quilting is taking forever! Making progress on quilting this project was goal number eight on my January list.

Linking to Finished or Not Friday and Patchwork and Quilts.

2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge (Hidden Seven) Is Finished--post 21

View of the back

The quilting on the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challege (RSC) is a design with crayons. When I saw the pantograph design, I knew it would be perfect for this project! The crayons are about six inches long by 7/8 inches wide. The design is stitched with green thread so it blends well with the background.  My friend, Tomme, quilted it on her longarm. The quilting is terrific!

Quilting on the front

I made a label. This one has been hanging around for a long time. I'm gifting this quilt to a kind, generous and supportive couple in the U.K. Ali is a vibrant person and she would like the contrast of all the colors! Maybe when the quilt is gifted, they will allow me to post them with their quilt.

The quilt measurers 60 by 70 inches. 

Label

I sewed the binding on the 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I wrote a lot of posts as I documented my progress with Angela at So Scrappy. In 2024, I wrote the posts as I made the selvage squares. Block Sample (1); Green Selvages (2); Red Selvages (3); Purple Selvages (4); Yellow Selvages (5); Pink Selvages (6); Blue Selvages (7); Aqua Selvages (8); Orange Selvages (9) and Brown Selvages (10).

View of the back

In 2025, I stitched the color of the selvage square as Angela released the color of the month. I posted my progress: Pink and Blue blocks (11); Yellow blocks (12): Red blocks (13); Green blocks (14); Orange blocks (15); Purple blocks (16); Aqua blocks (17); Green and Orange blocks (18);  Brown and Black blocks (19) and Piecing the back (20). 

Finish

Hmmm. . .after looking back at that list, it reminded me of a Tootsie Pop commercial of a kid asking a wise old owl how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. The owl takes a Tootsie Pop. He counts as he licks.. . One, two, THREE! At that point, he bites the hard candy outside to get to the gooey center. 

My question, though, was how long does it take to make a quilt? Just 21 blog posts. LOL!!!! I added the sleeve and presto. . .a FINISH!!! Thank you, Angela for hosting the RSC. I used up some selvages for this project!

Finishing it was project number 2u on my annual goal list and goal number six on my January list. I used 12 yards of stash to complete this project. Earlier this month, I bought 11 yards of fabric so I have a net loss of 1 yard!

Linking to Oh Scrap, Scrap Happy and Sew & Tell.

Fabric In and a Sashiko Project

Fabric purchase

The first weekend in January, one of the quilting shops had a 20% off sale as well as a 50% off sale off one cut of fabric. Wide backing fabric, which I could use soon, was included in the sale. Buying a back for Lupine and Laughter came to my mind. I went. 

Sylvia Pippen's book

I did buy a wide back for a QOV that I'm planning to stitch later in the year. There was a wide back fabric I liked even better; but, there was only two yards remaining. I threw caution to the wind and bought it. My fingers are crossed that I will be able to use it as backing for my 2023 RSC. There may be minimal piecing involved to make it large enough. I decided I was okay with a little piecing!

Sitching Lupine and Laughter has exhausted my white neutrals. I bought a half hard of two fabrics. I also purchased a mini cone of piecing thread. I'm starting the year with adding 11 yards of fabric to my stash. My goal is to have a net loss of 100 yards of fabric from my stash. This week, I'm working on a finish which should counter my purchase!   

In other news, our book club is reading and discussing the book, "The Stories Clothes Tell/Voices of Working Class Japan" by Tasuichi Horikiri. Horikiri documented clothing that he collected from the working class of Japan. Most of the clothing in the book includes a short story about the owner and or how Horikiri collected it. it is an interesting read.

Sashiko progress 

While reading the book, I thought about using some denim scraps I saved long ago for a braided rug. I thought about pairing a piece of the scrap with some decorative stitching. Several pieces could work into a book project.

Then I remembered I had a project started in a class. At least ten years ago, I experienced Sylvia Pippen, a Washington state quilt artist, teach a sashiko class. I remember doing the prep work and stitching a small portion of the design in class. At the end of class, I packed up the materials into a zip lock plastic bag and didn't open the bag again until late last month.

Since I try to use what I have when I make a book club book, this project was the ONE! In addition to reviewing the instruction in her book, I needed to watch her YouTube video about how to complete the stitches. I hope that the design, when I finish will be pleasing to the eye. It is challenging to take "even" stitches. I'm far from perfect; but, I'm enjoying the process.

This is a small project about 14 by 14 inches. Small is good since I have several large projects currently at various stages in the pipeline! Making progress on the sashiko project was goal number seven on my January list.

Linking to Finished or not Friday and Patchwork and Quilts.