Members Teaching Members

The November 20 meeting was our traditional “Members Teaching Members” event, featuring presentations by five talented guild members.

We learned about new techniques and picked up lots of helpful tips, such as using wool pressing mats, how to pin intersecting seams, and achieving an accurate ¼-inch seam.

Suzanne demonstrated how to make a disappearing 4-patch block. A few well orchestrated cuts here and there, and a simple 4-patch turns into an intriguing 9-patch. Fabric squares were on hand for members to make blocks at home for a Quilt of Valour in the works.

Glenna showed us how to use our scraps to make interesting crumb blocks. The blocks are built with scraps sorted roughly by colour, each scrap with one straight side, with the sides straightened as the block grows. These blocks are great for community quilts, mug rugs, and placemats. Glenna works with scraps that are at least palm-sized.

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Lorna demonstrated the steps for making a selvedge bag, using selvedge strips sewn onto a muslin backing. Zippers have covered ends, and the lining can be attached by two different methods.

Fun facts: The word selvedge comes from “self-edge.” There are variant spellings of the term: selvedge or selvage. Both are grammatically correct. “Selvedge” is the British English spelling and “selvage” is the US English spelling.

So much fun to sew with selvedges that remind us of the fabrics and projects we spent time with over the years.

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Diane impressed us with her assembly of an accordion of half square triangles. Squares of fabric beside the sewing machine were quickly turned into a serendipitous assortment of HSTs waiting to be featured in future quilts. This technique was developed by EvaPaige Quilt Designs.

Diane put together a layout of HSTs after the meeting and sent along a photo for this post.

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Les showed us the crossing paths block, made with 2-1/2” strips, assembled into tubes that cleverly evolve into a block of 25 squares. The crossing paths block is very effective in a table runner or pillow, as well as in a quilt.

Les recommended the Missouri Star tutorial and ‘scrap vomit’ information online (that phrase takes some getting used to, doesn’t it?!) for more about the crossing paths block and how it can be used in projects.

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Thanks to the Programme Committee and all the presenters for a great meeting.