I have never done a class before. Our local quilt shop,
The Quilted Forest, hosted a test class with Terry Atkinson. We are given the raw form of the pattern and told to follow the directions and sew. Are things worded right? Do we understand what it says? Find mistakes.
And Terry is there to answer questions.
One was for a quilt pattern called Wanderlust. It calls for 1/2 yard cuts. Last week I called the quilt shop and ordered some solids. Shelly (the owner) sent me a picture. Yep, they look good and I bought them over the phone. She brought them to the class. That was pretty slick.
The first pattern was for little bags. It has 6 different sizes.
My friend, Karen was there too. OMG, how cute when we finally finished. Karen's is the top one and the perfect size to hold the Clover Wonder Clips she had bought. These clips were pretty handy and I think I will buy some too.
The afternoon was the quilt pattern.
Karen went with text prints and dark arrows. Mine will be solids with white arrows.
We were in two classrooms. Late in the afternoon Shelly started hanging finished blocks (or near finished) along the front of the classroom.
Here is the other classroom's collection. I'm not sure why they had less.
Shelly and Terry
They were busy getting there own pictures and taking selfies. This was a really fun experience. It was only one day, not too expensive and not too far to travel! There were about 30 of us all together. I listened to others talk about quilt retreats. I am still not sold on the idea of going somewhere for several days. I must not be a social sewer. I would rather do it at home.
I would do another day class like this one again!
We also stopped in the quilt shop before we went home. `
Terry did the classic pattern for Yellow Brick Road. I have all those grays to use...and they could end up in that.
Maybe.
The patterns will be coming out in May.
7 comments:
I find retreats lots of fun when I know several people before hand. Yes, it's a lot of work hauling all your stuff, but I'm always glad I went. Great arrow blocks.
LOVE those arrows! And the bag looks like a good pattern, too.
I went to the my guild's retreat last year just after I joined and knew no one. I thought it would be a good way to meet quilters in the guild and it was. For me, I always take some easy sewing because I have a hard time being creative when surrounded by all that noise and distraction (even if it is good, social noise and distraction). Also, because in our retreat space (which is actually quite lovely) there's no way to have a design wall, I would have a hard time doing something as basic as arranging blocks and sewing them together. I am going back this year, and once again taking kits to sew blocks for projects that I will assemble at home.
I would love to do a test class like you did, especially with Terry Atkinson! Your arrow quilt is going to be stunning.
Quilt retreats are fun, and I participate in two. Our guild hosts theirs at cabins along the Potomac River. Most cabins have a view of the river - but not ours. We have a hot tub instead... You sign up with a group from the guild, and can do some visiting of other cabins too. We bring design walls to hang with Commando hooks because there is space. The other retreat is with my 4 best quilting buddies. We rent a cabin in the mountains, pick a design, and then we all sew it. It's great to compare notes, see how the different colors work, and get and give support. Oh, and we check out the local quilt stores. I feel refreshed and recharged after both events, though I can be a little tired.
How fun!! Just one day and you could go home and sleep in your own bed!
Those arrows are FABULOUS!!! A great pattern!
But do you think it's fair to show me how much fun you and Karen were having while I play Nurse Rachet??!!! Do they have retreats where you can go and just sit and stare? Maybe doze a little too?!
I wouldn't mind a retreat with a few close friends like Amy mentioned and I agree with Sophie on the larger, louder rowdier retreats. They are fun but I took easy simple projects too.
What a fun experience! I love those bags!
Sounds like a fun day! I have made many Terry Akinson quilts.
It was fun - I had a good time. But I think I'd still rather sew at home most of the time.
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