ART QUILT GUILD

It has been quite a while since I have had the time to attend my Art Quilt Guild called GreatFul Threads.  I made it to the meeting this month.  For the programs and projects this year we were presented with a basket filled with various techniques.  Each month the member chooses from the basket and makes a project to share at the next meeting.
My "draw" this month was Ruching.  I have seen Ruched Flowers on many embellished quilt pieces.  As I started to decide what I would do, I went to the internet and did a google search.  Lots of videos and tutorials popped up.  
Once I was sure that I knew what I was doing, I began my project.
Ruching is a French word meaning pleated or gathered.  I decided to do Ruching on some strips of fabric and then join them together to make a pillow.

This was easy enough.  I inserted this strata into more strips and created the pillow front.  
I decided to make a Ruched Flower to embellish my little pillow.

Here is how I did the ruching for the little flower.

I cut a strip 1.5 inches wide by WOF.  Then I folded it in half and pressed it.

Mark it with a ruler using the 45 degree line to form a "v" shape that looks  a little like rickrack.

Thread a needle and use two strands to sew with.

Starting at one end and, following the drawn lines, do a running stitch all the way to the other end.  

At about every 5 inches draw up the thread and the ruffle will begin to emerge.

When the entire strip has been stitched and gathered, then simply shape it into a circle and build the flower in layers.  I tacked it together as I went along.

I attached it to my finished pillow top and inserted my pillow form.
Voila!!!

                                 Well, I think I like it!! 


                                     Too cute for words!

                                     -sandi

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

Hard to believe it has been about a month since I last posted to my blog.  What a month it has been!

Made one last trip to AQS Quiltweek Charlotte to promote the upcoming AQS show in Chattanooga.

Hung out with some neat quilters and shot a video for the Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting.

Travelled around the area highway yard sales with hubster while he was "picking" for his upcoming sales.

LilBit helping Papa with the Longest Yard Sale!!  What a great weekend that was!

Enjoyed a visit with my grandson, Nick, before school started!!  Hard to believe that he is in Middle School now.

Saw my first grandson, Preston, head off to Auburn University for his freshman year!

More promotion for Quiltweek!


FINALLY, it is here!!!





 Chattanooga was host to its first ever AQS Quiltweek September 10-13!! What an exciting time for all the quilters in our area.  There were so many wonderful quilts on display in the show area.  One of the special exhibits was the BAQS exhibit curated by our very own Maddie Kertay from Spool. I was privileged to have a quilt hanging in that exhibit.

I did get a little sewing done this month.

Added my "round" to Karen's Round Robin piece this month.  Loved working with the crazy log cabin blocks.  It will be interesting to see the final round and completion of this project!

Working on a quilt for a customer.

This month has been exciting and busy.  I am looking forward to getting back into my usual routine and finishing the quilting on several projects.  The travelling is over and the AQS show was a success so now I can go back to quilting.


                                    -sandi