Retreat Report.

This blog has been a little neglected for a while, what with me missing September's meeting and then my son's birthday party to keep me busy.  But I'm back and I have a few pictures from the Spring Quilting Retreat to share.

Here is the first prize quilt for our January Exhibition.  It has been fabulously machine quilted by Leonie and the binding was finished off at retreat by some dedicated hand stitchers.

 

Ingrid used her time at retreat to tackle a few UFO's.  Here is the first FO.  What a beaut!  The background is a piece she hand-dyed - well, rain-dyed she says, as a big rain storm happened by whilst it was drying on her deck.  No matter, as it was the perfect piece for this little quilt.

 

Here is another of her FO's.  It is the wall hanging started in the class run by Sonya Prchal.  What a perfect border fabric.

 

Carol put together this top.  The reproduction 30's fabrics are absolutely luscious up close.  And it's a two-in-one design.  She was also putting together a little cot quilt with the half-square triangles cut off when the red squares are attached to the light and dark strips.

 

This is Diane's quilt-as-you go to cover the divan bed in her sewing room.  Lucky divan bed! 

And the backing fabric is fantastic - what a find from the upholstery fabric section.

Stephanie managed (after a little bit whole heap of frustration with the pattern) to get this three dimensional kimono wall-hanging finished.  It's lovely now that it's done, and I'm glad she persevered!

 

This is Beatrice's beautifully subtle quilt she finished at retreat. 

There was lots more being done but I think I got so caught up in racing to finish what I was working on that I stopped taking photographs!  Sorry!

It was a really great weekend.  As a first time retreater I learnt heaps (like bring some earplugs and a wineglass) and I had a great time.  Everyone deserves a pat on the back for their part in the kitchen work - the food all weekend was delicious - and who knew that gluten-free carrot cake could be so good?!

Lonsdale Park was a great setting and it's not so far away that devoted husbands couldn't bring in a replacement sewing machine when Leonie's first one bit the dust.  In fact all those machines need a pat on the back too.  I think mine needs a service after all those hours!

So put my name down for the next retreat, I'll be there.

PS - Camilla the Gorilla - you were missed by all!!