Starting off in Burford, a little town we found back in 2011, we had lunch in the sun, we walked up the high street and down, we visited the most amazing needlework shop.
We enjoyed the colour, the local wildlife.....
And finally made our way to Farncombe for late afternoon....
Bedrooms were found....
After our evening meal our course began. With the opening line from Ferret, I like to cheat, my mine raced about thinking if I can produce work like this then I am more than happy to cheat too!!!
The title of this course is Wholecloth Quilts on Small Machines. I had spent a little time getting an image in my head as to what I wanted to come away with, but there is always a very fine line when doing any kind of course, as to very much learning the techniques and to take away that knowledge OR to actually walk away with a usable 'quilt'.
Time had not allowed me to prepare too much so I have taken several bags to cover all angles!!! Designing our quilt was the first stage and very much took the whole of Friday evening. Now, this is the bit I knew I would find most daunting - knowing that I can't even draw a stick man (well OK just a stick man maybe if pushed). But I have to say with the aid of a quilting pattern book I managed a basic design I was happy with. And with a minor adjustment from circles to oval, on the suggestion of Ferret. I finished my design and started my grid lines.
The final stages brought us a very unexpected sunset......an amazing view...... would make a fabulous quilt in fact!
And so to bed......
Saturday started with a stroll.....
We 'stole' many items on the way to breakfast, during breakfast and on our way to class to help with the quilting designs - much to the amusement of the staff.
The morning was spent transferring our paper design to our quilt top......
Thread selected.....
And off we go.....
A stretch of the legs after lunch......
And more quilting.....
I have to say at this stage I am pretty happy with the way things are progressing. I'm pleased with my design, I'm pleased with my quilting and pleased that I'm was not so stressed as some of the other students who are still designing (although I would like to say I was not completely stress free!!)
Tea and cake was had.....although I think there was little disappointment on the cake front!!
Finishing at 9.30pm Saturday evening we felt a wine was needed to help with the sleeping process.....and with very few in the bar we settled down - and with only quilters left at 11.30pm a decision was made to walk up the hill to bed!
Sunday morning was very much about quilting techniques, and of course the 'cheating' technique to join other pieces to your already quilted section.
And this is the quilt I walked away with......
Such an excellent course, an even better setting, no interruptions, just pure quilting and I loved it. I am so very happy with my experimental piece. It of course needs to be finished but I am looking forward to completing it soon.
Great write up of a fabulous weekend...must catch up with my blogging backlog VERY soon or I'll never get back to quilting....
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