Monday, June 1, 2009

Report from retreat

I had a wonderful time on retreat from Friday to Sunday with my sewing group. There were eight of us and we ate, laughed, ate, sewed, you know how it goes. The weather was stormy outside for a lot of the time, perfect for sewing. This is the bag I wanted to get finished, most of us tackled it, only two finished so far. It's the quilters carry all from willow designs. It has eight pockets! I have to say, it was a big task and I did a lot of unsewing.
There are four outside pockets, one coin pocket and three large main pockets inside with the middle one having a zip. Here's a shot inside. I had to get DH to make a delivery of more fabric since the side pockets I had made just weren't working. Lucky we were only five minutes from home.
Today I had a go at making a boxy pouch to accessorise. There's a free tutorial here. Not the easiest pouch I've made in this style, I'll show you my favourites another time. I added a beautiful hand made glass bead to the tassel. I made this one quite a bit deeper than the instructions said to.
Here are a couple of photos of the projects the others were working on. A spools colour wash being hand pieced.
This gorgeous Karen Cunningham quilt pattern that a friend is doing at Quiltsmith. It's the same one Jean is doing.
The same friend is working on this quilt as well and has a pieced border to go on it. I'm sorry I did not get a photo of the William Morris quilt she had there, all appliqued and hand quilted. It was a stunner.
There was some piecing, lots of unsewing, some hand quilting and fun going on and now it'll be another year before we do it again.

21 comments:

RG said...

Janet,
Looks like a wonderful time had by all!!
Love your bag...I think it was worth the effort.
Your little pouch is great too...something on my to do list as well.
Look at all the lovely 'stuff'!!
Hope you feel refreshed now.
hugs
Robyn xx

antique quilter said...

love the bag!
It was worth the troubles!
OH my the quilts are beautiful...
Karen Cunningham quilt is beautiful, are you planning on making that one too?
love the appliqued flowers and vases...a pieced border sounds interesting for this quilt.
Maybe she will send you a picture of the William Morris quilt you know we need to see it now that you said it was a stunner and hand quilted :)
Kathie

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oh wow, fabulous to see what you and some others got up too. Aren't quilt retreats the best. Great bag by the way xo

Nedra said...

I think girl get aways are so important, even if you don't get any sewing done. Your bag turned out beautiful.

Betsy said...

wow Janet all spectacular. Awesome bag!

Unknown said...

I also just returned from a retreat that went from Friday to Sunday. Also, got lots done and the fun time with friends was a must. I just love what you and your friends were working on. Now back to the daily grind.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Retreats are so much fun. It's been ages since I've been to one. Great bag and little pouch. How nice Mr. Quiltsalott could deliver more fabric.

Crispy said...

Great bag Janet!! What lovely projects the other ladies are working on, loved all the little labels on the spool quilt LOL.

Crispy

ranette said...

Great bags Janet! I love the quilts your friends are working on. Just love them!

Janet said...

Looks like you had a great time with the girls. I'm glad you finished the bag. It may have been complex but the result is beautiful and functional. Thanks for sharing all the different projects. Its a very talented group.

Lori said...

The bag is a real beauty! You are surrounded by wonderful talent and so much inspiration. It sounds like you had a great time at the retreat.

Darlene said...

Wonderful bags, Janet! Such a talented group - lucky you!

*karendianne. said...

Diggin' the bag and how cute with the little beaded tassle, too. I enjoyed seeing all the AMAZING work going on in your group. What fun to be a party to that! Thank you for sharing.

Karen said...

Wow, what great projects everyone was working on. Your big tote bag is very good. I am sure you will enjoy using it. I made myself a large one with pockets inside and it can hold big quilts or quilting supplies.
The applique quilt is so good and so is the other quilt your friend is working on. I am going to check it out closer.

Kaaren said...

Girly weekends are the best!

Thanks for sharing all the wonderful projects, Janet. I'm surprised you all actually got things accomplished. What a disciplined group indeed. (wink)

Carrie P. said...

Retreats can be a great time. Some real talent in your group.

Lurline said...

Looks like a wonderful retreat - some great eye candy there! Glad you had fun and love your bag!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Karen said...

Your bag is a beauty! Wonderful fabric.

Kellie said...

Looks like a wonderful weekend ... I really need to organise myself to do something like this!

Thimbleanna said...

It sounds like you had a perfect weekend. I love the pretty, bright colors in your bag!

Sarah at Quiltalong said...

Your bag is fantastic. Now I need a retreat!