Saturday, 20 April 2013

East Midlands Modern Quilt Guild meeting

The East Midlands Modern Quilt Guild  (EMMQG) met for the second time today, just 10 minutes up the road from my home, at Stitchcraft Studio, on the edge of Grantham. We had a big and airy room at our disposal with refreshments and lunch provided - perfect. Ten of us met to rise to the challenge of making a Weekender Bag (Amy Butler pattern). I have had this project on my radar since November and I have been gathering supplies in order to make this bag. The fact that the EMMQG decided to make this the project for our meeting was just perfect. For the last ten days I have been making QAYG panels, piping and plotting what 'extras' I wanted to include into my bag. 
Piping
Quilted panel and pocket
Handle detailing
One completed side
I have poured over blog posts looking at handle construction and what pockets people have gone for. I managed to get all my pieces ready for our meeting today as my aim was to get my exterior panels together whilst I had folk around to ask for help and advice (I'm not daft!).

So at lunchtime today this is what I had completed
Construction in progress
I spent the whole of this afternoon getting the exterior together. I managed to 'mash' a corner but as I got desperate, Trudi stepped in and got me sorted. That is definitely a plus to sewing as a group. Below are some photos of the day.





I came away with my exterior completed. I still have the lining to hand sew into the bag but I don't think that it will be done tonight! I will post photos of it all finished and ready to use, once I have the lining securely fixed. I am really pleased with how it turning out as it has been easier than I thought it would be.

It was great to sew with others and see how other people tackled the project. We had a lot of fun and now the pressure is on for us to get the bags finished!

So what did you do today?
Di x






17 comments:

  1. ohhh I am so jealous,followed you all on IG, the bag looks fab, I'm thinking another aeroplane bag cos im not really brave enough to do a weekender on my own and piping just scares me.

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  2. Oh great! Although some very serious concentrating looks on the guild members faces!

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  3. lucky you to have this group...that bag is brilliant

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  4. I loved the look of your bag, it's beautiful, and I can't wait to see it all finished next time we meet! :o). It went really quickly, I enjoyed sewing in a group, and wish i had the time this week to get ahead like you did, top of the class! x

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  5. I am so glad you had a great day and the support of sewing buddies to make frustrations over mashed corners fade away. Your bag looks superb!

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  6. Sounds like you had a lovely day, and the bag is looking great (so far)!!

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  7. Yay - I had a fab day.... not quite as advanced as you on the weekender bag - but I have been QAYG-ing all evening!! x

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  8. A great day indeed! Went way too fast, and if only I'd had more time to be as prepared. But I did get my 'other' cut tonight :)

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  9. Well done you!!! Need to know who was there/in the photos, cause I am nosey like that!!

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  10. It's going to be a beautiful bag Di! I love what you have done so far.

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  11. A great project to do in a group! Your bag is shaping up beautifully! Jxo

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  12. Your panels are gorgeous! Don't leave that bag unattended when I'm around ;) sorry I couldn't be there today, maybe next time :)

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  13. I am totally jealous! that bag is looking lovely, and you had the sewing group! Now I am green!

    Beautiful.

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  14. Your bag is looking amazing-well done on all that preparation work. Looks like you had a great day. I am off to a sewing get together in London next Saturday afternoon, organised by the sewing directory-cant wait

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  15. cleared out 3 kitchen cupboards and desperately tried to get the washing done before we have no washing machine. :0( wish I'd been there...

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  16. oh sorry, the bag looks fab!

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