August Meeting - by Barbara

On a warm evening at the end of a heatwave we arrived to a very different layout in the hall. Our August meeting was about getting down to practical stuff and making up the Linus quilts. We had all been making log cabin blocks for these and were keen to see the results. 

Claire opened the meeting in her inimitable style with a series of notices about quilting events both locally and further afield. Claire reminded anyone planning to go to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham about train strikes that will affect travel arrangements, but was confident that it would be a good show. Eileen has subsequently confirmed details of all the events in an email. Each table then got on with making up at least one quilt, having been given packs containing blocks, border, backing and binding - everything we needed! 

Each table had a “machinist” and other members worked with them planning, pinning, and pressing as gradually our quilts came together. I was fortunate to be sitting at the same table as Freddie and saw many of the amazing collection of items that had been made for the tombola. A huge range of donations included bags with all sorts of uses, felt mice, bean bags, Christmas tree decorations, small soft toys, covered notebooks and many other items – too many to list here! The common factor being that they were all beautifully made and will be a pleasure to own. A real credit to the creativity of our members.

We were all pleased to enjoy our usual tea/coffee break and have a chance to see what others had done and check out the ingredients table. Thanks to the drinks makers/servers.

Towards the end of the meeting Claire called us together for “show and tell” of the work that we had completed during the evening. Quilt tops were shown, all looking bright and cheerful and they will be completed for display at the exhibition along with all the quilt packs that had been claimed; everything to be completed for the September meeting.

At the end of the evening Claire reminded us that all our entry forms should have been given to Grace and that all our own items for the exhibition needed to be brought to the September meeting (I was pleased to discover that I am not the only one who hasn’t quite finished everything!!) Volunteers were needed for the exhibition day and those lists will be available again next meeting. 

After clearing up and putting everything away I think we were pleased to step outside into an evening that was noticeably cooler than on recent days.

A busy evening - see photos below.