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......in my old age.

I recently joined a craft group in our village. I've met some really nice people and we enjoy a good chat over coffee and crafting.

So why am I going soft?????

Well, one of the girls is leaving France and returning to the UK. We are making her a quilt as part of her leaving gift. I have volunteered to put it together! It will be a mixture of our crafts so that means crochet, knitted and stitched squares. I'm looking forward to doing this, but am also slightly nervous that it won't be as easy as putting together something in just one technique.

I've already done my crossstitched square. I found a finished piece just the right size in my finished but unframed pile which is why I decided to answer the call to assemble the quilt. I have yet to find out how big the final quilt will be

So, next month I hope to have all the squares here, so wish me luck! I have until September to get it done.

That should be a fun project.the biggest problem will be the fact that any knitted pieces will have a goodly amount of stretch in them.as compared to the cross stitch ones.good luck.

So glad it is you and not me who will be putting it together. Maybe you could put some iron on vylene on the backs of the knitted/crochet squares to help stabilise them and even it up.
GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

I haven't ever tried to incorporate knitting, but I have used cross stitched pieces, t-shirts, and sweat shirts to make quilts. You will probably have a few issues so planning ahead will be crucial. You will need to back any squares that aren't of solid material (like Aida or evenweave) with a lightweight muslin or something similar to keep the batting from bearding through the openings. If some of the blocks/pieces are stretchy, they will probably do much better if they are framed with a quilt weight cotton or backed with a stabilizer before you try to incorporate them into the quilt top. Stretchy to stretchy can be directly sewn if you're careful, but stretchy to stiff can be a nightmare! (It can be done, but generally with pretty foul language.) Which brings us to the question of the overall weight and thickness of the quilt - actually quilting through a variety of thicknesses will be difficult even on a machine. I have used a piece of tissue paper over the needleworked pieces to discourage the sewing machine needle from snagging out any of the stitching. If the construction would allow for it, tying the quilt may be an easier and quicker way to complete the project. Generally for a tied quilt, you would need to be able to put one in every 4 inches or so. Please, please post a picture when it's done! I'd love to see what techniques you end up using for the construction of the quilt top.

Couldn't possibly comment... perhaps your consent as a direct result of your unfortunate accident?!?

But what a wonderful gift to give! I'll be very interested to see how it turns out.

I have learnt that there are occasions when you shouldn't agree aloud even if you do.
I'm staying silent.

Nice thought behind it, but a nuts idea.

Regards,

Richard.

I am getting a voice in my head which says.....NEVER VOLUNTEER!!!

Listen to it...

Richard

Like you I tend to hear that voice too late, when the words have already popped out - good luck Wendy (you'll need it...) and keep your eyes on what a wonderful personal gift it will be!

Mabel Figworthy wrote:Like you I tend to hear that voice too late, when the words have already popped out

The words I try not to say are "I could do that". I'm getting better at it as I get older, but I still find myself doing things I'd rather not.

But this will be beautiful I'm sure and something that your friend will always cherish.

Carole

You will eventually learn to ignore the calls for help Wendy - I did.

Good luck with that Wendy. Look forward to seeing it when you've finished. A lovely keepsake for the lady returning to UK

We have found a solution to our problem!

We delved into our memory banks and are going to drag up the past!

How many of you remember Rag Books?

By putting each finished piece on a separate 'page' we get over the problem of different tensions between fabric and woollen squares!

I have some fantastic embroidered linen fabric for the cover and I can stitch her name on that and I was given some very suitable fabric for the 'pages'

I must thank Disney Stitcher for her input ...without that I would have gone into an early decline!

So now all I have to do is wait for all the squares to get to me. I'll try to post up a picture when it's done.

Great solution!

Fantastic solution. Looking forward to seeing the finished item.

Brilliant!!!!!

You are very welcome! I haven't seen a rag book in ages and ages and would never have thought of it. Kudos to you! Please post pictures, I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Such a good idea!

Fabulous idea!

It's finished, photo'd and wrapped ready to be given on 8th September.

I shall put up the piccies after that date...just in case someone peaks and spills the beans!! I don't think any of the group do come here, but things have a way of getting around, don't they!!

I've only taken a sample of what is in the book... but it'll give you an idea of the standard of lovely things that our group have done.

BTW anyone got that t-shirt I ordered with 'Never Volunteer' on it?