Newsletter – Summer 2009

It has certainly been a tragic week in Victoria and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been directly affected by last week’s bushfires.  It’s almost impossible to imagine how it must feel to face the task of rebuilding after losing your home in the bushfires. But we are hoping to contribute in a small way by holding a Quilting Bee for making and donating quilts to people who have lost their homes.  It’s to be held on Saturday 21st March in Ashburton and all the details can be found here.  There are many ways in which you can contribute so please take the time to have a look and to pass on to anyone else you think may be interested.  Amongst other things we will be using the ‘scraps’ left behind at Sewjourn by many kind ladies – these were always designated for Charity Quilts.  We will also look at organising another Charity Quilt making weekend later in the year when our ‘scrap’ buckets have been replenished.

 

Quilting Workshop Weekend with Meredithe Clark– April 4th & 5th

 

We would love you to join us at Sewjourn for a special sewing treat with Meredithe Clark.  Meredithe is a well known accredited patchwork tutor.

Choose from one of the basket blocks below and come for a day to learn how to make it, or better still stay for the weekend and try them all.

You will receive expert tuition, comprehensive notes and a suggested quilt pattern with instructions for each of the baskets you book into.

 

Charm Basket

This sweet little basket is made from a 5” charm square – with no waste!  Add a background, use a template set and you’ll have a bevy of baskets in no time.

Techniques:  rotary cutting, using templates, hand or machine piecing, appliqué

Finished block size:  approx. 6”

 

 

 

Rose Basket

Learn a foundation piecing technique where you don’t sew through papers or a foundation.  This neater method means no pulling papers away, once you’re stitched, that’s it!

Techniques:  rotary cutting, foundation piecing, machine piecing, appliqué

Finished block size: 10”

 

 

 

 

Art Deco Basket

Try your hand at curved piecing, made easier with a template set, and have a great play with fabrics while you construct this stunning block.

Techniques:  rotary cutting, using templates, curved piecing by hand, machine piecing

Finished block size: 12”

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday class – $55

Sunday class – $55

Classes for both days – $90

Arrive from 9.30am for morning tea

Classes start at 10am

Lunch will be provided at 12 noon

Classes finish at 3.30pm

 

Saturday night accommodation at Sewjourn – $70 per person twin share including pre-dinner drinks and nibbles and breakfast.  Saturday night you have the choice of dinner at the local restaurant, take-away or making use of the fully-equipped kitchen at Sewjourn. You will also have unlimited use of the studio for the evening to continue on with your newly learnt skills or work on your own projects.

Have you booked your craft retreat?

Weekends are booking up fast at Sewjourn so if you are planning a retreat with your craft group this year please book soon to avoid disappointment.  See our Availability Calendar for dates.  Or you could consider a Mid-week stay.  We have a few more organised events for later in the year including Christmas in July, Card Making workshops and a Calendar Making weekend.

I will be on the Somerset Patchwork and Quilting stall at the Australasian Quilt Convention helping out Karen and at the same time promoting Sewjourn so if you are visiting please come and say ‘Hi’. It’s on at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens from February 26 – March 1 and is always a great day out.

Happy sewing,

Jan