Christmas Challenge 2016

On December 2, 2016 By corkipsIn Christmas ChallengeLeave a comment

As mentioned in our November meeting recap post, the Christmas challenge for this year is

MUG RUGS!

Mug Rug I received from Tomomi McElwee during a 2015 Christmas Swap

What is a mug rug exactly? Think of it as a cross between a mini quilt and a coaster. It needs to be large enough to accommodate a cup of tea and a biscuit, or piece of cake.

Making a mug rug is a great way to use up scraps! A small finished size means that you can use those smaller scraps to make yours!

Use this as an opportunity to try a technique or style of quilt you’ve always wanted to try out!

When I participated in a mug rug swap, I decided to make an Irish Chain mug rug. I took this as an opportunity to practice free motion quilting swirls.

If you need some inspiration for this challenge, I’ve created a Pinterest board of different tutorials, you can find it here.

Don’t feel like you have to make yours Christmas themed! Make whatever suits you!

Summer Challenge 2016

On August 3, 2016August 3, 2016 By corkipsIn Summer Challenge, UncategorizedLeave a comment

As we’re about a month to go before our September meeting, I thought we’d do a bit of a check in on the Summer Challenge.

You’ll remember that this year’s theme is:

Revolutionary

We’ve left this open to interpretation for our members. This means you can create a quilt using circles, drawing inspiration from the 1916 Rising, or even using a patchwork technique you’ve never done before. We’re looking forward to seeing what you create!

Feel free to make anything you’d like–a bag, a quilt or a mug rug. There’s no limit but your imagination.

Like last year, we’ve decided that this year’s prize for the challenge is a sewing machine service to be performed during our October meeting by John O’Donnell.

I’ve set up a Pinterest board with some images to spark your inspiration. Find it here.

June Block of the Month Presentation

On June 13, 2016 By corkipsIn Block of the MonthLeave a comment

Here’s a recording of the Block of the Month presentation that was given at our June Meeting.

Back to Basics – Precut Primer

On February 22, 2016February 22, 2016 By corkipsIn Back to Basics1 Comment

We’ve uploaded our latest Back to Basics video on YouTube! Be sure to subscribe to us there so you’re notified as soon as we upload a video!

January Block of the Month

On January 13, 2016January 12, 2016 By corkipsIn Block of the Month1 Comment

Well, it’s time for the last block of our Block of the Month Project! It’s been a great year, where we were able to learn new skills!

This month, we tackled foundation paper piecing by making the Wheel of Fortune Block.

This block requires a foundation template which you can download here.

I created a presentation to explain the basics of the block for during our January meeting. Our members enjoyed it so much that there was a request to make a presentation for the web. I created it today and have posted it to YouTube.

Be sure you check out our Pinterest website for inspiration for quilts to make with this block.

Summer Challenge Update

On July 7, 2015August 21, 2015 By corkipsIn Summer ChallengeLeave a comment

How are you doing with your summer challenge? I’m brainstorming my layout and trying to figure out how to paper piece my name so it’s about 4 inches across.

Have you seen the latest issue of Love Patchwork and Quilting?

They’ve got a pass holder project that you could easily use as a holder for a name tag!

Let us know how you’re doing in the comments. Be sure to check out our Pinterest page for more inspiration!

June Meeting Recap

On June 13, 2015August 21, 2015 By corkipsIn Block of the Month, Meeting Recap, Summer Challenge1 Comment

Well, we’ve had our last meeting for the summer! I hope everyone had an amazing time at the meeting. Wasn’t Irene MacWilliam’s talk such an inspiration?

We started the meeting announcing the Summer Challenge: Nametags! We’d love to be welcoming to new members and to be able to know everyone’s names!

Be sure to check out our Pinterest page for inspiration for your nametag. Click on the photo to take you to the board.

We also passed out a special “Southern Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society” tag to include on your nametag. If you weren’t able to get to the meeting and would like to participate, please send an email to corkips AT gmail DOT com. From there, Erin will give you an address to send a self addressed stamped envelope so you can be sent a tag.

The Block of the Month was announced as well, the X-Plus Block!

We’ll be continuing this project over the summer, posting the instructions here on the blog. Be on the lookout in the beginning of July and August.

Irene MacWilliam also gave a retrospective on her work, and brought along samples to share. Here’s a slideshow of some of the works she brought along to show:

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Our Show and Tell was also inspiring! Just look at all these projects!

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Our next meeting will be September 12th, but keep watching the blog. We’ve got a lot of content planned to give you your patchwork fix! Have a great Summer!

Don’t Forget about our Pinterest Website!

On April 17, 2015August 21, 2015 By corkipsIn AdminLeave a comment

Stuck in a rut with your quilting? Did you enjoy making the block from the block of the month?

Don’t forget to check out our Pinterest website! We’ve got boards over there for each of our Blocks of the Month, and of our recent demonstrations/speakers!

I’ve spent some time this morning finding some tutorials about improvisational piecing if you were inspired by Sandra Jensen’s talk at the last meeting!