Stonestead Thursday Stitchers

It was another lovely day joining the Thursday (fortnightly) stitchers in the beautiful grounds of Stonestead.  This was only my second time attending this group, and all the ladies are most welcoming and very pleasant.  I’m sure I’m going to enjoy their company and getting to know them a little better as time goes on.  We were making the most of the good weather and arranged ourselves under the sun umbrellas in the garden.  There was a lot going on an everyone was most industrious.  Mary was busy doing hand appliqué around her angel block, which featured a pieced plaid background.  This was purchased as a kit from Sawmiller’s Quiltery. she told me.

Mary with her Angel block

Hexagon quilts are certainly very popular and Dorothy was busy hand quilting her pretty pink hexagon quilt.  That is a big quilt she seems to be hiding behind.  I really admire all the people who are on the hexagon revival – I’m sure I wouldn’t have the patience to cut, baste, then hand stitch all those hexagons together.

Dorothy with her hexagon quilt

There was a bit of knitting going on too.  Carol was planning ahead for winter and had the knitting needles clacking away as she worked on a “feathers” hat for her daughter.

Carol and her knitting

I admired the Hussif which Joyce had brought along, and she told me that she had made it many years ago.  It is made with the most beautiful wool tapestry showing all sorts of different stitches and has compartments inside to keep the sewing bits and bobs together. 

Joyces’s pretty Hussif

Cheryl has a bit of a production line going making turtles.  She made the first one, now just can’t stop!  These cute little turtles open up to become a sewing kit, so they will make the ideal gift for friends, Cheryl told me.  The turtles have hexagons appliquéd onto their shells.  This one still needs the body stuffed.  Oh dear, I think he needs a head too.

He’s nearly finished

The other two needed to walk on the stone footpath to smell the flowers for their photo shot, I decided.  Don’t they look cute?  You can just see the roll of thread peeking out  by the tail.

Two cute turtle sewing kits

And what was I doing?  I started a new hand project but I’m not telling just yet.  More on that later.  We all enjoyed our Devonshire teas for lunch, hand delivered to our tables in the garden by chief scone maker Kevin – delicious as usual.  Thanks ladies, for your company and a great time stitching.