Saturday Stitching Day

I was really looking forward to attending the stitching day organised by my quilt club – especially as I hadn’t managed to attend since July.  Too much tripping around, I guess.  These stitching days are easy and fun, with  everyone taking their own projects to work on.  Sit and sew at it’s best, with plenty of companionship and chatter added into the mix.  I decided to take my light box and prepare my next stitchery project, a series of New Zealand native trees designed in a roundel shape – now all ready to work on during our next big  caravan trip away.

Variety was certainly the name of the game, and it was so interesting seeing what the other ladies were doing.  Some were doing handwork, and I loved Annette’s red work Santas.  She was also working on her beautiful Patchwork of the Crosses blocks, all hand done too.

Annette’s lovely work

I can’t imagine myself ever stitching the La Passacaglia Quilt, but certainly admire those who do.  Ute brought her quilt top along, almost completed now, except for a few filler blocks needed along the edges.  The La Passacaglia design is beautiful, a riot of colour with all those little pieces hand stitched together.

La Passacaglia stitched by Ute

Two completely different hand projects were the intricate hydrangea petals which Lynne was assembling.  She enjoyed this making this project to much that this is her second one.

Lynne’s Hydrangea blocks

And Dianne was pinning folded petals onto balls to make a series of Christmas baubles.  I remember doing that many moons ago.

Dianne’s Christmas balls

The machine stitchers were busy too.  Margaret is taking a class on heritage style blocks, all aimed at getting the most out of the sewing machine and using those fancy stitches we all seem to ignore.  Her crazy patch block in soft greens with a touch of navy is lovely indeed.  And Kath’s Peekaboo Owl block is one of a series to eventually become a cushions for her grandchildren.  Madalyn’s Daily Dot blocks are coming along.  With 365 to stitch, this is a long term project.

Crazy patch block and Peekaboo owl

Daily Dot blocks

And for something completely different, Cheryl had a production line gong on sun hats.  She is a real expert on these and has made over 300 hats now.  Here she is modelling a very fetching navy blue hat.

Sun hat made and modelled by Cheryl

While we were all beavering away inside the hall, there was plenty going on outside too.  Just across the road is RJ’s Licorice factory, one of the many local producers taking part in Horowhenua Taste Trail where customers can get free tastings and purchase local food.  I saw people leaving RJs with big bags and even cartons of licorice!  Also on offer was fresh veggies, asparagus, pesto, free range poultry and pork products, wine and even eels – all local farms and factories.