Lots of night classes started up all over the country this week for the "Spring Term". When I am going to class in the evening I always start out with one carrier bag, then remember that I have forgotten something and add another bag, then, just when I am packing up the car I'll think of something else, a quilt, some rulers, the iron, and throw another bag/box/container in. So there I am laden down with bags and boxes even though I do my best to try and be organised beforehand. Anyhow, to add to the mayhem I have just made another bag to carry the little portable iron I usually bring to class, except this time I have included a quilted surface cloth to iron on, a pressing cloth and some grease proof paper (which will come in handy when using any of the fusible webbings), so now I have everything together in one place. I recycled some curtain fabric to make the outside of the bag, lined it with batting to give it some extra weight and sturdiness and then used a coordinating cotton for the inside and the binding, but the real cherry on the cake was the fabric button I had in my stash with the image of a sewing machine, and this was the perfect place to use it. Actually it is not a button at all but a brad which I glued on, the closure itself is a velcro strip.
Before we start the new term of classes I thought I might share some photos of the wonderful work the ladies completed last term. The quilt they are making is the "Quilt of Memories" I designed specifically with beginners in mind and the one that appeared in "Irish Country Living" (Irish Farmers Journal) over ten weeks as a block a week. Their work is amazing especially when you consider some of them are complete beginners. Most quilt tops are completed at this stage and we will now go on to layer, baste and quilt over the next couple of weeks.
