Rag quilt tutorial

With winter upon us so suddenly I can think of nothing nicer to have over the couch in the TV room than a nice cuddly rag quilt.

Today I am sharing the tutorial (there are hundreds on the internet) by Jera from the blog, Quilting in the Rain.

For the full instructions to make this, click HERE

Free baby quilt pattern e-book

For a while now I've been contemplating the thought of trying something other than traditional quilts.  Maybe just get a little more innovative but you know the saying "life happens while you're making other plans" - so applicable to my life.  My big kids are expecting our first grandchild so apart from searching for hints and tips on how to quilt more alternative (driving Glenda from Amafu nuts I'm sure) I have to keep my eyes open for little jewels like these.

Favequilts offer this free e-book with no less than 14 easy baby quilt patterns.  So get your copy by clicking HERE and start downloading.

Freshfordhouse Museum Exhibition 21 - 24 March 2012

Before we all take a break over Easter fellow quilter, Frances van der Walt, organizer of our annual National Quilt Day compiled this report of this special day.

There was a star involved in the organizing of the above event namely my little green car ('Citroentjie' as I like to call it).  Many trips were taken into town.

First I had to consult with Mimi Pretorius, the curator of the Museum.  Then off to the printer to get the free patterns printed.  A few days later, we drove into town again to buy gifts for the lucky draws.  On Monday, 20 March, we picked up all the quilts to be hung in the museum the following day.

On Saturday, 24 March, my little car outshined itself.  After clearing up all the quilts, we packed the car with 7 quilt frames, more or less 70 quilts, 4 plastic containers, 2 baskets and lastly my handbag - only the driver's seat was unoccupied.  Really, really overloaded.  Luckily for me and 'Citroentjie' there was no traffic cops on our way home otherwise a ticket was surely to be issued!

Our quilt show was a great success.  Thanks to all the members and their friends who attended the event on the Saturday morning.

According to Mimi, the curator, even during the week, there were lots of visitors.





It seems that Mari Strydom's little quilt was a great hit!  Thanks to her for designing and demonstrating it.  Ladies, remember the challenge for the third quarterly meeting is THIS quilt.  So please, don't waste time, start as soon as possible, we look forward to see all the 'Welkom' quilts!




Not only did the members enjoy the demonstrations, vendors and tea garden, the display of quilts was to die for!

The winning quilts of our 3 Master quilters were beautiful and inspired all of us to keep on quilting, even if we struggle or are unsure of what we are doing.

It is a pity that Riana Nel's miniature does not qualify her to be a Master quilter.  We all wonder how on earth she managed to work with such small hexagons!

Two of our Guilds' Masters attended the exhibition and on this photo Anne Strauss and Rina Schutte can be seen.  Jolena van Rooyen was out of town and sadly Helene Wolvaardt passed away in January 2012.

We were also reminded how precious life is by looking at the beautiful 'pink quilts'.

The Tolbos group from Bultfontein participated in this exhibition.  They are all skilled quilters and it was a delight to see their work.  Some of the members are part of this Guild since 1989.  Veterans!  Thanks ladies for sharing your work.  I'd especially like to thank Hantie Vorster for collecting and dropping off the quilts.

The Graffit quilt mady by Anne Strauss and her friends was one of my favorites.

It seems as if this quilt by Rina Bredenkamp was made for this bed.

More beautiful quilts from the Tolbos group....

There were quilts for everybody to enjoy.  Who does not know about Elsie van der Bijl's postcards?  Stunning little works of art!  If you really want to enjoy then you should not be in a hurry.  You have to take your time and look at (and read) each and every little card.  Such lovely and inspiring ideas.  I must warn you they are extremely addictive.  When you join a group and made your first card, you can't wait to see what you get in return and every month this cycle repeats itself.

Those of you who know Iessie Steenberg are aware that she is a very busy quilter but still has time to do an outreach in Botshabelo (neighboring township).  She is very proud of all the ladies and likes to share their work.  Looking at these photos of the work they do, she has every reason to be proud of them.

It was a lovely event and on behalf of all the quilters I'd like to thank Mimi Pretorius (curator) for having us.

And from all of us "Thank you Frances for organizing this day!"

Are you still following the rules?

I saw this a while back and had a good giggle and just wondered how many of you are keeping to these?

Easter bunny basket

I do apologize, I missed Valentine's Day completely this year but at my age, what did you expect?  So to make up for it I found a lovely Easter project for those of you still with little ones at home.

Now who wouldn't like to have such a neat Easter bag to carry all the chocolate eggs found around?

Theresa Down Under provided this lovely tutorial, so get started by clicking HERE.

First class for kids

In preparing for the 17th National Quilt Festival held in Bloemfontein from 1-7 July 2013, where there will be quilt classes for kids, our festival coordinator started gathering some of our own children to see what children would be capable of at which age.  This woman, Iessie Steenberg, simply thinks of everything!

For the first class she had daughter, Lia and the moms to help her and the little ones all had to stitch (with a machine!!) around a circle and on a longer straight strip with a quarter inch seam allowance.  Iessie was rather impressed for not only could they all do it but some even better than adult quilters.

Then it was time to do a little hand sewing and this turned out a little harder.  The thread knotted, the needle didn't always stay between the little fingers and the scissors was about the size of their forearms - no wonder.

However these little ones finished an arm pincushion and apart from Ineke who by then decided she'd much rather jump on the trampoline, the others all showed off their work.

For this first lesson Iessie provided all the materials but in future every child will bring along their own fabric. They all however arrived with their own little tool kit be it a tin, bag or basket; they were geared for this.

On this photo Anri can be seen behind the sewing machine on the left, Iessie standing next to her helping Anje.  Nandi (3) was content to be simply jumping up and down.  Behind the sewing machine on the right is Dyso with Lia keeping a watchful eye.  In front of them is mom, Sujanie, helping her own daughter, Ineke.

Trust 'teacher' Iessie to give the little ones homework and for their next class they all have to make 6 yo-yo's but these youngsters do not let anyone wait on them and apparently already finished these for their next class.

These classes are for kids between 6 and 12 years old and will be held once a month unless sport or school activities interfere.

Future quilters of the Oranje Quilters' Guild - we welcome you!!

Are you up for a brand new Mystery quilt?

The Quilters Club of America is running number 6 in their biannual mystery quilts starting TODAY.

If you feel like participating in this, take a look at their blog over HERE.