MLK Weekend 2013, Part 1

My quilt group, the Brown Baggers, has been holding an MLK quilt weekend for so long now that I've lost track. At least 18 years would be my guess. We happily sew from Friday to Sunday, and those of us that are lucky enough to have Monday off have a day to recuperate before returning to the work world.

I reported in with the first finished project at around 11 am on Friday. This small fleece blanket has already been promised to a customer. Sadly, the Patriots lost their game on Sunday night and will not be going to the Super Bowl.

Aside from the fleece blanket, I only brought one project to work on which is unusual for me. I like to break it up and work on a lot of different things. This is one corner of Anna's wedding quilt. There is still a ways to go, but I've told myself that I can't work on anything else until this is done. Anna got married last May so I'm trying to finish the quilt before her first anniversary. I'm in love with the colors.

Here is Kim G. Kim is one of our most prolific quilters. She is FAST! And on top of being a super fast quilter, she also runs her own business, travels the world, and is the Mom to two teen-age daughters. Kim is pretty much always in motion. Kim finished at least four quilt tops, and had two more on her design wall by the time she left on Sunday.

This is Kim's train quilt. She created the
pattern from a coloring book. Super cute!

Kim's kaleidoscope star, a Bethany Reynold's pattern,
in cool winter tones. Doesn't it look like giant snowflakes?

Bento Box in oriental prints.

A Brown Bagger favorite...Yellow Brick Road.

You will probably see these blocks become two finished quilt
tops next week when the Brown Baggers head to the Cape.

Cordula finished this gorgeous Asian quilt, which is her own original design. She was inspired by the center panel.

Here are some wonderful quilts by Karen. An engineer by day and a talented quilt designer by night, you can find out more about Karen and her patterns on her website, QuiltLily Designs.

One of Karen's original patterns. You can purchase this pattern on Karen's website.

Happy Turkey Day!

Love the colors in this bag. We call this bag, the Schlep Bag.
This pattern has been around for a long time. I'm not sure of the actual pattern
name. It's kind of like potato chips, you just can't make one.

Kim and Karen are sisters who both love to quilt. Their Mom, Carolyn, is also a quilter. Kim spent the whole weekend working on her Bonnie Hunter Easy Street Mystery. She is the furthest ahead on the Brown Bagger Easy Street Mystery Team and we expect her quilt to be all put together next weekend at the Cape.

Joannie, at left, and Kim, show off two of Kim's completed blocks.
Can you count the one zillion pieces in each? Looks great Kim!

We kicked off the year right with our new 2013 birthday blocks and a birthday party for Marion. Each year we choose a pattern (participation optional) and make blocks for each other in the birthday girl's choice of colors.

This year, each participant will receive two different blocks--a square
in a square and a pinwheel. Marion provided the pale blue batik background print.
Notice that she is wearing a coordinating sweater to her birthday blocks.
She did that all weekend, wearing an outfit that matched her project. She claims it was an accident.

This is Marion's birthday loot. Don't they look pretty?

Marion spent most of the weekend working on her Easy Street Mystery Quilt. By the end of the weekend, she had finished step 5. There are 8 steps in total.

Here is Marion happily sewing away!

I almost forgot that Marion and I did work on another project--we finished
the top of the baseball t-shirt quilt. This is a custom order for a high
school graduation gift. It made a very big quilt!

Joannie, Sally and Terri, also members of the Brown Bagger Bonnie Hunter Easy Street Mystery Team, spent the weekend working on their quilt tops. Sally has also finished through step 5, Joannie has finished through step 6 and Terri is ready to start assembling block 1.

Sally, the President of the Ironing Club, shows off her technique

Joannie at work

Blocks are in position

Have rotary cutter, will cut!

The Easy Street Mystery Team!

Part 2 to follow soon!

Linking to Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Sew Many Ways and Richard and Tanya Quilts. These are great blogs, go check them out!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy