Hand quilting on the program for the January meeting

We will be holding our January guild meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 in the Cellar Room of the Treasure Island store at 55th and Lake Park Avenue.  The meeting will start at 7 pm, with social time and refreshments starting at 6:30 pm.

For our January program, one of our members, Marilyn, will be teaching some basics of hand quilting.   Here are her instructions about what to bring with you to participate in the lesson:

• Quilting hoop (16 inch minimum diameter to provide sufficient work area) for holding fabric (optional; some folks prefer to use a hoop and others don't)
  
• Plain fabric squares (2) for front and back of practice block.  Recommended size is 20 1/2 '' square (or large enough to fit in the hoop.)   Dark fabric is recommended since it will be easy to mark with chalk pencils and show stitching using light thread.   Light fabric may be used with standard 0.7 mm mechanical pencil to mark lines as an alternative.  The same fabric can be used for both front and back of practice piece if desired.
• One square of batting in the same size as fabric squares.
• Needle and thimble that is comfortable for you.  Marilyn uses needle sizes 7-9; other quilters use much smaller needles.
• Hand quilting thread in a color that is easy to see, but not the same as the color of the basting thread.  Check the thread label to be sure it's suitable for hand use.

Prepare your squares ahead of time by basting the three layers together using large stitches with contrasting  thread.

Various stencils with different quilting patterns and chalk pencils to use on the fabric will be provided for use during the program.