Guild workshop: small numbers yield big results

I'm always amazed and delighted at the dedication and productivity of the work my quilt guild, the Choo Choo Quilters, has when we get together for our annual Cuddle Quilt workshop. We have a small guild—a roster of about 25 members—but our small numbers are mighty when it comes to supporting our community service project.

Ginny (left) and I hold a colorful scrappy quilt top made by Linda.

This year, the Choo Choo Quilters are digging into their stashes and wallets to make bed quilts (twin and queen size) for a local organization. During yesterday's workshop, three bed size quilt tops were completed and great progress was made on several others.

Tea Cup quilt blocks
The completed Tea Cup blocks went up on a makeshift design wall (a flannel-backed tablecloth over a stand alone white board) early in the day.

Tea Cup quilt blocks on a portable design wall.

We gathered 140 blocks that guild members made. It was determined that the bed size quilt required a 9 x 11 layout, so we began arranging the numerous blocks on the floor. 

Working on a 9 x 11 block layout.

Ta-daa! A finished Tea Cup block quilt top (99 blocks).

Cristy (left) and Kay with the completed Tea Cup quilt top.

Crazy Patch blocks
Sherry and Ginny, the Big Quilt Coordinators, made pre-cut quilt block kits for workshop participants. The block was a stack-slice-shuffle crazy patch block. Here are blocks from two of the three colorways.

Crazy Patch quilt blocks on the design wall.

More crazy patch blocks.

Plaid Surprise blocks
The instructions for the Plaid Surprise blocks was distributed at the July guild meeting. Some of these blocks were turned in at the workshop.

Left: Plaid Surprise Disappearing 9-patch blocks.
Right: trimmings from the blocks will be used to create another block.

Easy Woven and String quilt blocks
Batting was measured and cut for the Woven Block quilt top and others.

Sherry cut batting for completed quilt tops.

Earlier in the year, the guild members made string blocks. This top is ready for quilting.

String quilt top ready for quilting.

Cutting tables and ironing boards were set up for shared use.

Cutting stations.

And we all enjoyed the sewing and camaraderie.

Cuddle Quilt workshop attendees.

Surplus Tea Cup blocks

I offered to take the additional 41 Tea Cup blocks home with me. This is a fast and easy block that I enjoyed making (and using up fabric scraps). I'll be piecing a few more blocks with the hope of getting enough for another quilt top.

Tea Cup blocks on my design wall.

2019 Cuddle Quilt Goal
This year's goal is 20 bed size quilts. We already have 17 that are in various stages of completion. I'd say that's quite an accomplishment for a small guild!