Friday 30 October 2015

30 months, 6 friends, 1 broken shoulder !!

Doesn't every quilt have a great story behind it? Well, this one's no exception ... in fact, this has to be one of my best :)

In June 2013, I joined my first quilting bee, thanks to my dear friend (now) Fran @ patchyroses suggesting me as a participant to our lovely Queen Bee, Maria @sewlovetosew. The other 3 talented ladies were Amy @cloudcoucou, Julie @mackandmabel and Sarah @quiltcandy. The idea was a strip quilt - we'd each make a strip and pass it on, adding a strip to compliment as we went along until all six quilters had added a strip, then the quilt would be returned to its owner.

Here was my starting strip:


Each quilt was very different, I learnt some new paper piecing skills and played with different fabrics and really got to know my fellow Strippers along the way!! 

In fact, we were getting on so well, I invited everyone for a weekend in March 2014 so that we could meet and hand over our finished quilts in person. The day before, I went grocery shopping and, with two heavy bags, I tripped in the street, fell hard, dislocated and smashed my shoulder ... ouch!!

I was devastated - not just for breaking my shoulder - I had to cancel the weekend :( 

The ladies were marvellous about it and Queen Bee organised everyone and they made me a delightful wall-hanging strip and sent me extra gifts too: 


They made me cry:


Everyone was still keen to meet up and, thankfully, we didn't have to wait long. In June 2014, we finally got together. Here am I (you can spot the poorly shoulder) with my finished quilt:


And here's the whole crowd - from left to right: Sarah, Amy, Julie, Me, Maria and Fran:




My shoulder was really smashed so it took me a while before I got back into basting and quilting so she was put on the UFO pile for a year :( But recently, I got her out, dusted her off, added some borders and started quilting:



And here she is, at last - complete:




It took some time but I have a lovely quilt, my shoulder is as good as it will ever be, I can make quilts again and, more importantly, I have 5 new friends ... just like their quilts; they're all different, all unique, all very special. Thank you, ladies, you rock xxxxx

Linking up with Amanda Jean @crazymomquilts and Sarah @Confessionsofafabricaddict

7 comments:

  1. How good to be reminded of our lovely meet up. And despite your injury you've finished quilting yours before I have mine. It looks great. Ours is undoubtedly the best Bee I've ever joined!

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  2. Oh what a happy quilt with lots of memories attached to put in your snug!! Glad your shoulder is feeling much better from a year ago!

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  3. It looks wonderful. I love the borders, they really set the whole thing off. it's been wonderful and inspiring meeting you through the bee although I still feel bad that it lead to you braking your shoulder. I wonder how the quilts from the next round will turn out.

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  4. So glad you're doing better and can finish quilts now. This one turned out super cute. Love the touches everyone gave their row.

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  5. What a wonderful blog post!! Such a lovely reminder of our fantastic bee, and the journey we all had, both literally and metaphorically!! Your finished quilt looks beautiful!!

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