Retreat Makes...

You would be forgiven for thinking that simply meeting, talking, smiling and hugging were the main pastimes at Retreat, but there was also a little making going on.

My first class on Saturday morning was Freezer paper-piecing with the mega-talented Kerry.  Looking at the examples she had bought with her, confirmed her position up there on Top of the PoPS (Piecer of Paper Sewist).

My head was so buzzing, I plumped for the easiest block first, under the naivety that I would be able to go at my normal pace and whiz through all the pin cushion patterns. 

I now know better.

Look, the back says 'Green's' 'cause I made it in Mrs Green's class!!!

I found it quite hard to concentrate and believe it was all actually happening at that point in the weekend, so there were silly mistakes and things not going quite as well as I would like, but that didn't matter one bit.  I was there and doing it!

When the patterns come out in the Fat Quarterly Retreat edition, I will be making the little house straight away.

Saturday afternoon was spent embroidering - it was calm, relaxing and the perfect antidote to the manic hours before.  Aneela is not really evil, she is amazing, and her enthusiasm is infectious - I think I see a lot of little embroidered pieces in my future, especially very near-future as, until my arm heals,  I think this is going to keep me sane.

Too excited - I haven't even got the water-soluble pen off yet!

I didn't get onto the stocking pattern we had prepared, it was just lovely to watch others work, chat and 'be there'.

Sunday started bright and early with Lynne's paper-piecing class.  From the minute I heard about Retreat, and knew it coincided with Jubilee, I knew I wanted to make a Union Jack.  Heck, I reckon the Jubilee was a big old publicity stunt and fuel for Mrs G's flag fetish!

I pulled some of my favourite and hoarded fabrics for this one.  Again, somehow time ran away with me and I only managed 2 quarter pieces in the 3 hours, but I learnt a lot more; (fold the next seam line and cut the seam allowance first to match the next piece - doh - brilliant!), and it was the good laugh I was expecting. 

So yesterday I finished my cushion!!  OK this is a cushion that is actually a pillow, but don't get me started...

I absolutely love it - it makes me so happy, and although I finished it at home, I had Twitter rolling up on my laptop at the same time, just so I was, in effect, still in the company of the Fat Quarterly crew, perfect.

Last but never least, on Sunday afternoon I made my first frame purse.  First, because I ordered some glue off eBay as soon as I got home, I already have more frames, I have fabric, I now have inspiration!

Despite fears that the weight of all my wealth would part the fabric from the frame in an instant, I think I will be proudly carrying my 56p around in this beauty forever...

Katy's class was brilliant, it was the shortest session I did, but I could have happily made frame purses with her and the lovely people I spent that time with for a whole weekend... maybe the glue has affected my judgement, but I doubt it!

I know we could only do four sessions, and I was so lucky to get the 4 I really really wanted to do, thank you so much ladies, but I would have loved to have done all the other sessions too.  I know I am definitely going to be pestering Lu for Porthole advice, as the samples everyone made were so amazing I want to make some too. 

So there you go - that's what I made - things I will look at forever and think of all the fun, amazing and talented people I made them with.  Sentimental, moi?  Oh yes, and I think these are the most perfect souvenirs of my weekend away.

Speaking of souvenirs, tomorrow I will show you all the other goodies that made their way home with me - I am feeling very lucky indeed.
xxx