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Tuesday 5 June 2012

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

37 comments:

  1. I love your pillow so much - I feel so proud and happy looking at it and the bit about the Jubillee being a stunt for me to promote my flag fetish made me hoot like a hyena

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  2. Your UJ pillow looks fab & we made matching purses (mine is in a different colour way). I too see many more of these in my future!

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  3. Another great post. Your purse and UJ are fab :-)

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  4. well done on finishing the pillow. That's on my list for this week. I sneaked into John's class to work on the iron man challenge so got to take 4 1/2 classes.

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  5. Great post! Love that pillow especially - would have signed up for that class myself I'm sure!

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  6. Lovely! Absolutely gorgeous things you made! It looks like a lot of fun and learning.

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  7. My favourite would be the Union Jack cushion (pillows have cases where I come from!)....and I'm a Republican!

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  8. Gorgeous pillow cushion, mmm nice purse and definitely the glue! Kerry has some freezer pp patterns for download on her blog if you can't wait, including a house one! happy days. x

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  9. You made lovely things! I sure enjoyed my classed too but I too had the same difficulty talking and sewing and laughing - it is much slower but fun.

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  10. You got loads done - hope the arm heals soon.

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  11. Making me emotional all over again! All your makes looks gorgeous! xxx

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  12. Wow, Hadley, everything you made is really pretty, but the UJ is beautiful. Love all your fabric choices!

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  13. I second Kerry. Damn I love you Hadley.

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  14. The frame purses get addicting.
    partly because they use up the smallest scraps in a grand manner.

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  15. Fantastic makes and I love the pillow/cushion in particular.

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  16. Wow! What a gorgeous selection of makes. Love that Union Jack cushion and the purse is just so cute with that fabric.
    I've been following your lovely blog for a little while now, but don't think I've commented before. I wondered where you bought your purse frames?

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  17. It looks like you had so much fun! I'm jealous! :)

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  18. Great makes Had, especially love your jubilee cushion! Jxo

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  19. Your makes are lovely and it appears I had a lovely time as well. Great job.

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  20. Just found a few minutes (have the twin side of the family staying and you know what that's like) to sit down and go through your posts from the retreat. You had fun! I love the cushion. So sorry to hear about your accident and hope you are recovering. x

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  21. Fabulous post and wonderful makes! I love your cushion that's a pillow that's a cushion - I want one!!!

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  22. I adore your pillow - enjoy your glue high!

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  23. Wow, your makes look amazing! And I love love love the finished pillow. It's the one other class I would have wanted to do if I could have squeezed in a fifth.

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  24. Wow I love your cushion, and your purse they both look amazing. Must get my purse finished soon. I was too busy yapping to get it done in class lol

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  25. great makes Hadley, especially the pillow. I finished piecing mine yesterday, just need to finish it off now

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  26. Shockingly gorgeous pillow Hads! I haven't had the energy to make anything as yet! Maybe tomorrow!

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  27. Looks like you had a fabulous time there. I hoe they do it again soon.

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  28. Can't believe you've got everything finished already - your day must have more hours than mine....I've only unpacked my suitcase so far! Sorry our paths didn't cross to chat, but there's always next year!

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  29. You managed to make brilliant things over the weekend! I want to do all the other classes too now.

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  30. Such a clever lady you are! I am in awe, I've only just got home good an proper and am still just a little too tired!

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  31. Freakin awesome cushion, Ms H - and you are as productive as normal...still waiting to hear your secret on that! Lovely to meet you properly :) x

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  32. what a lovely post and such super makes ... I do hope your arm feels better soon xx

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  33. You did great Mrs. That union Jackie pillow looks amazing. I'm a tad concerned that your wealth has diminished by 44p. Must have been paying off the district nurse then eh? Xxxxx

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  34. Your Union Jack looks brilliant. I'm still struggling to get my horizontal and vertical stripes attached to mine. Like your other finishes too.

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  35. So glad you had a good time! Thanks for keeping us posted and telling us all about it.

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  36. Gorgeous stuff. Thanks for sharing the inspiration...quite green at you doing those classes.

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  37. Its remarkable that anyone got any sewing done in the middle of all that cackling fun!!! Well done, your projects are gorgeous!!

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