I can't quite believe that this time last week we were fanning ourselves in the Med Kitchen and eating waaaay too much. It feels like a long time ago; it feel like yesterday!
So my classses...
On Friday afternoon I learnt the art of curved paper-piecing. Joanna and Julianna's table-top session was good fun. I don't think that was the intention, but sat between Emily and Liz meant we didn't get as much achieved as we perhaps could have! I managed to stitch a whole 3 pieces together! But I did master a concave and convex curve...
I basted those other pieces on the train home, and this week I have jiggled the pattern a little and come up with this...
Not looking forward to pulling out the basting though.
On Saturday morning I had Touchdraw with patient Lynne. I downloaded this app onto my iPad before I had even got out of bed on my birthday last year. I managed a few basics back then, but wasn't hopeful I would ever get it! In class I created these...
And trying to remember everything I was told, today I managed to create this!!!
Success or what!
Saturday afternoon was the first of my full 3 hour workshop sessions. Portholes with Lu. I missed out on this class last year, and was over the moon to get in this year. I used one of the loaner Pffafs; thank goodness for Ange or I would still be trying to thread the bloody needle now!
In the 3 hours I created my pair of
My final workshop on Sunday morning was Cathedral Windows; another one of those techniques that having looked online, I needed to see in real life to understand. Brioni was a great teacher too; making it look so much easier than I found it on the day to be honest. All that pressing does my head in, but trying to rush did not make for pointy points...
Back home, without fun distractions, (Kerry and Jo mostly), and using card templates for accurate pressing, I have prep'ed the rest of my pieces and am probably going to get stuck in tomorrow when the weather breaks good and proper.
I did not produce any finished items, unlike last year; but I am fine with that because I really have learnt things I would never have been able to alone, and I guess that is what it is all about.
So there you have it. I am linking this post up with the Fat Quarterly linky, and to make it simpler for anyone who is interested, here are links to the rest of my Retreat posts this week...
Where to begin?
Winners...
Fabric, fabric and a bit more fabric...
Giving...
I really hope I have paid justice to the hard work put in by the Fat Quarterly team, and haven't bored you all too much by clinging to
To anyone who I met and spent time with, albeit too brief, over last weekend - here's to next year xxx
WOW! You did great job with all your FQ retreat works! I love the most EPP Architextures (is that so obvious why?:). The final shape is totally different - you added something very new to this pattern. Thank you:)
ReplyDeleteUp skilled , I'd say! Love the curved paper piecing especially.
ReplyDeleteOver achiever!? I got nothing remotely near completion or even at the interesting viewing stage. And yeah I can't believe it was only a week ago now, or that a week has gone by already! We didn't spend nearly enough time nattering together last weekend. Hope we really don't have to wait a whole year to catch up for real though x
ReplyDeleteLooks like you enjoyed learning new skills. I can't get my head around cathedral windows and they look fab. Di x
ReplyDeleteNice post! Oh I so want to learn how to EPP curves!
ReplyDeleteWow the EPP curves look fab! Wish I had got the Cathedral Windows session - card templates sound like a good idea for super-accuracy.
ReplyDeleteI started singing grease when I read your title. I love your curved piecing, it's brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteWow! YOu really have added to your arsenal of tricks. All beautiful. Love your touchdraw medallion - must get in some practice before I forget what Lynne taught us!
ReplyDeleteOh clever you. It always feels fantastic when you learn new skills and actually understand it.
ReplyDeleteYou do have skills! That looks hard.
ReplyDeleteYou haz got skillz! Love all those blocks. Now get over here and teach me!
ReplyDeleteyour eep curved seams piece is stunning! love your fabric choices and the skillz of course!!
ReplyDeleteI love the EPP! I still haven't figured out touchdraw. I think I'm a "have to see it done in person" kind of gal. Trying to install a tapered zip with a lining in a bag still makes my head whirl.
ReplyDeleteShaukat again? 😛
ReplyDeleteGreat Recap. That's funny because we made three of Four Classics the Same and didn't really meet. Hope next time ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow, well done!, thanks especially for showing the completed block of curved EPP, May showed me hers, but she'd got as far as you, so it was difficult to see the result, but I'm very tempted now (if I ever finish any of the other three or four EPP projects on the go!)
ReplyDeleteWell done - maybe one year I will actually speak to you at FQR! ??
ReplyDeleteWow! your curved EPP block turned out bl**dy marvellously... hardly a surprise, I guess!!! I bet you were feeding off my excellent curvey skills ;0P :snort:
ReplyDeleteI keep laughing at how you reacted to my celebration over the worst basting attempt ever. hee hee :0)
I need to take classes with you next year and really distract you. You got far too much done.
ReplyDeleteThe curved EPP is gorgeous! Love your boobies too :)
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying all your retreat posts, I hope to make one of my own this weekend. You sure have mastered touch draw!
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though you learned loads of skillz. The curved PP pieced block looks wonderful and I love Cathedral windows.
ReplyDeleteWell you got a lot more done that I did!! Even with all that socializing - way to go!
ReplyDeleteLove those portholes! Were they difficult?
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm with Ange, ALL laughing is at my expense! I am the butt of all jokes. Ah well :) You've done loads more than I have in any of the classes.
ReplyDeleteYay, go go on the cathedral windows! I am already plotting my next project.
ReplyDeleteWell thank you SO much, now I have bloody Grease stuck in my head... Loving your tits though...
ReplyDeleteYou were a busy bee ! All of it looks so good and I love the curved pieces the best. Great makes.
ReplyDeleteLove the curved piecing and can't wait to see the cathedral windows! What are you going to do with your boobies?!
ReplyDeleteI love your curves missus ;-)
ReplyDeletethe touchdraw pattern looks great!
ReplyDeleteSo many amazing things in there!
ReplyDeleteyou really chose good classes and made great progress with your skills.
ReplyDelete