2018 Quilt Retreat – Day #2

Another full day of stitching! What a joy!

Camelia’s 2018 Quilt Retreat – Day #2

After breakfast, the ladies got to work.

Camelia’s 2018 Quilt Retreat – Morning sewing has begun!

Becky is working on some appliqué.

Camelia’s 2018 Quilt Retreat – Becky’s Pumpkins & leaves

Not all stitching is by machine. Dot is hand stitching the binding on a quilt. Almost done!

Camelia’s 2018 Quilt Retreat – Dot hand stitching a quilt binding.

Lynne is working on a Boy Scout themed quilt.

Camelia’s 2018 Quilt Retreat – Lynne’s quilt for a new Eagle Scout

Camelia’s 2018 Quilt Retreat – Lynne’s Eagle Scout Quilt back

Several years ago, I had been a block tester for Quiltmakers’ 100 Blocks. This was volunteer, but we would usually get some small token of thanks. One year I received a bundle of 30 Fat Eights (9″ x 20″ Strips of fabric).

Camelia’s 2018 Quilt Retreat – My bundle of 30 Fat Eights, Southern Exposure by Moda

I have never worked with this precut before and I wanted to make something to remember my experience as a Block Tester. After some searching on the Internet I discovered this pattern – Fat Eights Frenzy by Fat Quarter Shop. Kimberly does fine work with her patterns and many come with instructional videos which I enjoy as I finally discovered I am a visual learner and watching is better than reading.

So my day began with this – a bundle of 30 pieces of fabric that are 9″ x 20″. I needed 15 Lights & 15 Darks for this pattern. Tip: Use the Black & White feature of your digital camera (phone/camera) to check the contrast of your darks & lights. What did we do without this neat feature!? Thank you, Amy, for helping me play “solitaire and matching fabric.

Pairing Lights & Darks

Using Black & White feature on my phone/camera to check out the contrast

I started this project after breakfast, about 9:00 am. I got the last seam stitched and the top ironed about 11:00 pm, this included Lunch & Dinner breaks and a 2 hour nap. Another top Finished!! WHOO! HOOT!! Although I will vegg on this a bit. I think it may need a small brown border (2″) and a larger ?tan? border (4″), maybe a cream 2″ border & a brown 4″ border? I’m open for opinions.