Beyond Stitchin' Mission Classes Available

Thanks to input from a number of you, a schedule is posted on the Stitchin' Mission website for Beyond Stitchin' Mission classes. These are lessons for anyone who has made a quilt and wants to learn more. Classes for up to six students will be in August, September and October.

Some of the classes are: t-shirt quilt, "Turning Twenty" quilt, "Harmony" (a Nancy Odom wall hanging pattern), and technique lessons where you pick the pattern you want to make!

Note that daytime and evening classes are available and scheduled fortnightly! Yes, every two weeks. That's intentional, so students have time to work on their projects, without rushing. It will also be a goal to complete each project. With student input, we'll pick a date many weeks or even months after the last lesson to have a finishing class.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think about all this. I appreciate the encouragement you've given me to give this a try.

Stringing Colors Update

Saturday, August 29

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

West Des Moines United Methodist Church

8th and Grand, West Des Moines

Stringing Colors blocks will be sewn into queen-sized quilts for Australian Bushfire Relief. (Read more about it and see pictures of quilts on the blog: Oz Comfort Quilts.)

The effort to make 4,000 quilts, one for every person touched by the February 7, 200 bushfires in the Australian state of Victoria, touched my heart. In April I saw, first-hand, a small part of the stricken areas, as well as interviewed quilters who are leading the relief effort. (My article about the bushfires and quilts will appear in the Oct/Nov issue of Quilter's Newsletter magazine.)

As some of you know, our daughter lives in Sydney, Australia. With the anticipated arrival of our first grandson in October, I will be returning to that lovely country. I anticipate filling a second suitcase with quilts for victims of bush fires.

Everyone is welcome to come and sew with us, including non-sew-ers! We'll lay out blocks, trying different arrangements, and then web-sew - a great practice opportunity! Non-sew-ers can help by running blocks between the design wall and sew-ers, and pressing (ironing).

Supplies needed are: sewing machine and notions, extension cord/power strip, iron/ironing board (Not everyone needs to bring all these supplies!), and a sack lunch. Drinks will be provided.

Here's a 34" X 47" quilt made with Stringing Colors blocks. It was made by our ever-industrious quilting friend, Norma. Charming, isn't it? Doesn't it make you want to rush to your scrap bin and sew?

Thank you to those of you who have turned in blocks. We're going to have fun playing with them on August 29!