Dancing With The Chairs
November 9th, 2009
It’s so hard to think of words as I bask in the afterglow of the most amazing quilt retreat ever. Our hostess Karen set up the most amazing retreat in what can only be called paradise. Our retreat was at the Falls Creek Conference Center near Raymond, WA. Sarah, Sarah’s mom Kirsty and I set up shop in the center of the gym. The center of the quilting universe.
Falls Creek is an amazing place and our hosts could not have been more wonderful and accommodating. Great food, great lodging and great kindness. Having four days of the ultimate quilting weather (rain, hail, thunder and lightening) wasn’t too shabby either. The best part was being among such wonderful and amazing ladies - creating wonderful and amazing works of art. It was great to finally meet Michelle of Busy Bee Quilt Designs (who I’ve always referred to as “Hip to Be Square Michelle”). We also got to meet fellow bloggers Robin of Crafty Musings and Evelyn of Use the Loot (and her killer peanut butter cup cookies). And being among my friends like Carol-O, Judy, Robin & Mary, Laura & Susan, Mary & Teresa and Jane & Joan… that was gravy.
There were over 60 of us, but we were in a huge gym and we each had our own table - so there was plenty of elbow room. Sarah, Sarah’s adorable mom (aka MommaAnyoneCanQuilt) and I were in our own little table “pod”. Between Sarah’s imitations of Herbert from the Family Guy and my attempts to imitate Wendy Williams doin’ her “How You Doin’?“… it was far more a laughing retreat then a quilting retreat for us. There was also the My Little Pony drinking incident - but we’re trying to keep that hush-hush. Sarah’s got the scoop on it all.
Sarah’s mom looks on as her little girl and her little friend play with their toys.
After most went to bed… in the wee, wee hours… after way too much candy and coffee… it was then that Sarah spotted the roller skates. And then it happened:
(Works best if you pause it, let it load, and then play it. If the video does not appear, click here.)
As I mentioned in my previous post, Karen asked me to do a quilt-as-you-go demo since I’d done some QAYGing in the past (my Roly Poly quilt’s center). My demo was a mess - but it’s not like Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno were judging me. I don’t know who the genius is who thought up the QAYG method. I wish I did… so I could apologize for butchering his/her trick.
Quilt As You Go:
1. For my 4-block quilt, I used two 1¾” strips (then folded) and two 1⅛” strips - the length of the backed and quilted block to make my rows. To join my rows, I have one long 1¾” strip (then folded) and one 1⅛” strip. After I measure my completed rows I will cut the strips to that length.
2. Join a 1⅛” strip, rights sides together on top of the block and the 1¾” folded strip the back of the block (raw edge to raw edge). Join by stitching a ¼” seam.
3. Flip top strip over. Press.
4. With right sides together, I join the next block to the top strip.
5. Raw edges together, join by stitching a ¼” seam. Flip block over and press.
6. On back side of row, flip over folded strip and stitch with a slip-stitch. If you love stitching binding down… you will love this. The technique is the same.
7. Join your rows in the same manner as joining the blocks into rows.
8. Press front.
9. Flip back over and repeat step 6.
Bind it… and tah-dah - it’s done!
Well, it’s DONE if you quilted ALL of your blocks.
Posted in Quilty n Crafty, Tips & Trix, Field Trip |
Unsupervised quilting, crafting, mischief and absurdity from my teenie weenie tiny little studio in the woods on the North Oregon coast.
Lovely lovely quilt and what fun you must have had all those days. I cán’t believe being there with 60 other lovely ladies. Incredible!!!
November 10th, 2009Ya’ll look like you were having way too much fun!! Loved the QAYG demo!
ttfn :) Yuki
November 10th, 2009Dancing with the Chairs - You crack me up. (Thanks, I needed that at almost 7 in the morning.)
November 10th, 2009LOL - that is the best dancing ever! Thanks for making me giggle..it’s just what I needed.
Great tutorial too and cute quilt!
November 10th, 2009You people are cah-razy. I’ve already addressed this issue with SW3. You girls are in BIG trouble. And the drinking incident…Well! I just don’t know what to say. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Can you say T.I.M.E.O.U.T???
November 10th, 2009Hilarious! Thanks for sharing. Looks like everyone had a Wonderful time!
November 10th, 2009Oh, that little quilt is so cute. I’ve kind of wanted to try to QAYG, but never have. Maybe someday. :)
The Dancing with the Chairs looked like a blast. I can’t believe you have shoes on, tho! :) Your spins are fabulous. :)
November 10th, 2009I don’t watch much reality TV, but your Gymnasium Chair Dancing is stellar… in a gown, with some feathers… I could watch for hours… I would even consider auditioning.
November 10th, 2009The QAG: I will have to return to when I have my brain fully engaged and my house unpacked.
Love the quilt, now I’ll have to figure out the technique too. Oh wait, Gudrun is showing us how too also! Monica the birds are so cute and I’m glad you had a ball, I’m adding the retreat to my “Wish List”
November 10th, 2009Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, you have me totally losing it this morning! That looks like SO much fun. I would have been all over that too!
November 10th, 2009Dancing with the Chairs…. LOL!!!!!!!!!
November 10th, 2009I sense a new Olympic sport in the making here. And that tutorial is beautiful (because I love stitching binding down, it’s my therapy).
November 10th, 2009Having read Sarah’s version (more racey) and laughing it was fun to come see your video and read what you had so say. I can only be happy for you both and excited to be a bystander to see your fun time. Good for you girls!! And the ponies. Loved the video. But loved the little tutorial. I’ve tried this before but mine didn’t look like yours. This is just so adorable.
November 10th, 2009Could you be more full of fun Monica?! Darling quilt- so cheerful. Thanks for the laughs.
November 10th, 2009Too funny! I can’t stop laughing now!
Love your QAYG project. Cute fabrics!
November 10th, 2009What fun! Sounds like a great retreat.
November 10th, 2009Seriously my daughter has just come in to check I’m ok I’m cackling so loud at the second viewing of that vid. Own up - who has the filthy laugh? Genius adding the music at the end :D :D
What is it about Family Guy? At the last craft fair we went to, ,y eldest and I were going round saying ‘ooh piece a candy’ a la James Woods in Family Guy every time we saw something yummy! Which was a LOT! ;)
Love that quilt, so gorgeous.
November 10th, 2009ROFLMAO! Oh, Monica, you are a crazy woman. In a good way of course. The chair dancing is classic. I liked Sarah’s roller-skating twirl-n-stop too.
Can your little quilt be any cuter? I submit it can NOT!
November 10th, 2009P.S. Carmen–my husband and I say that all the time too….”ooh! Piece of candy!” “ooh! Piece of candy!” LOLOL!
November 10th, 2009Roller Dollz and the roller chair derby!
TY for the tute. Cute, cute tute.
November 10th, 2009Ahhhh you guys are killing me. I’m so jealous. I told Sarah I’m completely with her on the Union Jack Quilt, I JUST got the pattern the other day and have my pile of fabric to get started. Love the one in the photo. Looks like you had so much fun.
And if that method is quilt as you go, why are you handquilting?
November 10th, 2009xo
who was that dancing in the video???
it looks like you got a lot crazier than we did. but i wouldn’t say that you had more fun. i was about to explode, it was so good. i just can not stop grinning. :)
November 10th, 2009Monica, being anywhere with you is a blast! Having you “on staff” was even better! Thanks for everything. Let’s do it again.
November 10th, 2009“Hi there Muscle-y Arms, you want a popcicle?…” We had WAY too much fun. It still kills me watching you roll out of frame…and then she’s back!! And you did a great tutorial! Since we didn’t do a twinsy project I think I’m going to make one of these to hang in my sewing room (sniff sniff), to always remind me of what fun we had! And mama was so sad to leave, she’s driving back to MT as I type. :(
November 10th, 2009The Quilt Retreat looks like so much fun! Love the video, haha! Thanks for the tutorial!
November 10th, 2009Hey there, Speedy! Sure had a great time with everyone this weekend. You and Karen always make for a fun weekend. Especially after hours! Made the extra stop at Sister’s on the way home, of course. Zeke is well and Jerry is home. Hope to see you soon!
November 10th, 2009Hugs
Now I know what I’ve been forgetting to pack when i have swing days with friends — ponies!! Well, ponies and roller skates, but our chairs don’t have wheels, so it wouldn’t really work out as well.
November 10th, 2009Killerama!!! Love it and soooooo sorry I missed it!
November 10th, 2009Totally love the QAYG, very fun project will have to give it a try soon.
lovely QYAYG instructions.
November 10th, 2009I sort of know how..but always good for monkee see monkee do type people to have pictures.
I do not understand how my brain can synthesize information for a thesis with no problems but cannot follow quilting instructions and pattern instructions….I keep asking for things that seem to be left out….monkee see monkee do I have concluded is my monika.
I have some nice gold embroidered angels on black with pellon backing and have been considering strip pieced Christmas fabrics on pellon to go with them and now I can “see” what to do…I may even get motivated.
Thanks again.
So multi-talented you are! I’m in awe.
November 10th, 2009Ohhh, that looks like so much fun. What a great venue for a retreat, all that space.
Your quilt is gorgeous! Georgia Bonesteel was my intro to QAG, I think she made “lap quilting” popular way back when. WETA in Seattle is currently showing her programs, not sure if they’re the ones from long ago.
Love your blog!
November 10th, 2009Oh Monica, that sounds like great fun! And it was so nice to watch the video. :o) One can see that you´ve had had a fantastic time and I´m green with envy that I couldn´t spend this time with you, hehehehe…
November 10th, 2009Außerdem sieht dein Quilt total klasse aus!!
Ich grüße dich ganz herzlich,
Sabine xx
wow! What a great time and then to actually get something made! WONDERFUL!
November 11th, 2009Looks like so much fun! I am so glad you got to go…and your peeps quilt is darling. I like the way you put it together!
November 11th, 2009Doh! Clearly, I picked the wrong night to stay up late. Y’all had waaaay too much fun. And how cool is it that you caught it on video? Wow!
It was so awesome getting to meet you, Karen, and all of the other ladies this weekend. It was truly a blast!
November 11th, 2009I have always wanted to try quilt-as-you-go but I haven’t seen it explained this clearly!
Also, you and PamKM are now officially in more magazines than Kate Gosselin.
November 12th, 2009OMG!!! That video is too funny!!! At least you were getting some sort of exercise! And the music… it looks like you were doing Zumba in your rolly chair!
I, too, will have to come back to see the qayo technique. I’ve always wanted to learn how, but I’m laughing too hard right now!
November 12th, 2009I kmew it would be great fun with you there :-) VERY sweet qayg you made!
November 12th, 2009How fun the quilt retreat looks! I think you and your fellow quilter are having way too much fun! Love the tutorial. I’ll have to try that wonderful little quilt. It’s just too cute.
Happy Quilting!
November 12th, 2009I absolutely LOVE your quilt-as-you-go quilt. The colors are so sweet.
November 12th, 2009looks like you had a great time.. thanks for sharing!!
November 12th, 2009Thank you, oh, so, much for this great video. It was a rough morning until now, from this moment on, I will have the skating chairs in my head! Julie
November 13th, 2009Sounds like such fun. Now why wasn’t I invited???? :o)
November 18th, 2009Love the little quilt.
I’m back to this post digesting the quilt as you go method. Thanks for the tutorial. I love handstitching binding, so I’m going to have to try this technique. Plus, I have some of that same swell stripe in my stash that needs to be used up.
November 20th, 2009Carrie Ann - 9
November 28th, 2009Len - 9
Bruno - 9
Raesha - 10 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 10 !!!!!
Ok but I really want to know who fell on their ass when there was all that commotion off camera:)