A Monster Project

Almost two years ago just before the summer break 2012 a challenge was set at class.  Two different pieces of fabrics, a fat quarter and a fat eighth, were given to each of our members.  They were Makower Essentials mini leaves, a white on white fabric and Benartex Natures Etchings, a grey pebble fabric.



The fabrics which appear in each block

The instructions were to add bright fabric or fabrics to these to each make a 12.5inch unfinished block or two.  Block names were placed in a hat and everyone chose.  Some groans and some sighs, but everyone rose to the challenge.  Blocks varied from the simpler rail fence, to the very difficult mariners compass and everything in between.  When we met again in September we had an array of wonderful colourful  blocks and everyone was eager and excited to show and tell and find out what the next step would be.  



On the Design Wall

 

There lay the next challenge - what to do with them.   Lots of discussions ensued about layout, 21 blocks were going to produce a huge quilt.  It was decided to make two.  EQ7 was called upon and a modern layout was designed using 12 of the blocks, and we opted for a more traditional, simple sampler design with sashing for the other 9.  



Not quite the right setting - but almost there

Joining up the blocks was a huge issue.  As quilters out there will realise, everyone sews
differently and we had lots of issues of the not quite 1/4inch seam, some of the blocks varied in size in fact not many were exactly 12.5 inches.  A huge learning curve for everyone.  More discussion about the 1/4inch seam in general, different types of machine feet, pressing, trimming etc over the following weeks kept us all busy.  Then the momentum waned we were all getting a bit fed up working on it. This was no quick project. The tops were pieced together and they were put aside for a while.  

  

Pieced backing

Every so often they would be brought out and discussed, a backing was pieced for each one then we had an evening where one of our members gave a demonstration on an easy way to sandwich a big quilt together.  Another of our ladies showed us how to baste the traditional way with needle and thread.  This was enlightening for everyone and has been used many times since - it certainly beats crawling around on the floor.  

Ok so what comes next, yep the quilting, this took a long time.  Everyone was asked to quilt their own block by machine, we had just completed a day workshop with Bonnie McKerracher, a wonderful lady who instructed us in freemotion quilting.  I had high hopes for some of her designs to appear on the quilt however everyone chickened out for fear they would not be good enough.  The quilts were passed around each of us.  

Fast forward to just before Christmas 2013.  The 'monster' and 'mini' were mentioned again. Mini was lost - no one knew where she had gone.........but she turned up last week!  Monster has had a shake out and the quilting is almost complete.  She is in the final stages, thankfully, and the binding will go on hopefully over the weekend.  Then perhaps we will sit around the table Amish style and hand stitch it down.  When it is totally finished I will make sure I post a picture.

This has been a long journey. Many, many lessons have been learned by everyone who has taken part in the making of the monster.  The importance of reading instructions, taking careful note of requirements and most of all listening to everybody's  tips and ideas through team work and communication.  We spent many nights of tutorials and in discussions about the many processes and although we all got a bit fed up at times I think when the quilts are finished we will look back over the months and remember the highlights of our Tuesday evenings piecing them all together with good friends.  A great group project!   Of course I can hear the next question already ringing in my ears - what are we going to do with them now??