SuzzyQ

Just finished day one of a week long project introducing modern/quick quilting to 4-Hers between the ages of 9 and 16. What a fun group of enthusiastic kids! I had them pick 4 2 1/2" strips from my stash (mostly donated fabric from ladies I quilt with). They did remarkably well on the 1/4" seams and pressing. And most made a second strip set as well.

I had them then cut 2 1/2" strips from their strip set and then sew them together flipping the 2nd and 4th strip to make 16 patch blocks. Had one younger member sew on another strip to her strip set the make a tube and cut 45 degree triangles to get diagonal striped blocks.

Will show others tomorrow/Tuesday how to do rail fence. All 9 are having a great deal of fun and very enthusiastic. And we will learn next some colour theory including the light/dark sorting.

I should have taken pictures of my car packed to the gills with my equipment and supplies - including 9 sewing machines and 3 totes of fabric, mats, cutters.... There was barely enough room for me, my DD (my tote and haul person) and my DGD who is spending the week with Grammy so she can take this project.

This is the culmination of nearly 5 years of preparation and planning.
I also have 7 4-H volunteers who either have some quilting experience or who want to learn. They will be rotating throughout the week. Since I am still waiting on the second knee replacement, I need and appreciate the extra supervision they supply to keep everyone sewing and safe using the machines, the cutters and the iron. Better for my nerves too.

We will learn about maintaining your machine before the end of the project and everyone will have something Finished by Friday. They will be using from my stash and donated fabrics from the ladies I quilt with or they can supply their own. I have a tote of cotton batting scraps and a bag polyester batt pieces also. So far the thread has cost about $45.

Our Achievement program (where we show off what we've learned) will be at the local fair in the fall, tying quilts and displaying our finished projects. We're hoping people will sit and tie with us and talk with the members. Fair theme this year is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle so it fits.

Any suggestions to add?

Pictures will be posted at end of the week.