"Bring something to work on..."
 

I went to a class at the local fabric store last night and, while there, met someone from a local quilt group I have been thinking about checking out. Of course, she said, "Bring something to work on." I've never belonged to a local group, other than in campgrounds where we pretty much set our stuff up and left it in the recreation room from one day to the next...it's where I learned to piece quilts. One reason I have not joined a local group is because it seems like such a task to pack up a machine and everything, haul it somewhere, use it, pack it all up a couple of hours later, and bring it all back. So, what do I bring? I know it sounds like kind of a stupid question. I was thinking that I have a bunch of charm packs and have been thinking about using them to make HSTs for a future quilt (no particular pattern in mind). As you can see, I am not real experienced and have a difficult time going to a group I've never been to before. What would you guys suggest? Thanks!

Prepare something to applique or some kind of small items. Maybe mug rugs or placemats. This will help you to get a feel of the group and also to scope around to see what others are working one, which may give you ideas. You may have to prepare a "take-along kit" so that you'll be ready to work.

One group I know takes mostly handwork. Maybe hand embroidery, hand-piecing blocks, Hexie shapes, fabric & glue. Some even bring crochet or knit items they are working on. Hand Binding is another popular take-along. I recently took a bunch of HST's that I needed to square up. (side note: I have got to learn to sew these so that they come out squared. Squaring them is a mindless, boring job.) Some groups like working on the same project, so a lot of them will do the same quilt. This makes it more like a class atmosphere, but few bee's have that type of sewing space so it is mostly discussion. If you are having trouble with layouts, they will probably be happy to give you their opinions.

Bottom line, GO, have fun, find out if it's what you want to do. I love the bee's I go to.

Handwork. Easy to bring.
Sandy

I go to a weekly sewing bee and frequently I bring hand sewing just so I don't have to lug my machine and all the "stuff" that goes with it. That darn thing is heavy!

I usually take handwork because I have a tendency to put it off. If that is all I have to work on, I will get it done.

I love going to classes. It gives me a chance to learn new things and spend time with women who have the same interest as me. We usually have a ball.

How about taking a mat, rotary cutter and fabric so that you could cut for a new project?

Cathedral Window blocks are fun. I have often brought that to a group gathering. There is prep before hand, but then it is fun to just keep building and adding to the blocks. My other go to is of course embroidery. I love doing that at night when I am away from my machine.

As mentioned above, can you take some sort of handwork project? And I suggest that you go! Try it! You have nothing to lose, and may make some great friends. You can get a feel for what happens at these gatherings. Then decide if you'd like to further this adventure. Best to you!

You could plan ahead, as quiltstrinz implied, and have your next project ready to sort and cut.
Other things would include finishing binding a quilt, putting on a label, rewriting directions so you can follow them better [something I do a lot!], or any handwork.
I have yo-yo's ready to sew and some embroidery.
There is always something I can take. If worst came to worst, I could take quilt magazines and mark the ones I want to save on my computer for later use.

I have a " go-to" kit at the ready...it's hexies for my " takes forever" GMFG...has scizzors,thread,etc. You could also take a rotary cutter,ruler,mat ,and a " collection" of scraps to cut into organized blocks for scrap quilts. Just go,enjoy the day,have fun.

Any of the suggestions above will work.

I have a church group of sewers that meet twice a month. I bring anything that doesn't require my DSM. I will bring a small mat and cutter and cut squares, or like I did yesterday, I was cutting 2.5" strips for making a Strip Tube quilt. I have also brought a quilt that needed the binding to be sewn. Great to take those hand sewing tops too like Hexagons.

Our little church has a group that meets on Tuesdays, and I try to bring something that does not need a machine. I can't quite see myself dragging it there for just three hours.

after you get the feel for the group, see if you can bring a machine and leave it there. that's what I do, so if I need the machine that week, I have it there.
Otherwise, I bring something to hand quilt. good luck, let us know what happens

and bring something finished for show and tell

The one I used to go to on a regular basis everyone brought a machine - I was the only one hand sewing. It was my first exposure to the thrill of featherweights. When we did the Linus Project work, they loved having me there because I did the majority of the hand work on the quilts no one else wanted to do. When I did take my little machine, so many people commented that they had no idea that I had a machine or knew how to use one since they had only seen me hand sew.

Since so much talking goes on during the day it is easier for me to do the hand work than machine. I have a tendency to be rather chatty and it is such fun to get together with a group of people that love to quilt as much as I do and also love to talk about it.

Your charm packs are a great idea. I frequently go sew with friends at other places. It seems easier to me to take a "stage". Either cutting, sewing or binding. I have even taken hexies to work on. (Now that was easy). I have a smaller machine with a sort of to go kit to take that I have in the car but I don't always take it in. It's there just in case I decide to do something different. What I don't want to do is take everything, and set it up for 2-3 hours.

If u are working on something at home take that but if u are in between projects is a good chance to think about and start another. With others there your project could evolve in another direction. It's soooo much fun sewing with others.

We have a group that meets every Friday. People bring all sorts of projects - hand quilting, binding to be sewn, quilts to be layered and basted, and sometimes magazines to look at. It's more of a get together than a quilting bee. Of course, some people do bring their machines and set up to sew for the day! Enjoy!!

Our group brings sewing machines (there were four featherweights there one night) or knitting or hand sewing or whatever. Your charm squares would be the perfect thing. You could sew on them mindlessly and still be able to converse. Then we usually get up a few times and walk around and see what everyone else is doing. Lots of fun.

Once you "pack up your stuff" a few times, you find a system to try not to take too much and don't forget something. Some gals have a suit case that holds everything they need.

Also check out the thread about rolling sewing machine tote in today's digest.

Thanks, Everyone, for your great replies. I knew I could count on you. I have been lurking in this group for years but not sewing much...hard to do in my little travel trailer, but I finally have it set up for it. Cutting is a problem, so that would be a wonderful thing to do at a group sometimes. I actually do have a rolling machine tote. I had forgotten about it. My winter company arrives today, so I am hoping I will make it next week. I'm sure I will love it once I get my foot in the door and meet the others. I will let y'all know how it goes. Thanks again....

HEXIES!!!!

It's what I work on between projects! Or if I'm in the machine stage before the hand work! Very portabel. If you find you like to do them, keep a little "to go" kit and grab whenever you leave the house. You would be surprised how often you can work on them while waiting.

My first thought was to take some hand work before planning to take a machine etc.
I have done the campground set up and it was wonderful but when I was in groups we did machine sewing on special days only.

I am currently working on a yo-yo quilt featured on the cover of American Patchwork & Quilting, June 2011 issue 110. I have made all my yo-yos at my quilting bee and am now sewing them on the strips of fabric. It is a really nice project to take along. Everything up to this point I am doing by hand, but I will machine sew my strips together when I get to that point. This is just another thought.

One thing to remember when joining a group is to give them, and yourself, time to fit in.Hopefully you will get a great welcome but there may be those there who are a little shy to come forward.I find it may take a few visits to feel part of the group,however ,as with most crafters, people love to share.Go for it.Love Letty

It's the best time to finish the binding (hand sewing), on your quilt or wall hanging.

I've brought a cross-stitch that I'm trying to finish to our Quilt Bee meeting. Others bring knitting or similar handwork. The most frequent quilt related activity we see is finishing the bindings.

Cheers, K

We formed a sewing group some 20 years ago and we take what ever. It is sometimes a pain to take a machine, but we have such a good time, that time flies and you get a girls day/night out so the small stuff like having to tote stuff back and forth doesn't matter.. We call our group the Stitch 'N Bitch group and we get alot of both done. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. It is therapy for free.

When I do not want to carry machine or do hand work, I just take my laptop, and work on a new design on EQ, then when I am ready to start a new quilt I have the design all all fabric needed on my computer to either print out or just view. And best Part I can get all the feed back on colors and design ASAP, just an idea.

I'd bring some hand work, lugging a machine for a couple hours is tedious, at least for me. Have you started a Hexie quilt, need to hand stitch binding on a quilt (I prefer hand stitching the binding after sewing on the machine) embroidery or just something small to bring along.

Hexis, yo-yos, apple core, binding for small quilts or table runners might work for this first time.

Our quilt guild has 5 machines that stay at the guild and it really makes it nice when we are working on a project. I also love my Featherweight to bring to classes. Just go and enjoy it. You could even bring a magazine that has some patterns in it and then get an idea what the others do. Good luck to you.