The Stitch Gathering - A Gathering of Stitchers

Wow - I am still buzzing, really, from Sunday.  The Stitch Gathering was such a  special day.  It was a truly lovely mix of people who all had one thing in common - a love of crafting, and especially stitching.  We were such a mix of ages and interests and the day felt very easy and friendly - especially once my class (thankfully in the morning) was underway.....then I relaxed a bit more and began to properly enjoy myself.

I didn't remember, or really have much of a chance in among all my chatting, to take any photos so those from the day shown here are all taken by Jonathan (Jo The Stitch Gathering organiser's photographer husband) - I would have dearly liked to show more, and tell more, and mention more people but really I think there's going to be enough going on below.........I loved meeting you all and just wish I could mention and link to everyone.

We started off the day, which was held at Napier University's Merchiston Campus (just round the corner from Jo's treasure trove of a shop) with tea and coffee and lots of meeting and chatting - it got really noisy once we started swapping our name tags - I got the most beautiful one from Fiona at Poppy Makes (and she got mine), it even has trees on the back, just for me.  Thanks Fiona, I love it and it is hanging on my sewing table lamp........just in case I forget who I am!

Then it was off to the first classes. I had a great group in my Patchwork Bib Class and everyone, despite some being quite new to machine sewing, finished their bib.  I was very proud of them!  Look at those beautiful bibs.

We had a yummy buffet lunch and got the chance for some Show and Tell, a lucky dip (fat quarter of fabric for me, yay!) and time to admire the wonderful embellished tickets - it is going to be quite some quilt once Jo has found a way to sew them together.

How's this for a first quilt? - in progress by Emily

Lynz's Around the Block and Across the Pond Quilt - I really really love it

In the afternoon I got to attend Katy's Foundation Paper Piecing class, something I have wanted to try for quite some time.  It isn't the easiest technique to teach and explain but Katy did a great job*.  I don't have much to show for it.....yet.....I did get a fair way through but it really isn't worth photographing for public viewing yet.  Have a look here at Carol's which she finished on Monday night.  I think I might have made better progress if I hadn't taught in the morning - but I'm not complaining as I really enjoyed my teaching and am sure I learnt enough from Katy to be able to finish off my teapot mat and tackle other projects in the future.

Then it was off to Jo's shop to view the quilts in The Modern Quilt Exhibition.  It was part of Edinburgh's annual International Arts and Culture Festival.  I had a quilt in the exhibition which was completed just in time to enter and will be blogged about shortly (along with many other things on my ever growing list!).  My quilt paled into insignificance alongside some of the beauties on show.  Find out more here.  Jo and her lovely colleague Sarah were handing out fizzy and nibbles and it was a lovely way to end the day (some carried on for a meal out but since it was our anniversary I thought I ought to head home and see a wee bit of John!).

My 'Free As A Bird' Quilt - it will get a post of it's own

We were given bulging goody bags too from a wonderful range of sponsors.  Highland Spring water; biscuits from Nairns; a bag from Liberty and a Liberty Fat Quarter too; a Pilot frixion pen (I use them a lot so know it will be very handy); ten pretty spools of thread from Sewing Machines Direct; beautiful wee hexies from webfabrics; lots from Coats Crafts including embroidery thread, fat quarters and a tote bag; some beautiful liberty from Very Berry Fabrics (who I have wanted to buy from for quite some time); buttons and thread from  The Button Company; fat quarters from Jo's Avery Homestore; and lastly contact information for Beechwood Quilting services (tempting!). 

I can't wait for next year.  Maybe you'll be able to make it?

* I now know that Katy had a pretty long and stressful start to the day - which involved an early-hours-of-the-night drive to Glasgow and back.  But it was all part of a very good cause.  To look after Sarah and her lovely mum.  So good to see them both after their dramas!