Last weekend was my
Gruber's retreat weekend with some dear friends. It was filled with laughter and shopping and eating and sewing and very little sleeping....just like a retreat should be!
I'm not quite sure how it all came about, but at some point during the weekend, someone threw down a micro quilt challenge. And, to quote my daughter, "I wouldn't say no!" There was much discussion as to what a micro quilt is. In the end, we decided that it had to be under 4" finished on each side and fully bound. One clarification...it is even
smaller than a coaster!
This is what I came up with for my micro quilt, which is yet unnamed. :) It measures 3" x 3.25" and is fully bound! I used a single fold binding and put my "
how to bind tiny things" tutorial to the test. I'm happy to say it worked! (Phew!!!) I sure love taking crazy to new levels!!! :)
My friend
Doris took the challenge as well. Her quilt is on the left. Look at those cute little flying geese! Her micro quilt is even smaller...measuring 3" x 2 7/8"...and has double fold binding! Impressive! There was no winner or loser in the challenge...we did it just for fun!
I had the chance to be a personal fabric shopper for my friend,
Michelle, who doesn't like fabric shopping. (I don't understand what that means, so please don't ask! Hahaha!) She gave me a certain dollar amount to spend on fabric that I would normally pick for myself. It was good that she emphasized that I should select
things I would normally pick for myself, because I kept thinking of what her preferences might be. In the end, I liked my selections so much that I bought one stack for her AND one stack for me!! It was a fun experiment and thankfully she was happy with my selections. We are already planning on doing it again next year! I can't wait!
I dream of having a stack of 20 quilts just sitting around waiting for me to hand stitch the binding. (I really AM crazy, huh???) Well, I'm 3/20 of the way to my dream, apparently! I did a whole lot of sewing, quilting, binding making and knot burying this weekend. But, I don't intend to let them sit unfinished for long-I'm soooo ready for some quilt finishes!
This was our group this year: (Left to right) Me,
Rene,
Doris,
Mary,
Michelle,
Terri,
Cindy,
Shelly and
Stephanie. I'm so thankful for the chance to hang out and sew with these lovely ladies and I miss them already!
Happy Monday to you!
31 comments:
You always look so cute! Love that dress. :)
I know some of your group, I am certain it was the best time.
I know some of your group too and had the pleasure of meeting up at QuiltCon. I especially love your micro challenge!
I had such a great time this weekend!! Thank you for being my personal shopper 😉 I love everything you purchased for me!! I can't wait to see what you pick for me next year!! 😘😘😘
The micro challenge is really a funny idea. Love it! And you have a quilting friend, who doesn't like to shop fabric? That cannot be true.... *ggg* I don't like shopping clothes. but fabrics? I cannot resist any patchwork shop at all. :D what a luck for you that you HAD to go shopping. ;)
Greetings, Rike
Glad you had a great time. Those Micro quilts are awesome. I am always in awe of anyone who can work that small
Oh that sounds like so much fun! And I love the stack of fabrics you choose for your shopping "challenge" - and as for the mini quilt, it's a coaster for a doll's house? or maybe for a glass of champagne!
I think that idea of fabric shopping could catch on! I think I have too many fabrics that look the same. It would be a great way to 'mix things up'! And getting to shop with someone else's money- priceless!
Sounds like tonnes of fun as well as being very productive!
Flying goslings, perhaps?
What a great retreat gang!! "I don't know what that means so don't ask me" The BEST line. So glad you had fun and managed to be so productive as well!!
I'm still struggling with the quilter who doesn't like to fabric shop. Might not be able to get over that one. :) It's really the only kind of shopping I DO like.
I have to know---what is that adorable map fabric you chose?
such a fun time!
the mini challenge is very impressive!!
thanks again for chatting and letting me hangout with the group - I enjoyed it!!
happy rest of the summer!
Oh, come on Amanda! You can go smaller than that! Wink, wink! I'm awaiting your next turn at quilt limbo.
On a practical note, can't you just see those with pin backs on them?
It looks like fun was had by all! How great your friend had a personal fabric shopper!
How fun your mini quilts are amazing! And fabric shopping for a friend? Get out!! :)
You make me want to go on a quilt retreat - I haven't been on one for years! also, you are a little nuts to make those minis but they are super cute. And last, I want a friend like that who will let me spend her money on fabric! I like the ones you bought, too.
What a great group. I know a couple of them. My quilters envy is showing. Hugs
The micro quilts are so cute! And how fun to shop with someone else's money! What is the green topographic fabric? I love it!
Sounds, and looks, like everyone had a great time. Someone needs to do an intervention on your friend that doesn't like fabric shopping. LOL Micro minis WOW you are truly an inspiration. Debbie
Your tiny quilts remind me of how we used to "requisition" small things for our Barbies. Those dolls would have loved those quilts.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I've only been on one quilt retreat and it was amazing - just talking about it last night in fact!
I would love to know what fabrics are in that stash (except for the red and yellow ones!)
Micro quilt=GREAT idea! What a fun challenge.
Micro quilts?!? Oh yes! I need to go and make one!
You guys look so cute -- looks like such a fun group. Especially that wild Stephanie on the end LOL!!!
It was so wonderful spending the weekend with you and the rest of our group at our annual retreat! I am so thankful to have you as a friend! It was great fun watching you and Doris work on your micro quilt challenge - both of your micros turned out so adorable! How fun to get to shop for Michelle! Great fabric choices.
how good to have just a fun time with stitchy friends, well impressed with the two tiny quilts, small is much harder I find and that small impossible. Love the fabric buy especially the one on the right, might just have to look out for some of that too
So glad to find another Minnesota Quilter! Going to go try your binding tiny things tutorial now. :)
Great haul you got there for Michelle! 👍🏻
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