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Monday, July 13, 2015

sewing up a (small) storm

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:

  1. You always look so cute! Love that dress. :)

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  2. I know some of your group, I am certain it was the best time.

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  3. I know some of your group too and had the pleasure of meeting up at QuiltCon. I especially love your micro challenge!

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  4. 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!! 😘😘😘

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  5. 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

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  6. Glad you had a great time. Those Micro quilts are awesome. I am always in awe of anyone who can work that small

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  7. 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!

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  8. 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!

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  9. Sounds like tonnes of fun as well as being very productive!

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  10. Flying goslings, perhaps?

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  11. 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!!

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  12. 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.

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  13. I have to know---what is that adorable map fabric you chose?

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  14. 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!

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  15. 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?

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  16. It looks like fun was had by all! How great your friend had a personal fabric shopper!

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  17. How fun your mini quilts are amazing! And fabric shopping for a friend? Get out!! :)

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  18. 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.

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  19. What a great group. I know a couple of them. My quilters envy is showing. Hugs

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  20. 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!

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  21. 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

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  22. Your tiny quilts remind me of how we used to "requisition" small things for our Barbies. Those dolls would have loved those quilts.

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  23. 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!

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  24. I would love to know what fabrics are in that stash (except for the red and yellow ones!)

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  25. Micro quilt=GREAT idea! What a fun challenge.

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  26. Micro quilts?!? Oh yes! I need to go and make one!

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  27. You guys look so cute -- looks like such a fun group. Especially that wild Stephanie on the end LOL!!!

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  28. 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.

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  29. 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

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  30. Anonymous7:58 AM

    So glad to find another Minnesota Quilter! Going to go try your binding tiny things tutorial now. :)

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  31. Great haul you got there for Michelle! 👍🏻

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