Friday, December 13, 2013

Workshop and Deliveries

We had a great workshop on in November!  We had seven ladies come out and were working hard to reach our goals for December!!  Our next workshop is scheduled for January 18th.  Looking forward to seeing you then!!

Becca in 11 finished quilted tote bags!!

Deborah finished 2 tote bags!  It's so encouraging to see this young lady sewing for others!

Dee came out for the first time.  She put together a preemie quilt and did a fantastic job!

Melinda had brought in Christmas preemie kits she had made at home and was sewing them together.  They always turn out so cute!!

Carol use to help out with QFK several years ago, we are so glad to have her return!!

Becca working on more tote bags!


Deliveries!!

We mailed 45 quilted tote bags to Virginia, delivered 17 preemie quilts to Anne Arundel Medical Center, had 47 quilts picked up from Walk the Walk Foundation and gave 1 quilt to a little girl at the Lighthouse Shelter in Annapolis!  All for children in need!!! Thank you everyone for ending the year with a bang!
45 quilted tote bags ready to go to the Post Office!!!




Monday, October 21, 2013

September/October Workshops

We had two workshops in the past three weeks!! At the September workshop, Jasmine, Jade and Aryanna  came out and put together cute quilt tops! They are our home schoolers who are improving on their quilting skills every month!! Becca was also there and we dug into our QFK scrap pile and cut up 6 1/2" squares to make more I Spy quilts. Becca also donated four adorable quilts!!  Thank you!

On Saturday, we had our October Workshop with Julie, an avid sewer but new to QFK. Julie made two darling quilted tote bags that we are donating in December. Becca came and dropped off three beautiful quilts and grabbed more kits to work on this next month. Thanks to all of you who came out!!!

Jade


Jasmine and Aryanna

Becca

Friday, September 20, 2013

September Workshop Cancelled

We are cancelling our workshop for Saturday, September 21st. There is a big event at the church and it got bigger so they need our room. We may try and get the room for the 28th if people can make it out on the day (please, let me know) otherwise we will meet again next month.
Thanks for understanding!

Christmas Projects!

We are planning on distributing quilts to the Walk the Walk Foundation for their Walk of Christmas Drive in December. Walk the Walk Foundation has teamed up with Anne Arundel County's Holiday Sharing Program who receive names of children from the Department of Social Services.  We would love to have lap size quilts for children and teens for this event! We will be making up quilt kits next week!! If you would like a kit please let us know or join our next workshop.

We also have a goal of 50 quilted tote bags by December for the Northern Virginia Nursing Students.  We handed out about 12 kits at the Annapolis Quilt Guild meeting the beginning of the month and hope to hand out more next month. 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Delivery and Next Workshop!

We delivered 16 kids quilts and 4 pillowcases to the Chrysalis House near Annapolis yesterday. I met one of the Day Care Coordinators who was excited to receive the quilts. Praying these items will comfort a child in need of a hug (and their mothers too)!!  Chrysalis House is a drug and alcohol treatment center for women and their children.

Next Workshop is Saturday, September 21st from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at BACC, room 223.  We will be making Christmas preemie quilts and continue to make bags for the nursing students in Virginia.  We found a new pattern to make drawstring tote bags for boys. Kits will be provided for bags and quilts. Please bring your sewing machine, supplies and a lunch.  All skill levels are welcome!  Instructions to make quilts and bags are always warmly provided.  Hope to see you there!


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

August Workshop 2013/Quilts from Southern Maryland

It was a small but mighty workshop this past Saturday.  Deborah and Melinda helped make tote bags. Deborah brought in two finished preemie quilts from our kits, Nanci brought in two finished quilts from donated fabric and a quilted tote bag, and Susan dropped off donated fabric, quilt tops and quilting magazines for inspiration.  

We sure missed some of our regulars but know during the summer months it can be hard to make it out on a Saturday. Hope to see all of you next month!






Deborah with her finished projects!!

Joan V. from Southern Maryland also sent us these bright and cheerful quilts.  Thanks Joan!!
(If you would like to see other photos of quilts please visit our Annapolis Quilts for Kids Facebook page.)

Monday, August 19, 2013

Quilted Tote Bag Pattern

A couple of gals have asked for directions to our quilted tote bag so here is the pattern.  I took it from two different tote bag patterns so if the directions are unclear please let me know so I can change them.

Quilted Tote Bag
Please return finished bag to: Janet Hogan
Fabric Requirements:
2 – 14” x 11” rectangle focus fabric
1 – 14” x 11” rectangle contrast fabric
1 – 14” x 32” rectangle (lining)
Straps - 1 – 4” strip of fabric (cut the width of the fabric – approx. 40-44” long)
1 – 14” x 32” rectangle (batting)

Assembling the bag:
1.       Attach the 15x11 piece of contrast fabric in between your two 15x11 focus fabric pieces to make a 15x32 piece top making sure the pattern is going in the right direction.

1.       Layer your pieced top on the 15x32 batting.
2.       Quilt as desired
3.       Trim your excess batting off.
4.       Fold in half right sides together  to make a 15” x 16” rectangle, matching the raw edges. Pin in place.
5.       Using a  1/2” seam allowance, stitch both sides together from bottom up to the top
6.       With the top still wrong side out, the next step is to box the bottom corners of the bag.
7.       Using both hands, pinch and pull apart one bottom corner.
8.       As you keep pulling, the fabric will begin to make a little peak with the corner point at the top and the side seam line running down the middle of one side.  Repeat for the opposite corner.



1.       Measure 1 ½ from the tip of each corner peak and draw a horizontal line.
2.       Pin your folded ‘peaks’ and stitch along the drawn lines.
3.       Stitch back and forth along the line two or three times to reinforce. Trim away the peak on each side to about ¼” from the seam line.
4.       Turn right side out and push out to form the boxed corners.
5.       Repeat steps 5-13 to form boxed corners on the lining piece.
6.       Sew the Quilts for Kids label on the right side of the fabric about 2 ½ “ from the top of the lining.

The Straps
1.        Take the 4” strip of fabric and press in half lengthwise.
2.       Open fabric up and press each outside edge to the center.

1.       Fold fabric in half and press
2.       Top-stitch down each side of strap close to the edge.  Cut fabric in half so you have two straps about 22” long each.

Finishing the bag
1.       Turn the lining wrong side out and slip it inside the bag so the lining and the bag are wrong sides together.
2.       Align the side seams of the lining and the bag
3.       Turn under the top raw edge of the exterior bag and the lining ½" and press in place
4.       Place straps in between right sides of fabric on each side about two to three inches from the side edge and pin in place.

1.       Stitch all around the top opening of the bag 1/4” from the folded edges (use a decorative stitch if you want), attaching the lining and straps to the bag.

Finished!!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Northern Virginia Nursing Students Association stuff Tote Bags

 We made quilted tote bags earlier this year and sent them off to Virginia nursing students.  Below are photos of the students stuffing the bags and getting them ready to take to the hospital. 

 During our August workshop we will be making more quilted bags for these students to deliver in December.  Our goal: 50 quilted tote bags by December!!  If anyone is interested in helping me make kits (will require a rotary cutter and cutting mat) let me know.


"Every year the Nursing Student Association for this program does a care package donation to Children's Hospital in Washington D.C. We fill the bags with goodies based on age, and gender.  We really love doing this activity and the kids at Children's Hospital are very appreciative." - Genesis (senior nursing student)



June Workshop - Quilt-As-You-Go


What an enthusiastic bunch we had on Friday! Five of our regular home schooled girls, plus two of their friends, made seven pre-teen girls creating quilts for kids in need! Awesome!! We learned a new method called quilt-as-you-go using 2 1/2" to 4" strips. Thank you Ellen for staying and helping the girls learn this new technique! (two of the girls were not posted because we need permission slips before putting up photos).
First we laid down the backing fabric, topped it with the batting then starting adding our strips as Chiara is demonstrating here.
Kayla and Jade
Kayla sewing on the strips
Jade (looks like they were concentrating so hard but they were having fun!)

Aryanna working on a preemie quilt

Always a beautiful smile from Deborah!
Helping Aryanna with her machine (she was doing an awesome job, sometimes our machines just don't cooperate).
Deborah with her finished strip set. Great job!
 Kayla and Chiara!  Well done!

Next workshop is Saturday, August 17th!  We will have tote bag kits available (if you want to learn how to make these we can show you how).  Plus quilt kits if you want to work on those instead.  New time: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm Same location!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

May Workshop and Quilts from Southern Maryland

Saturday morning we had three ladies, Tamie, Melinda and myself plus two of our homeschoolers, Deborah and Aryanna. It's always so much fun catching up on each others life's, sharing tips and tricks while donating our time and God given talents to those in need.

Our next workshop will be on Friday, June 21st from 10am to 1pm @ BACC, room 223. I changed the date because the Annapolis Quilts by the Bay Quilt Show is the 3rd weekend of June so if you want to see some awesome quilts done by some very talented ladies from the Annapolis Quilt Guild come and check it out. There will also be free demonstrations (admission to the show is $10), a silent auction and a country store.

Tamie cutting fabric for kits.

Melinda using up her scraps while cutting kits for preemie quilts.

Aryanna and Deborah enjoying each other's company while sewing preemie quilts.

Deborah's quilt finished!

Aryanna and Deborah displaying their finished work.

 Joan V. from Southern Maryland has got the sewing bug!!  She sent us two quilts last month and this week she sent us six more!!  She loves trying out new techniques.  On these quilts she used jelly rolls for the first time and bound the quilts pillowcase style.  Thanks Joan for your lovely bright colored quilts!!!  If you want to see her quilts individually, check out our Annapolis Quilts for Kids Facebook page.


Monday, April 15, 2013

Quilts from Southern Maryland

Thank you Joan for sending us these two adorable quilts! They will make a couple little girls really happy!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Next Workshop - "Crazy Shortcut Quilts" demo

Our next workshop is April 20th from 10am - 1:30pm at BACC, room 223. I will be demonstrating how to make quilt squares from the book "Crazy Shortcut Quilts" by Marguerita McManus. You will be able to make, prepare and quilt the squares using the decorative stitches on your machine! If we have time we will begin to join the squares with sashing. We will be working on one (1) quilt together. Please bring your machine, sewing supplies and lunch (you might get hungry). Fabric will be provided. All skill levels are welcome! If you prefer to work on a quilt you've already started, you can do that as well. Hope to see you then!!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

March Workshop - Preemie Quilts

The home school girls (we have to come up with a name for this awesome group of girls) and Melinda joined us today as we made preemie quilts for the Anne Arundel Medical Center's NICU unit.  The quilts turned out so adorable!!! Great job everyone!!
  
Natalie and Deborah

Melinda brought in four quilts she made with her own fabric after taking our tote bag workshop last month!  The nursing students will be proud to hand out these adorable totes!  Thanks Melinda!!!

Naomi and Emma

Displaying the oh-so-cute quilts!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Next 3rd Saturday Workshop!

Please join us March 16th from 9:30am - 1:00pm @ BACC.   We will be demonstrating how to make preemie quilts.  Kits will be provided. Please bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies.   If you made tote bags for the Washington Children's Hospital can you please bring them at this time!  Hope to see you there!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

February Workshop - Tote Bags

We have a request from the Virginia Nursing Student Association for hand made tote bags for them to fill with goodies for the Children's Hospital in Washington DC.  We decided to make this months workshop a class on how to make tote bags!  Nanci and Melanie, plus home school students Emma, Rachel, Natalie and Naomi came out to learn a new project. Each of them made a bag and they look great!  Thank you for coming out on a rainy, cold morning!  If you would like to make a tote bag, you can go to Sew 4 Home Gypsy Tote Boho Shoulder Bag. We made ours a little smaller and simpler (no pockets).  We need them by the March Workshop in order to get them to the nursing students on time.
Nanci, Melinda and Emma working on their bags.

Emma and Rachel are sharing a sewing machine and making a bag together!  Team Work!!!

Sisters, Natalie and Naomi!

Natalie modeling her finished tote bag.  It's always so satisfying to finish a project!  Especially in one day!!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

January Workshop - Pillowcases!!!

Our home school young ladies were at it again today.  This time stitching pillowcases!  Emma, Deborah, Chiara and Linda (one of the moms) took a quick lesson on how to make a rolled pillowcase. By the time the workshop was done we had six pillowcases completed, 1 quilt top finished and another quilt top with just a few more borders to put on.  The sewing machines were humming for the whole 3 1/2 hours!!  I was impressed!
Deborah and Emma sewing together their rolled pillowcases.
Kayla working on her quilt blocks.
Chiara ironing borders
Linda's very first project, making a pillowcase!
Chiara's finished quilt top!
Emma and Deborah's completed pillowcases!
Chiara and Linda (mother and daughter)