Battening down our Hatches

As most of us now know, the Cottage is closing its doors from next Monday until at least 27th April, whether or not to extend the closure will be reviewed at the next Management Committee meeting.

Some folks are self isolating while others are social distancing, whichever path you are following I wish you a safe next few weeks while we all try to deal with the many challenges we are suddenly facing.

Sheila has suggested that we keep in touch via the blog, a great idea!
Send a pic of what ever you are working on or have completed, you can use any of my e-mails or the blog's e-mail address (fatquarternews-at-Yahoo.com - you will need to replace the 'at' with the correct sign) I will put your news here for us all to enjoy. If you don't want to send a pic in an e-mail, send it via your phone, get my phone number from either Sheila or Sue A - also feel free to send links to any online site you think might appeal to your fellow patchworkers be it patchwork, quilting or any other craft or even something like that really interesting video of the mouse watching paint dry...anything cool at all!!

To kick us off, here's a suggestion from Sue A., Karen from 'Just Get It Done Quilts' This lady is a real 'sharer' lots of happy chatter, lots of hints and tutorials and lots of free patterns. She also has a youtube channel, simply put 'Just Get It Done' in the youtube search bar and you will be glued to the screen for hours, or minutes if you are strong...or hours, her latest video is titled 'Quilting & Social Isolation - It's what we've been training for' Suggest you don't start with that one, it's her first 'live' and while some were rolling in the aisle laughing at the goings on, it might be a bit of a strange introduction.

Sheila has very kindly sent pics of some of the work you talented gals have been doing.

Di Stark's quilt for family friend Fraser. Pattern is by Michelle Marbig Blue is his favourite colour.

Di has found this interesting bag she had forgotten she had made !

Sheila's quilt for son Neal's 50th birthday. It uses Fibonacci ratio & a little basketball fabric as he has been a coach for 22 years.

The back of Neal's quilt.

Pat made this bag using tiny red triangles given to her by Ailsa.

This is sample of our green blocks to be used for a group quilt representing Buderim.
Members are encouraged to make crazy / improvised blocks up to 9 inch
Plenty of time now Cottage is closed!

Sue A also sent pics of Green blocks she has been working on. Sue reckons its rather relaxing once you get started. (or maybe it's just that she wants more time with the new machine?)

Wendy had a news update and this cutie to share.
Hi to fellow patchworkers
Thanks Sheila for that information and good ideas to keep ourselves busy. We are lucky we have sewing as a hobby.
We only got as far as Perth and then flew home on Saturday night. We are very glad to be home. I had a message from Karen and she said she was on the cruise ship hoping to dock at Cape Town. I hope she ok and will be home soon.
We will miss the company of our patchwork friends but we could always send pictures of what we are sewing to each other. To that end I will send a picture of a small quilt that I finished using disappearing four patch blocks and I added Pat’s tricky block. See if you can find it.
X Wendy

Jan B sent a note to Sheila, but sadly no piccie, perhaps one might turn up later?
"Thanks Sheila , I’ve missed the last 2 weeks of patchwork ( things out of my control)
Sorry for you that the Master Swimming National in Sydney are cancelled , I know you were looking forward to the trip .
Can you just refresh me on the 9inch green squares ?
I’ve finished the quilt I was given to finish off and also my new grandsons cot quilt , I’m now starting a lap quilt for my daughter".
- Well, no grass growing under Jan's feet.

In case anyone is wondering about getting supplies, a few e-mails have turned up with ideas.
Kym from Kimz Sewing and Patchwork sent out this communication.
"We are business as usual here with all classes scheduled still going ahead at this stage. We will update you all if there are any changes.

Our Q20 Demo and Workshop with Jane Rundle is postponed with a new date yet to be confirmed.

If you would prefer not to come in to the store then we have a few options for you to stock up on your sewing supplies. You can call us on 0754934977, send an email to kimzsewing@bigpond.com or order via our website using the Shop Online button to the right. Delivery options include Australia Post, Sendle, home deliveries by staff or pick up from front of store.

If you have any questions please contact us as we are more than happy to help."

At this stage no news about any other local patchwork or fabric stores, but perhaps a call to them would sort out any supply problems, if any info comes to light I will pass it on.

Eastcoast fabrics are offering free shipping on orders over $100, but I think that is pretty standard anywhere.

and finally, for those quiet times when you should be catching zzzz's take a virtual tour through The Smithsonian.
https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NMNH/z_tour-029.html

Happy Stitchin' and if anyone needs anything at all, even just a quick chat to liven the day, reach out, we are all in this together. Mind you, loo paper might be pushing it a bit but something can be arranged!! Just jokin'. I have faith in the Govt. crack down on hoarders and black marketeers and that this crazy lack of goods will soon be behind us all, including the loo paper.