Stitching up the Scrap Crystals–Springfield Style!

I’m having a blast with these ladies!

What a fun group the Ozark Piecemakers are.  And they have the most unique meeting place I’ve come across to date.

They have a whole store front in a retail shopping center!

It’s a large venue, and they have space for EVERYTHING including a permanent library, rooms with shelves and shelves and shelves of donated fabric for making donation quilts and quilts of valor, a kitchen for goodies --

And even a long arm machine that was lovingly donated so the guild can quilt the many charity quilts that they tirelessly give to so many worthy causes here in the Springfield, Missouri area and beyond.

Having a building such as this means that all of the many different organizations within the guild always have a place to meet – to cut, to sew, to assemble.

They are a driving force of love within this community tucked in the beautiful Ozarks and are accomplishing great things.

They are actively engaged in worthy causes!

When you are a member of the Ozark Piecemakers, you are busy DOING.  And it is so wonderful to have a purpose and find so many lovely quilters to work along side.

Scrap Crystals Blocks!

We got quite a lot done in yesterday’s Scrap Crystals workshop.  The Easy Angle rulers came out to play, and we worked with triangles that finished a bit on the small side, but these ladies were fearless!

Check it out!!

The design boards were made from a tutorial found on Lori Holt’s website, Bee in My Bonnet.  I’m sure googling it will get you the link!

My Kindred Spirit Stitcher, Nancy!

Nancy came working with all recycled fabrics and she was sewing up a storm on this beauty:

It’s a UK 201 from the 1950s!

This machine is coveted by many as the 201 is exclaimed to be Singer's BEST model ever, hands down.  In the UK these machines were made in the mocha/chocolate color way with aluminum bodies instead of cast iron, making them much lighter and much more portable.  Since she is a UK model, perhaps I should say ALUMINIUM!?

What a beautiful machine in a wonderful wooden base with that fold out extension table, all original!

I also had to giggle at everything that Nancy personalizes and brings with her:

Hands off my stuff!

All of Nancy’s tools match so her items are easily recognizable!  

If you want to do this, she gave me some clues. She said to find the cheapest nail polish available ((Dollar Tree is great!)) and to give the items one coat of a color polish, followed by a coat or two of glitter polish.  PERFECT!

She also gave the hint of using a piece of Styrofoam to stick the items into so that you don’t have to hold them while painting them with the polish.

 

Yeah, the ideas are ENDLESS here --

Wheels are turning!

Yes.  On the bucket list!

Nancy’s 1920s sewing factory chair!

She acquired this chair from an old factory, and I gave it a try!  It is totally adjustable – leg height, back rest height and seat angle!  Those factory girls had to sit at machines for long hours and chairs were important.

What a wonderful piece of history to have and use.

I had a fun day with you Nancy!  Yes, I definitely could move right in next door to you and have a ball!

Hey Roosters!

Remember Don & Bill?  The two friends I affectionately call "The Roosters" who have come to my California workshops whenever they could?  I thought they would get a kick out of this photo that Vicky is using for inspiration for HER quilt!  More of Don & Bill HERE.  And HERE. And HERE!

Check out the progress!

Thanks for the fun day, ladies!

You will find the pattern for Scrap Crystals in my book MORE Adventures with Leaders & Enders.  Signed copies are available in the Quiltville Store!

Click the image below if you are unable to view the slide show on your mobile device.  You’ll be taken to the photo album for viewing.

Scrap Crystals, Springfield MO 2015

Today we will be busy with MORE triangles, this time in a Playing with Jacks workshop.  I can’t wait to see what fabrics and colors these gals will be putting together today.

It’s my last day in Springfield – tomorrow I make the long drive to St Louis!  There are plans for a lunch meet up and some shopping before hotel check in time!

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

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