One short week to try to get over jet lag and these lovely ladies arrived in Nebraska City for the Fall ‘Sewing at the Orchard’ Retreat. The theme is handwork. Actually I think 3 or 4 of the smiling faces are my friends that help me to make this work!
This picture was taken at the end of Retreat, they are still smiling!
We had ladies from California, to Oregon, Florida, to New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan and many places in between.
| The ladies brought Show and Tell – so much fun and inspiration, many ooohs and aaaahs. |
 Betty from Iowa made this, all hand pieced (with custom cut fabrics) and hand quilted – look at the edge! Amy is helping to hold the quilt. Betty’s work is gorgeous. Betty’s friend Sandy posted another picture of this quilt on the Stitchers Group. |
Amy helping Jane show off Jane’s Texas Star’s – hand piecing project. Donna is smiling at them. |
We stitched on these sweet smaller ‘Reel’ blocks, using the back-basting prep method for needleturn appliqué.
Loved the color combinations the ladies put together!
| We also hand-pieced some of these adorable Spool blocks, so sweet aren’t they! This was a variety of blocks made by the ladies. |
 |
|
And of course we had to play with these hexi’s on the right too! Maybe they look a little familiar? |
Kathy Hall did a presentation on ‘inspiration’ and then showed what she made – it was very wonderful. (no pictures sorry) We try to have different interesting offerings at each Retreat.
We also had a little break for wine and cheese before evening dinner on either Friday or Saturday. Thank goodness the weather cooperated as we have to do this outside. No alcohol allowed inside the building.
Stephanie Whitson, a Nebraska Author from Lincoln (who I’ve known for a long time) came down to do a little talk on Sunday morning, she recently co-authored a book on Sod House Quilts, published by The Kansas City Star. This is a first for Stephanie – to work on a quilting book.
She brought some of her other books with her and did a book signing for us. She writes historical fiction and loves researching.
Russ has read every one of her books, I’ve read some of them, that darn ‘time’ thing again. Stephanie did mention that some of her titles are available to download to a reader.
Hope you enjoyed a little peek into this Fall’s ‘Sewing at the Orchard’ Retreat!
