Sunday, March 28, 2010

Cabin Fever at the March Meeting

Our meeting on March 16, 2010 focused on Log Cabin quilts. Members were asked to bring examples of quilts, patterns or books that either used the log cabin pattern or had cabins or houses within them.

Jan opened the meeting by giving us a little history. Though we'd like to think that the Log Cabin pattern is representative of our American pioneer foremothers creating home and hearth in fabric, the truth is this pattern can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt.

Archaeologists discovered several mummified cats in Egyptian tombs with wrappings of what could only be described as the log cabin pattern. Unfortunately, almost none of these remain because when the tombs were initially raided the wrappings and cat mummies themselves were used as fertilizer in the farmers' fields.


This picture is from a display at the British Museum.

Joyce showed us her log cabin blocks, which was her first attempt at paper piecing.


Sharon and Rose then shared some of their blocks, which they call Metropolitan Housing Authority. We all appreciated their mobile design walls. Jan let them use her design wall, too.



Mary shared her beautiful Eleanor Burns log cabin quilt, which used 2 1/2" logs. The back of the quilt shows the gorgeous quilting done by Katy, Jan's daughter.



Cheryl displayed "Autumn Leaves" while wearing the Big Shirt she created using Robert Kaufman's Girl Scout fabric.



Jill made the Thimbleberries houses wall quilt as a sample for the shop.



Jan took this Log Cabin Star quilt off her dining room table to show us. Jan generally doesn't do country, so it was quite a surprise to find that this is in her home. (Hint from web master...if you ever want to part with it I know a very good home for it).


Vicky used fabric from the Exclusively Quilters Van Gogh line to fashion this Charley Harper-inspired sheep. Isn't he darling?



Cass showed off her SCPA (School for the Creative and Performing Arts) raffle quilt. Each scene must be related to the arts in some way.



Elizabeth shared her green camouflage and cream-colored elephants baby quilt. Jill did the quilting on this one.

Helen displayed her stunning 'X Marks the Spot' wall hanging.



Rose showed off her outstanding Making Tracks jacket, followed by Sharon doing the same.





Helen has been a busy lady. She shared the following three projects with us: Outside the Box, Rag Quilt and the Irish Chain quilt with Shamrocks. Look at the close-up of the shamrock quilting done by Cass.








Sharon created a One Block Wonder quilt and is creating a pillow sham from the original fabric, a cardinal design. So cool!






Marie created a sweet Chinese Coin quilt for our NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and a Poky Little Puppy quilt crafted from the story book panel.




Jan showed off a couple of quilts from her original patterns. First we got to smell the aroma from Pies in the Window and then we appreciated the Garden View using all fruit fabrics.



Joyce was the winner of the Round Robin gift basket, filled with goodies by Elizabeth who was the last recipient. Joyce gets to enjoy what's in the basket, then refill it for next month's meeting. We think we'll all get a turn to read Jennifer Chiaverini's novel by the time each of us gets a turn! And look at Barb making sure she gets into the picture. Everyone wave back at Barb now. Hi, Barbie!!




This is the way that Mary and Cheryl spend their time while taking care of all the administrative work at our meetings. Aren't they great examples of multi-taskers?




Upcoming events and things to think about:

  • Where can our little, but growing guild have a local show with room for lots of vendors?
  • Start pulling together items you'd like to part with at our Chinese Auction next month.
  • Bring your "A River Runs Through It" blocks to share if you have one completed.
  • Work on your Charley Harper block.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Theme is the Chinese Auction.