The Stitch Gathering

What a day, what a day!! We met, we chatted, we sewed, we saw some seriously fantastic quilts, we made new friends, met online pals, we were taught new skills....... we had an absolute ball!!

Honestly, I'm still gushing to anyone who'll listen about just how wonderful The Stitch Gathering was - of course my sewing blog might have been the best place for this but best not mention the blogging slump going on round here at the moment.

Sheila from The Mindful Quilter had very kindly offered to take me to Edinburgh and back so at 8am we set off on what turned out to be a warm and sunny day.

 

Here is everyone on arrival getting to know our fellow Stitch Gatherers with a cuppa before being introduced to the Stitch Gathering Team. This a borrowed photo as apart from a couple of Instagram photos I was very poor at taking any of my own, despite taking my camera with me. Johnathon, Jo's husband took this and many more photos of the day which you'll find over on the Flickr page and on Jo's blog and Facebook page.

First  up was much shrieking and oohing and aaahing at the totally amazing goody bag, I mean just look at it!!! We were all gobsmacked by the amount and quality of the contents of our bags, I mean we knew it'd be good but wow Jo and the sponsors really pulled out the stops here.

Goodies were from Liberty Lifestyle,  Coats,  Robert Kaufman,  Sewing Machines Direct, 
Very Berry Fabrics,  Highland Spring, Nairn's Oatcakes (both these two are missing from my photos as they consumed on the day),  The Button Company,  Web Fabrics, Pilot, and Groves & Banks.

Now if you'd like a goody bag for yourself then nip over to Jo's blog where she's running a giveaway for one of these very bags, go now as it closes tomorrow but do come back to read the rest of my ramblings :)

 

Next was the name tag swap, a great way to get everyone mixing. I had made a tag/needle case for Lesley and in the process of trying to find her I found Catherine who'd made my name tag who also happened to be Lesley's daughter-in-law.

Here's my name tag, isn't is lovely and made on Catherine's new sewing machine that she'd only brought home the day before the retreat.

 

It was now time for the classes to begin and my morning class was Modern Crazy Patchwork taught by Sheila. This was a hand sewing class and I really enjoyed it although my block is more of a wonky log cabin that crazy patchwork I really like it and shall be making more blocks. It's a nice relaxing way to sew and a great way to use up all of your scrap fabric. It was also a great class for chatting and getting to know a bit more about other retreaters.

The time flew by and soon we had to stop for lunch followed by  a lucky dip and a show and tell session.

My afternoon class was paper piecing with Katy. Now I've done a bit of paper piecing before but for some reason my brain went into melt down and for about 15mins I thought I wasn't going to be doing much in the way of sewing. However with some extra help from a very patient Katy and a swift cup of tea I was back on track. I didn't finish my block, my teapot still needs it's spout, but considering my shaky start I was very pleased to get this far.

All too soon it was time to stop and pack away the sewing machine but it wasn't home time just yet. Many of us went on to Jo's shop Avery Homestores for a glass of bubbly and a chance to see the Scottish Modern Quilt Exhibition oh and the opportunity for a wee bit of stash enhancement too. Please follow the link to see the quilts, bags and cushions included in the exhibition they really were fantastic and coming from someone who's still only made three very simple quilts it was very inspiring indeed.

To round the day off some of us headed off to Pizza Express for a bite to eat and a chance to chat some more. 

By 10 o'clock I was dropped off at home again and it was all over..... for now at least. I'll be signing up for next time for sure, it was such a warm and friendly atmosphere with beginner and experienced stitchers all working together, enjoying the rare chance to chat to like minded folks who totally get the need to sew and stash.

So thank you to Jo and Johnathan and the Stitch Gathering Team for all the time and effort they put into making the day so special, to the teachers for their patience and knowledge to my fellow stitchers for being so friendly, to Catherine for my name tag and to Sheila for her great company and for getting me there and back. 

It such a great experience... roll on Stitch Gathering 2014!!

Don't forget Jo's goody bag giveaway and also at the bottom of that post is a linky party where you can find links to other stitch gatherers thoughts of the day.

bye for now