Some finishes to show

 Ann has sent a photo of her cushion. I just love all the little details.

Paperless, stand-alone hexies

All you people doing hexies might want to know about this. 

I was looking for another hand project to do as I travel or even on our zoom days. Last week I was watching a YouTube video (not about hexies) and put two and two together.

I wanted to make some stand-alone hexies so that I could sew them together as a string of pearls rather than tessellated. So here  is what I've done and it works.

• For a hexagon with 1" sides cut a 2.5" square of the desired fabric and a 2.5" square of a fine backing fabric like muslin or something similar. The squares can be any shape as long as there is at least a 1/4" seam allowance beyond the finished hexie.
• Lay them together right side to right side then trace a hexagon shape on the muslin side in pencil or biro.
• Stitch along the line in small running stitch or machine stitch. Make sure the corner stitches are strong. A small back stitch at each corner would reinforce them even more.

• When the stitching is finished trim the excess fabric off to 1/4" from stitch line.
• Use a sharp pair of pointy scissors to cut a hole in the muslin side.

• Turn inside out and finger press the edges using a point to make the corners sharp.

• Press the stand-alone hexie carefully and hey presto!

You can use these hexies in the normal way and top stitch them together along the sides or stitch them together as a chain, joining them together at the points. No having to remove the papers or stitch through paper or card.

You can even applique them to something with quilting stitches around the inside edge.

Hexies like this could be used in projects like this...

This is not my project. I photographed it on a trip to Berry with some other quilters. If you know who made it please let me know via the comments below and I will acknowledge the maker.

Week 2

Yesterday we had 6 crafters working very hard while enjoying some company. It was a great opportunity to laugh and chat together while working on our projects.

I had to laugh when I went downstairs to get a cuppa and returned to find all the zoom screens were empty. Everyone had decided a cuppa would be a good idea so disappeared to make one.

The other thing I noticed this week was that all those on were happy with periods of friendly silence. We even had two people using their sewing machines at the same time (unmuted) and the noise was not too disruptive.

We are all very amazed at the amount we achieve in the time we are on. Time just flies and jobs get done.

A finish for this week was the Peaches and Cream Doily Quilt and its matching table runner (see photo above). And there was Betty's unicorn and a dinosaur.

Progress in Week 1

This week we met on zoom for our first official open day. We had seven visitors at times during the day.

Lynette discovered she could do hand sewing with her left hand all strapped up.  She was able to quilt around her stars.

Sue cut fabric for some cushions then started on her hexagon project, and Kathryn cut lots of lovely pink squares ready for a quilt she wants to make.

Others visited for a short while and did crochet or just asked for advice on how to achieve a particular result.

Betty M did a bit more on her crocheted menagerie too..

I spent the whole time (when I was not eating, sipping coffee or putting chooks to bed) hand hemming the binding on my latest doily quilt.

I have hemmed half way round so by the end of next Tuesday I should have finished the binding and then will only have the label and official final photo before it is complete.

I have set up a reasonably comfortable zoom room corner for our Creative Tuesdays and eventually found a foot stool so I could sit straighter.

When you spend 8 hours in one place it has to be comfortable.

Welcome to the St Stephens Creative Zoomers Circle

This group is hosted at the St Stephen's Uniting Church Macquarie St Sydney Zoom Room (what a mouthful!).

The group can be found in the St Stephen's Zoom Room on Tuesdays each week and the zoom room door will be open from 12 noon to 8 pm. So whether you prefer the middle of the day or you can't join us until you get home from work, or you'll be joining us from some far flung time zone, access should be possible for at least and hour or so.

This is an activity for all creative people who like to put aside a regular time to sit and keep hands busy while chatting with others and sharing thoughts and techniques or even posing questions.

Bring a cuppa or dinner as well as something for "show and tell" and of course, something creative to do with your hands while we chat. If you are the only one there, don't despair, someone is sure to turn up soon so meanwhile just get on with your work with the zoom room open in the background. And if you don't have anything for "show and tell" just come anyway.

You can come and go as you like, for half and hour or for the whole 8 hours. It is a great time to do some handiwork, loom a beanie, chop fruit for the next batch of jam or a pie. You can even use the time to do the ironing (what's that?) if you have nothing creative on the go at the moment. The only time you will need to mute yourself is if you are doing something noisy like using a sewing machine, answering your phone or using the blender.

If you have suggestions or feedback about this activity, or if you would like to join us, please send an email to chorister.ssms@gmail.com or leave a comment below.