Maureen's 'Hard Collar' Bag.

Maureen is a student in my Tuesday Patchwork group and this week she brought this bag that she had made out of the collars, cuffs and button bands from recycled shirts. I was so impressed with the design that I just had to share it with you. Maureen is a very keen, prolific quilter and she has already made a couple of quilts using the fabric from all these shirts.

The front is made of the collars and button bands - she has kept the buttonholes behind each button!

The top of the bag is made with the parts that have the stiffener fused to them which means that it gives a really firm top to the bag. The decorative flaps with the toggles are made from cuffs.

Here is the inside pocket rescued from another shirt! Maureen called the bag 'Hard Collar' because she broke a needle when she went over one of those plastic tabs found in the ends of some collars.

I'm sure you will agree that this is a fabulous bag. The only sad thing for me is that I recently had a clear out and threw away loads of collars and cuffs from the shirts I have recycled into quilts. I really want to make one of these bags!

International Quilting Day Report

I know things have been quiet on the blog recently but I have been busy preparing for our International Quilting Day event which happened today.

We had an attendance of 43 people and have raised the grand total of £637.13 for Barnsley Hospice.

I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who donated raffle prizes, charity stall items, baking etc and also to all those who helped to make the day such a great success.



Here is a report of the events -



These are just some of the 100+ block lotto blocks.

A selection of Ugly Fat Quarters waiting to be swapped.

A quilt from the Show and Tell.

Samples from Lynne's Applique People workshop.

And samples from Hazel's Postcard workshop. Make sure you go over to Hazel's blog as she has lots more photos from the day!

Thanks to you both for agreeing to do these brilliant workshops which were enjoyed so much by the participants.

All the lovely donations of home made cakes!

This lovely welcome quilt was donated by Sue before she returned to Dorset - hope you had a great IQD too!

Photos from the hand applique workshop.

The day went so well that I am already planning for 2012!

If you missed this one you better make sure that you will be there next year!