Forest Quilting Index

September 2012
It's wonderful to have recently sat at my machine, made a tablerunner and then dropped the feed dogs to do some quilting. I have added that pattern in the free quilt area. It's a simple scrappy tablerunner called 'Scrappy Tablerunner'.

I am looking forward to more sewing. I have to gather my ideas for the November Maplelag Quiting Retreat. Woo-who!!
-Pat

Mittens Making Addiction

In 2011 I had one wool-blend sweater that I wanted to make into mittens. That was about twenty-four pairs of mittens ago. I found great sweaters at Goodwill and fleece (on sale) at Hancock Fabrics. I bought awesome beads in Stillwater and found vintage (cheap) buttons in an antique shop in Anoka. I even gave mitten making lessons to a small class of talented 'grasshoppers'.

In October 2012 I taught two mitten-making classes through the Anoka-Hennepin Community Education program. Both classes filled with rock star mitten enthusiasts who took to making awesome mittens quickly.

Here are some pictures of mittens I have made. Below is the pattern I designed.

Full instructions included!
Make adjustments to the pattern as needed.
Have fun!!

Quilting Retreats

October 2009 I spent four incrediable days sewing, quilting and meeting new people at an awesome quilting retreat in northern Minnesota. I have since returned and attended the 2010 and 2011 fall quilting retreats held at Maplelag Resort, which is located in the beautiful northern Minnesota wooded lake country. These quilting retreats are hosted by the Back Porch Quilts Shop in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Last year, 2011, I was at the retreat for the full five days of the retreat. It was heaven to have five days of sewing and wonderful to again see the quilters from previous retreats plus meet the new participants.

Since the last retreat, sadly the awesome Back Porch Quilt shop closed. All of us who enjoyed the Maplelag Retreat had some anxious months wondering if we would ever have another retreat at Maplelag. We found out early this summer that the Red Pine Quilt Shop was going to open in Detroit Lakes later in the summer and the retreat was being planned. I have sent in my registration for the November 8 - 11, 2012 retreat. I am counting the days!!! The day before, on the way to the retreat we are planning a stop three quilt shops - The Old Creamery Quilt Shop in Randall, MN, the Bay Window in Perham and the Red Pine Quilt shop in Detroit Lakes.

Maplelag Quilting Retreat October 2011