Quilters aren't greedy they're just materialistic

-unknown

This weekend was filled with great friends and great quilts. Yes, the Silver Thimbles met and tons of fun was had by all. I took a bunch of pictures which I will try to show some each time I blog this week.

I suppose some explanation is due as to what the heck Silver Thimble Quilt Club is. This is the sixth year of our club. We offer a quilt kit every month. Shops in the metro area are asked to kit the projects for us. Members join quarterly and have the OPTION of ordering the quilt kit. Each kit is cut to the first cut so for the most part when the quilters get to our class they can get the kit and start sewing or sub cutting. This gives them so much more time to get projects underway because the initial cutting has been done for them. Again the kits are optional...they can sew other projects or work on whatever they wish. This is a important aspect of the club.
FELLOWSHIP....

For me, the joy of helping bring so many quilting projects to the finish line cannot be measured. As a quilting teacher I am there to teach the quilt of the month, help others with their projects, answer questions, help with those "quilting boo boos" that we all face and generally promote quilting in our area. Many members have said that they have learned a lot during their time in the club because they hear the instruction and demos over and over again. Plus they gain a lot from asking fellow members about techniques etc. We have beginners in the club and others who are extremely experienced. The club is my baby for sure but it belongs entirely to the membership. There are three classes each month with room for anyone who wants to join us. The members welcome new quilters to the group on a regular basis.

Melisa once said on her blog "It is so much fun to see all these ladies enjoying themselves and their friends, doing something they love. The energy in that room is palpable and so real and genuine. I wish everyone could experience the feeling." That says it all. This group is quilt crazy for sure but more than that...they love each other and love being together. I wish every shop owner could have this type of club established in their communities. They would see first hand how building a quilting community pays off in so many many ways. This is what I talk to shop owners about during quilt market. The idea here is...IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME. The first picture is a group of people helping a fellow member baste her wall hanging. She is new to the group...and as I said below......they all just jumped in and helped. Second picture is of a T-Shirt quilt Becky made. That girl has made more tee shirt quilts in the last year or so...Fruit of the Loom people need to get in touch with her! The third picture is a red and cheddar quilt that Suzanne made. It was stunning! Nine patches...cute cute cute.......

My wish for you is that you have a group like this in your community.......It will change your quilting lives.