Some Highlights of Our Heatwole Sewing Retreat

I love being with my family.
We sure missed Sheila ...

... and our sister-in-law Cheryl joined us later for a couple days.

Mother and Polly worked with color and value on this project. For most of mothers life she has been an artist painting with oils. Polly heard her say several times that she sure was enjoying this layout of color.

Then Polly worked all day making blocks for this quilt.

Our sewing space was simply amazing. Lots of room to spread out.

Mother is telling a great granddaughter Dori the story of the time she worked in a sewing factory on a fast machine and after going home she sewed over her finger with her momma's slow sewing machine.

Here's a finish. Emily's Moo Cow.

I made this quilt for a grandson Josiah and have blocks for another grandson Bryce.

This one has a modern feel to it.

June did a lot of hand sewing on this heirloom quilt that was started years ago by her husbands relative.

Coleen's project was to put the finishing touches on her velvet pillows. Mother did the piecing years ago and Coleen did the fancy stitching and is making them into pillows.

Afton was a trouper making this from start to finish. She even wanted to quilt it but didn't have a backing.

Her momma Jolene's final creation.

Cheryl made this stunning quilt from a layer cake packet. Love it.

This quilt is for a competition coming up soon. I call it "Summer's Heat."

2016 Heatwole Sewing Retreat & Planting Corn

Our 2016 Heatwole Sewing Retreat is now history. If you missed out, here are some links that tell of our time together. 

Barbara's blog  "QuiltinGal."

Polly's posts "PollyHeatwoleYoder."

My posts "JuliaHeatwoleGraber."

I love being with Mother and my sisters. 

It was a fun and fantastic week.

Paul came to Chattanooga to pick me up and enjoyed being with us the last day.

This past week the men started planting corn in some of the drier fields.

Kirby and Stacy enjoy riding with their Dad after school.

Heatwole Sewing Retreat and Father's Shirts

Our annual family sewing retreat took place on the Outer Banks of NC.

My first project was to make another small quilt from Father’s Shirts. You can see my first one HERE and HERE.

Mother marked the backside of some of the squares for me to sew diagonally to get 2 half square triangles from 2 squares.

I chain stitched the squares and then Mother snipped the thread between the chain and then cut on the diagonal line making 2 half square triangles.

Inspiration for this quilt came from the book “Mad About Plaid” by Debbie Bacon.

I thought I was finished with this top; but now I want to change those light triangles in the border for a medium value.

Now Coleen is taking the scraps and making herself a “Father’s Shirts” quilt too.

Jolene machine quilted her huge queen size quilt on her domestic Bernina. I think it has been in the making for 10 years.

Four generations of quilters – Great grandmother Margaret, Grandmother June, Mother Jolene, and Daughter Afton.

Polly machine quilts feathers on her Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt, Grand Illusion.

Mother helped Barbara with a quilt, piecing and ironing.

I loved finding inspiration out by the beach for another piece of fiber art.

Heatwole Sewing Retreat and Grands

My brother Oren Jr.’s wife Cheryl is making a string quilt that reminds me of a July picnic!

Mother worked faithfully hand piecing her hexies into “Grandmother’s Flower Garden.”

My “Fiesta Fireworks” is ready for some quilting. Ashton came along back with Paul to pick me up and take me home.

Mother, daughter, and baby!

Two and a half dozen grand's!!!!

Heatwole Sewing Retreat … continued

This is the cabin we have been occupying all this past week. Can you see Polly waving from the balcony? And there is a huge hornets nest on the left side of the picture.

Coleen and I decided to get out and take a walk for exercise and to see the country. I’m hoping we can attend the little church for services.

There were a couple nice cabins, a small pool, and this little waterfalls at the end of the cul de sac.

Paul’s sister Dorcas wanted help with a “Dick, Jane, and Sally” quilt. Now that I got it all pieced, she plans to hand quilt it and put it up for auction.

I started a new project, “Fiesta Fireworks.” This was the beginning stages and I already discarded the red border for a plain black background.

My niece Jolene and her daughter Afton joined us for a couple days.

Heatwole Sewing / Quilt Retreat

We are in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee near Pigeon Forge for this annual event.

Snow and ice were on the steep drive to our cabin.

A nostalgic moment.

Barbara made this quilt from Father’s pants. Mother said he never wore jeans.

Not everyone brought sewing projects to work on.

Amy finished piecing her Star Spin quilt from a pattern designed by our sister Barbara.

A story???

Ashton took me on a steep walk all the way around the cabin.

So, where is everyone?

… Oh, there they are!

Some of the cousins from the next generation are sewing right along with us.

Polly finished piecing her Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt, Celtic Solstice.

Emily and her “Disappearing 9-Patch.”

Cheryl is having fun making a “string” quilt.