A Quilting Jolly

I've had a great day out today with the local branch of the Embroiderers' Guild.  They had organised a jolly to Threads and Patches near Milton Keynes and I was able to join them.

It was an early start but we were greeted with homemade cake (chocolate cake for me please) and coffee and then settled down for some really useful demonstrations.  Time for a tasty buffet lunch and then shopping!  Here are some of the ladies queuing to pay for their goodies.

I stocked up on 505, was tempted by a pattern and fell for a Dresden Plate ruler that was demonstrated during one of the morning sessions.  Rulers seem incredibly expensive (I'm embarrassed to tell you how much this one was) but for something like Dresden Plate, that needs to be so accurate, they are worth buying, and it is a block I like to make.

The plastic things at the bottom of the photo are Bob-Eez.  These were demonstrated for use in making kumihimo, they hold the threads clean and tidy and also weight them slightly.  I only bought eight but if they work well I will need to buy a further eight.

"What about fabric?" I hear you cry.  Well my haul was of mixed pink FQs and a couple of metres of cream on cream.  Wasn't I restrained?  The pinks are for the next Global Piecers' swap which will be of hearts blocks as a reflection of the love and support us quilters have for one another.
I was impressed with the selection of fabrics available at Threads and Patches (they also have other craft materials, wool and a longarm quilter who works on site).  It's definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.