So I'm back from retreat, which was a really fun getaway. (Random: It got up to 97-degrees while I was there; I'm home to 43 today. Yikes. I really soaked up the CA sunshine for sure.) Anyway, I was able to use my friend's Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000, which is bigger, and more of a sewing and embroidery combo machine than my Janome 6700P. So quite different, but with enough similarities that I adapted pretty quickly. I enjoyed sewing on it very much. I had a nice little set-up with my own pressing and cutting station. For larger pieces, a full-size ironing board and cutting boards were set up for us to share.
The first project I tackled was the batik Mini Square in Square blocks for the current Many Hands and Many Hearts March-May 2026 block drive hosted by Cynthia Brunz @cynthiabrunzdesigns.
I just happened to have a small handful of batik fabrics in my stash, which I used for the outer portions of the blocks. Then I also had a batik jelly roll from which I was able to cut 2.5" centers for the blocks. Cynthia was ok with me sending just light center/dark outer blocks, so I was grateful for that. All the blocks finished at 8.5" square, and I plan to get them mailed off to her in the next day or so. I'm glad I was able to participate in another round, and honestly, these were the perfect retreat project. And there's still time to join in, if you are able - all the details are here.
Your blocks look fantastic, I'm glad you had batiks in your stash to work with. I'm hoping to start cutting fabric for blocks today.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great retreat. I am curious about traveling with sewing gear. Do you check a bag with scissors? I’m traveling in May to take a quilt class and trying to figure out what to do about my cutting tools.
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