Some ladies at my church and I are starting a sewing/quilting group.  Last Friday we met for the first time.  We have some beginning quilters, so we are starting with some easy projects to teach basic techniques.  Last week we made the star blocks in the quilt top above.  I had the pieces cut out for each block, and we worked together to piece them.  These stars are made using the Scrap Crazy 6" templates from Creative Grids, and the quilt pattern Big Sky is in the templates' companion book called Scrap Crazy 6" by Karen Montgomery.  We are all pleased at how lovely it looks.  My mom is getting the backing.  Hopefully it will be quilted soon!

Last week at our first meeting we were trying to decide upon a name for ourselves, and the best we could do was The Happy Stitchers.  This week we had a change of heart and someone suggested The Sew Sews, and everyone seemed to like that play on words better.  It made us laugh, so for now, at least, we are the Sew Sews.

Today The Sew Sews started this project.  It is a table runner based on the pattern called Hobo Rails which can be found on Craftsy.  This is a great beginner project because it isn't too big, and it teaches sewing 2-1/2" strips and cutting with the rotary cutter.  We will also do some straight line quilting and binding to finish it off.  Above is a sample I made.  Lydia selected the watermelon fabric.  We were thinking summer!

Not everyone wanted their picture taken, but here are some of The Sew Sews at work today.

What beautiful, photogenic ladies.  Everyone did a great job today.  It will take another week or two for us to finish, but it will be fun.  If you live in the Butler, Pennsylvania, area and would like to join us, just contact me.  We meet in the Fellowship Hall at Summit Presbyterian Church.

I need to show a finished project, so I will also share what my daughter Lydia and I made last weekend - kitty blocks!  These are from the pattern The Kittens by Elizabeth Hartman.  We just love these.  They are cute and so fun to make.  I see more of these kitties in our future, and no litter box required :-)  Lydia did some awesome sewing.  She decided they would be for a pillow for Aunt Brenda's birthday.  It turned out great!

I have never used one of Elizabeth Hartman's patterns before, but it was really well written with lots of instructions, nice color pages in a booklet form, and worth the price.  I would recommend it!

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.  I'll be linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday.  Have a great weekend everyone!