On Saturday our group of patchwork enthusiasts visited the Leisi Patchwork House on Saaremaa.
Patchwork World is a group of Estonian patchwork makers who met a couple of years ago at the Tallinn Folk High School, on a patchwork course (tutor Marja Matiisen). Since the course ended we have met regularly to exchange thoughts, share experiences and learn something new.
The journey was an experience in itself. On one side of the ship the sun was shining, while on the other black shadows met brilliant white clouds. In the distance the rain fell like a black curtain along the horizon. A rainbow arched across the sky, broke at the horizon and came straight along the waves to the side of the ship. I watched it with my nose over the railing and in my amazement did not even think to take a picture. 🙂
We arrived dry, with Muhu handmade bread scenting our bags, still warm, imagine.
We were welcomed by the mistress of the Leisi Patchwork House, Maire Forsel, with platefuls of home baked pies and buns on the table.
To begin with she introduced us to the patchwork computer program Electric Quilt 7. I am planning to get a program like that for myself soon, so this subject came in very handy.
Next came the main topic of the meeting: getting to know the quilting frame there and trying it out.
As far as we know there are only three such frames or machines in the whole of our small country. Besides the frame at the Leisi Patchwork House, which is made for Janome machines and called Happy Jack, there are two similar products by Husqvarna.
The frame is a framework about 3 m long with rollers, onto which the layers of the quilt (backing, wadding or wool batt, patterned top) are wound and held under tension, and the whole surface is quilted through. On the frame, on rollers, sits a sewing machine. The quilting stitch is guided by handles on both sides of the frame.
There are also complete frames with a machine included, even digitally programmable ones, but we have only seen those in pictures or on YouTube. If you are more interested, type "quilting machine" into Google or YouTube. Patchwork makers in the USA quilt all their larger pieces with machines like these. Here we still tend to use the quilting possibilities of an ordinary machine: the quilt is quilted through in a grid, or additionally with so called free motion quilting. To do free motion quilting you have to move the patchwork about under the machine needle with your own two golden hands until the shapes, the quilting design, appear on it.
The Leisi Patchwork House, the quilting frame
So, our hostess Maire showed us how to fix the work onto the machine, and we all got our own trial piece. Red fabric went onto the frame and white thread into the machine, so that the trial work would show up well. Half our group took part this time, that is 13 ladies. A few of the more curious husbands had been brought along as well. I dragged mine along too, so that he would know what my next piece of equipment looks like, the one that has to fit into the house. 🙂
At the end of the day Ilme introduced us to another international patchwork project she takes part in. The project is called Dear Jane, and she showed us the patchwork blocks she has already made within it. In the end there should be 225 different blocks, and from those one large quilt. The project began from a quilt of the same kind, sewn in 1863 by Jane A.
For this meeting Ilme had sewn all of us little pencil cases with lace and pearls. So pretty and so sweet.
The day was very enjoyable and full of substance, and everyone there was endlessly lovely.
Many thanks once again to Kadri for organising the meeting, to Maire for the lovely welcome and to Ilme for the splendid presents. And to everyone who took part, for being so cheerful and good company. Our group picture was taken by Kadri.
Photo: Kadri Kivistik, at the Leisi Patchwork House
Here are a few more pictures of each of us straining away at quilting our trial piece. On one side of the frame with free motion quilting, on the other following a flower template that Maire had prepared for us.
The same event is described on her blog by Krista, alias Ombluse Mamsel.
