Just before I fell ill with chronic Bronchitis I, together with my great friend, Adrienne, attended the Rookwood Sewing Retreat Day. This has become an event held twice a year when we like-minded sewing enthusiasts descend on the Rookwood School for a day a sewing, chatting, eating and downright 100% enjoyment with our sewing sisters!

On offer were several projects to make starting with a Jelly Roll Rug, mat or bag, something that seems to have taken the internet by storm.

I had prepared by bringing along a jelly roll, some pre-cut wadding and plenty of pre-wound bobbins as I knew that the project was particularly ‘thread hungry’.

Before commencing on that BIG project, we were also shown some clam-shaped zip-top pouches.

They looked really cute and the pattern was available in several sizes from extra small to extra large. As I knew that I would be needing some form of pouch or bag in which to put Christmas gifts, I started the sewing marathon with a Medium-sized pouch.

During the day we undertook a block stitching challenge which was really well-prepared with all the triangles of fabric pre-cut. All we had to do was stitch into the CORRECT order and ensure that we kept to a strict ¼ inch seam allowance. All the completed blocks were then drawn and distributed to lucky winners to make up into a project of their choice. I was unlucky but Adrienne did win a set of blocks with which she was delighted.

We stopped for a delicious lunch to which everyone had contributed. All very tasty.

After lunch I started on the mammoth task of the jelly roll. I intended to make a bag which I continued stitching at home. I can only say that this turned out to be the most unusual-shaped bag that I have every made! Banana-shaped!!

We ended the day tired but happy, loaded up with a head full of inspiration and new ideas for our sewing.

The next retreat will be in May 2019.