When the boss is away … and TGIFF

/ quiltinggail

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ve heard me mention Essem Textiles. Well, the lovely couple that own the store had their traditional Indian wedding last week. They’re already married, but had to keep it small because of Covid, but now with the restrictions lifted, they were able to celebrate in style! I got to run the store for them. I asked if I could have a Mini Retreat in the classroom … and they said “yes.”

There were 4 ladies that were able to come … and I heard lots of laughter and chatting coming from the back.

This is what the classroom looked like after everyone left on Day 1:

The machines all set up and projects in process. Unfortunately, I neglected to get a close up of some of the projects. Judy, (bottom left) is working on a beautiful Card Trick Quilt. Robin, (top left) made pillowcases for each of her grandkids. Nora, (bottom right) is working on a Postcard from Sweden quilt. She had everything labeled … talk about organization – oh my! Nora takes organization to an all new level! Amy, (top right) worked on a couple of different projects: binding a quilt and making a block for a new quilt or pillow …

Fun work for the store & TGIFF

TGIFF is Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday. There is a linky party every week.

I did work on a couple of quilts for Essem. I managed to piece the whale in between customers, but the quilting on both of these happened at home. They were fun to do!

The whale is from the book “Fat Quarter Baby.” It’s a very cute book. Each of the quilts is named after someone. The whale one is called “Andrew.” The directions were very clear and easy to follow. The book is available at Essem Textiles, if you want to purchase it.

Aren’t the whales adorable? And yes, the bubbles and eyes were appliqued on … and I survived the process! ( For those that don’t know me very well, I’ve been know to call applique CRAP-lique! )

Here is a super cute panel that Essem Textiles has in the store. It was fun to quilt! Mostly stippling, outlining the main portion and some snowflakes thrown in. See the part on the right hand side? The panel comes so that there is enough of those snowmen and snowflakes to have as the complete back.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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28 thoughts on “When the boss is away … and TGIFF”

  1. Lots of fun I bet to run the store and host a retreat too! Love your whale quilt. The store I work at carries that book too. Great projects! That panel quilt is so adorable. Love your quilting on it. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Jennifer!
      Well, I didn’t get to play much at the retreat, but it was sure fun having people in the classroom!
      Scrappy Improv: Have you made anything from the book?? It’s a fun book!
      Thank you for hosting Wednesday Wait Loss! 🙂

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  2. Gail it looks like you had too much fun to call it “work” when you were looking after the store. How sweet of you to do so in order to let the owners of Essem have their formal wedding and still keep the store open. I’m not sure which of the pretty projects I like best. Isn’t sewing with people the best?

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  7. Hi Gail! How fabulously fun! Running a quilt shop for a day sounds like absolute pleasure. I wonder how many customers you had stop in? The mini-retreat looks like it was very productive for all involved. Gosh, your whale quilt is so darn cute . . . and you survived the appliqué to tell the tale. Great job! ~smile~ Roseanne

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    • Yes, it was fun to run the fabric store … There were a few customers each day … it was very fun to talk with them! I really like the whale quilt … I can see another in my future! 🙂 Happy Quilting! 🙂

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  8. If you haven’t tried “Crafted Applique” -then you should. I find it the easiest way for me to get good results. To be honest, I don’t like the fabric prep process, but I love the results.

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