SOUTHERN SUPER STAR

 Recently, I got the chance to travel to Corinth, Mississippi to teach a favorite class: Southern Super Star:

This is my go-to Giveaway quilt. I have made 8 of them, this one is mine to keep so I always have a teaching sample ready. I can make the top in a weekend, if I don't have to cook. And it's fast and easy to quilt, either doing it myself or "quilting by checkbook". It is easy to select colors that are perfect for the specific person I am making it for. 

The pattern is Southern Star by Calico Carriage Quilt Designs.

The Crosscity Piecemakers Quilt Guild, of Corinth, MS, is a wonderful group of women. Many of them are also members of the Needlechasers Guild of Iuka, MS--I spent a lovely time with them in January of this year, teaching Western Sun at their 3 day retreat. Read all about that amazing event here: Western Sun in Tennessee

It is an easy 2.5 hour drive from my home in Huntsville AL to Corinth MS. Since it was a driving trip, it was easy to pack two large suitcases full of quilts for the afternoon Trunk Show.  Everyone told me they enjoyed the quilts AND the stories. You know each quilt has a story, right? And a lot of my stories are funny. 

While I am speaking I am not aware of photos being taken. Several of these were shared on the guild's Facebook page. They tag me so I see them. The lovely compliments are nice to hear:

Aether, pattern by Patty Murphy Handmade 

Full Circle, pattern by Wendy Williams

Homeward Bound, pattern by Sarah Fielke, free to Star Members of TheQuiltShow.com during 2023

Full Circle was finished just the day before this trip so I was able to take it on it's maiden outing. Everyone loved seeing it and I got to sleep under it at the hotel:

I have written about Full Circle before. Find those posts here:

See the Quilting

Teaching at Empty Spools Seminar

Teaching Full Circle in Huntsville September 2023

The pattern is by Wendy Williams. It lends itself to a 5 day, intense, challenging, rewarding Seminar experience. The local class September 11-15, 2023 at Southern Charm Quilting in Huntsville now only has TWO SPOTS left. Two of the Corinth women signed up while I was with them after seeing my quilt up close. If YOU want to learn so much and make a wonderful, important quilt, REGISTER TODAY .  Even if you can just get on the waiting list, there are usually a spot or two that open the week before classes start. You might still get in and it will be worth it, I promise.

Back to Corinth. After my trunk show, I left to check into the  hotel and go swimming. Having recently bought a bathing suit in a size I never expected to see again, a size I haven't been in 26 years, I was eager to try it out. I'll spare you the photo but it looked good, I felt good, and I love to swim. So even the 95 degree weather couldn't keep me out of the pool. Which was surprisingly refreshing.

The next morning I was at the Fitness center before 6 am to do 45 minutes on the treadmill, 4 mph pace. This is about half the time I usually spend each morning but it was better than nothing. No surprise, I had the place to myself:

After my oatmeal breakfast, I was back at the venue by 8:15. Someone brought these:

I didn't touch the donuts but was very happy to select a few home grown tomatoes to take home.

After a busy morning, we had salad and pizza for lunch. I went heavy on the salad, light on the pizza--my one slice was gone by the time I snapped this:

Afternoon was spent learning how to make the rest of the quilt and how additional borders can easily turn this into a queen size quilt.  Class went very well and a lot was accomplished:

A few detail shots: 

And the obligatory group shot:

We wrapped things up in time for most to get on the road before very heavy, torrential thunderstorms hit. I was making great time when I ran into a 30 minute traffic standstill due to an overturned tractor trailer. As soon as I got onto the Tennessee River bridge in Decatur AL the sky opened up and I white-knuckled it across the bridge and for the next 8 miles on the interstate. Got out of the blinding rain for about 15 minutes, until I was 5 miles from home and it started again. Not fun anytime of day but especially tough during Friday afternoon rush hour. 

But once I was safely home, all was well and only the good memories remain. I hope to see these wonderful women again someday.

Let's quilt.

Barbara