It has been my absolute joy and privilege to be part of an amazingly talented, caring and funny group of quilters called 'Brit Bee'.
We formed in 2011 from the 'Brit Quilt' Flickr Group, and despite 3 member changes, we haven't stopped sewing for each other since!
Our very first 'meet up' at Fat Quarterly Retreat, London, 2012. (I'm on top of a table, just in case you thought I was freakishly tall!)
Although we are spread across the UK, we try to meet up at least once a year (more if we can!). I have missed out on the last 2 retreats, and so was determined to make it to Bedfordshire for our 2017 retreat.
This year, 9 Brit Bee-ers and Cindy (a special friend of Brit Bee) spent the last weekend eating, chatting, sewing, eating, more sewing, considerably more eating, minimal sleeping and lots more sewing!
We may not see each other more than once or twice a year, but we fit so easily together again, like a well worn pair of much loved slippers!
It was such an easy atmosphere, we could wake up, grab a cuppa, and head straight to the sewing machines in our pjs, bleary eyes and dishevelled hair!
We also inspired and 'nutured' each other's creativity, getting caught up on bee blocks, consulting on quilt design, helping out with tricky paper piecing. All the while getting caught up on life, our hopes, dreams, struggles and triumphs.
Fiona's R4 blocks so far
Susan's R4 blocks so far
Trudi's R4 blocks so far
As always, the weekend goes too quickly, but the inspiration and refreshment from our time together lasts much longer.
I got lots of sewing done too, and will blog about these projects separately.
In the meantime, I will leave you with a picture of the Brit Bee R4 blocks I have received so far.
Happy sewing!
[…] My middle daughter turned 18 last February, and I got her birthday quilt started at Brit Bee Retreat. […]
oh this all just seem so much fun, like an Enid Blyton novel! You are lucky to have found each other and to meet up like this.
Hi Judith! You are all lucky to have this group and for so many years! Can't or perhaps can, imagine how much fun you have when spending time together! x Teje
Thanks for the lovely date! Dont the blocks look spectacular? And so different too!