I am soooooo lucky! I have a small group of friends, brought about through quilting, that I couldn't imagine life without. We get together once every week or two for a sew day and thoroughly enjoy each other's company. We can also rely on each other for advice (quilting and otherwise), support and encouragement.

Right now, in the midst of physical distancing because of Covid-19, I miss them more than ever. Routine is a tough thing to give up, especially when it involves something so enjoyable with such great people.

I've known Becky the longest...and not because of quilting. Our sons went to school together from JK all the way through high school. It wasn't until she started taking my quilting classes at The Ultimate Sewing Centre that we became actual friends, not just acquaintances. Becky is our brilliant mathematician. The rest of us can be scratching our heads trying to figure something out and she's already got it solved. She's also the first one to say “I don't need a pattern for that” and the next thing you know, she's made 12 of them...whatever they are.

Marg and Gail started taking my classes roughly at the same time. Even though they didn't know each other they hit it off right away. They started taking more and more classes together and then I couldn't get rid of them (clearly I'm just kidding). I was always happy to see them on my class list because we all had the same sick sense of humour and I knew that a class with them would be a good one.

Marg is one of the most patient people I know and her sewing skills are incredible. Even though she does a lot of modern style patterns and scrappy quilts in beautiful, bright colours she also makes the most beautiful miniatures and foundation paper piecing. Something that I would probably want to throw across the room in frustration she has razor sharp focus for and does the most intricate work imaginable. She's also Becky's personal lackey...she does most of her bindings.

Gail is our colour guru. She has such an impressive innate colour sense. She puts colour and pattern together in ways you wouldn't even dream of and the results are always spectacular. When we are silly enough to offer a colour suggestion for her projects, and she doesn't like our choice, we usually hear “mmm hmm” which means no. Forever the optimist, when her pieces don't go together quite the way they're supposed to we hear “that'll quilt out”! (Gail has a longarm machine.)

Patti was the last person to join our little group and is the newest quilter. She took classes with Gail and together they became the class troublemakers. She is the most organized person I know. Every class note, pattern, etc is filed alphabetically in a binder, her fabrics are all meticulously folded in a glass fronted cupboard, and she has a place for everything and everything's in its place. In the short period of time that she has been quilting her skills have grown exponentially. She is now on par with the rest of us...except when it comes to making bags...they are her kryptonite.

Every once in a while Trudie will join our usual party of five. She started out as my student, then became my coworker and now I'm proud to call her my friend. Trudie is one of the kindest, most humble people I know. Her machine embroidery skills are absolutely amazing, and unlike Patti she enjoys making bags. It's always a treat when she's able to join us for a sew day.

One of our favourite things to do together is go away on a quilt retreat 2 or 3 times a year. 3 or 4 days of uninterrupted sewing with some of my favourite people is a great way to spend quality time. If you've never been on a retreat with your buds I highly recommend it (more info on retreats here). In the future, invite a couple of sewing sisters over to your place for a sew day and relax...the fun will definitely come and you might even get stuff done!