Round Bobbin's "Sew Fun Cruise" participants departed from Ft. Lauderdale on May 10th. This eight day cruise featured sewing, quilting, shore tours and many fun activities aboard Carnival's newest ship, Liberty. Kaye Wood, Betty Cotton and Bernadette Coppola instructed classes during our days at sea between the destinations of Cozumel Mexico, Costa Rica, the port of Colon in Panama and our return to Ft. Lauderdale.

Janome provided Memory Craft 6600 sewing machines for everyone to use. Scott Lapham and Suzanne Walsh of Citrus Sew & Vac were on hand to assist with the set-up and operation of the machines. They also opened the classroom in the evenings for anyone who needed extra time to finish their project or for those who just wanted to sew for the fun of it!

The week went by quickly and ended with a farewell party in Liberty's Hot & Cool Disco. Dozens of prizes were awarded including products from the cruise sponsors, instructors and Citrus Sew & Vac.

We're currently researching our next cruise destination and will announce details here when they are available. Thank you to everyone who sailed with us and we hope to see you again on the next Sew Fun Cruise!

our cruise instructors:
Kaye Wood
Betty Cotton
Bernadette Coppola

Links to photos from the cruise:
Casual photos    Class photos    Farewell Party photos    Prize Winner photos

THE 2008 ROUND BOBBIN SEW FUN CRUISE WAS SPONSORED BY THESE COMPANIES:

These quilted projects were made with Kaye during the cruise!

Blazing Star
This quilt block was created in approximately three hours. (Quilt illustrated on the left has six blocks). The single star block was 15" square and suitable for a pillow.

Spinning Diamond
Creating the Spinning Diamond quilt top was a 1 1/2 day project. Fabric cutting was done on the first day (approximately 3 hours). It took one full day to sew. The quilt top is 54" x 47"

These quilted projects were made with Betty during the cruise!

Tulip Tango Placemat
Betty Cotton helped cruisers create a reversible placemat with three-dimensional seams using Cotton Theory Quilting, "Quilt First - Then Assemble" method.

Kit Included:

• Pre-cut front side fabric
• Pre-cut back side fabric
• Pre-cut batting
• Binding strips
• Publication
• Use of thread
• Bobbins wound
• Topstitch needle #90/14
• Adhesive quilting guide

Mitered Corners & Machine Applied Binding
Betty assisted cruisers with selecting the appropriate binding, seam allowance, perfect mitered corners, learn the magic triangle and use of decorative stitches to secure binding in place. This class was a perfect follow up and companion to Tulip Tango Placemat. Learn the secret of mitered corners on cloth napkins.

Kit included:

• Binding Strips
• Quilting needle # 80/12
• 18" x 18" square napkin
• Use of thread
• Bobbins wound

Make these quilted projects were made with Bernadette during the cruise!

Anchors Away! Tote Bag
It’s big enough for your all day pool necessities. This class taught how to do simple appliqué and couching while using the Janome Memory Craft 6600 and its dual feed system.
Kit fee was $25.

Cruisin’ to the Nines
This quirky nine patch was easy to do using the layer, cut and sew method of constructing these blocks. It was a fast way to piece and finish a quilt!
Kit fee was $44.

Drunkard’s Sailor’s Path
This fun project demonstrated how to use the circular sewing attachment. No curve piecing! Cruisers were taught how to appliqué circles on the Janome Memory Craft 6600 and the circular sewing attachment. Drunkard’s Paths were never this easy!
Kit fee was $38.

Instructors also presented lectures:

Kaye Wood

Quilting with Shapes
Kaye shares ideas for enhancing your quilts with fussy-cut hexagons, octagons, circles, diamonds and hearts. Learn ideas for using embroidery or fabric designs. Projects for all levels of expertise.

Quiltmaking Made Simple
Learn how to eliminate the "slow-downs" in quiltmaking with Kaye's original cutting and sewing techniques. Designs for the pointless and pointed quilter; projects for everyone. You'll say, "Why didn't I think of that?”

The Pointless People are my Favorite
Pointed People think the Pointless People are trying to become Pointed People. But, no, they're not trying. Kaye simplifies projects for them so there are no points to match. You can help turn others into quilt addicts with these great projects, by teaching beginners to make No Problem quilts.

Betty Cotton

Cotton Theory Quilting Part I
Cotton Theory Quilting is a unique way of constructing reversible quilts using Betty's folding procedures. Welcome to the world of Cotton Theory Quilting where you will find three-dimensional seams, quilted embroidery and reversible binding. No more trying to fit a bulky quilt into your sewing machine. There is no Hand Work! This lecture will also include a Trunk Show.

Bobbin Work
Cotton Theory Quilting gives you three-dimensional seams. How would you like to add three dimension to your quilting? Bobbin work allows you to put anything too heavy to fit through the eye of the needle, in your bobbin. Betty will showcase several samples using floss, ribbon and even yarn using decorative stitches along with embroidery. It doesn't matter if you have a rotary hook bobbin case or a drop-in. It will work!

Cotton Theory Quilting with traditional blocks Part II
Enlarged seam allowances are needed in order to construct your quilt using Cotton Theory Quilting. There are four different ways to go about using traditional quilt blocks that only have a 1/4" seam. You will love quilting your blocks first, then assembling them into a reversible quilt.

Bernadette Coppola

Me & My Quilt Frame
Bernadette will discuss the advantages to owning your own quilting machine and a frame, How having a dedicated machine for your frame is important to your quilting success. Learn quick quilting techniques to make your quilt machine and frame work for you.

Quilts with Embroidery: A Happy Marriage
Join Bernadette as she discusses the benefits of using embroidery on quilts. The sky is the limit on your creativity when you use the embroidery machine to make your quilts! The fun you will have when you marry quilting and embroidery.

Participants in our cruise did not have to bring their sewing machines with them.
Janome brought plenty of Janome Memory Craft 6600 machines for everyone to use!

Prices started at $986 per person
Price included classes.
Bonnie at Cruise One handled cruise and travel arrangements:
1-800-784-4480

For discount air fare go to the American Airlines website at www.aa.com
Use the promotion code: A2358AR
You may also phone 1-800-433-1790. (A phone reservation fee will apply)