Archive for May, 2010
May 30th, 2010
Attending International Quilt Market is always a highlight of the season. Having the opportunity to speak with pattern designers, seeing what they have new, and the chance to renew friendships with those in the industry.
Again for the Spring 2010 Market, I have taken photographs of the pattern designers booths who we represent online. You can see these photos by selecting the tab “Quilt Market Photos” at the top of the page. Additionally, if you see something in the photo that you would like to shop for, just select the designers name under the photo to see their complete product catalog.
May 28th, 2010
Enjoy quilts even if you aren’t in your sewing room. What a relaxing way to spend a hot summer afternoon, or a cool summer evening.
Measuring Up features two adorable kitties nestled in their basket amidst all the sewing notions. Measuring 20″ x 27″ this puzzle by Anne Mortimer has 1,000 pieces.
A quilt made of Garden Path blocks is hanging on the line with a garden in the background. Rows of harvest ready vegetables are watched over by a friendly scarecrow. Rebecca Barker connects the scenery in her art with the quilt that is featured.
The Quilt Barn is where I want to shop . . . fresh fruits and vegetables and quilts all in one old barn. Quilts are displayed inside and out and they fill the pick up truck – GREAT use of a truck, don’t you think?! A cardinal watches the activity as he is perched on a wood fence that’s covered in a beautiful flowering vine. This puzzle is by Kay Lamb Shannon, measures 18″ x 24″ and has 500 pieces.
Doug Knuttson created this Perfect Setting of two love birds perched on their charming little house in the midst of a rose garden with a wedding ring quilt in the background. Awwwww. He DID promise her a rose garden.
This scene of a Country Autumn day by Nancy Wernersbach, with a pieced and appliqued quilt hanging on the clothesline, is filled with detail. A dog and a couple of kittens are lounging in the front yard, flowers are all around, pumpkins are ready, a basket of apples sits at the foot of the porch and a curtain blows in the breeze. Don’t you just want to settle into the rocker or set on the steps a while?
Two boys play with The Family Wagon in the foreground, as mom and daughter hang quilts on the line along with the rest of the day’s laundry. Tom Antonishak is the artist that created this 19″ x 30″ puzzle with 1,000 pieces.
Choose a puzzle, set up the card table, make a pitcher of lemonade, gather family and enjoy a few hours of conversation as you all work on a pretty puzzle.
May 19th, 2010
Jo Morton’s newest book, Coming Home, will be available in late May. But you can pre-order now.
Jo Morton has been quilting for over thirty years. Not long after that she began creating small quilts that were new, but had the look of “olde”. With a long list of teaching experience to her credit at quilds, shops, retreats and shows, she has also appeared on Simply Quilts and Love Of Quilting. Her quilts are in public and private collections across the country. Since publishing her first book in 2000, she has written and published well over a dozen books.
You have almost certainly seen her fabulous lines of fabric that she designs for Andover fabrics. The new collections of Jo Morton fabrics will take you back to the 19th century with beautiful interpretations of period fabrics.
Coming Home is 92 pages of projects and inspiration. With a new layout and revised directions to make it easier to follow, you will find pieced quilt patterns as well as applique quilt patterns. Twelve quilt projects, plus two more from Jo’s Little Women Club 7 that are “Worth Repeating”.
Pre-order now so you can get your hands on this one as soon as it is available!
May 17th, 2010
Clothesline Quilts features traditional small and full size quilt patterns, table toppers, and craft projects for young and old. The designer, Evonne Cook, has been sewing since taking a home ec class in 7th grade. Many years later, when her mom learned to quilt (under a designated Master Quilter, no less) and a cousin’s wife shared her quilting, Evonne took notice and soon was hooked. She has been quilting and designing ever since.
I was fortunate enough to spend some time speaking with Evonne the other day. Here’s a bit of our conversation….
You have several patterns designed for grandma and a grandchild to use together. How did that come about? The coloring bag was the first pattern for kids. I realized that grandmothers enjoy making something for their grandkids as opposed to just buying a gift.
As a designer, what comes first for you… the fabric or the design? Well, I owned a quilt shop for about ten years. Then, it was the fabric that came first. The patterns were designed with the fabric in mind. Now, the pattern is where I start… actually for the Civil War Battle Series research is done before the pattern is designed. When I began the series I selected twelve battles from the Civil War. For each quilt I would read about the battle, the location and the generals involved. I select a block that seemed appropriate. For instance, the blockade block for the New Orleans quilt. The quilt would then be designed around the chosen block. In each case I discovered that the finished quilt always somehow also formed some reminder or representation of the battle. As an example, in the battle of Gettysburg the soldiers charged so close to the enemy that they were actually under the cannon fire… the enemy was in front of them and cannonballs were falling behind them. If you look at the quilt, there is an open section in the middle surrounded by a darker area.
You say your business is based in your farm home. Do you have a certain time of day that you prefer to work; do you need to fit your work in between chores? If I could, I would work on my quilting and designing from morning ’til night. I find that when you are so interested and involved that it’s necessary to force yourself away from time to time. So I do make sure that I take weekends off . But I love my work and happily spend as much time as possible at it. I am sometimes asked to give presentations but I don’t do it very often as I would much rather be at home working.
What are you currently working on? Do you have anything new coming out? I have a new series Civil War Generals. Lee and Grant will be the first in the series. These will first make an appearance at Quilt Market in May. In fact, while I am in the area I will be giving a presentation on my Civil War quilts for a local quilt guild.
The Civil War patterns all include a brief history about the battle and a fictional letter from the battlefield. They can be made in two sizes… a lap quilt or a full size bed quilt. I wish I could be at that guild meeting presentation - hearing Evonne speak about her quilts was fascinating.
May 10th, 2010
Jelly Rolls and Charm Packs are so tempting. It’s wonderful to have a piece of every fabric in a collection. Then you just have to find a way to show it all off. Fortunately there are plenty of Jelly Roll quilt patterns and Charm Pack patterns available.
Sittin’ Pretty placemats make good use of any charm pack. This will sew up fast and look so pretty with all the coordinating fabrics. Designed by Amy Cotham of Black Cat Creations these are 13″ x 18″ when finished.
Charming Trio – The Baby Collection offers three patterns in one, specially designed for charm packs. The adorable Hugs and Kisses quilt can be used to cover baby or hang on the wall in the nursery. Also included are two pillow patterns (one for the hugs and one for the kisses!) and a diaper bag.
This generous sized lap quilt looks like it would take quite a long time with all the little squares but with a jelly roll and strip piecing and a secret or two, it’s easy and you’ll have a Pretty Zig-Zag quilt before you know it!
A Jelly Sandwich never looked so good. This colorful throw size quilt (50.5″ x 58.5″) was designed by Barbara Grove of Me & My Sisters Designs.
Lemon Blush is another pattern by Barbara Grove. The long strips of braids look great surrounded by the light lemon colored fabric. Or you could change the background color and make it Orange Crush, Grape Luscious….
So that will get you started… there are plenty more patterns designed for charm packs, jelly rolls, layer cakes, honey buns… all the sweet fabric packs. Don’t hold back – Zero calories!
