Daily Blog

  0

fShare

Tweet

We all understand that quilts can keep us warm and comfort us during times of sickness and stress, but did you know that quilts can also play an important role in times of conflict? Beginning June 30, and continuing through November 25, the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, MA, will present Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the Civil War. This moving exhibit showcases quilts, clothing, and other textiles and artifacts to connect deeply moving and insightful personal stories (private memory) about the Civil War, its causes, and its aftermath, with the broader national context (public history).

"Textiles were integral to the Civil War—physically, economically, ideologically, and emotionally—and linked soldiers and civilians. The exhibition and book build on recent scholarship in social and economic history to tell of the events that led to the war, the stories of men and women affected by the Civil War, and the opportunities and challenges that followed it." 

  0

fShare

Tweet

Are you looking for something to do with the family this summer? Why not plan a trip to the National Mall in Washington, DC, for the annual (and FREE) Smithsonian Folklife Festival? This year's festival dates are June 27 - July 1 and July 4 - July 8. Along with hands-on exhibits, food, and music, you'll be able to view portions of the AIDS quilt, which will be exhibited to mark the 25th anniversary of this moving fabric memorial. 

Here are some facts about the AIDS Memorial Quilt:

• The quilt extends for 1.3 million square feet and weighs over 54 tons.
• It would take 33 days to view the entire AIDS Memorial Quilt, spending only one minute per panel.
• More than 91,000 names are incorporated into The Quilt.
• Quilt panels are assembled from a variety of materials, both conventional and unconventional. These include, for example, Barbie dolls, car keys, bubble wrap, Legos, tennis shoes, credit cards, and a Sony Walkman.
• On average, one new panel is added to The Quilt every day of the year.

  0

fShare

Tweet

(Capt'n John) -  "As the executor of an estate, I have a '74 Pontiac Lemans to sell.  So I went to a car show for the first time.  I wondered how our audience could benefit from this experience. There was a lot of art there, but most of it was on people's bodies.  

Then I became amazed at all the colors.  Here is a fast look at the range of colors.  I hope it can lead to some great decisions for your next quilt."

  0

fShare

Tweet

Have you visited We All Sew lately?  Brought to you by Bernina, it is a place where sewers, crafters, and quilters can be inspired through project ideas, patterns and tips.  Some of their latest free patterns include a Geometric Quilt Block Pillow and a Quilted Casserole Carrier both from Erika Mulvenna and cute little Mug Rugs from Stacy Schyler.

  4

fShare

Tweet

Making your own "stupendously stitched" project can be lots of fun, and Carol Ann Waugh (Episode 1011) has a few tips to share that will help make the process move along without any snags.

• If your bobbin thread is showing on top, lower your tension or decrease your sewing speed.
• Lower your top tension for couching stitches.
• Replace your needles every five to six hours. 
• Use a metal thread stand designed for large thread cones to hold your thread.The metal arm lifts the thread above the machine and helps to eliminate stress on thread as it feeds through the machine.
• If the fabric is bunching, lower your top tension. If that doesn't solve the problem, add a second layer of interfacing to the fabric to give it more weight.
• Carol uses a Pellon fusible interfacing that is heavy enough to hold the decorative stitching without bunching the fabric, but light enough for easy hand stitching.

Find more great tips--and project ideas--in Carol's book, Stupendous Stitching.

  0

fShare

Tweet

On May 21, 1977, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles made its first steps into the world. The Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association first opened the doors as the American Museum of Quilts and Related Arts in a storefront in Los Altos, CA. They had about ten quilts and would change the exhibition monthly.  Learn more about the history of the museum here.

Today the museum's collection has approximately 850 quilts, garments, and ethnic textiles. Their research library contains more than 500 books on history and the making of quilts and textiles.

The museum attracts around 12,000 people annually and reaches 8,000 K-12 students each year through their highly successful in-school programs.

You'll want to be one of those visitors this year as a number of outstanding exhibits will be on display beginning with Mark Adams: His Tapestry and Collaborators running through July 29, 2012.

That will be followed up by:

• August 7 - October 14 - ITAB 2nd Biennial - International TECH-Sytle Art Biennial
• October 20 - November 4 - 5th Annual High Fiber - Benefit Art Exhibition and Sales
• November 13 - February 3, 2012 - Collecting Treasures: Celebrating 35 Years

  0

fShare

Tweet

1.     The blue quilt has more contrast.

2.     Both great but the 2nd one highlights more info - love the magazine (it is cold here in Oz!)

3.     The quilt on Cover 2 is much more interesting and "HOT" looking than the top one.

4.     I love them both, but for me the reds and pinks in the second cover clash a bit. The quilt on the           first cover has an Africa feel to it, which also adds to the hot theme.

5.     The second is much brighter and more inviting. The articles or features are much easier to read           and therefore would make me want to buy it if I were interested in those articles!

6.     I prefer the second one because it's very cheerful and colourful. It's simply more pleasant to look         at too.

7.     Though both quilts are beautiful, I like that cover 1 does not take up so much of the cover. Plus,          I like the photos of Ricky and Alex better on cover 1 than on cover 2

8.     I like the quilt in #2 better, but visually I like #1 better for the cover

9.   #2 is much more colorful than cover #1--I think it would attract more readers

10.   Love both of the quilts however cover 2 is more eye catching.

11.  Are you kidding? The 1st photo looks like it was professionally staged, Alex's hair looks good and        the location of the quilt doesn't look like they are pulling the covers up!  The only thing I like better                 about the 2nd image is the type face and color of what's inside.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Olfa continues to make cutting systems even safer.  TQS dropped by the Olfadeals.com booth at the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah to see a new, safer rotary cutter.  Watch how easy it is to change the blade and how they've instituted a guard which can protect the user whether they are right or left-handed.

If you love Olfa products, don't forget to enter our Olfa Canister Contest! Enter a photo of your project, shown on the left (click below to get the free pattern) in Show & Tell by midnight, PST, July 1, to become eligible to win one of three goodie packs from Olfa. Included in the packs are a 45mm Quick Change Rotary Cutter, a 6" x 12" Advantage^TM Ruler, a Rotary Circle Cutter, and NEW 5" Precision Applique Scissors!

And, come back Monday for Quilter's Quips and Tips where Charlie from Olfadeals.com shows us how to change the blade on an older rotary cutter.  You won't want to miss his tips for putting the blade back together correctly.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Mark your calendar for an exraordinary weekend of outstanding art.  Set in idyllic surroundings at the edge of Dartmoor, The Contemporary Craft Festival is one of the finest craft events in the UK and brimming with opportunities to meet and buy work directly from nearly 200 of your favourite or new-found maker. Also on the calendar are demonstrations in a variety of creative mediums.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Keep the fun and learning of Episode 1010 going as you delve into Debbie Caffrey and Charlotte Angotti's newest book, Surprise Yourself! 

Along with tons of tips and tricks, these wise-cracking gals spill the beans on how each approaches the design process when building her quilts. 

Check it out! You just might surprise yourself with invigorating new ideas for your quilts. 

Get the book here.