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In honor of Grand Central Terminal's Centennial in 2013, The City Quilter designed four fabrics to commemorate this anniversary, and recruited American Patchwork & Quilting to sponsor a national quilt-making "challenge," a competition to make commemorative quilts that use these Grand Central fabrics and that exemplified what Grand Central meant to them.

The quilts were judged by American Patchwork & Quilting and The City Quilter.

Then the New York Transit Museum enthusiastically embraced an exhibition for its 1,000 square foot Gallery in Grand Central Terminal. There are 3 winners, 9 honorable mentions, and 18 finalists, all in this exhibit, quilt artists representing 15 states. 

"Grand Central Centennial Quilts" will be in Grand Central from March 15 through July 6, with these hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. 

According to Travel + Leisure magazine in a October 2011 survey, Grand Central Terminal is "the world's number six most-visited tourist attraction", bringing in approximately 21,600,000 visitors annually. Based on average attendance figures at the Transit Museum's GCT Gallery, we project 70,000 to 120,000 visitors.

The 30 quilts exemplify the artistic diversity of quilt art. As examples, here are the three prize winners You can view them all online via the APQ link provided.

Grand prize winner: Amy Krasnansky, Baltimore, MD
Quilt name: “Time Flies, But We Take the Train”

First prize winner: Ligaya Siachongco, New York, NY 
Quilt name: “Grand Central Terminal Mandala”

Second prize winner: Beth Carney, Yonkers, NY 
Quilt name: “Chasms 16: Under the Stars”

The City Quilter
133 West 25th Street
New York, NY 10001
212-807-0390

Shop Hours:

Monday--Noon to 6 pm
Tuesday--Friday, 11 to 7 pm
Saturday--10 to 6 pm
Sunday--11 to 5 pm 

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MadeByChrissieD has a great tutorial for putting together quilted pillows with hidden zippers.

Simple instructions will help you make adorable quilted pillows in no time and the technique could be applied to other projects.

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Award-winning filmmaker Cristina Ibarra's documentary, Las Marthas, highlights one of the largest celebrations of George Washington’s birthday in the world as it takes place in the border town of Laredo, Texas. The preeminent event of the celebrations is the invitation-only Colonial Ball hosted by the elite Society of Martha Washington.  

Society daughters, most of them Mexican American, are invited to debut in elaborate Colonial gowns representing iconic figures from America’s revolutionary history, to reenact a ball thrown by America’s first First Lady.

These gowns can weigh up to one hundred pounds and cost up to $30,000. Many of the creations are the design of dressmaker Linda Leyendecker Gutierrez, and oil heiress who designs her dresses with "heavenly inspiration from God."

Las Marthas follows two of the young debutantes — one a prominent member of Laredo society and the other a newcomer from Mexico — as they prepare for this rite of passage.

The film is a recipient of the Tribeca Institute’s Heineken VOCES Documentary Award, as well as funding from LPB, Jerome Foundation, and Humanities Texas.

The video is available online until March 18, 2014.

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Still thinking about all the patchwork inspiration at the Olympic games in Sochi?  Here's a quick and easy table runner from Patchwork Posse to help you keep the memories alive until Rio 2016.  

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The Quilt Alliance annual contest, Inspired By, is all about inspiration. Their mission is to document, preserve and share the stories of all quilts and quiltmakers.  They encourage everyone who makes quilts to enter their contest regardless of style or technique.

And there are prizes...!

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Do you love the patchwork look of the Olympic games in Sochi? Do you want to make a diamond quilt on your own?  Then you might want to try, Diamond Quilts and Beyond by Jan Krentz.

Jan makes it easy to imagine, plan, and create your own beautiful art! Let Impressionist paintings (or the Olympics) inspire you to try a colorwash look - with diamonds!

Here's the info straight from Jan's Newsletter:

My book, Diamond Quilts & Beyond, was translated into Russian a few years ago. I have the only inventory of these beautiful books (in English) and you can get one at a discounted price!

Learn about the "fabric" imagery in the diamond theme, and the inspiration behind the artwork. 

http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/topic/19568-the-look-of-the-games/

You can watch Jan in Episode 1103: The Skinny on Stripes and Episode  and Episode 506: Picture Perfect.

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In this age of computer-generated and mechanized embellishment, it is well worth honoring those who continue to create extraordinary work by hand. London-based hand embroiderer Michele Carragher has put her amazing talent to work embellishing costumes for productions such as Game of Thrones and Elizabeth I. 

                                                                                         Cercei's dress.  Courtesy of Michele Carreghar
Detail.  Courtesy of Michele Carreghar

As a child, Michele developed a love of nature that continues to be reflected in her richly detailed work. Rather than taking a panoramic view, she draws her inspiration more from the majesty of nature's microscopic detail--that of insects, birds, and flora, from the transluscent colors of a dragonfly wing, to woodland carpets of bluebells, delicate poppies dotting cornfields, and the velvety texture of moss.

By combining this inspiration with an assortment of threads, beads, and fabric and an astounding imagination, Michele brings fantasy and magic to each costume she creates. 

See more of her work here.

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It's not often that we're stopped in our tracks by a new bag pattern, but this little dandy caught our eye at Quilt Festival last fall.

The grab-and-go Beatle Bag is great for the needleworker on the run. Its compact size makes it perfect for toting class supplies. It even fits easily in a carry-on bag! Once open, the Beatle Bag reveals its true magic: a number of clear sleeves to house all your bits and bobbles in an neat and organized fashion. 

The pattern has a fairly short supply list, is well written and easy to follow. We think you might want to make several, not just for sewing supplies, but also for carrying your cosmetics, jewelry, and beading necessities.

Have you found a great sewing tool that has become a favorite?  Let us know by leaving a comment.

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Julie Cefalu, the Crafty Quilter, and our TQS BOM specialist, has a cute little Mug Rug tutorial. Bring a little big of "Spring" into your house and work on this quick project while the snow melts outside.

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It's time for the 12th biennial exhibition of quilts made by men at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, Colorado.

MANifestations, presented by the RMQM showcasing quilts made by men, continues to be one of its most anticipated and popular exhibits.  

The exhibit runs January 31 - April 24, 2014 and includes quilts by David Taylor, Bill Volckening, Luke Hanes, and more.

The mission of the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and educate the public about quilts; honor quiltmaking traditions; and embrace the evolution of the art and craft of quilting.

(quilt: Center Star by Bill Volckening)