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You know that one day a year there are hundreds of quilts hanging in the streets of Sisters, Oregon, but did you know about all of the class opportunities they offer the week before the show?  Some of the best instructors in the world come to Sisters, including one of Alex's favorites, Rosalie Dace.

Registration is now open for many of the Quilter's Affair classes held the week before the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

 

But hurry, classes are filling up fast!

Click here to go to Quilter's Affair website to register for classes.

Click here to learn more about the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

 

Instructors include a number of TQS guests:

 

 

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Now through February 28, 2016
San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles
EARTH STORIES: 25th Anniversary Exhibition from Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)

"Earth Stories" celebrates the stories of people and projects that enhance the planet, make a significant difference in restoring and/or protecting the environment, increase sustainability and otherwise improve the earth we all occupy.
 
The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles and SAQA allowed us to photograph some of the quilts for our members to enjoy.
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

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Try out TheQuiltShow.com now and get 7 Full Length Online DVD Classes for FREE.

 

 

 

 

 

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(Photo by Luke Haynes)

Last week's workout involved you sorting through all of your fabric stash.  Your sorting area should look something like the image above. This week we help you tackle those sorted bundles. As you glance at the groups you have made, does the idea of letting go of your fabrics make you nervous?  Letting go might be difficult, but hey, let's look at it this way: why not let the fabric that is no longer speaking to you go to someone who would be thrilled to receive it? Here are some suggestions for what to do with your fabrics (not including "Keep" fabrics):

  1. Give to family, friends, or recycling organizations such as Freecycle.org
  2. Bring to your guild's Put and Take table
  3. Sell online through eBay, Etsy or Craigslist
  4. Sell through a consignment shop such as Ourfabricstash.com
  5. Donate to a local church group that makes quilts for the community
  6. Donate to a local animal shelter
  7. Donate to your local school's art department

Luke Haynes (Show 1102) Creates amazing art using articles of clothing that have
been donated to local thrift organizations in his area.  

Need More inspiration? Here's a list of just a few organizations that are always looking for donations that make a difference in the life of an infant, child, fire victim, family, or community. 

Newborns in Need: 
NIN is an organization that helps needy babies, preemies, etc. Volunteers sew baby items such as: blankets/quilts, clothing, burp cloths, burial gowns, etc. Find out about a local chapter and how you can donate.

Project Linus:
Provides blankets for children with serious illnesses.

Ryan's Case:
Provides whimsical pillowcases for children with cancer.

Enchanted Makeovers:
Handmade items such capes, pillowcases and dolls are a source of healing for children and women living in homeless shelters. 

Binky Patrol:
Making comfortable and soft blankets for children.  (This didn't make the quilting fabric category, but it's of interest, and you may have other fabrics in your stash.)

Got any any slightly used t-shirts that need a new home? 
Rethreaded is an organization that would love to receive them.  It is a social entrepreneurship that is breaking the cycle of the sex trade by offering viable and creative work to those affected (i.e. human trafficking, prostitution, drug addiction, pornography and strip clubs).

Newborns In Need (NIN) is another non-profit organization that can always use donated fabric. NIN is an organization that helps needy babies, preemies, fetal demise, etc. Our volunteers sew baby items such as: blankets/quilts, clothing, burp cloths, burial gowns, etc. Visit the national website to find your nearest chapter that would be happy to receive a donation: http://www.newbornsinneed.org. - See more at: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/nancys-corner/volunteer-sewing-groups-where-fabric-is-always-welcome/#sthash.oc9YItIP.dpuf
Newborns In Need (NIN) is another non-profit organization that can always use donated fabric. NIN is an organization that helps needy babies, preemies, fetal demise, etc. Our volunteers sew baby items such as: blankets/quilts, clothing, burp cloths, burial gowns, etc. Visit the national website to find your nearest chapter that would be happy to receive a donation: http://www.newbornsinneed.org. - See more at: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/nancys-corner/volunteer-sewing-groups-where-fabric-is-always-welcome/#sthash.oc9YItIP.dpuf

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Looking for a way to show how big your heart is this Valentine's Day?  How about this great big quilt from Riley Blake Designs?  The "Big Hearted" quilt measures 78" x 78."  That's a whole lotta love!



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Photographer and architect Christopher Payne has documented 25 of the last existing textile mills in New England, in a series called "Textiles."  Some of them are over a century old and still going strong, using vintage machinery and techniques.

 

(Image: Christopher Payne)

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Kathy was interviewed on the set, and gives 3 great tips for managing your stash, handling those large quilts on your domestic machine, and getting traction while machine quilting.

We apologize for the sound quality, but we can only catch these interviews while the crew works on the stage, and we wanted to make sure you got these great tips from Kathy.

Star Members can watch Kathy in Show 1802: Fearless Quilting and Fabulous Results.  

And Star Members can watch the full 2 hour class on Landscapes in our Watch>Featured Guest DVDs section

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Need a quick gift for the latest addition to the family?  These cute burp cloths from PiecedBrain.com can be made in no time at all and use very little fabric.
 
 

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The Grand Finale DVD covers a lot of tips, techniques and styles.

It isn't easy to get it all right the first time.

 

Remember:Star Members Get Free Access to the "Grand Finale" DVD all of 2016

 
 
 

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Quilting inspires many different artists. Some are really different.

But how did it start? Who was his inspiration?