Daily Blog - TheQuiltShow.com

Blanket Stitch Tip from Laura Wasilowski at WeAllSew.com

Laura Wasilowski at WeAllSew.com has a great tip for using a blanket stitch to finish your binding.

Laura writes:

The fused binding is a fast and easy way to bind your next wall quilt. But do you know how to dress it up even more? My favorite decorative stitch on my BERNINA 750 QE is the lucky number 1330. This blanket stitch finishes the fused binding perfectly. And with the right thread color, adds another decorative element to your quilt design.

Star Members can watch Laura in Show 1009: Stamp Out Fabric and Show 303: Fearless Fusing.

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Ricky's Grand Finale Class by Chapter

You need to break learning into small pieces. We have Ricky's Grand Finale class (Free for Premium "Star" Members)

broken into Chapters now.

Take a look and plan to learn by trying a new technique on your current quilt. (How about Machine Trapunto?)

That was a wonderful video, full of great ideas and techniques. Thank you--Vivian28

Get All 7 Online Classes ?
Your 1-Year Premium Membership Gets You:

7 Full-Length DVD Classes (valued at $139.75)

221 Shows Surveying the Quilting World and Easy Techniques
26 Brand-New TV-Quality shows in HD & Closed-Captioned

BOM patterns (valued at $99)

Your full-access pass is just $3.58/month with your single payment of $42.95.

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Alex Hopes to Buy This Quilt

Here is the quilt Alex wants (shown hanging in the Tentmaker's shop in Egypt).

Keep your fingers crossed that the two quilts we want to purchase make it to the USA.

A totally different one is coming for YOU (watch for a contest coming sometime after International Quilting Weekend) and this one is for Alex.

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Let's Get Organized in 2016!

Ricky's space in 2012

Is your quilting space out of control? Not getting much sewing in because most of your time is spent searching and setting up? Do you dream of a creative place that is both inspirational AND functional without spending a bundle? It's 2016 and TQS is here to help get you in shape.

For 52 weeks starting on January 11, we will share ideas and solutions to help you get back to the fun of quilting.

However, before real organization can take place, YOU need to tame that beast of a space! So next week,
get ready to put on some comfy clothes, gather your favorite tunes and set aside a few hours to start our work first work-out session.

Don't fret, don't overplan, and don't burn out in the first week. Relax, we can do this together.

Need some inspiration? Check out Ricky's studio and his tips for keeping it all under control.
You might find some ideas you'll want to incorporate into your own sewing space.

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RARE Bears Pattern

Start the New Year off right and make one-of-a-kind bears for rare kids.
Purchase your Simplicity pattern today (it's just $5.96) and join the RARE Bear Army, which has
over 300 members in 7 countries. Why not get your friends to join in the fun?

It's Easy, Fun, and the Bears are really cute (and appreciated).

Don't think your efforts can bring about change?
Ami Simms (Show 712) increased awareness through
the work of quilters around the globe.

Learn how YOU can make a difference in the life of a child
by supporting RARE Science in its efforts to accelerate cures for rare kids.

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Lessa Siegel's Rajah Quilt

You've seen the TQS BOM 2016 and you've seen the original Rajah quilt. Here is Lessa's version of the quilt in detail.

Star Members can watch Lessa Siegele (Show 1801) to learn more about the Rajah quilt and its significance to her and to Australia.

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The National Quilting Association Signs Off

The National Quilting Association sent out its final letter this week to NQA members and chapters.

Here is the letter:

December 29, 2015

Dear NQA Members and NQA Chapters:

As we approach 2016 and the final dissolution of The National Quilting Association, Inc., I want to share with you the steps taken by the Board.

1. The Grant Committee reviewed grant applications and selected 16 grant recipients who received a total of $31,390. Those funds were restricted by donors for the Grant Program. Projects covered a range of community service, educational efforts and preservation activities.

2. The National Association of Certified Quilt Judges has been formed to carry on the tradition of excellence in professional quilt judging. They will also be managing the Masterpiece Quilt program. Their new website is up and can be found at www.nacqj.com. Many thanks to the NQA Certified Judges whose efforts established a new organization that will continue to offer this valuable service to quilters and quilt guilds.

3. The Quilt Alliance has agreed to take on support of National Quilting Day. There will soon be details on their website (http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org) celebrating this global day that recognizes the special art form that is quilting. Make note: March 19, 2016!

4. Historical records of NQA are being donated to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Libraries. These materials will be housed in the Quilt Collections of the Archives and Special Collections Department. Once archived, they will be available to those interested in reviewing the materials for research and teaching purposes.

5. We have taken the steps necessary to file for dissolution of the organization with the State of Maryland as that is where NQA was originally incorporated.

Several of you have asked about obtaining a refund of dues paid prior to the decision to dissolve the organization. We regret that we can not make any refunds as the orderly close of NQA necessitated meeting outstanding financial obligations.

Many thanks to all of those who, through the years, worked so hard to share the art of quilting with so many through NQA’s programs. A special thanks to the current Board, all of whom did their very best to sustain NQA, something we unfortunately were unable to accomplish. Despite that, we know that the future of quilting is in good hands – yours.

Sincerely,

Margaret Powers
Acting President

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"Rajah Quilt Revisited" - Month One

***THE BOM PATTERN IS A FREE STAR MEMBER BONUS***

Join us on a TQS exclusive 12-month historic journey recreating the historic Rajah Quilt, sewn by women convicts on board the ship Rajah, traveling from England in April, 1841, to the penal colony of Van Diemen's Land (now known as Tasmania). The original quilt measured approximately 126" x 126" but Lessa Siegele recreated it in quarter scale with fabrics from her stash, loosely following the colors of the original quilt, and tea-dying fabrics that didn't look old enough. The more contemporary-looking version being offered by TQS is made from Cotton + Steel fabrics.

In Month One we begin the Rajah journey with the center panel, which features a cluster of birds flying around a spray of flowers and leaves. As the ship pulled away from the harbor, the birds circling overhead might have been the last reminders of England for the women convicts.

The original Rajah quilt's center panel was created in broderie perse, an appliqué technique in which eleborate printed motifs were cut from chintz and sttiched to a background.

Lessa Siegele (Show 1801) offers ideas for other options for the center panel of the quilt.

Along with each monthly installment, we will share with you historic facts about the women and the amazing journey of this celebrated quilt. We hope that as you work on it, you will find inspiration, while being transported back in time.

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Trailer 1801 - Lessa Siegele

As the designer of the TQS BOM quilt for 2016, Lessa Siegele knows a lot about accurate piecing, and she shares many of her tips for piecing perfection. Lessa grew up in Australia and has always loved historic quilts. She was presented the Order of Australia Medal by Queen Elizabeth II for her work promoting quilting. She shares the story of the Rajah quilt, made by women convicts while on a boat journey in the 1840s, which is the basis for the BOM quilt. Lessa then offers many tips for accurate piecing, using her "Rajah Quilt Revisited" as a sample. She also has suggestions on how to personalize the BOM quilt, to make it your own. TQS then visits the VA Museum, which houses some magnificent quilts. Set in an 1856 historic home, it had been a hospital during the Civil War, but now houses an enormous quilt collection.

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Calling All Cupcakes - Mark Lipinski Needs Your Help

Mark Lipinski

(photo: Gregory Case)

If you are one of Mark Lipinski’s “cupcakes,” then you already know something about his medical saga, including his new kidney he calls "Beyonce." What you may not know is that Mark became very ill recently and was hospitalized for a number of months.

It was eventually determined that a fungus, which had lain dormant for decades, was responsible for his fevers and chills, and with his immune system compromised, the fungus threatened his life. With amazing care and powerful drugs, Mark has returned home with a hopeful prognosis for the new year. However, he's had to cancel many months of book and writing assignments, leaving him with financial difficulties.

Now, thanks to some very good friends, Meg Cox and Liza Prior Lucy, a GoFundMe campaign has been started for Mark to help with his enormous medical expenses.

To learn how you can help, click the button below. And, don't forget to share with your friends in social media.

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