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Postage Stamp quilts are made up of little tiny scraps of fabric. How many fabrics, you decide. In Alpine Meadow by Cynthia L. Vogt, there are lots of little rectangles, and we mean lots, but they are from very similar fabrics. What would you call it, a postage stamp quilt, a modern quilt, an abstract quilt, a strip quilt? Whatever you call it, we call it beautiful.

Alpine Meadow was on display at AQS QuiltWeek Paducah Spring 2019.

(74" x 49")

Quilting Method: Movable Machine.

Quilting Techniques: Free-Motion Quilting, Freestyle Piecing, Machine Piecing. 

 

 

 

Here is an example of a more traditional Postage Stamp Quilt by mtcreekquilters

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Timna Tarr created her quilt, Mississippi Meander, based on a map showing the ancient meanders of the Mississippi River. Each color represents a different time period in the river's life. She put the key to the map in the quilt's binding. 
 
This small abstract quilt was exhibited at the Houston International Quilt Festival 2018.
 
Learn how to make a map quilt with Timna in Show 2501.
 

MississippiMeanderbyTimnaTarr - 35 Pieces Non-Rotating

MississippiMeanderbyTimnaTarr - 99 Pieces Non-Rotating

MississippiMeanderbyTimnaTarr - 300 Pieces Non-Rotating

MississippiMeanderbyTimnaTarr - 35 Pieces Rotating

MississippiMeanderbyTimnaTarr - 99 Pieces Rotating

MississippiMeanderbyTimnaTarr - 300 Pieces Rotating

Original Photo: Mary Kay Davis

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Barbara is sharing tips for working on the Month 7 block of Sizzle, including what to do if your fabric gets caught and the perfect use of a glue stick.

Click here for Barbara's tips.

Click here for an additional sewing tip from Barbara.  

 (Or what she wishes she had done earlier.)

 

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For those of you experiencing a horrendous heatwave, we thought we'd share Baltimore Christmas by Marilla Schmitt to help you think 'winter' thoughts. This enchanting quilt features fabulous hand appliqué that decks out the quilt for the holiday season. The quilting by Marlene Hiltner beautifully enhances each motif.

Baltimore Christmas was exhibited at AQS QuiltWeek Paducah Spring 2019.
66" x 66" 
 
Quilting Method: Movable Machine. Quilting Techniques: Hand Appliqué.
Design Source: Baltimore Christmas pattern by Pearl P. Pereira, P3 Designs.
 

 

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As you know, Alex loves all things nautical and this cute sailboat quilting motif from Lori Kennedy and WeAllSew.com is no exception. Click here to watch the video and see the step-by-step building of the boats.

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Two new exhibits opened recently at the Texas Quilt Museum.

From the Museum:

The works of Paula Nadelstern will be celebrated in “Symmetry and Surprise: Kaleidoscopic Quilts by Paula Nadelstern.” Opening on June 13, the retrospective with 15 quilts of this artist’s unique work is sure to delight the eye with its colorful and detailed images that bring to mind the wonders of the optical instrument.

and

Also on display this summer is an exhibit that features contemporary interpretations of some of quilting’s most traditional patterns, blocks, styles, and techniques. Opening on June 27, “In the American Tradition” features 31 works of breadth and diversity. 

Both exhibits run through September 29, 2019

Or you can watch Paula right here at TQS in Show 2010: Easy Piecing with Complex Fabrics Makes Stunning Quilts. Or in Show 307: Puzzle Quilts.

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We want to feature a block with "eyes", where to get some of the supplies, and praise the quilting by.... (The full quilt is at the bottom to see the quilting in full.)

Pattern by EllySienkiewicz Peacock.

The Tree was created using Hand dyed silk ribbon 7mm and 4mm back stitched as the branches and trunk.  The leaves are fabric and ribbon needle turned appliqued down.  Lighter colors were used on top and darker colors further down the branches with a few flowers stitched on with 7mm silk ribbon for color

The Peacock’s is made with three fabrics; a print for the body and fussy cut fabric to create the folded wings and the tail is made of “eyes” individually appliqued.  I struggled to get the “right look” for the eyes.  One day on my way home from work, I drove by a farm and a peacock was on the fence.  I slowed down to get a good look at his face – and he let me!  I went home and finished the peacock using using ultrasuede and a black pigma pen and added his crown feathers.

 

All of the silk ribbon used for Ribbon Embroidery is hand dyed from the Thread Gatherer.  I love the natural colors and the subtlety which to me, adds depth and dimension.  They also sell silk embroidery thread in the same colorways that is wonderful to work with.

https://threadgatherer.com/collections/silk-n-colors  

 

The Hand Dyed Bias Cut silk ribbon is from Hanah Silk Ribbon – perfect for stems and wreaths.  The bias cut ribbon is perfect for stems and can be used for embroidery as well. The colors are luscious and it comes in silk, silk satin and velvet - yummy!

https://www.hanahsilk.com/home.html  

Old World Roses - If you are looking for examples of roses different from the hybrid we see today, Roses of Yesterday and Today is a great resource.  You can order their catalog - I have mine from 1996 - great for inspiration.

http://www.rosesofyesterday.com  

 

The longarm quilting was done by Shireen Hattan – I met Shireen at a Volleyball Fundraiser!  She had donated a quilt to support our Scholarship fund and I enjoyed talking to her.  She let me know she was in the longarm business and gave me a card.  I realized that with a small bedroom studio, I was not going to be a longarm quilter and I needed to join forces with a quilter that shared my aesthetic.  It wasn't long before I was sending her Wedding quilts and T-shirt quilts.  We shared a common vision for each quilt.  I let her know when I want something specific, like feathers or bamboo, and also where she can leverage her skills and expertise for the quilting.  I have never been disappointed!  For the T-shirt quilt I made for my brother and a wedding quilt she added words that were perfect for the quilt and the sentiments attached.  When I finished Americana Baltimore I realized I was not going to hand quilt it and I needed to get Shireen involved.  The only direction from me was to make the quilting on the Clipper Ship block look like wind and the rest of the shapes "organic".  I was thrilled when the quilt came back, in fact, I am thrilled every time a quilt arrives! 

Shireen has won Best of Show 2014 at the California State Fair, Best Machine Quilting at Folsom 2011, and been shown in several juried shows over the years including Road to California, PIQF Santa Clara and MQX New Hampshire.  She has received numerous ribbons from first to honorable mention.

 

 I have asked her to put into the quilting "Quilted by Shireen Hattan" so her contribution is not lost should something happen to the label.  It is so important to recognize the Quilter - especially when it is not the Quilt Maker.  Thank You Shireen - for your beautiful contribution to Americana Baltimore!

Contact Shireen Hattan (a TQS Star member since 2011), Shireenzstitchez, at Shireenhattan@gmail.com

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There is electricity in the air...and it just isn't because of the amazing thunder and lightning storm that passed through the area this week...but we are only 11 days away from the largest outdoor quilt show in the world...The Sister's Outdoor Quilt Show! And in anticipation, I took a stroll through the Stitchin' Post and the Twigs Gallery. An amazing transformation occurs in the shop, but I was loving the new Mother ~ Daughter display in the Twigs Gallery. Jean Wells and her daughter Valori Wells had a two woman show and it is well worth the time spent in when you do get to Sisters! 
 

 

I am so excited to meet those of you who can come to the show, and for those that can't make it stay tuned to the Quilt Roadies YouTube Channel as we will be videoing show highlights! In the meantime, get a nice cup of tea or a glass of wine and enjoy the slide show of the Twigs Gallery show!

(Yes - the first screen is white, just click on the PLAY button.)

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

Stay tuned and travel along with us on Quilt Roadies.

Click here for Anna's blog.

 

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Quilters from across the world participated in this year's New Quilts from an Old Favorite contest. Nine of these quilters came to visit the National Quilt Museum this spring and shared their stories. Each and every one of these quilts is a variation on the classic quilt block Oak Leaf & Reel. Watch the video to see how each participant put their own twist on the Oak Leaf & Reel block.

Click here to see photos of some of the winning quilts.

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Quilt City USA® Murals is a privately funded floodwall mural series featuring paintings of actual quilts. They are painted on the floodwall adjacent to the Schroeder Expo Center at the Carroll Convention Center in Paducah, KY. The mission of Quilt City USA® Murals is to educate both locals and visitors on the relevance and rich history of QUILTMAKING! From the early settlers, to the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, and the Bicentennial Celebration of 1976, the history of America can be seen in the history of quilts.

It was recenlty announced that the next quilt to be painted is...

 “…and Our Flag was Still There!” by Melinda Bula from El Dorado Hills, California. The relevance of this quilt complies with the criteria outlined by a Quilt Selection Committee headed by Bonnie Browning, AQS Executive Show Director, of having historical provenance.

“From the early days, quiltmakers have included the American flag in their needlework,” said Browning. “Melinda Bula made this quilt when her only son became a United States Marine. She dedicated it to all military families who have raised sons and daughters who sacrifice to keep us free.”

Click here to learn more about the project.


Note: The following was originally published in 2013.

Watch Melinda Bula as she takes us behind the scenes to create an amazing flag quilt for her son who joined the Marines after college. This quilt was recently added to the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.

Melinda says, “It’s a painting without any paint, where every color change is another piece of fabric. After the raw-edge fusible appliqué was completed, I used thread painting to blend the colors.”

To learn more about the quilt at the National Quilt Museum, click here.

To see more of Melinda and her techniques, watch Show 501: Fabulous Fusible Flowers.