Daily Blog

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The Northwest Quilting Expo is one of the most looked forward to quilt events. It showcases the quilting talent of both men and women in the Pacific Northwest. And, the vendor mall is top notch! There are classes offered and many of the local guild offer a chance to win a beautifully created quilt. I was inspired to think about my next project and have a great desire to get home and plan my next quilt! Quilters travel far and wide for this show and I loved running into the "Tie Sisters" who attend each quilt show dressed in their hand crafted outfits. One of the sisters stitched the outfits, stitching them with embellishments which reflect what the sister loved. I love quilters! They are creative is so many ways and generous of knowledge and creation.

One of the highlights of the show was running into Pam Raby who is a much sought after Oregon teacher. She is patient, talented, and her Sequoia class is a popular one! One of Pam's classes used Julie Herman's (www.jaybirdquilts.com) Galaxy pattern and those quilts, in their amazing variety, were displayed at the Northwest Quilting Expo! I hope you enjoy the slide show of how one class, through the guidance of Pam Raby, created the most amazing quilts! See you next week and I hope you are keeping up with G and I on the Quilt Roadies and Woolie Mammoth Blog.

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

Meet "Lola Bear" by Lola Jenkins

Lola writes,

"Lola Bear loves wild and bold colors.  She does not like being alone.  During the winter months she tends to get really cold hands so she wears socks to keep them warm. She loves to laugh, talk and play.  Her favorite drink is a cup of sweet tea.  Lola Bear is a great listener.  If you have any problems she is there to help you solve them.  But most of all, Lola loves to be hugged."

Star Members can watch Lola in Show 1809: Portrait Collages and Binding Concepts.

Click here for links to see more Celebrity RARE Bears.

Lola Jenkins has brought a unique vision through her incredible art quilts. Her quilts display the joy and freedom of pursuing her passion. Without any background in sewing, art, perspective, or drawing, she developed her passion. Through her courage and fearless approach in creating art quilts she has evolved to master-quilter status.  Lola states, "I don't know the rules, so I couldn't break the rules of quilting."

Lola has won numerous first place ribbons, best of show, judge’s choice award, and best use of color.  She has appeared in magazines, been the featured artist at numerous events, appeared on the Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims “The Quilt Show”, and is currently an instructor with Craftsy.com. 

Lola currently gives programs, trunk shows, workshops, and classes for guilds, cruise ships, retreats, and organizations across the U.S. and abroad.  She presents a hilariously funny, informative yet unforgettable program and trunk show that should be turned into a movie.  Her classes are taught with skill... they are unique... fun and worth their weight in gold.  She is known for her classes on portraits, fantasy collages, silhouettes, and thread art just to name a few.  Lola is reaching the masses with her unique style and vision.

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Design walls are a must for any quilter.  What's a design wall?  It is a vertical wall that allows you to shift about and preview quilt blocks, compare fabrics, and determine a design layout. Covered in either flannel or batting, the design wall's slightly fuzzy surface allows pieces of fabric to stay in position as you move them about without using pins. By stepping away from a design wall, you are better able to judge a quilt's overall appearance as it is much easier to determine areas that might need tweaking. 

Why do you want a design wall?

• Viewing a project on a table, floor or bed does not give you the same perspective, unless you climb up on a ladder. 
• Pinning or nailing into your walls will leave permanent marks.
• Avoid your fur friends napping on your project while it is on a tabletop.
• Watch your project grow and be inspired whenever you see it.
• If real estate in your space is at a premium, go vertical.  Having a design area on the wall leaves more room in your work space.

Tip:  Does your creative space not allow for you to step back very far to view the design wall? Take a photograph of your work. Looking at the photograph will help you get a good perspective of the project.

Tip: Use gridded flannel to help square your work while it grows.

Tip: Keep the color of the flannel or batting to white, cream or ivory. This way you only notice the WIP, not the wall itself.

Determining the best size design wall for you depends on your available wall space and the type of work you do.  Building a design wall is not difficult, and by doing so you can create a wall that is specific for your needs. Commercial design wall options are available e.g.,  free-standing floor models, collapsible (which are great for retreats or workshops), and retractable units. The range in price is generally determined by materials and size. 

Want to include a design wall in your space, but don't know how to go about it?  Here are some out-of-the-box solutions that quilters have thought of when it came to adding design walls.

• Live in an apartment or rental and can't attach anything using nails in your space?  Use repositionable hooks to hold the wall.
• Is wall space at a minimum? How about adding a decorative shelf (with a retractable design wall) over the door or a closet in the room?
• Does your space allow for a track system that hangs from the ceiling? Hang walls that can also function as movable doors.
• Have limited space for displaying both quilts and a working design wall? Use a curtain rod with clips to hold the design wall. When not in use, substitute a finished piece.
• Sharing a public space with your studio area? Use one side of a folding screen as a design wall, the other side can be decorative.
• Does your room have sliding doors?  Make the doors into a design wall.
• Like the idea of a moveable wall? Cut a slot in a stable stool (see the picture below) to hold your wall.  When finished, the wall can be placed out of sight.

Katie has a clever way of using laminated fabric and ribbons for her design wall. SewKatieDid

Melody hung her design wall with repositionable hooks. Fibermania

Hang a piece of flannel or batting using clips on a drapery rod.  When not in use, hang a finished small quilt. Craftsy

Add a frame. AnythingPretty

Design-A-Way retractable design wall offers both single and double surface walls. Design-a-way

Use sliding doors of a closet. Martingale

Design wall on a track system. ConnieKresin

Make your own design wall. Craftbuds

Need more than one design wall?  How about using a hinged system. GrammyQuilts

Two sided design wall on wheels. MountainVistas

Portable wall on stool base. Core77

Vanishing Design walls look like decorative shelving and can be painted to match the trim in your studio. VanishingDesignWall
Just joined our year of organizing?  Click here for other TQS Organization blogs.

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

Meet "Urban Grrrl" by Leslie Tucker Jenison

Urban Grrrl features some of Leslie's trademark use of dye, paint, and thread to create unique imagery on the surface, or should we say "fur-face," of this adorable bear.

You'll want to take to the streets of the big city with this cute, hip bear, and her heart full of love, as your companion.

Star Members can watch Leslie in Show 1510: Screen-Printing Serendipity.

Click here for links to see more Celebrity RARE Bears.

San Antonio artist Leslie Tucker Jenison is inspired by the textural beauty found in the patterns of natural and man-made environments. Leslie loves the tactile experience of working with cloth and paper.  Using dye, paint, and thread, Leslie creates unique imagery on these surfaces.  The juxtaposition of the macro to microscopic world is a recurring theme in her work.

Long fascinated by the historical connection of quilts and the people who make them, she serves on the board of the Alliance for American Quilts.

Leslie exhibits internationally in galleries and juried exhibitions. Her work  is held in both corporate and private collections. Leslie teaches a variety of quilt and mixed media workshops. She curates exhibitions and teaches as one half of Dinner At Eight Artists along with Jamie Fingal.

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Create a Hand Therapy Mitt for use if your hands have problems like arthritis, joint pain, or just get tired (from lots and lots of sewing!). It can be used either to cool or warm tired, aching hands, and smells wonderfully of healing lavender.

(photo: WeAllSew)

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Nancy writes about her quilt, "Quilting Bee de los Muertos - I make a new quilt each year for the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. This quilt honors quiltmakers past & present. Any similarity to quilters you & I know is coincidental but I did include a few quilter stereotypes ;-)"

Star members can watch Nancy in Show 1907: Machine Quilting Friends with Lois Podolny.

QuiltingBeedelosMuertosbyNancyArseneault - 35 Pieces Non-Rotating

QuiltingBeedelosMuertosbyNancyArseneault - 99 Pieces Non-Rotating

QuiltingBeedelosMuertosbyNancyArseneault - 300 Pieces Non-Rotating

QuiltingBeedelosMuertosbyNancyArseneault - 35 Pieces Rotating

QuiltingBeedelosMuertosbyNancyArseneault - 99 Pieces Rotating

QuiltingBeedelosMuertosbyNancyArseneault - 300 Pieces Rotating

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

Meet "Gertie" the Green Bear by Sue Nickels

Sue writes,

"Gertie is made from hand dyed wool and polyester fill. She has a pretty vest that is machine appliquéd with a sweet design from my first machine applique book, which is now out of print. The pattern is reduced 50%. I used 100% cotton fabric and threads. The vest has three scallops to add a bit of interest and is an edge treatment that I have used on my quilts and teach in classes. She has a “Bear Collar” that is free motion machine quilted with an original feather design. To complete her ensemble, she has a small floral head piece. She represents the quilts I make and the techniques I teach.

I hope my sweet little green bear “Gertie” finds a good home. She is proud to be part of this project to raise money and awareness for finding a cure for rare childhood diseases."

Star Members can watch Sue in Show 1808: A Quilting Family from Vintage to Modern.

Click here for links to see more Celebrity RARE Bears.

Sue has been quilting for 36 years, starting by hand and gradually focusing on machine work. Sue has been teaching machine techniques for the past 26 years. Sue has taught and lectured nationally for shops, guilds and major conferences, including AQS, IQA and the Mancuso Quiltfests. She has also taught internationally in England, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Spain.

Sue’s major awards include 1998 AQS Best of Show for “The Beatles Quilt” made by Sue and her sister, Pat Holly. Their quilt, “The Space Quilt” won the 2003 IQA Master of Machine Artistry Award and the 2004 AQS Machine Workmanship Award. Sue and Pat’s quilt “Tea at Tenby” won 2009 Best of Show at the Birmingham Festival of Quilts in England. Sue’s current books are “Machine Quilting: A Primer of Techniques”, “Stitched Raw Edge Appliqué” co-authored with Pat and "Faboulous Feathers and Fillers: Design and Machine Quilting Techniques". Sue has also been a judge for many quilt shows.

Sue enjoys teaching on cruises for "Quilt Seminars at Sea" once a year. Sue and Pat held their 1st Annual Hollygirls Quilt Retreats at White Birch Lodge in Elk Rapids Michigan in 2014 and plan to continue this yearly event for many years, following in the tradition of their good friend Gwen Marston's Beaver Island Quilt Retreats! Sue’s priority in the workshops she teaches is to provide a relaxed environment for students to learn machine techniques that are timesaving. Sue emphasizes the best quality workmanship, never compromising quality for speed!

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While at Quilters Take Manhattan, Mark Lipinski was interviewed by Marie Bostwick for the Quilt Alliance's Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories project.  These interviews usually focus on the quilt being discussed, which in this case was Mark's very first quilt, but Mark, being Mark, has the crowd roaring with one particularly irreverent comment.  He then moves on to giving a very honest answer to the question of how he handles fear and risk when it comes to creating art.

Star Members can watch Mark in Show 1813: Quilts of Valor and Intent.

In this show, Mark tells you about his Quilts of Valor experience, and recounts how he met the Vietnam Vet whose remembrance bracelet he wore in the ‘70s. Listen as he tells about some special jobs he has had in his past. He also candidly talks about his loss of enthusiasm for quilting, and how he gained back the joy via a more mindful perspective. Mark also shows you a fun way to label your quilts in the form of a letter and you'll will want to hear about his current work in progress—legacy quilt blocks.