Daily Blog

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Do you find that the mathematics of quilting make you run screaming from the room? Fear no more! Designer, teacher and lecturer Lynn Wilder has found a way to make “Patchwork Math” palatable for all of us. While visiting at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, Lynn explains her system for breaking down quilt designs into smaller components, making complex projects much more manageable and accessible. With a combination of grid units and various tools, she makes the daunting become doable. She also discusses her unique methods for auditioning fabrics and for creating order – with a pasta dryer! You’ll also meet Aussies Helen Stubbings and Tracey Browning, who share a smart and cool method for making iron-on hexagons. Bring it on!

Episode 1604: Taking the Fear Out of Math for Quilters debuts on February 16, 2015.

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Connie Griner won 2nd Place, Large Quilts–Home Machine Quilted: 2015 AQS QuiltWeek® Albuquerque. She completed the TQS BOM 2013, Two of Us, designed by Sue Nickels and Pat Holly and put her own spin on it.  Melissa Winters talks with Connie about her quilt, SOLITAIRE.  Look what happens when given a deadline!

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Alex was recently at a trade show in Las Vegas to introduce her new product line with Floriani.  We can't wait to find it in our local quilt shop.

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“Have you ever stumbled across a product that totally exceeded your expectations? It is one of the best experiences in life. The only thing that can make it better is if you are desperately searching for a solution when you find this product by accident. Such was the case for me.

When a product I have used for years went through some changes and I found myself searching for a replacement, a friend asked if I had ever tried Floriani Products. I had not, but I immediately began looking for them. I contacted several Quilt Shops before finding one that carried Floriani, and once I tried them I fell in love. I couldn’t believe these products had existed for years and I didn’t know about them! Not only did I not know about them, but most of the Quilting World did not know about them, so I made it my mission to change that!

I phoned the office of RNK Distributing, looking for the creator of the Floriani Product Line, and was referred to Kay Brooks. When I talked to Kay, I explained how much I loved using the products, and that I was perplexed how few people in the Quilting World knew about them or had access to them through their local Quilt Shops. I wanted to change that for the good of the industry.

Within a matter of minutes, Ricky (not my Ricky Tims, but Kay’s husband - and by now you know Ricky and Kay are the RNK Founders) asked a question that will no doubt have a major impact on the Quilting Industry. He asked me if I would like to work with Kay to build a line of quilting products per my specifications, using the adhesives and fusibles Kay had created for Floriani, that would be distributed exclusively through Independent (no chains or mass) retailers.

That was the beginning of Quilters Select™ by Floriani with Alex Anderson. Since that day, Kay and I have worked nonstop to choose the World’s Best Quilting Products, and I have personally tweaked each one of them to assure the perfect performance for my quilters. This line truly is Made by Quilters for Quilters!"

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TQS wanted to share some loving memories of their friend, Tom Russell.

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RJR reveals the next quilt in the Pixie Party series! Celebrate the new year with Color Crystals. This classic quilt design features two wonderfully traditional blocks, that together create the illusion of sparkling color crystals. Featuring fabrics from Robyn Pandolph’s Faded Splendor collection, the quilt finishes at 74" x 92," a perfect size for a twin bed.

The pattern was designed by Daniela Stout of Cozy Quilt Designs, and offers 3 additional quilt sizes.

Click here to go to PixieLand.

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Inspired by the Beatles, a special exhibit at Road to California 2015 was curated by Donna DeSoto and was inspired by the 50th anniversary of The Beatles first visit to the US.

The quilts are all 24” x 24” and had to have a sleeve and a label.  Entries could not contain any copyrighted information, images or lyrics. The collection was not juried; anyone who submitted a quilt by the deadline was included.

Quilts were made by fiber artists from all over the world using many techniques and materials.  They all had one thing in common: a passion for The Beatles.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

And because we couldn't just "let it be," keep an eye out for more Inspired by the Beatles quilts.

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As Valentine's Day is just around the corner, we thought you might want to make your sweetie a macaroon we found on Craft Passion. 

While a "true" macaroon is a sweet, meringue-based confection with ganache, butter cream, or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies, your recipient will appreciate this calorie-free version, which looks adorable hanging from a purse, tote bag, or cell phone. 

These little bundles are so cute, you just might want to make a half dozen.

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Frustrated by traditional appliqué methods?  Check out the amazing Apliquick tools recommended by Lynette Anderson (Episode 1601).  These surgical steel tools will take your method from frustrating to fantastic.

The Apliquick Tools will simplify your glue stick appliqué.  Each packet comes with two tools.  Hold one in your left hand to hold fabric in place.  With the other tool you simply hold your fabric as you turn it to the wrong side and press it in place.  Check out the video to see how this tool will change your life!

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For lovers of all things textile, add to your bucket list a visit to these two fabulous museums.  Both have collections and upcoming exhibitions that are sure to enthrall and inspire your own creative work.

Festival Hat, China, early to mid 20th century

Good Beginnings brings together examples of one of the most eloquent textile expressions of China--embroidery undertaken for the delight and protection of children.The exhibition presents over 100 hats and garments handcrafted in the early 20th century from silk and detailed with appliqué, metal thread, tassels and beads. It includes highly decorated and embellished garments worn by children for New Year celebrations and other festive occasions.  The exhibition is on view at the Textile Museum of Canada from February 11 - May 24, 2015.

Man's Tunic, Peru, Inca style, ca. 1410-1532. Camelid hair 37.5 x 30.9 in.

The largest exhibition in the George Washington University Museum's Textile Museum history, Unraveling Identity will unite textiles from across cultures to explore expressions of individual, cultural, political, and social identity throughout the ages.  The exhibit runs from March 21 - August 24, 2015.

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Jan Krentz shows you how to test a pattern block
using inexpensive gift wrap paper in Episode 1103

Create beautiful quilts from photos using Rose Hughes'
quick-pieced appliqué technique in Episode 413

Perfect your eight-pointed star block
with Elise Campbell in Episode 407