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During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a movement known as the Colonial Revival swept across the United States. The movement, with its glorification of America's national past, affected everything from architecture and furniture styles to household items such as silver and textiles.

Americans faced with the complexities of modern-day life embraced the idea of a simpler, nobler past. "Perfecting the Past: The Colonial Revival and Quilts" looks at the impact the movement has had on American quilts and quiltmakers. Quilts on display show how the movement affected pattern, color, and style choice, and the impact in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  This remarkable exhibit on view at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum will run from December 7, 2012-September 1, 2013.

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It's school supply shopping time for students around the country.  Why not use this 'bargain pricing' opportunity to get your quilt studio in shape. Over the next few weeks TQS will share some clever ideas using office supply and hardware items that will help take control of your studio chaos.

Tip of the Week: Three ring binders & sheet protectors

Use a three ring binder with sheet protectors to corral a whole host of stray papers.  Super organized quilter Emily Meier uses individual notebooks to catalog design ideas and information about each quilt that she has made. 
Each notebook has a purpose and can easily be stored on a shelf.

Notebook 1 (Quilt Journal)
*List pattern name and any other vital information (such as size, batting used, etc.).
*Clip and paste fabric used in quilt.                         
*Insert drawing or illustration of completed quilt.
*Keeping a record helps when someone asks what pattern she used.

Notebook 2 (Book of Inspiration)
*Clip and insert quilt inspiration ideas into the sleeve.  Emily loved the pattern from a magazine.  She also included colored fabric swatch ideas for the quilt she wanted to make.  On the right is the completed quilt.
*Items such as greeting cards, napkins, magazine advertisements and wrapping paper can be inspirational ideas for future projects.

Visit Emily Meier's inspirational home and studio.

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TQS guest, Susan Brubaker Knapp, made a visit to the 2012 International Quilt Festival Africa.  She is sharing some of her photos from the show and a trip she made to Kruger National Park where the wild animals were not in short supply.

Click here to see more photos from Susan.

You can watch Susan in Episode 901: State-of-the-Art Quilting: Tradition Meets Innovation where she demonstrates her method for making consistently sized vines and her techniques for needle-turn applique. She also shows how she designs and creates a quilt using an original photo and her computer.

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography

For this episode, we travel to Santa Fe, NM (the second largest art market outside of New York City!) to catch up with Texas quilter and teacher Tommy Romano, who shares his top ten tips - or "ten commandments" - for precision piecing. Preparation, appropriate tools and their maintenance, technique... even the proper state of mind - Tommy puts his precise approach to work while demonstrating a new twist on the traditional Nine Patch block. You'll learn a bunch and love the results!

The episode comes to an "artful" conclusion as Peter Stoessel, executive director of our day's location, the beautiful Blue Rain Gallery, takes us on a tour of the site, which features regional and non-regional art by top Native American artists.

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These little beauties were recently found in an antique shop in Sisters for $1.00 each (unfortunately, #1 was nowhere to be found).  What quilting treasures have you found in your journeys, attics, and garages?

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Have you seen the latest issue of Through the Needle Online, the latest edition of Bernina's free magazine? In this issue they are presenting a mulitude of techniques for creating beautiful details such as "hand-embellished" piping and precision applique.  (There is also a pretty fabulous Snowflake Quilt on page 4.)

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Just found out that one of Ricky's quilts has been selected as a finalist for 2012 Quilts: A World of Beauty at the Houston International Quilt Festival. Since we don't want to ruin the suprise, (you'll have to wait until Houston to see the quilt) we thought we'd show you Ricky's award-winning quilt from 2010. Asternoon Delight won an Honorable Mention in the Digital Imagery category sponsored by C&T Publishing.

Here's what Ricky has to say about this quilt.

Alternately it is called Alight Lunch or Kiss my Aster. I took a photo and then used Photoshop to stylize it. It was then printed full size (44" x 36") on my Epson 11880, then stitched/quilted with a variety of colors of thread.

Asternoon Delight - 35 pieces non-rotating

Asternoon Delight - 99 pieces non-rotating

Asternoon Delight - 99 pieces rotating

Asternoon Delight - 300 pieces non-rotating

Asternoon Delight - 300 pieces rotating

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Enjoy a few more treats from two exhibits at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach. The first quilts are from the "In the American Tradition 2011" exhibit. Quilts in this exhibit are clearly based on a documented 20th century or earlier American design or pattern.  The last few are from  "Hands All Around 2011" which features the work of artists from all around the world.

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Did you know that Olfa has Craft Demonstration Videos on their site?

You can learn how to change your rotary cutting blade, learn how to cut perfect circles, how to make chenille, and how to use their "Frosted Advantage" rulers.  Click on the button to watch the videos.