Daily Blog

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Last weekend was one for the record book. To celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary (and how fast did that happen?) Joey and Adair hosted a surprise party for us at Alden Lane Nursery. Who knows how they pulled it off??!!  They invited family and friends who have shared our journey for a significant amount of years - if not entirely along the way. If Saturday night wasn't enough - the party continued Sunday morning at Mom and Dad's house. What a wonderful event it was and as Kenny Chesney sings, "Don't Blink".....

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TQS is sad to report that Ami Simms lost her beloved dog, Madison this week. Madison was a model, a salesdog, a food critic, a pattern tester, a helpmate and so much more.  To learn more about Madison, click here.  As Ami says;

Madison loved to blog. I know that so many of you enjoyed his unique perspective. If you enjoyed his writing, please bark, woof, or yip in the comment section of the blog. If you would like to support his favorite charity, please consider a donation in Madison’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.

Our hearts go out to Ami and Madison.

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Photos by Ed Knute

It's a shame that we are unable to peek over the shoulders of the artists who created the magnificent clothing worn by privileged women of the 1600s.  Talented needlewomen spent hundreds of hours, and used only the finest materials, to create these amazing works of art. Did the women who wore these stunning pieces ever think about the incredible skill and labor involved? We will never know.
 
While not an original, the Plimoth Jacket was conceived, and its construction managed, by Jill Hall, former head of the colonial wardrobe department of  Plimoth Plantation. To view the story of its construction allows us to take a step back into another time. The jacket, which took over 3,700 hours of hand stitching and 300 people to construct, is on view at the Winterthur Museum (Winterthur, DE) through August 11, 2011.

According to the Winterthur website: "The sewing, embroidery, and lace were all entirely done by hand.The lace spangles (the tear-drop shaped sequins hanging from the lace) were created using tools made specifically for the project. The tools and techniques replicate those from the 1600s. Even the lining was hand-woven and dyed with natural indigo." 

For more in-depth viewing--and the opportunity to learn more--be sure to follow the Blog of the entire process from start to glorious finish.

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For six days in March, the 25-30th, the American Folk Art Museum will dramatically transform the Park Avenue Armory's historic Wade Thompson Drill Hall with 650 Red and White quilts from the private collection of Joanna S. Rose. Infinite Variety - Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts will be the largest exhibition of quilts ever held in New York City and the best part, IT IS FREE!

For exhibition hours and location, click here.

If that isn't enough enticement, in conjunction with the exhibit there will be a Quilt Conversation: Alex Anderson and Paula Nadelstern Moderated by Meg Cox.  This will be held Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 4pm in the Tiffany Room of the Park Avenue Armory.  Alex, Paula, and Meg will discuss current topics in quilts and respond to questions from the audience.  This will be followed by a wine reception and book signing. For more information, click here.

And now, for your further enjoyment, a video with just a small slice of the exhibit, shared with us by the American Folk Art Museum.

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Take a look at the fabric that will bring a smile to a kid's face.

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A big "thanks" goes out to all who entered our recent book contest. We were thrilled to receive over 400 entries!! 

We are happy to announce that each of the following six lucky quilters were chosen to receive a signed copy of Edyta Sitar's book, Friendship Strips and Scraps. 

• Momcatmary
• muthahen
• ladyquilter
• Islandlife 
• grits45
• SalApril

Winners: watch for the book to arrive at your home shortly...and thanks again to all who entered.

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Many a quilt class has been ruined by a student that was ill prepared, demanding, or loud.  Being curteous and respectful of others applies whether it is a class for twenty or a lecture for two hundred.  A few general rules to follow will make your class experience more enjoyable for you as well as the instructor.

• Read your class materials list well before the day of the class to ensure that you have all of the necessary supplies together.  This will avoid you having to purchase something from the teacher at the last minute, or worse yet, borrow from another student.
• Make sure that your sewing tools (sewing machine, iron,  are in good working order before the day of the class.  You are not the only student in the class, and it may not be possible for the teacher to take time out to help you 'repair'.  A sewing tool not in good working order also means that you miss out on valuable learning time.
• Bring extra needles, thread, bobbins, or other items needed for the class in the event you need a replacement.  It is not always possible to count on those speciality items being available for purchase at the class venue.
• Arrive on time or a bit early.  This allows you time to get your area settled when the instructor is ready to begin.  Often there is an overview of the class activity.  If you arrive late, not only do you disturb others, but you miss the often valuable overview information.
• Please don't monopolize the instructors time.  Remember, you are not the only student in the class and others may have questions or need help with the class activity.
• Please don't interrupt the instructor while he/she is teaching or offering assistance to another student.  Remember, these other students also paid for this class and deserve the right to receive as much from the class as you.  Often there is time set aside during the class to allow for questions.
• Please ask permission to take photographs of a teachers work.  Most do not mind, however, it is always polite to ask.
• Please don't assume that you can photo copy a teacher's handouts to teach this same technique at a shop or guild.  This could be infringement on copyright laws.  Always contact the teacher to ask for and receive permission.

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Has this ever happened to you?  You come across what you think is an old blanket only to discover that hidden inside was an antique quilt, and much, much more?

Well, it happened to Carla Cross from Friend, Nebraska. Inside her "nice aqua-blue flannel coverlet" was a quilt with more than 98 signatures embroidered in blue around a Grandmother's Fan pattern. 

Click here to read the fascinating story of a true Mystery quilt and meet 100-year old Velzoe Brown.

(Photo: Kevin Johnson/Sentinel)

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This wonderful Diamond in a Square quilt was created by an unknown Amish artist around 1925.  It is 77" x 77" and is made of wools, hand pieced, and hand quilted.  It is a classic Lancaster County Amish quilt.  The Lancaster Amish focused on the simplest of pieced patterns.  In this example there are only 29 pieces of fabric. The simplicity of the design combined with the bold colors and magnificent quilting create a quilt of quiet power and beauty.

Amish1 - 100 pieces non-rotating

Amish2 - 90 pieces rotating

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This is the latest piece I have been working on.Many of you have seen it on my facebook page behind me in photos.... It was pieced with Sonya Lee Barrington hand dyes. Each square measures 2" finished. I am thinking about using silk thread - I know that my big bad girl Bernina is up to it - the better question is.....am I? All tips and hints are greatly appreciated....especially about using silk thread on a machine-