Show 712 - The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

Posts On: December 6, 2010

You won't want to miss this very special episode when quiltmaker Ami Simms visits The Quilt Show to share the touching story behind how she came to found the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and how you can join the battle against this life-altering disease by making and donating a 9" x 12" Priority Quilt. In addition, Ami demonstrates a quick-and-easy technique for making Fast-Finish Triangles, the perfect vehicle for hanging a little quilt, and how to "build" the Puppus Doggus pattern (Available as a PDF on the TQS website). Even the audience is part of the program, showing and sharing the stories behind the Priority Quilts they've brought to the set. Watch, learn, create...and make a difference!

Show 711 - Quilting: Where Imagination and Reality Meet

Posts On: November 22, 2010

You'll no doubt want to be "front and center" as quilt artist Rosalie Dace brings us a touch of her native South Africa through her quilts and photos, shares the secrets of how she creates focal points in her work, and demonstrates how to stitch "super-skinny" straight and curved lines on a quilt surface using a 1/4" foot. In another segment, we chat with best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini about her Elm Creek novels to discover how she weaves her quilting knowledge into her novels and how the novels have led to a series of quilting books. In addition, Alex uses the House block from her Welcome Home quilt to demo the flip-and-sew piecing method, and we go on location to visit artist and quilter Michael Cummings to see how he constructs his folk-art-style narrative quilts in the dining room of his 1860s "shotgun" home in New York City.

Show 710 - Conquering the Y-seam Tumble

Posts On: November 8, 2010

Beloved quilt teacher, author, and designer Laura Nownes comes to Alex's hometown to show a selection of her charming quilts AND to share her simple, two-pin technique for stitching a Y-seam, a must for constructing the Tumbling Blocks block. Laura also talks about her long-time collaboration with quilter and friend, Diana McClun, including the story behind their best-selling, quilt-library staple, Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! As an added bonus, Alex and Ricky draw upon the Alden Lane Nursery location to inspire you with tips on color and composition for quilts. Don't miss it!

Show 709 - Quilting with Personality

Posts On: October 25, 2010

Learn to "plant your fabric stash with interest" as Alex and Ricky use colorful window boxes to demonstrate the concept of visual texture, and how mixing the patterns and print scale in the fabrics you choose can add interest and personality to your quilts. Then, TQS welcomes quilt artist Marcia Stein, who talks about developing a personal style, and demonstrates how she builds a quilt based on a photograph. Lots of juicy details here, including "the skinny" on needles, thread weight and color, stitch length, and Marcia's virtually invisible, super-tiny zigzag, machine-applique technique.

Show 708 - Surface Delights

Posts On: October 11, 2010

In this "dazzling" show, Alex and Ricky chat with textile artist, embellishment pioneer, and repeat Quilt National exhibitor Terrie Hancock- Mangat about the evolution of her art, and enjoy a show and tell of her unique, inventively embellished quilts. Then Terrie teaches Alex (and us!) her reverse- applique technique, including how she uses floss as an accent. In the spirit of the embellishment "thread," Bernina educator Gayle Hillert returns to share more ideas for using the decorative stitches on the sewing machine to embellish children's clothing.

Show 707 - Stellar Star Circles

Posts On: September 27, 2010

Where do we begin? Award-winning quilt artist? Best-selling author? World-traveled teacher? NQA-certified judge? Quilting icon Judy Mathieson does it all. And in this show, she demos some of the techniques that she is famous for, including her precision paper piecing method - no paper to remove! - and how she builds her characteristic star circles, segment by segment. If that's not enough, Judy also offers valuable pointers on what judges look for in a quilt when judging a quilt show. This not-to-be-missed show was shot on location at the beautiful Wente Vineyards in Northern California, and also features a brief winery tour, a lovely redwork pattern featuring grapes, vines, and leaves, and Ricky singing opera... in a cave!

Show 706 - Quilting Through Fresh Eyes

Posts On: September 13, 2010

Wondering what's hot on the quilting scene these days? You've come to the right place! In this show, designer Camille Roskelley, a fifth-generation quilter and author of the new book, Simplify - Quilts for the Modern Home with Camille Roskelley, demos three fast, fun, and fresh directions for spicing up your work using monograms, blanket stitch, and ricrac. Then Ricky chats with Susanne Woods, the acquisitions editor from C&T Publishing, about what to watch for in the sewing and crafting book market in the coming months. All this and more from our on-location studio at beautiful Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, CA.

Show 705 - Tips, Techniques... and a Special Tribute

Posts On: August 30, 2010

If you love to collect tips, and to fuse, you'll love this show! First, Jennifer Keltner, editor of American Patchwork and Quilting, shares "Tricks in Your Toolbox: Top 10 Quilt Tips" - a sampling of great ideas for making your quilting experience even more enjoyable, accurate, and efficient. Next, quilt artist and teacher Frieda Anderson joins us for a show and tell of her fabulously fused quilts, demonstrates how she builds a fusible appliqué design, and how to make a decorative-edged fused binding. Finally, in a moving field piece, TQS visits New York City to view The National Tribute Quilt, conceived and orchestrated by the Steel Quilters of United States Steel Corporation in response to the events of September 11, 2001. Keep the Kleenex handy.

Show 704 - Circles, Curves, and Chocolate

Posts On: August 16, 2010

You'll be going around in circles-the good kind!-when quilt artist, teacher, and author Dale Fleming reveals how she came to design her famous "6-Minute Circle." In addition, she shares her nifty technique for soft-curve piecing, offers some "gotta-try-‘em" tips for designing quilts that incorporate large-scale prints, and shows a variety of fabulous quilts to whet your creative appetite. Not only will you be informed and inspired, but you're sure to be motivated by Dale's "just do it" approach!

Show 703 - Tools of the Trade

Posts On: August 2, 2010

There's a ton to learn in this show! For starters, with the help of quilter and product designer Renae Haddadin (via WebTV), Alex and Ricky play with the Mariner's Compass and other circular designs using Renae's Amazing Ray Tool. Next, we catch up with folk artist, teacher, and lecturer Rachel D.K. Clark, who is especially well known for her quirky and colorful wearable art. After giving us a taste of her work, Rachel demonstrates a variety of her favorite piecing techniques, all of which can be used in garments or quilts. Keep a pencil and notepad handy!

Show 702 - Quilting in the Digital Age

Posts On: July 19, 2010

The lovely Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, CA, provides an inspirational backdrop for this info-packed episode, which features the talented creative duo of textile artist Lura Schwarz Smith and her husband, Kerby C. Smith. First Kerby, a professional photographer, demonstrates how to adjust a photo image with the aid of a computer program to produce a crisp, clear, true-in-color image on fabric. Next, Lura shows how to enhance digitally printed fabric images with a variety of media, including water-soluble oil pastels, pencils, and inks. Finally, Ricky puts the "bow on the package" by performing an American Folk Medley for the nursery customers―and for us!―on an antique piano owned by the original owner of Alden Lane.

Show 701 - Animal Magnetism

Posts On: July 5, 2010

Join Alex and Ricky as they meet quilt artist Nancy S. Brown on location in the Oak Barrel room at Northern California's Wente Vineyards. Nancy, best known for her amazing, award-winning, hand-appliqued animal portraits, explains how childhood outings to the zoo inspired her choice of subject matter, and reveals a surprising secret about her wedding dress. She also shares the thought process that goes into each design, the various techniques she employs to translate the design to fabric, and some of her favorite hand-applique tips. And wait until you see the gifts exchanged between guest and hosts!