One of the wonderful exhibits at the IQF Long Beach quilt show shows off many spectacular quilts made by residents of Canada and its territories. And many of this quilts have a Canadian theme or subject. I'm honored to be able to share with you a few quilts from the O Canada 2011 quilt exhibit:
{above} "enigma, eh!", by Grace Whiting. Paper pieced, foundation pieced, trupuntoed, long arm quilted.
{above} "A Parliment of Owls", by Carol Goddu. Machine applique', machine pieced, machine quilted.
{above}"Wheel of Teal", by Marilyn J. Farquhar. Machine foundation pieced, machine pieced, machine quilted.
{above}"Mauritius Parakeets", by Martha L. Brown.
All of the quilters in this exhibit shared stunning quilts, which I enjoyed seeing very much and I hope you enjoy those that I am sharing today. I also loved the theme of this exhibit, and truly hope to see more exhibits, in the future, that share work from quilters and quilt artists from around the world. Clearly, we are connected thru a common thread.
The International Quilt Festival Long Beach Quilt Show Preview definitely is an amazing party for quilters. This show has now been kicked off and the fun will continue all weekend long - strong!
There are amazing quilts that will delight quilters of all levels and quilting styles. Special quilting exhibits are so many that my mind is spinning trying to count how many, but please understand I have been partying all night at the preview party for this spectacular show that counting is not in my vocabulary. But I did learn that there are several exhibits that will debut at this show, as well as some exhibits that will "only" be shown at this particular show. This fact, is one among many, should encourage you to do all you can to come on down quickly to this show this weekend. Ok, can't make it this year....well, I hope you can come next year.
There are so many excellent vendors that I've still barely seen 10% of the vendors at this show!
Ok. Time for me to share a few insights on this show.
For those coming to this show and staying at the Hyatt: Show your name badge or Festival ticket to receive 20% off at the Hyatt's Tides restaurant, PERKS, or Lobby Bar!
{above} Running Home, by James Carroll is a beautiful quilt that is part of a special exhibit on Lighthouse Quilts, curated by Iris Frank, Patty Kennedy, and Nancy McDowell.
{above} I'm Watching You, by Barbara McKie is part of a special exhibit on Quilts: A World of Beauty 2010, presented by International Quilt Festival.
{above} Cozy Quilt Designs also has an excellent selection of kits that are only available at this show. Plus, they come with a pattern that is essentially free with the purchase of the fabric in this kit, making it a great deal.
Quilt in a Day also has an excellent vendor booth with wonderful products and some great prices. Plus, if you visit their booth early, you could geat one of their cute bags for free (while supply lasts).
{above} This spectacular quilt calls all quilters to come to the IQF Long Beach quilt show. I could be wrong at guessing the designer of this spectacular quilt, which the designer was not marked! But, I'm pretty confident this is a beautiful quilt by Ricky Tims. And, I do think it will make for an excellent photo opportunity. Yeap, SewCalGal wants to have her picture taken in front of this amazing quilt. But, I hope you can pack your bags, catch a plane, train, bus, boat, or come by car to this wonderful quilt show and have your picture taken in front of this spectacular quilt...and have fun too.
{above} This beautiful quilt is called "Mission: Impeccable", by Kumiko Frydl. It is beautifully Foundation paper pieced, reverse applique', silk ribbon embroidered, free-motion machine quilted. And it is part of a special exhibit "Quilts: A World of Beauty 2010", presented by the International Quilt Association.
{above} It might be difficult to believe, but this photo is actually taken from the "back" of a spectacular quilt. I'll share more photos of this quilt, in future posts. But it is part of a special exhibit "Quilts: A World of Beauty 2010", presented by the International Quilt Association. And this is definitely worth having a white glove lady show you the back of this quilt, made by Rachel Denneny of Glenelg North, South Australia, Australia.
Oh yes, there are also a few workshops that still have a few openings. And, you can sign up for classes at the show! This is a great opportunity to take some amazing classes and see a fantastic quilt show too!
Do you like to play quilt games at guild meetings or sew-cials?
I've played Name the Quilt Block, Word Jumble, and Quilt Trivia Challenge, among many others. HP has created a template that you can print these quilt games out and use for free.
Here is a link to more quilt games too, compliments of QuiltGuild.com.
I love Dresden Plates, but have this perspective that it needs to be balanced (with equal number of petals in each quadrant). While I've seen some quilters that make Dresden Plates with 21 or 22 petals, I've often wondered if it was a result of the die, template, or not sewing a perfect 1/4" seam that caused this problem. To clarify, this post isn't intended to pick on anyone or a tool, but to share some of my favorite tutorials for making Dresden Plates and some tips.
Sew Mama Sew is a wonderful blog and there are some excellent tutorials. But there is a particular tutorial that I want to heighten awareness of today and that is Sew Mama Sew's tutorial for making a Dresden Plate
This tutorial does a great job showing how to make a traditional Dresden Plate, using traditional paper templates, but I also love that it follows a traditional "balanced" design with 20 petals (5 petals in each block).
If you want to make a Dresden Plate quilt this is a great tutorial for reference. If you are using the AccuQuilt die to make a Dresden Quilt, I've not yet had the opportunity to make a Dresden Plate quilt with an AccuQuilt, but I've seen a variety of bloggers sharing mixed results, showing Dresden Plates with 20, 21 or 22 petals.
Terrie Sandelin, of Bits & Pieces, has an excellent tutorial showing how she used the AccuQuilt GO! to make a perfectly balanced Dresden plate, with 20 petals. Thus, I'm inclined to think that those that have made Dresden Plates with 21 or 22 petals, or complained about this die, need to verify they are sewing with a 1/4" seam.
Jo (Jo's Country Junction) has a tutorial to make a very cute Dresden Plate Dish Towel. And, in addition to Jo's inspirational tutorial she also has a great video on youtube:
On the other hand, Jo does share a tutorial for making a very cute Dresden Plate Candle Mat using the AccuQuilt GO! where she was able to do a rounded Dresden plate with 20 petals, but when using pointed petals she needed 21 petals.
Yet Mandy (Simply Solids) has a great tutorial to make the Dresden Plate, using the AccuQuilt GO, with twenty (20) perfect points.
Darlene (Quilting Haze) also created a beautiful 20 point Dresden Plate using AccuQuilt.
SewCindy also shared inspirational insights on making the Dresden Plate using the AccuQuilt GO! and even used some fun strip piecing techniques to give this design a more pieced look.
And Ariane (Ariane's Crafts) also created a tutorial to make perfect 20 petal Dresden Plates using the AccuQuilt GO!
Janet C. showed a lovely table runner on Facebook , made with the AccuQuilt, using a 22 petal Dresden Plate.
And AccuQuilt created this youtube video that shares insights on the Dresden plate die and shares that the rounded petals need 20 petals to make a 12" circle yet the pointed petals need 22 to create a 13.5" inch circle and that you can also make circles with a combination of the rounded petals and the pointed petals.
I'm definitely confused now. While I know many quilters expressed that they couldn't get their Dresden Plates to lay flat, when using the AccuQuilt die, unless they used 21 or 22 petals, and this AccuQuilt video provides their insight on the number of petals (which does create an unbalanced Dresden plate with the pointed petals), how did so many quilters get the Dresden Plate to work with 20 pointed petals?
The book Fancy to Frugal: Authentic Quilt Patterns from the '30s", by Kay Connors and Karen Earlywine, published by Martingale & Company, Home of That Patchwork Place, also does an excellent job sharing insights on Dresden Plates, which are all perfectly balanced with 20 petals.
And Eleanor Burns/Quilt in a Day has a variety of books, patterns and templates that all create perfectly balanced Dresden plates.
I must confess that while I've made Dresden Plates before, I've not yet used the AccuQuilt die for this design. My logic tells me that the die should result in the same balanced quadrants if there are rounded or pointed petals, or a blend. And, if you follow the tutorials, videos, books, patterns on making this design you should also end up with a balanced Dresden Plate. But, I'm leaning to believe this die should be able to create a balanced 20 petal Dresden Plate for both the rounded and the pointed petal, as well as any mix of the rounded & pointed petal that one wants to use. If not, I'll stand on my perspective that if a Dresden Plate doesn't have balanced petals there is either a design flaw or the quilter needs to check their 1/4" seams and try a scant 1/4" seam.
I'd love to hear your insights on the Dresden Plate, these tutorials, and definitely experiences with the AccuQuilt die for this design. But, ultimately, do you think it is ok for a Dresden Plate to have an unbalanced number of petals in each quadrant?
If you are not familiary with Kathy Brown, you need to be. She is an amazing quilter, pattern designer, fabric designer, and author. Her most recent book is "Strip-Smart Quilts: 16 Designs From One Easy Technique". But she is also the author of "Take 5:Quilts from Just 5 Fabrics", which is the book I want to share insights with you today.
Take 5 is really a fun quilt book, published by Martingale & Company, Home of That Patchwork place. It is an excellent book for beginners, but also a book with fun quilts that will interest quilters of all levels, even advanced quilts.
Karen shares insights on how you can select five fabrics (one focus fabric, plus four coordinating fabrics), stack them, cut them simultaneously, and you are ready to sew. Sounds simple and it is, but there is much more to this "Take 5 Technique".
There are 15 projects in this book that range in size from 36"x42" to 88"x112".
All of the projects have excellent instructions with great visuals and inspirational photos of the finished quilts.
This book also includes excellent information in the section on "Quiltmaking Basics" to help beginner quilters (e.g. tools, cutting tips, pinning & pressing, adding borders, quilting binding, etc.).
And, some of the quilts in this book have been beautifully quilted by
by Karen McTavish, Sandra Buibeau, Carol Hilton, Rachel
Justis, Ellen Rushin and Jamie Wallen.
I hope you get a chance to check out this book at your local quilt store, or at the online store at Martingale Publishing.
And, if you have already had a chance to pick up a copy of this book and make one of the projects, I'd also love to hear your thoughts. It would also be fun to see a picture of your project. Martingale & Company also has a fun Flickr group where everyone is encouraged to share photos of projects that they've made using books that they've published.
Heavenly Patchwork Books, by Judy Howard has published many wonderful books that help raise funds for great causes. Heavenly Patchwork, Heavenly Patchwork II, Centennial Stitches, and Thanking our Troops are full of heartwarming stories & photos of beautiful quilts.
Judy has recently released a new book "1905 Cookbook: Food for Body and Soul", which is actually a re-print. Like her other books, this cookbook features many heart-warming stories of early homesteaders and is illustrated with vintage photos, along with 1905 advertisements.
The section "Slices of Pioneer Life" certainly make you appreciate what many Pioneers went thru to prepare to migrate West, as well as what it was like to be a Pioneer. Interesting to read insights on life in Indian Territory too. And Judy also included a fun read "History of the Apron".
And many of the recipes look yummy: Doughnuts, Snowdrift Cake, Cream Tomato Soup, etc.. Of course, there are some recipes that also reflect on the period when this book was originally published and, while we may not use the recipe today, certainly are fun to see!
Publisher's Special $12.95 +
$3.50 shipping (Retail Price $14.95)
For orders or questions:
Buckboard Quilts Phone 405-751-3885 E-Mail:BuckboardQuilts@cox.net Or you may mail your check to: 12101 North
MacArthur, #137, Oklahoma City, OK 73162
Judy also coordinates several traveling quilt exhibits, including the new exhibit "Food for Body and Soul Touring Quilts” Exhibit. You also have the opportunity to enter a quilt in this traveling exhibit, but the deadline is August 31st.
All profits from "1905 Cookbook: Food for Body and Soul" and the touring quilt exhibits go to feed starving children, provide clean water and disaster relief in the U.S. and worldwide, as well as local soup kitchens and food pantries.
Have you thought that I forgot that I mentioned giveaway? Just saving it to the last. Thanks to Judy for offering SewCalGal a copy of this book for one lucky follower of SewCalGal. If you are interested in winning a copy, simply leave a comment on this post. I'll randomly select a winner and update this post, accordingly.
There were 31 entries for this giveaway and the random number generator selected #26 which is SueMacSeeds. And I've sent an email to Sue to let her know she is the winner. Congratulations to Sue.
For those that are not familiar with #TALKNT, it is a fun event where quilters connect on Twitter every Tuesday. #TALKNT is hosted by Cara of CaraQuilts.com and their are fun chats that cover all things sewing, quilting & fabric. Each chat has a sponsor and participants can win prizes too!
All you have to do is have a twitter account is add the hastag "#talknt" to the end of your tweets and follow this hastag to be involved. But, it is easier to see all the chatting by clicking this link to participate in these Tuesday chats: http://tweetchat.com/room/talknt
The weekly chat starts
9pm, Eastern
8pm, Central
6pm, Pacific
And, the first Tuesday every month is sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.
Yes, #Talknt was late Tuesday and this is Saturday. Talk about fast service! Kimberly at The Fat Quarter Shop is amazing!
Thank you Cara and The Fat Quarter Shop. I have a design in mind that I can't wait to use this fabric and am looking forward to quilting with it!
I wanted to share this to formally say thank you, but to also encourage others to participate in #Talknt.
Lastly, I've also heard that Cara is working on a big project to make several different styles of memory quilts and is hoping to get some donations. She'd like to get any clothing/fabric items that might be something one would use to memorialize in a quilt. And, she is hoping that these items cover a lifespan, so anything from baby clothes, tshirts, ties, wedding/prom dresses, old linens/bedding, etc. If you are interested in donating something to help Cara make such memory quilts you can contact her on Twitter, or via her site Cara Quilts.
Many quilting and machine embroidery enthusiasts are aware of the Rose of Sharon project Elizabeth Phillips and her business partner and friend Sharon Pederson created to help raise funds for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI). The Rose of Sharon project continues to be a successful way of raising money to help AAQI. Many quilters have made beautiful Rose of Sharon quilts and other items as a result of the products to came out from this project, And, this project continues with the existing products stiill available for purchase and Kenny Kreations coming this Fall.
Electric Quilt provided the Rose of Sharon design shapes on their site and created a contest where more than 850 Rose of Sharon quilt block designs were submitted from 11 different countries. Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims selected the final top 12 designs for Pederson's "Roses of Rememberance" quilt. EQ still provides free EQ downloads of many of the blocks that were submitted.
Island Batik created beautiful fabric to make the blocks,
Martingale & Company published an amazing Rose of Sharon Block Book and a beautiful collection of greeting cards,
AccuQuilt create dies for the Rose of Sharon designs, and
OESD created a Rose of Sharon machine embroidery (ME) CD.
These Rose of Sharon products are often talked about together as a single collection of products, and as a result often time thought to be compatible with each other. Since many of the AccuQuilt applique dieshave corresponding embroidery machine designs, it is also frequently thought that the AccuQuilt Rose of Sharon die and the OESD Rose of Sharon embroidery machine design set go together as well. Unfortunately, that is not true. As such, I have been investigating to understand what the problems are and if there was a solution that could be applied. Thus, this post is intended to heighten awareness on the incompatibility of these two products, as well as sharing insights on what I've learned while working with Elizabeth Philips, as well as representatives from AccuQuilt and OESD/Bernina.
I also want to thank Judy Danz (jdqltr's Sewabout Quilting) for sharing insights from her experience in working with these products, as well as many others that have also shared their perspective with me. I have also personally stitched out some of these designs with and without AccuQuilt pre-cuts and I have concluded that the OESD Rose of Sharon machine embroidery designs are not compatible with the AccuQuilt Rose of Sharon die. Quilting and machine embroidering enthusiasts should not purchase these two products with the intention of using them together as they will not result in good quality machine embroidered applique'!
To clarify, the AccuQuilt Rose of Sharon die does make beautiful applique' cuts that you can do manual hand or machine applique' sewing. Or, you can digitize your own ME design to use although you MUST have licensee approval from Sharon Pederson and Elizabeth Philips to ensure a portion of the proceeds of these products benefits the Alzheimers Art Quilt Initiative program and to ensure there is no conflicts with the existing digitizing right they have already contracted out.
It is hard to say exactly what happened that these products are not compatible. Many of the products released in Rose of Sharon Project were released at different times, but the OESD ME designs and the GO! Die were both released at Fall Market 2010. Packaging and PR materials do not reference that these products are compatible, but many view the compatibility is implied by the "Rose of Sharon" name and license, thus they purchase the two products with the intent of using them together. What happens when using them together is that their sizes are off, so the machine embroidery stitching does not line up with the AccuQuilt die cut.
In theory, the OESD Rose of Sharon ME designs should work fine if you follow a manual cut of your applique' design. But you need to print out the design from your software. To clarify, if you print out the shapes from the PDF that comes with the designs, your applique' shape may not work well with the actual ME stitch out (PDF files may not be accurate). But even when I stitched out one of these OESD designs without any applique fabric, I still found a slight difference in the placement line vs the blanket stitch out. And, personally, I was disappointed in the poor quality of the blanket stitch for the designs I stitched out.
Sadly, SewCalGal can not recommend the OESD Rose of Sharon machine embroidery collection even for use with manual cutting of fabric. From my perspective this design collection was not up to par of the normal quality of OESD designs. I'd actually favor a movement by OESD to pull this design collection from the shelf, re-digitize & test it with the AccuQuilt die and then re-launch as a new product, giving a 100% trade-in credit for those that purchased the current version.
I would also like to see that the websites for AccuQuilt, OESD, Nine Patch Media store, as well as those that sell these products, be updated to reflect that the OESD Rose of Sharon ME designs and the AccuQuilt Rose of Sharon dies are not compatible, to prohibit others from making the mistake of purchasing both products with the intention of using them together.
What I have learned is that Sharon Pederson has licensed Kenny Kreations to release a new Rose of Sharon machine embroidery design set in Fall 2011. This collection will be fully tested and compatible with the AccuQuilt die, and will also use a satin stitch vs OESD's blanket stitch. SewCalGal hopes to be able to share more insights with you on the Rose of Sharon ME designs, from Kenny Kreations, later this year.
Please remember when you purchase any of the licensed Rose of Sharon products a portion of your purchase is donated to fund Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI), which helps to fund research and increase awareness on Alzheimers.
In my journey to improve my free-motion quilting (FMQ) skills, I found great inspiration and insights through quilting books. I compiled a list of books on FMQ and actively began researching these books and authors. To clarify, I do not have copies of all of these books (but would love to).
I hope this list may be of use to you and that you also have a chance to check these books out. These authors are amazing free-motion quilters who have given us a wonderful gift by sharing their insights through their books.
If you have insights on other books I should add to this list, please let me know. And, of course, I'd love to hear about your favorites. When I have been able to write a review on any of these books the Title will contain a link to my review. I do plan on updating this list, over time, so you may want to bookmark this page in your Favorites and check back for future updates.
Title {link to review}
Cover Photo
Author
Publisher
Year Published
In The Studio with Angela Walters
Angela Walters
CT Publishing
December 2012
Free-Motion Quilting
Natalia Bonner
CT Publishing
Septemberr 2012
Easy and Fun Free-Motion Quilting: Frames, Fillers, Hundreds of Ideas
