Purchased in Paducah

You know it's true...everybody really just wants to know, "What did you buy at the quilt show???"

I remember being very exhausted when taking this picture, or I'd have spread out the fabric to make it look more exciting! This is the fabric from Hancock's of Paducah. DeLuna's is the in the clear bag (you get a nice big bag if you buy more!) and mine is in the white bag.
The black & white piece is a batik that looks like either a spine or tire tracks. The rest is mainly for backs of charity quilts. That was my shopping plan, to keep from being distracted by beautiful fabrics that would cause me to start creating a bunch of brand new projects!
I was also on a mission find a very dark purple for Rita, but it was not to be found anywhere.

Hancock's back room

While I enjoyed the hours we spent in there, I have to say that we had been warned by One Who Knows that the famous back room at Hancock's was not as well stocked as in the past. There was plenty there, but I was not finding the treasures expected. But getting the backs for a couple quilts was fine, especially at sale prices. The cost of cotton has sky-rocketted this year, so any sale is good.

My favorite purchase at any show is these wonderful embroideries from South Africa, made by women who live in the north near the Zimbabwe border. Each one tells part of a folk-tale. The designs are standard, but each woman adds her own touch in choosing the colors and sometimes her intials or a slight change in the background. I really should buy several of the same design...a good idea for the next time I see this lovely lady:

Ina le Roux is responsible for this colorful business that helps women make money to send their children to school or even just provide meals and basic needs.  The pieces come in various sizes, are washable,  and some are done on white cloth. The story is included with each one, and a little card about one of the women who do the embroidery. I always keep the link on my sidebar: Tambani Textiles.
After the class with Velda Newman last month, I was also checking out all the special hand dyed fabrics.
Over at the Rotary show you can always find Cherrywood Fabrics. For years thery have made a fabulous cotton that looks like suede.

A Grab Bag for Crazies, indeed! I keep buying this stuff and not using it...which is truly a shame, as it is beautiful. When I do make something, I'll be sure to post it, since the plastic bag does not allow you to see how nice this is!

These are the pieces of Carol Bryer Fallert fabrics from Benartex that I talked about in the last post. You can see the influence of all those fruits and veggies from Velda's class...better than I can paint myself!
The one that shades from grey to white is just perfect for a project I've been planning for tooooooo many years!
Now, how about THIS:

Three yummy pieces hand dyed by Frieda Anderson! And we had a nice chat with Laura Wasilowski and Frieda as we tried to keep our drooling under control around all that luscious fabric.

So, Dear Friends, that is it for Paducah 2011!
In the course of writing these posts, I have finished the binding and sleeve on a quilt I can hardly wait to tell you all about!

Paducah, KY: it's also a real town!

Mention "Paducah" and chances are good (even among non-quilters) that people will assume you are talking about The Big Quilt Show. It also happens to be a town with a population of 26,307, a fabulous performing arts center, and a nuclear plant nearby!
Located on the Ohio River, Paducah has a series of history themed murals painted on the floorwalls ( the one honoring telephone operators is a new favorite of mine) and 20 blocks of the downtown area have been designated a National Historic District. Part of that is the LowerTown Fine Arts District where many artists have rehabbed houses and built studios....it makes a lovely walking tour!
I guess that's what I really like about going to the show in Paducah...it reminds me of the small towns I have lived in...if only they had been as interested in the arts!

Of course there's the area out by Interstate 24, with lots of motels, restaurants and Big Box Stores that you can find anywhere. The special place out there is Hancock's of Paducah, a fabric store/ quilters mecca.
During the AQS show there is plenty of city bus transportation to get quilters anywhere mentioned above, as well as the Rotary Antique Quilt Show at the Civic Center and the Carson Park fairgrounds, where Eleanor Burns sets up a big tent for sales and puts on her show.
I had not intended on doing a photo-essay (maybe next year?) but I am glad to share with you some views along Broadway, which is the main street. You can walk right down here from the show as it's only about three or four blocks.

There are many shops selling all sorts of goods, so if you haven't spent all your money with the show vendors, you will find lots of interesting things here. Ms. Burns has a quilt shop a few blocks away, and during show-time there are several temporary businesses set up to sell fabric.

Right on the corner you can see a little art sale, hear a band playing, and catch a horse-drawn carriage ride. I highly recommend that ride for a relaxing get-acquainted tour, and a fine close up look at the murals.

The Yeiser Art Center always has a fiber art show during the AQS week. Here's a peak inside...ssssh! don't tell. (if anyone really objects, I'll this photo down!)

This art center sits in the middle of Market Square, with a small brick street running down each side. Be sure to check both sides...there are shops and some really good restuarants, including a bakery that has been there since forever!

   

I'll be talking more about food in the next post, but Cohen's is a must-eat place. And it's haunted!

I've only been there for lunch.... not a good time for Sightings. But the waiter always appeared when needed.

You can't miss the mobile cow! She was an oft-mentioned landmark, as in "We're in the parking lot near the Cow...well, you'll know it when you see it!" (actual over-heard cell-phone conversation) (also note the murals in the far background!)

 You can read more about this place tomorrow...yummmmm, pie! But for now, just admire the beautiful wood and brickwork of the 1800s style in downtown Paducah!

We did manage to get to Caryl Bryer Fallert's studio in the LowerTown District. She has a shop in the front, a large studio in the center, and her quilting machines in the back...like this:

What a jaw-dropping surprise to see "Seasonal Sister" hanging there!

That was the Best of Show winner at the IQA show in Houston 2 years ago, made by Annette Hendricks, Gail Thomas and Helen Godden. It's 99" x 56" and worth every cent of the $30,000 asking price!

Coming next:

What you really want...Eating & Shopping!