The Pot Holder Pile in Action

I had a birthday last month, and in good Hobbit-style celebrating, we ate lots of food and I gave my friends presents...potholders!

These are functional pot holders: made to be used until disgusting, and then thrown away! No life in a drawer for these guys.
The blocks are left overs from a Quilt In A Day class several years ago. The bindings are strips from a Kaffe Fassett jelly-roll!
But it's the backing that's the real thing:

Nice thick terry cloth! (yes...left over from the towel-apron I made for the Velda Newman class in April...).
You don't have to admit it, but if you are like me in the kitchen, then a handy potholder will get used for any purpose whatever. That includes wiping up a spill!
How much quilting is in these little helpers?
Exactly what you see here. One line to hold the 3 layers together.
Yes, it is wavy because then you can tell it was not even meant to be straight!
I thought about putting a hanging loop on. But then I didn't intend for these to be hung up and shown off!
I hope my friends are enjoying the potholders and giving them a brief but fun life in the kitchen.

A pot holder or a pillowcase...sometimes a quick-yet-useful project is just the thing to get you back into the creative mood again!

Quilt Pattern Testing

It takes quite a bit of work to turn a quilt made into a pattern...even for one that I've already written most of the instructions. I keep thinking that most of the work is done if the quilt has been one of my Personalized Mystery Quilto classes.  But the clues for a mystery quilt are not really the same as pattern steps, and more importantly, a class handout is different than a published pattern. When I am teaching, you can ask me lots of questions! To write a pattern, I need to think about what is necessary, what is helpful...and what is just excess verbage that nobody will read anyway!

I really did not want to make this quilt again (there are already 3 versions of it) but I try to write the best instructions possible and then give them to at least one tester. If it's been awhile since I made the quilt, I still need to cut and sew it, even though a class may have pointed out places to make improvements.
This time I had a great idea: just make the blocks in whatever fabric I wanted (to test the yardage), and not worry about the finished quilt. This one is a pieced picture, so generally it does need specific fabrics for each block!

What was at hand? The collection of coffee theme fabrics...part of my 4 year promise to make kitchen curtains for my sister! Of course I had yards of fabrics, and only used a few.
This is a good example of making the fabric work for you. The top of the picture is a strip set made with a water-color type stripe (always an excellent buy!) and a coffee bean print.
Under that are some of the sections I cut to make the block. See how different each one is? They will provide a nice variety in the finished blocks but used only one fabric.

OK, I can't say I'm totally thrilled with the look....but then, this is not how the blocks go in the pattern....and I am not going to sew up the entire quilt to look like the pattern picture anyway.
I do like the way the brown stripes work, though!

I'm happy to say this part of the pattern worked out fine.
The next set of blocks are the hard ones...and they were turning out fine, too, until my sewing machine jammed up! I hope I can get it fixed soon.
Anyway, the goal is to have the pattern published in time for QuiltFest, since I am entering the quilt it's based on!

Quilt National 2011 at The Dairy Barn

Quilt National has been showing art quilts to the world biennially since 1979. It's home in The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio, makes a wonderful trip...especially on a beautiful Summer day.

The show runs from May to September, which allows for plenty of time schedule a trip. You may see the quilts until September 5 this year.
I behaved myself (this time...) and did not sneak any pictures inside. But you can enjoy many of the quilts by using this link: http://dairybarn.org

There were three juors who selected 88 quilts from the 1038 entered (sent by 494 artists from around the world). Can you imagine that process?
Quilt National does not have the usual first-second-third place style of awards as we are accustomed to at many shows. That's probably because this really is an art show. There are a total of 15 awards.
The jurors do get to chose the Best of Show, and each one has a pick for a Juror's Award of Merit.
Then comes the impressive array of special awards sponsored by many different people and organizations, some as memorials. I think a quilt show award would be a great way to be remembered after passing on. It would be a great way to honor a living person, too!
I won't list all the awards here, but a couple are especially interesting.
The Quilts Japan Prize is sponsored by the Nihon Vogue Corporation "as an expression of gratitude for teaching and guidance that American quilters have given to Japanese quilters."
There are two awards for "emerging" artists, one for an artist under the age of 30.
Especially dear is the Persistence Pays Award, given to "the first-time exhibitor who has entered Quilt National the most number of times before gaining acceptance." How's that for a wonderful idea??? And it's in memory of Hilary Fletcher, who was the director of Quilt Natioanl for many years.
Of course there is a People's Choice Award, and I did vote...but what a hard choice! That's true for any show I've ever been to.

As I was traveling, I once again thought of the many states who have a Quilt Barn project. Farmers have a huge quilt block painted on the barn, or on a sign hung on the barn, and then a map is made up so you can tour aound and see all the barns. Kentucky has several visible from I-75.

While a book is not as good as seeing quilts "in the cloth", you may want to check out the book from Quilt National 2011 (there are books for each of the past shows as well, though some may be out of print). Besides the jurors' statements (a chance to find out what were they thinking!), there is a very insightful Intrduction written by Kathleen M. Davis, Quilt National Director. It tells in detail about the jurying process.
I paid for my copy, but I'll still give a link to Lark books at http://www.larkcrafts.com  because all their books are just beautifully done!

A Bright Idea for Quilting

One of my favorite quilting supply sales is when the Big Box store has 50% off the Notions Wall. That was the case last weekend, when Cherry-Cherry & I found a really good deal: the Dritz Flexible LED Light. I had not expected to see something like that on the Notions Wall!
After you reach "a certain age" (yes, and even before!) having good lighting at your sewing machine is a real help.

I like the way this light can be mounted on the end of my machine. It will slip out of the holder if I want to use it someplace else, but the 13" flexible neck allows me to direct the light exactly where I want it.
It runs on 3 AA batteries, and will work for 10,000 hours before it dies completely...according to the package.
There is another similar and more expensive light on the market. It has the advantage of running on a cord you can plug in, so it's not considered disposable. I can't handle another electric cord in my sewing room, though!
So far so good...the purple color pleases me (CC got the turquoise one, and it also comes in magenta). But I think I like the 50% off price best!

Oh, yes...the quilt I'm working on...not hard to guess it is another UFO! I have been meaning to finish it and write the pattern for about, ummmm....10 years? It's pretty bad when you can't even remember!
As usual, a deadline is a great help, so the plan is to have this ready for QuiltFest in September.
But I promise you will get to see both the quilt and the pattern here first!

Get ready for the quilt show!

The end of the Spring Quilt Show season has come, but that means all the quilters are setting their sights on the Fall shows now. On the local scene, QuiltFest  released the entry form and show information, so I've got to start my series of Reality Checks for what I can complete in time!

Let's see...a pile of scraps, and the entry deadline is July 25.....

Just because I took the 2-day class about quilt show juding from NQA, that doesn't make me an expert. But I can tell you one major piece of info about entering any quilt show: Read the rules. Then read them again!
Whether you are competing for a prize or just want to have your quilt be enjoyed by the public, you need to go by the rules. Every show is different, and some poor group of quilters has had to work out what they think is the best way to do their show. There is an immense amount of hard work...usually by volunteers...behind every show. They spent lots of hours (ones they might have used for quilting!) to make hard choices, so give them a break. If you don't like the rules, or your quilt just does not fit into any of the categories, please look for a show that does suit your needs. It's not that your quilt is wrong...it's just not right for a particular show.

It's true...at a quilt show, size does matter!

Most shows reserve the right to move your quilt to another category. Sometimes the size is different than you thought. Sometimes it's because you worked so hard on the applique center, you did not realize the pieced border is really more than 50% of the top! Quilts show and compete better with others that are like them in size and techniques. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the number of categories...and therefore prizes!...that can be offered. Just put your quilt in the category you think is best, and don't be upset if it gets moved. It is likely the move will be to your benefit.

Timing is everything! The entry forms are due in before the quilts, so that's the first deadline to meet. You may not be totally finished, but you should have enough of the quilt done that you honestly can head for the turn-in date. And, yes, this is where you may have entered a quilt that is one size, but when it arrives at the show it is a different size! Quilting, squaring up the borders, or even deciding it needs an extra border can be the reason.

If you are sending a quilt in the mail, be sure you have everything as close to perfect as possible. That means the sleeve at the correct place. The hanging devises at shows can only go to a certain height, so if your quilt is very big you do want the top to drape over to the back. That means people won't step on the bottom it! It is possible for your quilt to be too big to enter, as much as we'd all enjoy seeing it.

Shayla O'Puss says, "Don't forget to use the lint roller before sending your quilt!"

You also want the quilt to be clean (no pet hairs), threads clipped, and smelling fresh. I know you think that goes without saying, but if you have ever worked at a turn-in day or judging,  there is at least one quilt that should have been aired out and/or stored with a bar of soap in the bag.
And really, really check the date your quilt should arrive. Somebody is staying home for a couple of days to be sure no packages are left stranded on the porch in the rain or exposed to passers-by who may have sticky fingers.

Your quilt could be here!

I think you should enter your quilt in a show. Don't worry about the judging....  they will never see half the things you know are "wrong"! Don't worry about the competition....ribbons are nice, but it's fun just have your quilt hanging up in a nice setting. Be proud of your work and share it with others.
I'll see you at the shows!

QuiltFest entry is open to all quilters. It is not juried, but categories may become filled.
This is a large show with over 400 quilts, substantial prize money and ribbons, special exhibits, vendors from around the country, and a very nice food court! Come and see it September 22 through 24 in Jacksonville, FL!
For more details: http://www.quiltfestjax.com

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!

A Bryerpatch visit in Paducah

Carol Bryer Fallert, a well-known quilt artist, has her Bryerpatch Studio open in Paducah during Quilt Week, and it's always a treat to visit there. The building was designed to match the surrounding Lower Town Arts District and provides space downstairs for a teaching studio with a retail area. Upstairs is Carol's home and personal studio.

Look for the large brick house with a white porch on the front...here is the backyard! When the weather is good, it's wonderful to walk around Paducah, especially this neighborhood with the old houses and so many artist studios.

During the quilt show, Carol has a selection of her fabrics for sale in the teaching studio.
Benartex has printed yardage inspired by Carol's hand dyed fabrics, with vibrant colors that range through several values or different hues from one selvedge to the other. It's a great way to get a lot of color in just one piece! In fact, I liked the Rainbow Gradient so much last year, my guild picked it for one of the QuiltFest Challenge fabrics!

Color, color everywhere!  Who wouldn't enjoy this little bench...especially along with the quilt on the wall!

The studio is decorated with Carol's quilts. What fun to be able to get up close and see her award-winning stiching! And not just her own quilts...there was also a show of other people's work, in cluding Ann Fahl's quilts from her book "A Black and White Tale" about Oreo the cat.
But our great treat this year was to take the upstairs tour of Carol's house!
I did not feel comfortable about taking pictures of her to-die-for 2-story living room, with the ceiling painted like the sky, or her fabulous kitchen that can serve 30 people...but you can be sure I wanted to record her own studio space!

Thse blue & yellow floor tiles are as functional as the ones in the teaching studio. I learned that Carol likes to work on the floor, trimming and blocking her quilts on this carpet. You can see her in action in "Stitched! The Movie"...get the DVD! It shows Carol, Hollis Chatelaine and Randall Cook as they prepare their art quilts for the 2010 AQS show in Paducah and the IQA show in Houston.
I know what you are really wondering: What sort of stash does she have?

That's one side of the room! It does show how you can get a lot in...and with good organization, you can even find what you need!
If I had a house and studio space like this, I would want to show it off, too...but it's still very gracious of Carol (not to mention the guests she had  staying there!) to allow us to have a tour and share her beautiful home.