1. No category

The Virtual Quilt
May 2000
Issue 40
This issue:
Two Big Quilt Shows!
The Quilters’ Heritage
Show in Lancaster, PA
and
The American
Quilters’ Society Show
in Paducah, KY
The Cabin or Someone Left Cherries for the Birds, Donna Lacy
Chapman. Plano, Texas. Second Place Pictorial - QHC
Also in this issue:
Japanese Paper Piecing, Charms and Schnibbles, and
Quilt Heritage in Great Britain
THE TRAVELING QUILTER
American Quilters’
Society Show, Paducah, KY
ByLynnHolland
shame.
Wearing a jacket with the name John, our
“One of these years, we’ll have to do Paducah.” driver announced to us that his name was Bill
We’d said this for a number of years, even before and he would be chauffeuring us to Kentucky
there was a TVQ. But since it came so close on
and to the fabled show in Paducah. He was
the heels of spring break for our children, it just
a bit amused to be the driver for so many
never seemed to be the right time to actually
women, and trotted out most of his bus driver
visit the famed
jokes about the
American Quilfemale of the speters’ Society show
cies. We climbed
in this small,
aboard for the
western Kentucky
first of many
river town.
times that day,
That is, until
and our journey
the newsletter
began.
came.
We had hoped
Our local shop,
to get a few
Dream Quilters,
moments of sleep
in Tucker, Georon the way up,
gia, had arranged
but had not reckfor a charter bus
oned on the
to the quilter’s
movie “How to
Mecca and there
Make an Ameriwere spaces availcan Quilt” being
able. Even a trip
shown a few
to the fabled Han- Front Foyer of the convention center
inches above our
cock’s was
heads at 6 a.m.
included. Without hesitation, we made the call
Nor had we envisioned the festive slumber party
and signed up. There was just one catch, though: atmosphere that would instantly emerge from a
the entire trip was to be completed in 26 hours!
busload of relative strangers.
But hey, we were going to Paducah and what’s 14
“Hoffman . . . custom done in just three weeks .
hours on a bus when there are quilts and fabric?
. . new Bernina . . . stupid UFO . . . rotary cutter
So there we were at 5 a.m. on April 14, lined up in one hand and the tip of my finger on the floor .
with 60 other people, accompanied by tote bags,
. . great website . .. . appliqued borders. . . .”
blankets and pillows. The ladies behind us had
The way to Paducah from Atlanta is freeway
just gotten their seats the day before due to a
all the way, north through Nashville and across
last minute cancellation, so they were a bit more
the long skinny expanse of western Tennessee.
hyped than the rest of the crowd. We were all
At a rest stop just inside the Kentucky border,
pretty sensibly dressed, knowing that this was
the welcome station was ready for the annual
going to be a day when comfort would be more
onslaught. They had maps and brochures of all
critical than high style, but four ladies who are
the events, and by the time we got back on the
quilting buddies were wearing matching applibus, some of us were clearly salivating with anticque jackets whose cleverness put most of us to
ipation. Just another short ride and we would be
The Virtual Quilt
2
there!
Shortly before lunchtime, we reached the con-
priced sandwich and can of tea on the way in.
The foyer was clearly intended to help the city
of Paducah wring every last drop of economic
possibility out of this annual influx of tourists.
Every church and civic group appeared to offer a
tour or a specialty luncheon/dinner for the few
weeks surrounding the quilt show, and there was
even a gentleman dressed as a Kentucky colonel
who was available for photo ops. The show runs
a free shuttle to the downtown area, and all the
local restaurants had show specials.
But that was just the foyer. The real show was
down the hall, and upstairs, and in the annex
over by the pool. And what a show it was!
Although it was slow going to get up and down
the aisles, it was worth the long bus ride.
There was what seemed to be a disproportionate number of winning entries by quilters with
Japanese names, and their precise yet imaginative
work put much else in the shade. (The Japanese
were also heavily represented among show visitors.) Among our favorite (non-Japanese) pieces
was a realistic depiction of a blazing red Ford
pick-up truck and a portrait of Sunbonnet Sue sitting in front of her laptop. While these two stick
out in memory because of their funky subject
vention center, which is the Executive Inn. On the
banks of the mighty Ohio River, this hotel and
conference facility is clearly the biggest in town
for this sort of event. As we piled out with all
the other eager stitchers, it was also plain that
it is not big enough! There were
people everywhere, many sitting
outside the front door on the
embankment, talking, eating, or
just resting their weary legs. As
we made our way from the bus
dropoff to the convention center
we tried to take it all in. Outside
the hall was a specially-set-up
mobile branch of the USPS so
you could ship your goodies
home. There were many outdoor food venues, with as many
choices as you could possibly
desire: Barbecue, ice cream,
hamburgers, kettle corn, cappuccino, pretzels, with plenty
of outdoor benches for hungry
The portable post office lets quilters send their goodies home.
show-goers.
A bit overwhelmed and
matter, the quality of the quilts, whether tradihungry, we joined the sea of people and went
tional or contemporary, was befitting this, “The
into the quilted kingdom, grabbing a reasonably- Mother of All Quilt Shows.” The stitches were
The Virtual Quilt
3
way too tiny, the colors chosen through divine
inspiration, and each and every work was awesome and certainly beyond my ability level. The
only drawback was the crowds, which of course
Paducah is famed for, a product of the mismatch
between the event and the venue. It was difficult
to give each quilt more than a moment of
attention, with people crossing in front of you
and bumping you
from behind
almost constantly.
The situation was
made even worse
by the close proximity of busy vendors to the quilt
displays. Elbowknocking was
clearly the order
of the day! Many
of our companions complained
about this, wondering why AQS
doesn’t move the
show to a bigger
city, but it is clear
the AQS founders have no intention of moving
the biggest tourist draw of the year away from
their home town. They ARE planning another
show later this year, though, at the Opryland
Hotel in Nashville the first weekend of September.
The vendors were all doing fast-paced business, and after about an hour of too much input,
both visual and physical, we just had to get away
a bit. We opted to take the shuttle bus downtown,
which afforded us sort of a bird’s eye tour of
the town. Paducah has seen better days from
the quick look we got, although it apparently
revitalizes somewhat each year for this week
in April. Storefronts that are obviously unoccupied the rest of the year were turned into temporary quarters for
some of the larger
vendors. One
cavernous building housed a craft
display in one
end and a cleaning solution sales
demo in the other.
I stopped for the
demo and wound
up purchasing a
bottle of
Immacu-10. A
permanent shop
had someone
spinning wool in
the window, and
I came away with
some too cute Christmas bags featuring Santas
with homegrown wool beards. We saw more vintage UFOs and block sets that day than I see in
a couple of years combined in Atlanta and there
were antique quilts galore.
Downtown has some nice antique shops that
live there year round, as well as a fine selection
of restaurants and boutiques. My favorite build-
POPPIES FABRIC
Poppies Fabric, located on Orcas Island in Washington, carries fabric, patterns
and books, as well as some locally spun yarns. Browse our internet site,
www.poppiesfabric.com, where you can find some of the widest selections of Moda
Marbles, Benartex Fossil Ferns, Hoffman Batiks, and great deals on fat quarter packages of coordinating fabrics, kits and notions. Our Photo board displays quilts made
by some of the finest quilters in the Pacific Northwest, some of which are for sale.
Come get ideas at our site, and while you’re there, visit our free pattern section!
The Virtual Quilt
4
ing was the old theatre, which sports a beautiful
blue and white facade, reminiscent of Delft china.
There’s just something amazing about a whole
Outside the convention center.
tion, but since we didn’t have the time we put it
on our list for a future visit - probably at some
time other than late April!
The last promised stop
of the day was at Hancock’s of Paducah, the
famous local fabric store
(not affiliated with the
national chain). A couple
of miles down the main
drag from the convention
center, Hancock’s is in
a warehouse-style building that seems to cover
a couple of acres - all of
it filled with fabric! Their
sheer selection was overwhelming. Every possible fabric line was
displayed, many in multiple bolts, and the prices,
while not rock bottom,
were reasonable. They
also had a large selection
of upholstery fabric at
significant markdowns, and the famous “back
room” where they sell their remnants, was overwhelming all by itself. Even with the large crowd
of show-goers, the lines were not impossible,
town turned upside-down over quilting.
We took the city bus back and caught the rest of
the show and vendors we had missed, including
a quick visit with a very busy Penny McMorris
and Dean Neumann at the Electric Quilt booth.
Weary by now, and getting
within 90 minutes of our bus
pick-up, we opted to walk
over to the museum and just
go through the gift shop.
The museum itself is a low,
graceful, modern structure
set artfully in an expanse
of grass with curving sidewalks, not far from the river.
It has gorgeous stained glass
windows and a quiet spaciousness inside that is in
dramatic contrast to the
noisy, crowded Executive
Inn. It would have been a
nice place to spend an hour
or two, becoming familiar
with their permanent collec- Claustrophobic crowds inside the show.
The Virtual Quilt
5
though we ended up not buying anything, dazed
by so many choices. This store is another reason
for a visit to Paducah, perhaps at a less distracting time.
We boarded the bus again at about 8 p.m. to
head back to Atlanta. The driver announced that
because of our delays we wouldn’t be getting
back home until close to dawn, so the time for a
snooze was definitely at hand. Except, first, there
was another movie (“The American President”)
and lots of gossip and comparing of treasures
bought this day. After a fitful night of dozing, we
arrived home stiff but happy, just in time for the
weekend!
NEW ENGLAND
FABRIC LOFT
WE NOW CARRY AURIFIL COTTON THREAD!
Home of the wide width fabrics. Specializing in one piece quilt backings. All fabrics are 90” to
120” wide, 100% cotton.
Imagine no more seams on the back of your quilt! End the frustration of piecing your quilt back.
Make that large tablecloth you need for Holiday dinners.
We are now the Distributor in US for “Aurifil” mako cotton thread. Made in Italy with the best
Egpytian cotton. Three different weights. Made for machine embroidery, quilting, and all of your
sewing needs. 154 colors (9 are variegated), high sheen and reliable strength, and colorfast. The 50
wt is the most common for quilting and most sewing needs. 50 wt has 1422 yards on it’s spool for
$6.25! See website for colors available and more information on other new products.
Come and visit our website.
http://www.fabricloft.com
Secure online ordering. Samples available
CHECK OUT AND COMPARE OUR LOW PRICES WHERE YOUR MONEY BUYS MORE FOR
LESS!
Looking into Quilting Software?
Look no further than
The Quilt Software Network
http://www.quiltsoftware.net/
Reviews, advice, and demos of the latest quilting software. Find out what’s right for you!
The Virtual Quilt
6
SCHOOLHOUSEENTERPRISES
Amazing but true!
Gridded Geese(c) is a unique paper foundation method for massproducing Flying Geese units up to 24 at once (no kidding!).
Schoolhouse Enterprises, inventors and manufacturers of this revolutionary product, offers both a printed version of their catalog,
and an on-line (http://www.planetpatchwork.com/store/) shopping cart service in conjunction with Planet Patchwork. You can
safely order online through Planet Patchwork’s secure server with
your credit card!
The folks at Schoolhouse Enterprises and Planet Patchwork search for items for quilters (and
friends of quilters) which are unique and often overlooked by other catalogs you might connect with.
Check out their on-line catalog, which offers such interesting items as Photos-to-Fabric(tm) photo
transfer paper, Ott Lights, beautiful embossed note cards, kaleidoscope pendants, and much more!
And while you’re visiting, be sure to check out the current Monthly $pecial!!
Schoolhouse carries the complete line of Electric Quilt products, including EQ4 design software,
and Sew Precise! and Sew Precise with Shirley Liby. We also carry the popular Quilt-Pro program. We
offer the best prices on quilt design software you’ll find anywhere, guaranteed. EQ4 is only $86.88 and
Quilt-Pro is an unbelievable $76.88! We also offer some great package deals for even bigger savings. If
you find a lower advertised price, we’ll match it and give you another 5% discount.
If you’re having trouble deciding which program is best for you, call our toll-free QuiltSoftware
Hotlineat877-558-3660.
We also offer a large selection of INSPECTOR CLUESEW’s Mystery Quilts. If you missed any of the
Cases which were previously online, you’ll find them here!
If you’re not able to access the web page, just e-mail Schoolhouse Enterprises
(mailto:[email protected]) with your “snail mail” (post office) address for your FREE CATALOG
and Sample of Gridded Geese(c)! (Sorry, but Samples are only available in the printed catalogs.)
DREAMHORSE WORKSHOP
18” pillows for sale: free-form patchwork bordered by canvas duck on front
and backed with burlap ($50), or patches of traditional knit or crochet patterns in
off-white cotton yarn bordered and backed with upholstery fabric in natural shades
($75). All covers removable and should be drycleaned. Include $7 for shipping and
handling. [email protected] for questions. (530) 675-2899. Linda Gyulassy at P.O.
Box 42, Brownsville, CA 95919.
The Virtual Quilt
7
SEAGULL QUILTS
72 ELMWOOD AVENUE
EAST AURORA, NY 14052
http://users.aol.com/seagullq/seagullq.htm
Quilt patterns include many lighthouses
(North Carolina, Montauk, Barnegat, Buffalo,
West Quoddy, 30 Mile Point and miniature)
nurse, teacher, musical instrument, Christmas
paper pieced blocks, holly wreath, starry
snowman, paper-pieced borders, miniature
star and pinwheel. See web page for pictures.
Patterns $6.75 ppd.
THE SEAGULL QUILTS TRADING NEWS
(FOR QUILT BLOCK & CHARM
EXCHANGE) Quarterly newsletter for quilters who wish to exchange quality, 100%
cotton fabric and finished blocks with other
quilters. Send LSASE for sample issue.
BREAKING
TRADITIONS
HEARTLAND
QUILTWORKS
Heartland Quiltworks asks:
Are you tired of basting your quilts?
Would you like a space friendly quilting frame?
Would you like to quilt and still be in the same
room with your family?
Does quilting aggravate your neck and shoulders or bother your carpal tunnel syndrome?
Would your like to be able to put a quilt in the
frame by yourself?
If your answer was yes to any of these questions-The Heartland Quilting Frame Is the only
frame you will ever need!
Call or write for more information Heartland
Quiltworks 100 Cherry St. Cherokee, OK 73728
1-800-441-8112 www.heartlandquiltworks.com
Cathedral Windows Quick Method Quilt
This book will instruct even the novice sewer
how to create an heirloom quality quilt, entirely
by sewing machine, in a fraction of the time it
would take to sew by hand. Full color cover, clear
concise illustrations, yardage charts and many
tips.
The possibilities are endless!
$8.95 per book plus $1.95 s&h Please make
check payable to ‘Kimberly Nappier’ and mail to:
Kimberly Nappier 6827 Sparkman St. Dept. tvq
Tampa, FL 33616
MOTHER HEN’S
QUILT
EMBROIDERIES
Quick, easy, machine embroidered quilt
blocks to embellish vests and jackets, towels,
pillows, wallhangings or create a quilt. Come
and visit Mother Hen’s Quilt Embroideries
and view the goodies!
http://www.accn.org/~lildozer
E-mail inquiries to: [email protected]
The Virtual Quilt
8
QUILT SHOW REVIEW
Quilter’s Heritage, Lancaster, PA
ByCarolMiller
Quilter’s Heritage is held at the Lancaster
Host, a hotel which apparently promotes itself to
Quilter’s Heritage is held in the spring in Lanpeople who enjoy outdoor sports. The complex
caster, PA. Most years it is held the first week of
includes a golf course and both indoor and outApril but, be warned, next year it will be March
door tennis courts. The indoor courts become
15-18. This is a one time change.
the large display hall for the quilts and vendors.
Lancaster obviously
To get there, you make
makes us think of
a healthy hike down to
Amish quilts and rightly
the foot of the hill.
so. The entire area is
That’s the easy part.
awash in quilts, both
When you are finished,
the black backgrounds
you get to come back
with bright solids that
UP the hill.
the Amish make for
The show also uses
themselves and the light
the Lampeter Ballroom
backgrounds with print
on the main floor and
fabrics that they make
the Distlefink Ballroom
for the “outlander”
in the lower lever for
market. The Amish may
quilts and vendors.
have declined to join
That makes it sound like
the gadgetry of the
there are lots of both,
twentieth century but
doesn’t it? Not so.
they understand marThere were only about
keting perfectly.
35 vendors in all and
This was my second
most of those were
trip to the area. Three
extremely country and
years ago I convinced
traditional. Very few of
my husband that this
them carried any fabric
show was the perfect
at all. The two excepplace to spend our 25th Moonlight and Kangaroos. Nancy S. Brown, Oakland, tions that I can think
wedding anniversary.
of are Primrose GradaCA. 3rd Place, Pictorial, QHC
On this trip, I went by
tions, lovely hand dyed
myself, driving the 4-1/2 hour trip alone. I man- fabric from Minnesota, and Mickey Lawler’s Skyaged to do this with only two “excuse me, but I’m dyes, hand painted fabrics in a class by themlost” stops. I had agreed to work as a demonstra- selves.
tor in the Electric Quilt booth on Thursday and
Across the street at the Continental Hotel, a
Friday. I also wanted to drive out in the country
renegade group of vendors has established a
to Sauder’s, a shop housed in the basement of a
“separate” show. They have crammed vendors
Mennonite farmhouse.
into every nook and cranny, some in places with
My original plan was to be there when the shop little light and less ventilation. This group has
opened on Friday morning (8 a.m.) and be back
a lot more fabric although most of it, with the
for the show opening at 10. Imagine my surprise exception of the booth My Hands to Thee, was
to discover the show opened at 9 each day! The
again almost totally country.
EQ people were very understanding and told me
Perhaps I should have expected this in the
just to get there whenever I finished shopping.
midst of Amish Country, but Mid-Atlantic is in
The Virtual Quilt
9
Williamsburg and the tone of the show does not
booth for two days. Those people are unbelievreflect Colonial tastes.
ably nice - they even had cards printed with my
According to the printed program there were
name on them! Friday we ate at the Starfish Res14 Pieced Traditional quilts, only 10 Pieced Inno- taurant at one of the nearby towns. It was quite
vative, 15 Applique, 8 Other Techniques. Those
nice - even the chef came out to see if everything
are amazingly small numbers. The big categories was okay.
were: 68 Wall Quilts, 22 Team/Group quilts, 37
You could buy your lunch in advance when
Pictorial, 21 Miniature. That means there were
you registered for class. I did this for all
fewer large quilts (the
three days and it was
first four categories) IN
great. You didn’t have
TOTAL than there were
to stand in line and
Wall Quilts.
the food was wonThis makes me
derful. Unlike Houston
wonder if the best,
where every mealtime
brightest, and biggest
was a contest to see
quilts were sent to
how much they could
Paducah since this
charge you, this was
year’s schedule made
quite reasonable.
it impossible for quilts
Friday’s trip to Saudto be shown in both
er’s was a roaring sucvenues.
cess. I bought (now
Now I’m not an
don’t laugh) 58 yards
expert but I have been
of fabric. I had a good
quilting for over 20
reason - really. I had
years and visiting
just received a comshows for at least 15.
mission to make three
I looked at the judge’s
quilts. Now I realize
choices for many of the
that 58 yards will make
categories and I was
more than three quilts
totally mystified. I
BUT, I divided my
don’t want to risk libel
yardage into my expenby naming particular
diture and I paid LESS
Stars 2000. Lisa Haugh, Hanover, PA. 2ndPlace, QHC,
pieces but some of the
than $3.25 per yard for
Pieced Innovative
winners showed no
my booty. Could you
originality and poor workmanship. As viewers,
have resisted batiks at that price? If you could,
I’m beginning to think we need to insist on a
you are a stronger woman than I am.
judges sheet by the winners telling us WHY this
Saturday, I took a Landscape Design class with
quilt was chosen. We certainly aren’t learning
Mickey Lawler. This was totally addictive and
anything by just looking for ourselves.
I foresee many yards of fabric turning itself into
So now you’re saying to yourself, geez, is this
lots of little pieces in the near future. We each
woman ever going to stop whining? Yep. Actubrought a picture to use as a color guide and cut
ally I had a terrific time and the reason is the
out fabrics that came close to the picture in color
same as always - the people were terrific.
and texture. We put those pieces on a design
Thursday I ate with about 18 people at Miller’s, wall. Most of us totally laid out our landscape by
a delicious buffet (although it has gotten awfully the end of the day and brought it home pinned in
pricey at $23.00). Next door is the Tee Shop where place to be sewn at leisure. It was terrific not to
I found some terrific shirts with quilt designs on
lug a sewing machine.
them and a grand hat for summer.
The weather added a delightful side interest. It
I thoroughly enjoyed demonstrating in the EQ
was freezing when I arrived on Wednesday. By
The Virtual Quilt
10
Thursday, it warmed up to short sleeve weather.
Friday was pleasant but winds gusted to 45 MPH
and most of Lancaster County lost power (happily, not us!). Saturday dawned beautiful but
gusty and then around 3:30, the temps dropped
20 degrees and it rained like crazy. This was
topped off by waking up Sunday morning to several inches of snow on the cars.
This brings us to the embarrassing part of the
program. Here’s where I go out to scrape my car,
turn it on so it will warm up, hit the electric locks
so I can put the packages from the trunk into
the back seat to make room for my suitcase and
yes, you guessed it - locked the durn car. If you
heard a loud scream about 8 a.m. EDT on April
9, that would have been me. I knew it happened
the minute the door shut. It was probably the
most irritating thing I have ever done. I mean,
my husband was 340 miles away. There was no
WAY I could blame him for this.
The trunk was open and I climbed in to see if
the fold down back seats could be released. Naturally not. So I trudged back to the office (which
I am not parked anywhere near) to report my
stupidity and beg for help. They call a 24-hour
service. It takes him about 20 minutes to get
there. While I’m waiting, I finish scraping the
snow off and snap my scraper in half. The car is
still running. Did I mention my purse is in the
car and I am almost out of gas? I mean, it doesn’t
GET any better than this, right?
Uh-huh. Actually, it does. The last person to
have the tow truck didn’t put the lock kit back.
So we drive around Lancaster trying to find it. We
never do and he promises me that heads will roll
on Monday, but that doesn’t actually make ME
feel any better.
Finally, a little old man joins him and together
they wedge my window and stick a coat hanger
in there. I have one of those theft proof Japanese
cars where there is nothing for the coat hanger to
grab hold of . Actually, I was pretty gratified to
see how hard it is to break into my car.
At last, miraculously, they are in. The car is still
running and the snow has stopped. Something
is finally going right. I grab my suitcase from the
lobby and hustle down to get gas. Then, finally,
only two hours later than originally planned, I
headed home.
And you know what, I’ll probably go again
NEXT year!
Carol Miller is dean of QuiltUniversity.com, the
site where you can take quilt classes online. Carol can
be reached at [email protected].
MY FAVORITE THIMBLE
GREAT NEWS - The My Favorite Thimble RE-COATING KIT is now available.
If you have been pleased with My Favorite Thimble but wish the rubber coating would
last longer, we now have a solution. Each Kit contains enough material to repair your
thimble approximately 10 times. It’s quick and easy, and you could even use the Kit to
add a rubber coating to any brand of metal thimble.
Visit our web site at www.myfavoritethimble.com for details and receive a FREE gift with any
order. This month the gift is a sample pack of My Favorite Fabrics Note Cards.
This offer is being made only to TVQ subscribers, so be sure to mention TVQ in the Special
Instructions box on our Order Form.
Chris Hanner & Company 3687 Coldwater Lane Snellville, GA 30039
www.myfavoritethimble.com
Email: [email protected]
The Virtual Quilt
11
GREENHAVEN
Greenhaven, a bed and breakfast retreat especially for Quilters, on the Olympic Peninsula.
Visit Washington State and stay with a quilter, and her cat Oliver.
The Herbolds live just outside of Sunny Sequim. Their home, set in the tall trees, is warm,
pleasant, and affordable.
Norma can direct you to quilt shops in the area, plus the natural wonders located on the
Olympic Peninsula. For those in the Northwest, Norma can also plan a personal retreat for you
and your quilting friends.
You are invited to visit the website for Greenhaven, where you can check out Norma’s quilts,
learn more about Sequim, and of course, see Oliver. The address is: http://www.olypen.com/
normah
You may email Norma at [email protected] or call 360-681-0364 for more information.
THE CRAFT CONNECTION
The Craft Connection (http://www.craftconn.com/) is the most exciting place on the Internet if
you want to make or sell handcrafts. We sell quality cotton fabric, Mettler and Sulky thread, and
quilting notions, all at a discount. Fabrics are linked to coordinating fabrics, so you know your choices
will look great together. We try to find fabrics you won’t see anywhere else. And we’ll package them
into packets of fat eighths, fat quarters, or 5” squares, so you can get a good variety without a big
cash outlay. Among our fabric categories are florals, pictorials, and guy stuff, and you should see the
new Lost Fabrics of Atlantis collection.
Every month some items are for sale at 20 percent off our already discounted prices. You can use
your credit card online on our secure server to safely purchase our fabrics and also our crafters’
products. If you’re a crafter, you can sell here and take credit cards without having your own credit
card vendor account.
Check out our Free Stuff. Each month we offer a new pattern and a new lesson. We also have a
Calendar of upcoming Quilt Shows. Come by our website at http://www.craftconn.com.
THEQUILTBLOCK
We are a cottage industry located just outside of Yosemite National Park. We specialize in clothing
and patterns for quilters and for people who love quilts.
We offer t-shirts and sweatshirts in sizes from medium to xxx-large. All of our quilts are machine
pieced. Most of our patterns are easy enough for beginning quilters. Come see what we have to offer
at our website. We have a great sale page, and we now offer secure online shopping!
http://www.sierratel.com/thequiltblock/salepage1.htm
Or e-mail for more information to mailto:[email protected]
The Quilt Block P.O. Box 127 Midpines, CA 95345
(209) 742-5418 Fax: (209) 742-7662
The Virtual Quilt
12
BOOK REVIEW
Paper Piecing, In Japanese!
Paper Foundation Piecing
Sumiko Minei
Patchwork Tsushin,Co., Ltd.
5-28-3 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo,
113-0033 Japan
email: [email protected]
1238 yen ($11.72 as of April 2000) +S&H
105 pages
ReviewedbyChristinaHolland
This delightful book probably hasn’t graced
the shelves of your favorite local bookstore.
It presents a challenge,
but if you like paper piecing, I think you’ll find
it’s worthwhile, with patterns you aren’t likely to
see anywhere else. The
uniquely Japanese patterns in particular are
sure to please.
The challenge is, it’s
written in Japanese. No,
I don’t speak or read Japanese; that one semester
some ten years ago just
isn’t helping me much
here. When a thoughtful
TVQ reader sent me this
book almost a year ago,
I loved it and wanted to
review it right away, but
I tried unsuccessfully to
get a friend to translate it
first.
The thing about it is,
though, that you can get a lot of enjoyment out of
this book without even being able to read the text.
It is first and foremost a pattern book, and the
patterns can easily cross the language barrier.
Such patterns they are, too!
There are eighty-two patterns in all, with someThe Virtual Quilt
thing for everybody. For the traditionalists, there
are the geometrics: the pinwheels, baskets, leaves,
stars, swirls, and more. There’s even a paper piecing pattern for a double wedding ring.
Also featured are nine flowers of exquisite
detail, including a cherry blossom, an Easter lily
and a carnation. Then of course there are the
seasonal designs. From Santa Claus to a flying
witch and a friendly looking ghost (and much
more), these patterns should keep you busy all
year round.
My favorites have to be the Japanese images,
though. Come on, where else are you going to
find a pattern for a sumo wrestler? Or how about
a samurai warrior?
My husband loves
Japanese things. That’s
either due to living in
Hawaii for a couple of
years, or to his lifelong
fascination with Godzilla
movies; I’m not sure
which. I’ll be making him
a big fluffy pillow soon
to lounge against whenever he watches the big G
tear Tokyo apart. I can’t
think of better patterns to
use for that than the ones
found in this book.
Don’t get me wrong,
I’m sure that the text
is very good, too. There
are fifteen pages in the
beginning which cover
needed materials and
general step by step
paper piecing instructions, along with some specialized instructions.
So if you haven’t done paper piecing before, and
you don’t read Japanese, you might want to use
this book along with another general paper piecing book. Or, if you’re feeling insightful, forge
ahead - the instructions are accompanied by step
by step color photographs and diagrams.
13
I did run into trouble temporarily,
which I suspect would have been
avoided if I could read the directions.
Many of the patterns are meant to
be completed in stages, piecing two
or more sections separately before
assembling the components into the
complete block. That’s not always
apparent just from the picture. Taking
the time, before starting to stitch, to
make sure you know which pieces are
pieced in what order will save you
trouble later.
I don’t think you’ll regret buying
this book. You’ll find something a
little different there, fun and charming patterns to bring a new perspective to your next quilting
project.
SILVERDOLLAR
SHEEPSTATION
What is small, soft, and furry and kind to your sewing machine and serger?
The MINIDUST-IT! Genuine sheepskin duster on a 6” stick that is perfect for picking up dust and lint
from your sewing machine and serger. Soft, beautiful sheepskin won’t scratch polished surfaces. Picks up
the lint and tiny threads; doesn’t spread them around. Prevents lint build-up. Fun and handy to use. Also
works great on the computer.
ANNOUNCING: New colors -- white, black, navy, gold, cocoa, taupe, teal blue, gray, charcoal.
Price: $3.50 each INCLUDING mailing.
To order send check to:
Silver Dollar Sheep Station 5020 Winding Way Sacramento, CA 95841.
Or call 800-887-8742. Or E-mail: [email protected].
SECONDS:
Because we manufacture the Mini Dust-it to a very high standard, we currently have a good supply of
imperfects. They may be thinner and not as pretty or have some other defect, but they still work great!
And best of all we offer these to you for just $1, INCLUDING postage. HOWEVER, minimum order
is three (no maximum). You can order them at the address above and enjoy this wonderful product at a
bargain price!
The Virtual Quilt
14
CHARMS AND SCHNIBBLES:
News Notes from All Over
Patchwork & quilting exibition in Italy
Many events are scheduled for the year 2000 in Bassano del Grappa. Among them the Patchwork &
Quilting exibition will open in December with the support of the City Hall.
This will take a place in two buildings: the municipal tourist building in Largo Corona d ‘Italia
Square, and the prestigious Palazzo Roberti, which gave hospitality to Napoleon, in Jacopo da Ponte,
34 Street, recently returned to its former splendor after an accurate restoration.
Many patchwork pieces of the local “Casa Patchwork e Quilting” will be displayed.
Although patchwork originated in North Europe and in the United States, during recent years it
has developed in Italy thanks to the good performed by “Quilt Italia.”
The exibition will be from 2 to 17 December 2000 : Monday through Saturday 9:30 - 12:30 and 3:30
- 7:30 Sunday 10:30 - 12:30 and 3:30 - 7:30.
For information please contact Giuliana Nicoli Andretta, head of “Casa Patchwork e Quilting “
telephone: 00390424502906, fax: 00390424524840, e-mail: [email protected]
Quilts and the Australian Paralympics
QUILTS 2000 is a officially endorsed fundraising project for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
Over 2000 quilters have donated 630 quilts which are currently for sale through exhibitions and the
web at www.Quilts2000.org.au. This is the largest fund raiser in the world using quilts and QUILTS
2000 hopes to raise $500,000 for the paralympic games in Sydney. All the quilts will be on exhibit
during the paralympic games October 18-29 at Sydney Olympic Park and many of the quilts will
create an Australian flavor in the athletes village.
Two special QUILTS 2000 days are planned during the paralympic games on Sat 21, Sun 22 October
when special quilt-related events will take place side by side with the many exciting sporting events.
The site is one of the largest virtual quilt shows on the net. 40% of the collection has already
sold in ten weeks which is certainly a record in Australia with several very significant sales
which are all recorded on the site - http://www.Quilts2000.org.au. Contact is Karen Fail at
mailto:[email protected]
PINETREE QUILTWORKS, Ltd.
http://www.quiltworks.com
PineTree Quiltworks has been growing by leaps and bounds and has made a major commitment
to keeping certain “staples” in stock. These include the full lines of: Marbles by Patrick Lose for Hi
Fashion, Basic Realities (formerly called Palette) by Jinny Beyer for RJR, Fossil Fern (from Benartex),
the 1895 series batiks from Hoffman ...
Please stop by PineTree’s store at www.quiltworks.com, click on What’s New to see the latest
additions, and remember to make a bookmark!
The Virtual Quilt
15
QUILT HERITAGE: Great Britain
British Quilt Traditions, A North Country Coverlet of 1868, some textile history
and some notes on care and conservation of historic textiles
byCeliaEddy
The coverlet is a generous double-bed size,
measuring 82” X 90”. It is made from 15 X 5-1/2”
Although I’m not aware that there was a
strips, ten of which are of print fabrics, flowers
particularly strong patchwork and quilting
and sprigs, all with a white background, the
tradition in West Cumbria, in the far north
remaining five being of dark print fabric. This
west of England, quilts and coverlets were cerdark fabric has faded to various shades of brown
tainly made here and a few of them have
ranging from light to medium, but I have an
survived. I have
idea that origitwo examples,
nally it may have
both acquired
been lilac or
from local famipurple. Why do I
lies who wanted
think that? Well,
them to “go to a
although purple
good home”.
was a popular
The one I want
colour from the
to tell you about
latter part of the
now is a cotton
eighteenth cencoverlet
tury until well
inscribed in
into the twentiIndian ink on the
eth, the process
back: M.Myers
by which it was
1868. There’s no
produced prior
wadding
to the introducbetween the
tion of synthetic
pieced strips on
dyes in about
the front and the
1868 involved
Section of coverlet showing light and dark fabrics used.
calico backing
the use of an iron
fabric, so that
mordant. In Quilt
means it’s a coverlet and not a quilt. The whole
Treasures it is noted that “During the documentavisual effect of it is light and airy; a fresh, sumtion sessions a defect of iron purple was noticed
mery bed-covering. It’s reasonable to assume that in quilts from all periods. It seemed to revert to a
it was made here in Maryport since it had been
brown through oxidisation!”
handed down to the previous owner through her
The intriguing thing is that while the white
family.
prints are in good condition, with no evidence
The curious thing about this coverlet is that it
of wear or shattering, the dark prints show very
is made entirely by machine, which, given that
extensive wear and, in places, have disintegrated.
it is generally accepted that the sewing machine
If my theory, mentioned above, that these are
only came into common domestic use in about
iron-mordanted prints, is correct, could this have
1864, makes this an interesting example of the
been a contributing factor to their poor condition
prompt application of modern technology to a
relative to the white prints? The fabrics appear to
traditional domestic activity. The strips are pieced be from a specific range of prints: all of the same
by machine and the whole surface is machined in quality and texture, the only distinction being
a diamond grid of straight diagonal lines.
in the printed patterns, although even these are
The Virtual Quilt
16
clearly part of the same range of designs. One
might almost imagine that they would have been
off-cuts, remnants or fents, from a textile factory.
This is not impossible, given the proximity of
Maryport to Carlisle, once a thriving UK textile
centre. Visiting the local fabric archives, of which
there are several in Carlisle, will be my next move
in trying to identify these fabrics and to date
them.
of any sort: use the small, flat head (what you’d
use for curtains or upholstery) of a hand-held
vacuum cleaner. Cover the head with light, thin
cotton fabric, such as muslin or cotton gauze. Use
the lowest suction possible and run the head over
the entire surface of the object. You’ll be amazed
how much dirt this lifts out.
Now, what am I going to do about the damaged areas of fabric? I know that some people like
to try to repair patchworks and quilts by replacPreservingthecoverlet
ing patches or patching over damaged areas.
The problem with that is that your textile will
The condition of this coverlet raises some inter- end up as part modern, part old. Even if you’re
esting questions about how to preserve it, which
able to track down appropriate reproduction
in turn throw
fabrics (and they
light on some
are easily availgeneral questions
able now) the old
surrounding the
and new fabrics
care and conserare unlikely to sit
vation of textiles.
well together -As I said above,
although I have
most of the fabric
seen it done sucis in good heart
cessfully. Personand the areas of
ally, I don’t as a
wear are very
rule attempt to
defined. Although
repair textiles, but
there is some
prefer to try to
staining on it, it
preserve them by
looks and smells
arresting any furquite clean, which
ther deterioration.
comes as no
One good way of
surprise knowing
doing this is by
Part of dark strip showing extreme wear and ‘shattering’ of fabric.
the family who
“netting”, by
owned it! I’m sure
which I mean covthis coverlet
ering the damwould have gone through the wash time and
aged area with fine net and gently hemming it
time again. So, since in general one would avoid
down to the nearest good areas of fabric. This not
immersing any textile in water without taking
only prevents further wear but also means that
strict precautions to check the way in which the
you can still see the original fabrics -- or what
fabrics and, importantly, dyes, will react to it, I’ve remains of them.
decided not to wash this coverlet, particularly
In the case of my coverlet, the problem is that
having regard to the damaged portions. Although I’ll have to net over five complete strips. Howit looks clean, it IS old and, inevitably, dust and
ever, that’s more time-consuming than arduous
dirt accumulate in fabrics. It’s always sensible to
so that’s what I intend to do. Next question:
remove as much of this as possible because the
what do you use for the netting and where do
tiny particles of dust and dirt are in fact gritty
you get it? Well, the specialist textile conservation
and will, inevitably, cause wear.
suppliers stock a fabric called crepeline, which
Here’s what I shall do to surface-clean the cov- is extremely sheer silk and, undoubtedly, is the
erlet, and it’s a method you can apply to textiles
fabric of choice. But it’s very expensive and for
The Virtual Quilt
17
the amount I need the cost would be prohibitive.
Fortunately, a supplier of a less expensive, but
satisfactory, alternative has been found. Their 45”
wide cotton netting is perfect and I estimate I’ll
need just over 2 metres for the job in hand. What
do I mean by “satisfactory”? First, the netting
must NOT be synthetic as synthetics are harsh
and could themselves cause wear. Check that the
netting is silk or cotton. Next, the netting must
not fray because if it does you have to turn the
edges under to sew them down and you end up
with a double thickness at that point.
A final point, in undertaking any restoration
project, do try to take Before and After photographs of the item.
Note I should be most interested if anyone can
throw more light on the reasons for the extreme
wear and tear on the dark fabrics, as described
above.
NOTES AND REFERENCES
Quilt Treasures, The Three Year Documentation Project of The Quilters’ Guild of the British
Isles The Quilters’ Guild and Deirdre McDonald
Books, 1995 ISBN 1 898094 09 8
Janet Rae, The Quilts of the British Isles E. P.
Dutton, N.Y.1987 ISBN 0 525 488348 1
© Celia Eddy 2000
Celia Eddy lives in northern England and is the
author/editor of The Quilter’s Handbook. She
can be reached by e-mail at
[email protected].
Her website, QuiltStory, is at
http://www.quilt.co.uk
PERFECT SQUARE
Make perfect half-square triangles like a pro with PERFECT SQUARE. Perfect Square is a REUSABLE iron-on transfer. Each sheet can be used at least 10 times, usually many more. For a sample,
FREE pattern and complete brochure, please send $3 to Monica Novini, 24111 Olivera Drive, Mission
Viejo, CA 92691.
Patterns have been written especially for PERFECT SQUARE and the necessary sheets to make the
quilt are included in the pattern.
The PERFECT SQUARE website has been updated to include information on all products and
patterns complete with pictures. Credit cards are accepted.
Also included are pictures of Monica’s art quilts and links to really cool quilt sites.
http://www.perfectsquare.net
Planet Patchwork
http://www.planetpatchwork.com/
The Virtual Quilt
18
PCQuilt for Windows
PCQuilt for Windows is easy to learn and
easy to use quilting software. The block and
the quilt are on the same screen so you can
see your quilt emerge as you design and
color your blocks. Combine blocks in a variety of ways to see endless new designs. The
program includes all the features that have
always made PCQuilt easy and fun to use.
Now with the new Windows version,
PCQuilt will help you estimate your yardage, print templates, quilts and blocks, and
has a friendly Windows interface with easy
to use toolbars. PCQuilt comes with a extensive library of blocks, border, quilts, palettes
and fabric patterns.
PCQuilt is also available for the Macintosh. Look for PCQuilt at your local Husqvarna VIKING
Dealer or visit our website at
http://www.pcquilt.com
IMPORTANT SUBSCRIPTION
ANNOUNCEMENT!
As of December 31, 1999, The Virtual Quilt newsletter has temporarily suspended new and renewal
subscriptions. We are in the process of transitioning to a new subscription system early in 2000.
All current subscribers will continue to receive TVQ without interruption, even if their subscription
lapses. We will announce the new subscription procedures and benefits in a future TVQ and post
them at our website at http://planetpatchwork.com. We know you will like them, but we need to
work out the details before we make the change. We have NOT suspended publication, just new
and renewal subscriptions.
Anyone who would like to subscribe to the publication during this interim period should send
their name, address, and e-mail address to [email protected] and state in the message
“I would like an interim subscription to TVQ.” An interim subscription will be entered in your name
and you will begin to receive TVQ immediately. There is no charge for this interim subscription and it
does not obligate you to any payment later.
Current subscribers do not need to renew during this period!
If you have questions, please e-mail us at [email protected].
Thanks for your interest and support!
The Virtual Quilt
19
COMMENTS, QUESTIONS,
NEWS, IDEAS, BRICKBATS?
Like any news publication, TVQ is always hungry for
information about new developments in the area we
are trying to cover. If you have an idea for a story, or
want to tell the world about something you are doing
which relates to computers and quilting, we’d like to
hear about it.
We’d like news of new classes starting up to teach
quilt design on computers, or new approaches to that
teaching. New products, maillists, World Wide Web
pages, etc., are all fair game, and we’d appreciate any
tips you can provide. Send your tips by e-mail to
[email protected].
If you have a comment about an article, a complaint
or a correction, we’re glad to hear that, too, and may
publish some comments as letters to the editor. Again,
these may be sent to [email protected].
The
Virtual Quilt
A Newsletter for
Computing Quilters
Editor and Publisher: Robert Holland, Decatur, GA
Copyright (c) 2000 by Robert Holland. All rights
reserved. This file may not be reproduced in any
form except to be printed out for the personal use
of the subscriber without the expressed, written
consent of the copyright holder.
Layout: C. Holland
HOW TO ADVERTISE IN TVQ
Our advertisers, both here in the newsletter and at the TVQ website, have found TVQ to be an effective and
economical way to reach thousands of online quilters. Ads in the newsletter are only $5 each (up to 100
words, inquire about longer ads) or 3 for $10, and there are also attractive packages available which combine
newsletter and website ads.
For more information e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.tvq. com/adcard.htm. We specialize in
helping small quilting-related businesses gain exposure on the internet.
The Virtual Quilt
20