Join Michelle Marvig on the
2014 Quilters Companion magazine
USA
Quilting Tour
16 October to 3 November 2014
Visiting Chicago, Burlington, Berlin for the Ohio Amish,
East Lansing for the Great Lakes Quilt Museum
and the 2014 International Quilt Festival in Houston
2014 Quilters Companion
USA
Quilting Tour
18 wonderful days in the USA
with Michelle Marvig, contributor
to Quilters Companion Magazine
Michelle Marvig
Michelle Marvig has been an inspiration for quilters during her 18 years in the industry. She has constantly published
original designs since the earliest patchwork magazines were circulated in Australia. During this time she has published
over 80 quilt projects in a selection of titles and co-authored Rapt in Borders with Caroline Price. An accomplished teacher,
she imparts her knowledge to hundreds of students every year. Michelle is a regular contributor with Quilters Companion,
as well as designing quilts. She also puts products through their paces for the Road Test column in the magazine. In 2006
Michelle, together with Caroline Price, presented the second Quilters Companion DVD – Bias and Blooms. She followed up
with a second DVD for a Mariner’s Compass Quilt featuring foundation piecing and a third DVD for machine piecing a Lone
Star. In November 2009 Michelle released her first line of fabric, Suzani, which she designed for Charles Parsons. This was
followed by a second range in 2010, Michelle’s Backyard, based on Australian textures.
She led the Quilters Companion quilting tours to the USA in October 2008, April and October 2009, October 2010, 2011, 2012
and 2013, France and Britain 2009, 2010 and 2012 and Japan 2011.
Itinerary...
Day 1 Thursday 16 October 2014
Day 4 Sunday 19 October 2014
Chicago Airport
We depart Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane and fly via Los Angeles to
Chicago. We arrive the same day as we depart because we cross the
International Date Line. We stay overnight at the airport to get a good rest
before continuing the tour.
Day 2 Friday 17 October 2014
Burlington
This morning we fly to Burlington, the educational centre of Vermont. The
20,000 students at the University of Vermont enliven the town and in the
downtown area there are many chic boutiques and an appealing menagerie
of sidewalk wares, craft vendors and street performers. On arrival we will
travel a short distance to the 100 acre Shelburne Museum. Its 35 buildings
contain one of the largest American quilt collections. Exhibitions include
18th and 19th-century houses and furniture, fine art and folk art. We will
have a local quilter meet us at the museum to talk about the quilt collection.
Quilts have been selected for their artistic appeal, fine workmanship and
excellent condition. Michelle will make sure that you get the most out of
the museum. We will have a welcome dinner this evening to get to know
members of our tour.
Day 3 Saturday 18 October 2014
Burlington
Today we travel to the pretty village of Williston, where we visit a local fabric
shop. We stop at Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop for a choice of hundreds of
flavours of ice cream. We will continue our exploration of the region, driving
along the shores of Lake Champion, the largest lake in the United States after
the Great Lakes. We return to Burlington for an evening of leisure.
Berlin
We fly to Cleveland this morning. On arrival we will drive to Berlin the centre of
Amish culture in Ohio. Amish and Mennonite people fled from Europe in the
16th century to escape religious prosecution to this area. Their descendants
continue to turn their backs on the modern world. They do not use electricity
or the car. It is a centre of traditional crafts including quilting. The tour
manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby to go to
a local restaurant.
Day 5 Monday 20 October 2014
Berlin
Today we will explore Berlin and its charming shops. We visit the Helping
Hand Quilt Shop, which has hundreds of handmade crafts and quilts made
by Amish ladies. It covers two floors with over three thousand bolts of fabric.
We visit Country Craft Cupboard across the road. They have many easy to
make projects. We continue with a visit to the Stitching House, which has
a complete line of cross-stitch and a large selection of books, fabrics and
afghans. In the afternoon we will visit Yoders Amish Home for a tour of homes
on a one hundred acre working Amish farm. You will learn about the history
and customs of the Amish faith.
Day 6 Tuesday 21 October 2014
Berlin
Today we will travel to Charm where we will visit Charm Cheese Mercantile,
which features lots of oak items, dried flowers, and antiques. We have time to
visit Miller’s Dry Goods Quilt shop. We continue to Schrocks Amish farm which
houses Berlin Craft Mall where we will find baskets, outdoor furniture candles
and local pottery. We have the chance of an authentic Amish buggy ride. Tis
the Season Christmas shop supplies wonderful Christmas decorations. We
also have time to visit Gramma Fannie Quilt Barn.
Day 7 Wednesday 22 October 2014
Berlin
This morning we visit Walnut Creek where we may visit the copper Kettle
Cannery, Walnut Creek Kitchens and other outlets for homemade jellies,
mustards etc. This afternoon we travel to Sugarcreek settled by Swiss people,
who were reminded by the picturesque scenery of their homeland. We will
visit the Swiss Village Bakery, Swiss Village Quilts and the Music Box Chalet.
We will travel around the back roads, where we will see the colourful Amish
families travelling in their horse and carriages. We will visit other shops in
Little Switzerland. The group will visit the Be Halt cyclorama that is 10 feet tall
and 265 feet long. It illustrates the history of the Amish and Mennonite people
from the Anabaptist beginnings in Zurich, Switzerland in 1525 to the present
day. This evening we will have an Amish-style dinner. This meal will feature
potatoes and noodles, delectable home-made pies and other typical dishes.
Day 8 Thursday 23 October 2014
East Lansing
This morning we travel through Amish farmland to Lansing, where we stay
overnight.
Day 9 Friday 24 October 2014
Chicago
This morning we visit the Great Lakes Quilt Collection which houses a number
of collections, including Michigan Quilts and the African American Quilt
Collection. In the afternoon we travel on to Chicago.
Day 10 Saturday 25 October 2014
Chicago
This morning we enjoy a tour of Chicago, the third largest city in the USA,
with a local guide. During the tour we will see the Magnificent Mile, a part of
Michigan Avenue, where exclusive shops line the wide boulevard. We also
see the fourth Presbyterian Church built in the Gothic Revival style and the
one hundred storeys high, John Hancock Centre. This afternoon we travel
to Lisle to visit Pieceful Heart Fabrics. There is a great mix of trendy and
traditional fabrics.
Day 11 Sunday 26 October 2014
Chicago
Day 13 Tuesday 28 October 2014
Houston
This morning we will fly to Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States
and an international business centre. On arrival we will visit The Painted
Pony and Quilts, a large fabric shop with many wholesale items and beautiful
fabrics. Houston’s downtown area has a sense of emptiness, because there
are over six miles of underground tunnels connecting more than 70 of the
major businesses. They are a welcome escape from the humidity for which
Houston is famous. We will be ready for the Festival activities tomorrow and
enjoy four nights here. Michelle will meet those wishing to dine with the group
in the lobby to enjoy an early dinner together.
Day 14 Wednesday 29 October 2014
Houston
Today we travel to Le Grange to visit the Texas Quilt Museum. Housed in
an historic 1895 building on La Grange’s town square this recently opened
museum has a wealth of beautiful and historic quilts. The quilts on display
have been made by internationally renowned quilt makers in traditional and
avant-garde styles. We return to Houston to attend the pre-view evening for
the International Quilt Festival.
Day 15 Thursday 30 October 2014
Houston
The International Quilt Festival opens today to the public. There will be a
large number of classes that tour members will be able to attend. Book early,
so that you are able to register for those of your choice. They are offered in
appliqué, design and all aspects of quilting. You can book the classes on the
internet. Please contact Michelle Marvig if you require further information
about classes.
Day 16 Friday 31 October 2014
Houston
We will visit the International Quilt Festival today. There will be time to browse
among the displays and buy items for future quilting. We enjoy a farewell
dinner this evening to say goodbye to our friends.
Day 17 Saturday 1 November 2014
In flight
This morning we visit Millenium Park home to the Bean before walking across
the park to visit the Arts Institute of Chicago, which has a large selection of
textiles as well as a magnificent collection of European, Asian and American
art. This afternoon is free for individual activity and perhaps shopping. Early
evening we will have a get-together at the hotel and Michelle Marvig will give a
short talk on her quilting experience.
This morning is free for final shopping or to visit the International Quilt
Festival. We travel to the airport to board our flight via Los Angeles to Sydney,
Melbourne and Brisbane.
Day 12 Monday 27 October 2014
We arrive in Australia this morning and tour arrangements conclude.
Chicago
We have a mid-morning start to visit the famous architect Frank Lloyd
Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park. This home was built in 1889 to his
design and was extended in 1895 and 1898 as their family and wealth grew.
Frank Lloyd Wright incorporated his new design ideas into his home and we
will see how advanced they were for the time. In the afternoon we visit The
Modern Quilt studio.
Day 18 Sunday 2 November 2014
Day 19 Monday 3 November 2014
In flight
Australia
Relax and enjoy
2014 Quilters Companion
USA
Quilting Tour
with Michelle Marvig
16 October to 3 November 2014
The cost of the tour is
$ 7,250 per person twin-share
Air taxes and fuel surcharges at 20/12/13 $ 850 per person
Total package price
$ 8,100 per person twin-share
The price for a single supplement
$ 1,850 per person
Included in the price:
Not included in the price:
• Economy-class air travel from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to
Chicago via Los Angeles and returning from Houston via Los Angeles.
Domestic flights throughout the USA as listed in the itinerary. Please call
for other departure cities.
• Accommodation in carefully selected first and moderate first-class,
centrally located hotels with private facilities. Hotel taxes and service
charges
• Breakfasts daily, welcome and farewell dinners as listed in the itinerary
and a dinner in the Amish area
• Travel in a first-class coach
• Sightseeing and general entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
• Tour leadership by Michelle Marvig as detailed in the itinerary
• The services of a Travelrite International tour manager
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Passport and visa fees
Travel insurance
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Sightseeing and general expenses not specified in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature
Additional travel arrangements not in the tour itinerary will be quoted for separately
Air taxes, government and air fuel surcharges will be added to your account
The tour manager:
The tour will be fully escorted by a professional tour manager meeting the group in
Los Angeles for the tour. The tour manager will look after all the travel arrangements
on the tour. Each night the tour manager will organise a restaurant booking for
anyone in the group interested in dining with other group members.
General Information and Booking Conditions
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is
important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without
the assistance from others.
Tour Costs: The tour costs are based on airfare, general
transport, and accommodation costs and foreign exchange
rate at 20 December 2013. No alterations to costings will be
made within 60 days of departure from Australia.
Deposits and Payments: A non-refundable deposit of
$600 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full
payment will be required 64 days before departure.
Cancellations: Cancellations 64 days or less from the
date of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid.
Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of
cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers: The tour has been costed on
the basis of a minimum of passengers having booked 64
days prior to departure. Payment by Visa and Mastercard
will incur a one percent administration fee and AMEX and
Diners Club a three percent fee. Travelrite reserves the right
to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or
offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified
cost. Travelrite International reserves the right to change
advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation
of the tour.
Refunds: The tour is based on arrangements which
do not allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing,
accommodation, meals, airfare or other services not
utilised after the tour has commenced.
Travel Documents: All passengers will require a valid
passport and a United States ESTA (Visa) authorization
to enter the United States. The ESTA is issued on line for
Australian passport holders. If you hold another passport
please check with Travelrite International.
Baggage: All passengers qualify for 20 kilos of luggage.
One piece of luggage is allowed in the coach for the tours.
Changes to the Tour Itinerary: Travelrite International
reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary to fit in
with operational requirements. Any change to the itinerary
will be replaced with similar arrangements with an equal or
greater value.
Responsibility: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (Licence
number 30858) is the tour organiser. Travelrite acts only
as agents in the making of arrangements with carriers,
hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot
accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether
negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other
persons providing services in connection with the tour over
whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not
accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay,
change of schedule or any other events which are beyond
our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire,
civil disturbance, acts of god, acts of Government, terrorism
or any other authorities, accidents to or failure of machinery
or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract
in use by the carriers concerned shall constitute the sole
contract between the transportation companies or firms
and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers.
Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract
shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Victoria.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full
names and addresses of intending tour members with a
deposit of $600. Please send to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria, 3103
Further information or a booking form can be obtained
by telephoning Travelrite International on the following
numbers:
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 9836 2522
Fax: (03) 9836 8068
Email: [email protected]
www.travelrite.com.au
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International
Pty Ltd (A.C.N. 005 817 078) is a well-established travel
company which has been operating in the eastern suburbs
of Melbourne for more than 30 years. It is fully licensed
(Licence No. 30858) and has two fully credited IATA offices
Heathmont and Balwyn. As such, it directly represents
the major airlines of the world and all major domestic
and international tour and transport operators. Travelrite
International has been operating special interest tours for
twenty seven years, and now runs over 60 tours a year.
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the
Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.