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Nov. 14, 2008, Vol. 5 No. 16 |
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In the Quilting World
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International Quilt Market
I just returned from the International Quilt Market last night and found lots of messages from readers of this newsletter in my inbox. Thanks for the nice greeting!
I will write more about my trip in my next issue, but I did want to tell you about a few of my experiences on the trip right now.
To begin with, I found that quilting is alive and well in our country and all over the world. In spite of the doom and gloom in the financial world, it looks like quilters are digging in to keep right on quilting. They are using lots of what they have on hand, and purchasing what they need to finish their quilts and quilted projects. Business was brisk, and many vendors claimed to have had a good show.
From my perspective, it appeared that the crowds ebbed and flowed as usual. I think every person there was aware of the hard times we are experiencing, and they want to make the best of them by keeping a positive attitude. Shop owners seem determined to keep servicing their customers in any way they can through it all. In light of their attitude, I know quilting will survive just like it did during the Great Depression.
Patti at Northcott Fabrics had an opinion about the state of quilting during our economy of late. She noticed that there were quilts in lots of bright primary colors in many booths. She sees these as the colors that identify this recession era and are just like the colors we see in the quilts from the 1920s and 1930s. Quilts made in these colors seem cheerful and full of life.
Speaking of cheerful, one of the appliqué motifs I found over and over again was the cupcake -- yes, I did say cupcake! It seems that food and food names are taking over. We now have Jelly Rolls (40 -- 2 1/2" x 45" strips), Layer Cakes (10" x 10" squares), Turnovers (6" cut half-square triangles) and Sweet Rolls (40 -- 1 1/2" x 45" strips). These are all created with Moda fabrics. It looks like quilters are focusing their stitching around food-related topics during these stressful times. It's a good thing it is fabric food and not the real thing!
I did have a couple of hours to devote to just looking at the quilt exhibits. I wasn't able to stay to attend the awards presentation, so I don't have photos to share of the winning quilts yet, but I hope to be able to share a few of those with you in my next newsletter. If you'd like to see photos of the International Quilt Festival, go to Quilts.com.
I do have a few photos to share, though. The first one is of a couple who were attending Market in advance of opening a brand-new quilt shop in Augusta, Ga. Robert and Kathy Mullis will be opening the Quilt Shop on the Corner in January. They sat with Julie Johnson (editor of Sewing Savvy) and I at a reception sponsored by the people at Handi Quilter, who were introducing their new quilting machine, the HQ Fusion, to those in attendance. I want to keep in touch with Bob and Kathy as they open their new shop during these hard times. I wish them great success.
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Robert and Kathy will be opening a new quilt shop. |
Julie Johnson and I have a fun time at the Handi Quilter party. |
The International Quilt Market is an event that helps keep me up to date with what is going on in the quilting world. Not only do I get a chance to see thousands of beautiful quilts, and new books and products, I see old friends and make new ones like Robert and Kathy.
A couple of years ago I shared a photo of Kaye Wood and me taken at the Spring International Quilt Market in Salt Lake City. I got a chance to see Kaye again in Houston this year and took that opportunity to get a photo of the two of us again. Kaye and I have been involved in quilting for more years than we want to admit, and we have known each other for nearly all that time. It is always fun for me to talk about those old times with Kaye. She is as busy as ever with her television show, teaching and quilting cruises. If you want information on any of these, go to Kayewood.com.
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Kaye Wood and I have been quilting friends for almost 30 years. |
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Bernina Fashion Show
Before I traveled to the International Quilt Market I received information from the folks at Quilts Inc. stating that Rendezvous, the 2008 edition of the Bernina Fashion Show would be the last to tour under the Bernina name; Bernina will no longer sponsor this prestigious and long-running show.
According to the information I received from Bob Ruggiero, the director of publications and public information, "This wearable arts presentation has enjoyed the dedicated sponsorship of several companies through its 30-year history, including Concord Fabrics, Fairfield Processing and Bernina, and the participation of many industry suppliers. The garments in the show have evolved from 'loving hands made at home' to what is widely recognized today as America's haute couture.
"Many designers -- both big names and artisans -- have contributed their talents to this spectacular runway event over the years. The garments have been seen throughout Europe and across the United States at numerous venues and events. Not only have they amazed many thousands with their intricacies and adornments, but they have also been used to further worthy causes such as fundraising endeavors for cancer research."
I have attended many of the fashion-show presentations over the years and have always been amazed by the talent and workmanship shown in the garments. If you would like to see this last fashion show, it will be presented at the 2009 International Quilt Festival in Chicago in April 2009 and at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach Calif., in July 2009. More information about these shows is available at Quilts.com.
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I made a real connection with a Quilter's World newsletter reader in Houston. It happened like this: I was standing at the hotel's desk using their convenient computerized airline check-in when I heard my name being spoken behind me -- "Are you Sandra Hatch?" I turned around and acknowledged that indeed I was (or rather, "I am"!). I am sorry to say that she took me by such surprise that I did not get her name. I thought it was Kendra or another C or K name, but I am sure I am wrong. You know how it is -- you aren't prepared to remember a person's name when you first meet, and afterward, when you want to remember, you can't.
It was such a pleasure to talk to a quilter who actually reads and enjoys the newsletter. I will call her Quilter -- Quilter used to live in Massachusetts and now lives in Florida. She belongs to an active group of quilters there. She and her husband are building on to their house to make a room for her quilting. She says he is tired of her having her machine and supplies out on the table all the time. Their Florida home is smaller than the one they used to live in up north. Quilter was attending the Market with her friend who owns a quilt shop in her area. She was enjoying herself very much. How did she guess it was me? I had a rolling cart with an actual cover of a recent issue of Quilter's World attached, so she just took a guess that I might be the one walking around with something like that.
Thank you Quilter for speaking to me; I enjoyed our conversation. Please be in touch so I can remember your given name instead of my assigned one!
Many other quilters/readers connected with me through e-mail to share some important information. Read on to find out what they had to say. |
 Helping Flood Victims |
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Amy writes:
"There is a quilting store, Pine Needles Sewing Center, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that is accepting donations of sewing machines, quilts and supplies for flood victims. Here is a link to their Web site: Pineneedles.net. I'm sure they could put you in contact to where items could be sent."
I checked out the Web site and watched their slide show of a large donation that came to the shop in a very full trailer. Sewers/quilters are among the most generous people. Donations are still being accepted, so check out how you can help.
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| Leader-Cloth Answers |
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Connie has an answer for Judy, who had a question about how to add a leader cloth to a quilt frame:
"My dad simply attached a tube of jeans material to my mother's quilt frame. They are nice and sturdy, will put up with years of pinning, and best of all, you just need to staple it around the stretcher with the desired length available to pin on -- 4 to 6 inches should do it. I now own this quilt frame, and if I ever have a space large enough to set it up, I know I'll have enough room to quilt the edges. Good luck and happy quilting!"
Mary has an answer as well:
"I made mine from ticking fabric -- the stripes give a visual for keeping everything straight. I cut down the length of the fabric so there weren't any seams, and the stripes would run correctly. I made mine about 12 to 14 inches deep. I serged the edges, applied the loop half of adhesive Velcro down one length, and the hook half of the Velcro down the bar of the frame. This made the leaders removable so you can change them, and baste your quilt to them rather than pin. This worked for me."
Theresa has an answer too.
"I have a Grace frame, and through trial and error, and by trying to follow the instructions in the booklet provided, I finally came up with some sets. One will need a set for each size being quilted and measurements must be carefully marked on the muslin cloths. I use permanent markers and make sure that the hem side is used to pin the quilt; I use lots of pins.
"Make sure the fabric is thoroughly secured to the leader fabric, and you should have no problem. One has to do what works so there will be some trial and error involved. Good luck!"
Bonnie shares:
"My quilt frame has muslin attached to a heavy ticking material. The ticking material is horizontal to the frame so you can use it as a guide when you are setting up your quilt. The muslin is then attached to the frame with small staples at intervals to keep everything even."
Ellen has lots of tips for Judy:
"The question asked was 'Can anyone tell me about leader cloths for my quilting frame,' I will conclude that you are using a regular sewing machine on your frame.
"Here are a few suggestions:
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Use ticking fabric -- it is sturdy and will hold up for many years -- white is best. |
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Buy the ticking the full width of the frame or the area on the frame that you use. |
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Serge the short ends. |
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Cut the ticking into three equal widths lengthwise, and serge each long edge. |
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Fold the other edge to make a tight pocket for your rods to go through. |
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Match serged edges and put a 2 or 3-inch-long mark at the center point on all pieces. I suggest that you use a red permanent marker. |
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From this center marker, mark out at regular intervals a series of marks along the edge. For example, from center place at 10 inches a 2 or 3-inch-long mark on each side of the center mark and continue with the 10-inch spacing; mark along the remainder of the leader. |
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Place leaders on your rods. |
"The marks make it easier for you to center the quilt top and backing on the frame. The 10-inch marks help when you want to turn the quilt and quilt the side edges, at which point you mark the back of the quilt at center and at the 10-inch marks. Then use these marks to pin your partially quilted quilt back onto the frame."
Louise has a good hint.
"I have a 'Next Generation (Grace) Frame.' The assembly-instruction book is a PDF file online. It includes how to make cloth leaders for this frame (which may be standard procedure for any frame) on page 27 of the booklet. I don't know if you would need to print out the whole booklet just to get the cloth-leader instructions.
"First of all, type Next Generation Quilt Frame in your computer and hit 'search.' You'll get several options, but you can find the PDF instruction booklet on at least one of them. I've also made cloth leaders for the wooden frame that I have. With those, I used a staple gun to attach the cloth to the poles and safety-pinned the leaders to the quilt layers. I used 120-inch-wide muslin for the leaders."
Carol shares:
"John Flynn's site gives a very good video on attaching the leader strips on the quilting frame. It gives the sizes for each and how to attach the quilt to the leader strips."
I talked to John Flynn at the International Quilt Market. He was as friendly as always. I found the streaming video about his machine-quilting frame at Quiltstream.com. It is a 32-minute instructional video. There are many different streaming videos with step-by-step instructions for all things quilting on this site. Go to Quiltstream.com to see what's available. You will have to register to use this site, but it is free.
It seems that more and more quilters are using their machines for the quilting process. Whether it is with a larger frame, or one like John Flynn's, a frame does help make the process easier for some quilters. Attaching leader-cloth strips is an important part of the process because if these strips are not applied correctly, the rest of the process will be thrown off as well. I hope this information is helpful to anyone with a machine-quilting frame.
Millie writes:
"Purchase medium-weight canvas in the length of the quilting rods. You want the leaders to be about 12 inches wide so canvas that is 45 inches wide is good to use. Cut the canvas lengthwise into three strips. Using adhesive Velcro, cut three strips of both pieces the length of your rods. Place the loop strips on the rods and press firmly to assure they adhere. Next, sew the hook strips of Velcro to the long side of each canvas piece. Attach the leaders to the rods. When ready to quilt, pin the quilt to the leaders and roll."
Vicki has one last suggestion:
"For leader cloth, I used about a 10-inch strip of muslin. The most important thing I have found to be of help when I am loading a quilt into the frame is being sure it is in straight. The directions that came with my frame suggested the following: Make both leader cloths the same length. Attach them at exactly the same distance from the end of the frame. And most importantly, mark the center of the cloths, then mark by pinning the center of the quilt top. Match the center of quilt to center point of leader cloth, and you know it is straight in the frame. This works quite well for me, and I know the quilt is centered and square in the frame."
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| Pattern Storage |
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Linda writes:
"I have a couple of helpful tips. Pizza boxes are great to store blocks and patterns in. List the contents on the outside of the box.
"Used dryer fabric sheets are perfect for appliqué. Use two sheets per object, and you'll have an opening for turning the object right side out."
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| Prolong Life of Glue Sticks |
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Mary shares another glue tip:
"Another way to prolong the life of a glue stick -- store it in a plastic bag with a drop or two of water. You can leave it in your sewing room, or put it in the refrigerator. Now, with the money you saved by not having to buy a new glue stick get out to your LQS (local quilt shop) and buy fabric!"
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| Marking Warning |
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Jennifer writes:
"This is for Janie, who wrote about using Ultra Solvy to mark her quilts. I, too, thought this was a great idea, and I still do, with one warning. Do not use permanent marker to mark the design. Use the washable blue marker. I used a red permanent marker on Solvy for a golden brown/cream quilt. When I filled the washer to wash the Solvy out, there must have been some creases that did not get wet enough fast enough because my quilt came out with red stains on parts of the cream background. I spent a good part of one evening with a cotton swab and bleach to get the stains out of my quilt for show judging."
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| Making a Rolling Ironing Surface |
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Millie shares:
"I love your magazine -- it is the best by far of any quilt magazine. I wanted to share with some of the quilters an idea I had for my craft/sewing room. I love to use the plastic storage drawers to store my fabric. With the clear fronts on the drawers, it is easy to find a fabric I am looking for. I had an idea one day for drawers that I keep to the left of my sewing machine. I had my husband cut a piece of wood for the top and put some batting on it. Then I covered it with ironing-board fabric. So when I am sitting there sewing my blocks, and I want to press the seams, I have my tiny iron plugged in and can roll the storage/ironing board right over to where I am working. It is very handy."
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| Storing Scraps |
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Maria shares:
"For anyone who is looking for scrap-quilt ideas, and the lady who was looking for string quilts in particular, you really need to go to Bonnie Hunter's Web site, Quiltville.com. She is amazing! Not only are there easy and useful scrap-quilt tricks and techniques, but there is also a fabulous system to organize all those scraps so that you will actually use them! With the help of her Web site I have rearranged my sewing room, and I am becoming more productive and feeling better about saving all those little pieces now that I know I will be able to use them."
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| Viewing Value in Fabrics |
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Kate reminds us:
"Regarding color decisions for materials for quilts -- if you look through a piece of red plastic at your materials, you will be able to decide much easier whether it belongs to the dark or light spectrum."
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Staying in Stitches
At the International Quilt Market I learned that staying in stitches is very important to people, especially during this time of increased stress due to the economy and other events that really impact our lives. People need something to take their minds off things like this, over which they have no control. It is no wonder that quilt-shop owners are seeing increased activity at their stores -- quilters need other quilters to help them forget about the negatives in their lives. Making quilts or quilted items is one of the positive things they can control. I know I will be staying in stitches now and for years to come.
Sandra L. Hatch
editor, Quilter's World magazine
Send feedback!
Please do not reply to this e-mail. Instead, fill out my easy feedback form and let me know your thoughts, questions, news or anything else you want to tell me about. You never know, I may feature it in an upcoming issue of Quilter's World newsletter. Keep reading!
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FEATURED IN OUR DECEMBER ISSUEMake this holiday bed quilt using a blue poinsettia print for a change of pace this year.
