A Quilt That Will Knock Your Socks Off at the International Quilt Study Center Exhibition

I love looking at old photos where people are captured with beautiful old quilts.  I have a ton of questions I would like to ask the people in the photograph.  And I appreciate seeing the quilts in some sort of context with either their makers or the people who got to use them.

 

 

 

Looking at these old photos makes me appreciate all the more what the Quilt Alliance does with the Quilters’ SOS – Save Our Stories program; filling that modern day gap by documenting, preserving and sharing the stories of quiltmakers and their quilts.

 

There is an exhibit currently on (until December 1st) at the International Quilt Study Center, entitled “Posing With Patchwork: Quilts in Photographs.”  If I lived close to Lincoln, Nebraska, I would be there in a minute to see it.  Gratefully, because of the hard work of people I have never met and the power of the internet, I can still partake in what the exhibition has to offer.

 

You can read the introduction, watch a podcast, view the exhibition online and more.

 

And included in this exhibition is the quilt that was the “Quilt of the Month” at IQSC in March.  Check it out.  It will knock your socks off in all of it’s 10,222 piece glory! You can sign up for email list to be notified each month about the quilt that is being highlighted.

 

Have fun checking out all the links

&

Happy Stitching!

 

 

 

“Modern Baby” and “Modern Quilts” Book Reviews

Take a look at my work and you can see where I stand on the modern to traditional design spectrum. And while my heart tends more towards the traditional, I like breaking the rules and “Modern Meets Primitive” as well as “Cocktails in the Library” demonstrate I love working outside of my normal realm.  So I am thrilled to have a chance to share my review of two books: Modern Baby and Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe.

 

 First up!

 

 

The cover lets you know right off that the emphasis is on fun with the cute little goldfish and the bubble quilting.  Fourteen different designs from thirteen designers means there are lots of exciting designs to choose from.   I liked reading the artist statements about each quilt, getting a glimpse at each designer’s process.  And ideas like outlining your child’s hand and adding it to the quilting on the quilt is a neat way of creating a lovely keepsake.

 

My favourite quilt in the book is this one:

 

 

I am already imagining it interpreted and done up as a wall hanging in wool Sue Spargo style with lots of embroidery.  Wouldn’t that be fun!

 

There are lots of tips in the book about fabric choices, keeping organized and construction technique tips specific to each quilt.

 

To get a younger persons point of view, I asked my daughter what her favourite is and she chose this one:

 

I can see it done in little boy fabric and the crosses could be roads that he can drive his cars on!

 

And this was a hands down winner with both the men and women in this house!   I love it’s energy!

 

 

You can find out more about Modern Baby: Easy, Fresh, and Fun Quilt Designs here.

 

Next up is Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe.

 

 

Nineteen quilts, eighteen quilt designers and lots of choice.  Some quilts clearly show their traditional roots while others boldly go …

 

Choosing quilts again was a family affair.  A bit of a tricky one, as it seems my eldest desires more than one quilt in his life (each time I show him one he  asks “Will that be for me!”  It is great to feel loved and appreciated for what you do!)

 

All around top place winner in this house:

 

 

Followed closely by:

 

 

And dashing into third place this one:

 

 

Love the graphic quality of this one!

 

Find out more about Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe here.

 

After posting about all of these … gotta run and raid my stash!

 

Have you made a modern quilt yet?

 

Have a great week

&

Happy Stitching!

 

Hexagon Happiness

There is a quilt at the American Museum in Britain that I adore.  It is a summer chintz spread, c. 1830, originally from Drayton Hall Plantation, South Carolina.

 

It has hexagons arranged in floral and star patterns, appliquéd to a white cotton background, with a chintz border.  I sigh just thinking about it.

 

I went back to my photos from my visit there to see how the fussy cut hexies had been arranged  into the stars and just had to share.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is your favourite hexagon quilt?

 

Happy Stitching!

Keeping My Body Happy During Marathon Sewing Sessions

Oh have I been busy … with lots of little pieces of course!

 

 

 

 

Which means I am spending lots of time at my sewing machine stitching and that can lead to some physical complaints if I am not careful about posture and healthy body mechanics.  In my early teenage years my ballet teacher taught me about imagining a string coming out from the top of my head that is gently stretching my spine upwards, making me taller.   That helps alot.

 

A quiet culprit for back pain for me is the foot pedal of my sewing machine.  My right foot does not appear to be raised very much off of the floor when it is on it, but I have learned that the small deviation in height translates into an imbalance in my hips.  So I went to the office supply store a number of years ago and bought an adjustable foot rest for the other foot.  Using it, both feet are at the same height and my hips are level and my lower back is much happier!

 

 

Do you have any trick or tips for keeping your body happy during marathon sewing sessions?

 

Have a great week

&

Happy Stitching!