The Quilters Hall of Fame

It was about time I made the trip to see The Quilters Hall of Fame (TQHF) in Marion, Indiana.  So I signed up for 2 lectures during this year's Celebration 2012.  There was time in the middle of the day to see Marie Webster's home which now houses TQHF with quilt displays and items that Marie used to design her quilts.  Marie was a prolific quilt designer from 1911 - 1940 or so with her designs published in the Ladies' Home Journal magazine.  She began making quilt designs around age 50!

This quilt wasn't labeled and I'm not familiar enough with Marie Webster designs to know what it is.  I'll have to research it...unless one of you knows the name of this pattern.

Wind Blown Tulips is the name of this design.  I love the applique along the border and especially the corner.

Eleanor Burns is the latest inductee into The Quilters Hall of Fame.  One of the first quilts I made was from her Irish Chain in a Day book.  I made several baby quilts using that book and loved them.  Still have that book so may make one for me some day.  It's on my list of quilts to make.

I made time to see the exhibit of Eleanor's quilts in the Marion Public Library and was able to stay for a portion of her "Walk Thru" where she talked about the inspiration for many of her techniques.

Here's Eleanor in the Library with the quilts.

 One of the lectures I attended was Eleanor talking about the quilts in her latest book, Tales of the First Ladies.  She puts on a very entertaining show and even got audience members to participate - one as Martha Washington, another as Dolly Madison and a couple as Mary and Abraham Lincoln!

There was also time to walk around the quilt display.  There were some modern quilts as well as some vintage quilts.  I love two color quilts and this orange and white Robbing Peter to Pay Paul was particularly striking.

Of course, I also took a stroll through the vendor mall.  Even found some fabric to buy!  In Stitches, a favorite quilt shop of mine in Rushville, Indiana was there.  I had a few minutes to catch up with Cathy and her mom.  Cathy had some panels to make into fabric books - something my friend Wendy made at a quilt retreat a few years ago.  I've been looking for those types of panels ever since and was delighted to find two different panels in Cathy's booth.  Thanks, Cathy!

Now to sew!

Cheers!

Margaret

Aurifil Thread

Sharon introduced me to Aurifil thread for piecing at a quilt retreat a few years ago.  Since that time I've come to appreciate the improvement in my piecing accuracy as a result of this thinner but very strong thread. It was only this year that I inquired about using it in my longarm and found that there are those who do use Aurifil thread in their longarm.

I gave it a try and it was wonderful!

Large cone of Aurifil thread purchased at MQS this year.  Found I had a smaller spool of thread so I used it to wind the bobbins.

It was the perfect color thread to use in an all over pattern on Earlene's bargello quilt.  Her piecing is superb and I love the color runs on this quilt.  She has it entered in the Bartholomew County Fair this year.

Try it.  You'll like it!

Cheers!
Margaret

Book Bonanza

I was excited to see three packages of books on my doorstep this afternoon.  I had recently ordered some books to expand my knowledge of quilts, quilting, color, composition and other quilty things.

Lots of color and design books - the area in which I need the most help!

These books will make interesting reading and study material as I am currently enrolled in the NQA Judges' Certification program.  I received a list of questions that I need to answer and several of them are on color and design topics where my knowledge base is pretty thing.  Thus the need for these books.

I also ordered one that has been of enduring interest to me - Quilts Their Story and How to Make Them by Marie Webster.  It's the green book - from the Brooklyn Public Library and was purchased by them in the days before zip codes.  Their address is listed Brooklyn 17, NY.  Who else remembers those days?  It's been culled from their stacks and at one point was a reference book.  I couldn't resist purchasing this and love the old library smell!

Time to read!
Cheers!
Margaret

Quilts of Valor - Summer 2012

I've been somewhat remiss in working on Quilts of Valor quilts this year so I was surprised to see three quilts with my quilting in this showing of the Columbus Quilts of Valor group.

Deb, Kathy and I had lunch to talk quilts and fabrics and then headed over to the Community Church of Columbus where the local group meets every Monday morning to work on quilt tops and bindings.  Their periodic showings of the quilts completed over the last few months is always stunning and today's exhibit was right on target with 160 quilts on display.  Take a look....

The selection of red, white and blue quilts up front was beautiful, with lots of stars in the mix.  

Ken made this quilt - a nice southwestern theme.  You can see the cacti and the stetson hats quite clearly.  You have to look close to see the boots - you can see the heel and upper part of the boot.  While the fabric he chose for the foot part of the boot is spot on when compared to actual boots, it fades into the background fabric in this picture.

I vaguely remembered quilting the quilt with yellow sashing and when I looked up close - sure enough!

The mixture of friendship stars and the white chain blocs are wonderful in this quilt.

Another quilt with friendship stars.  The light stripes includes red, white and blue star s on a light background.

The aqua quilt above Kathy's head (far left) was made by Alice.  It's a lovely design and beautifully done.

Love the bright thread - I don't have this thread....yet!

Susan was on a roll and completed 8 postage stamp quilts.  They look great from a distance as well as up close.  

I'm becoming a lover of scrappy quilts - or is it the chains running through them?

Cheers!
Margaret