Love the Layer Cakes

Don't you just love Moda Layer Cake?    You can do so much with them by cutting them differently.   Check out the cutting variations to see all the things you can do with a Layer Cake.  http://www.unitednotions.com/measurements_layer-cake-cutting.pdf

Two Bees Fabrics now has layer cakes in the Pom Pom de Paris and Grace fabric lines. 

Redwork Quilt

YES, the borders are on the Redwork quilt.  One more of my UFO's completed for my New Years resolution.   It's all ready to be quilted.  Now, to figure out how I want it quilted. 

Infinite Variety: Thee Centuries of Red and White Quilts,  the quilt show I blogged about earlier inspired me to finish a redwork quilt I started in 2001.  Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I've even looked at these blocks.  This will also be another UFO I'll be completing this year.  The box held all the embroidered blocks and the pieced setting squares which I pieced together last night.  I don't know what took me so long to finish this quilt, I really like it now that it's up on the design wall.   I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do for the borders.  I have some of the red fabric left but, I'm very limited on the ivory and I'll never match it after all these years. I'll come up with something though, I just need to think about it for a few days.

The layout patttern and some of the tracings are from the Quilts & More Redwork book by Laurene Sinema.

Redwork became propular in the late 1870's whenTurkey Red was the craze. The root from the Madder plant was used to create the secret recipe for the "Turkey Red" dye.  The durabilty and color fastness of the dye were highly valued back then and attributed to it's popularity. It reached it's peak of popularity between 1888 and 1935. As other colors or embroidery thread became available redwork lost it's popularity. 

Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White quilts

I  commented in March that this show was coming to New York. Now that it has come and gone, I've seen the photos and read the reviews, I am so sorry I didn't make a point of going to NYC, just for the show.    Check out the link to Martha Stewart's Blog.   It contains a slideshow of 37 photos of the show.   It really was spectacular and the title, "Infinite Variety" is perfect.   All 650 quilts are from the private collection of Joanna Rose.

Why Quilt?

Have you ever asked yourself, “why do I quilt?”  I’m a quilter, I have friends who are quilters, my mother-in-law was a wonderful quilter and I’ve met many people throughout my life who are quilters. But what is it that motivates people to quilt? Is it to make blankets to keep us warm, to create something to hang on the wall for people to admire, is it something we do to simply occupy our spare time or is it something else?

Recently, to pass the time during a long drive, my husband and I decided to check out an audio book on cd from the library. We couldn’t quite decide what book to get until my husband came across a book cd titled, The Quilters Homecoming, by Jennifer Chiaverini. Now, it didn’t surprise me that my husband, who is not a quilter but comes from a long line of quilters, would be interested in this book. The book, In a word, was great, we both loved it and we are now listening to Jennifer’s, The Sugar Camp Quilt.

Now I can speak only from listening to The Quilter’s Homecoming (Narrator Christina Moore) but if you are one of those quilters who has ever wondered what it is about quilting that makes you want to cut fabric into little pieces and then meticulously sew them all back together again in a completely different pattern…you will want to read or listen to one of Jennifer Chiaverini’s books. She is most definitely a quilter, a wonderful author and most important, she is very familiar with the phrase, “a labor of love.” Quilting is truly a labor of love.

When you get a chance:

http://video.app.msn.com/watch/video/author-jennifer-chiaverini-discusses-the-quilter-s-homecoming/1dwee6kt6

http://elmcreek.net/books  

Quilt Retreat Treats

I just returned from a quilt retreat this past weekend in East Texas.   For dessert one evening the hostess served Oreo Balls.   They were sinfully delicious and I can't wait to make them the next time I have a gathering at my home.   They are so easy and only require 3 ingredients.   Check out this Oreo Ball Recipe !!! 

Quilt related events in New York City this March

March is the month to go to New York City if you are interested in quilting.   There will be 4 great exhibits going on in March.  

Super Starts & 9/11 Tribute Quilt - The American Folk Art Museum/Lincoln Square Branch.   This will be going on through September 25th.

Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts - Park Avenue Armory

March 25-30

Empire Guild's Urban Inspirations 2011 - Fashion Institute of Technology
March 26 - 27

Quilts :  Masterwork - The American Folk Art Museum
Part 1 through April 26, Part 2 opens May 10

I wish I could get away this month to NYC, I'm sure all of the shows listed above will be fabulous. The one I personally would love to see is the Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts. I'm partial to 2 color quilts and red is one of my all time favorites.  Just imagine there will be over 650 quilts on display! 

Happenings in March

If you live in the Dallas metroplex or will be passing through the area, don't miss the Dallas Quilt Celebration 2011.   The quilt show runs from March 11th through the 13th at Dallas Market Hall in Dallas.   The show has all the features of a great quilt show, fabulous quilt, lectures, vendors, quilt raffle and appraisals.    

Bonnie K. Hunter

I went to our quilt guild meeting last night where the guest speaker was Bonnie K. Hunter. She was great! She spoke of her nearly 30 year journey of quilting, tackling her mountains of stash fabric - she was so energetic and upbeat. Her style is scrappy and she brought dozens of her fabulous quilts to show. She had great suggestions and ideas on how to organize and use your own stash. Most of her patterns use 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3.5 inch strips. She recommends cutting scraps into strips and storing them according to size. She then says to cut them into small squares and use them as leaders and enders when strip piecing. Voila! Before you know it you've got a box of 4 or 9 patch blocks.  She also suggests ways in which to use those outdated fabrics that you just don't know what to do with and can't bear to throw out. When cut into small pieces you don't see the print as much as the color and value.   

She also discussed working on projects in 15 minute intervals. Our lives are so busy these days it's difficult to set aside hours to sew but, if you just set aside 15 minutes per day to cut, sew press or whatever -  before you know it you've finished a quilt! 

click here

Check out her website at the link above. She has lots of ideas and free patterns too.

After two weeks of cold wintry weather we're finally getting a well deserved break and are now enjoying some beautiful sunshine and warmer weather. Feels like spring is just around the corner.

Backing my Snowball Block quilt

It's time to prepare the backing for the Snowball quilt so I can finish this one up. Remember when preparing the back, make sure it is at least six inches wider and longer than the actual quilt top. You will want this extra fabric because some of the fabric will be taken up in the quilting and you will also want a little extra for the clamps on the long arm machine. 

Remember machine quilting will not quilt out or correct excessive fabric in the borders and the quilting will not correct waviness or ripples. To avoid this always measure the length and width in 3 places (through the center and along each edge). 

Preparing the backing and binding are not my favorite tasks in finishing a quilt but, once you've gotten this far the motivation is there to complete the quilt and bind it. 

It's been so cold here in Texas that I'm actually looking forward to putting the binding on and having the quilt draped over my lap. Of course, here in Texas the weather changes so frequently that it won't be cold for long so I better hurry up and get this done. 

Cotton Prices are on the Rise

Cotton prices are on the rise and will affect everyone that uses or manufactures goods made of cotton.  According to the Dallas Morning News, the price of cotton has reached the highest levels since the disruptions of the Civil War. Currently China is number one in cotton production followed by India, Pakistan and the United States. Cotton prices are going up because of floods in Pakistan and India, and China's decision not to export cotton. This may be good for United States' cotton farmers but, not so good for quilters. 

Although the Chinese are the biggest producers, processors and importers of cotton, they don't export cotton because they consume more than they can produce. 

Don't expect the prices to come down anytime soon. Many of the fabric manufacturers have already started raising their prices. We at Two Bees Fabric will do everything we can to hold our prices.

Snowball block quilt

Yeah!  I went on a quilt retreat for a few days this week and I  finished one of my UFO's and, it's still only January!   So far I'm sticking with my resolution of not starting another project until I have finished at least 2 of the many quilts I already have started.  The quilt finished out at 92 by 108 inches.  Now, I just have to get the backing ready and have it quilted.   I'm very pleased with the outcome.

Snowball blocks are so easy and versatile, they are a great block for new quilters.

Clermont Farms

We just added a new Moda line, Clermont Farms by Minick & Simpson.   I just love it!  We will also be selling fat quarter bundles of 12 of this collection. 

Working on the Snowballs

So far I am still sticking with my 2011 quilting resolution which is not to start another project until I have completed 2.   So, I'm contining with the snowball quilt which is the closest to being completed.  I've finished all the blocks and I am almost finished putting the rows together.    I am really liking this one:) 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!    It's time for resolutions, lists and dieting.     One of my resolutions for this year is that I'm going to reduce the number of UFO's I have.    I hate to admit it but, I have 12 projects started, some almost finished and some just begun.     This year my resolution is that I will not start another project until I have completely finished 2.  The first one I plan to complete is a snowball block quilt made with Wildrose fabrics by Brannock and & Patek a Moda line.   

I'd love to hear some comments on how many projects other readers have.   Is 12 alot or average?