Block Party Club Blog

The Block Party Club is continuing on! We started a blog here. Follow us on our quilting adventures...
--Carol

Echo, echo, echo

From stuffed to the gills...

to cavernous (hey there's an extra door on the left)...

Nancy emailed me today that the shop is finally empty after one month of crazy sales, donations, and a week of cleaning out.


Whenever someone asked Nancy what she wanted on the last day, it was always, "champagne & chocolate". Well, lucky us, Linda was listening and brought both! Then another Linda brought another bottle of champagne. Thus, the shiny, happy faces you see on our last evening at the shop and out at dinner:

Nancy, Melanie, Kathy, Diane, Claudia & Carol

Carol, Claudia, Nancy, Betty Ann (behind Nancy), Diane, Kathy, Melanie & Renee; missing: Sharon & Gail

--Carol

Summersville is here!

What's that you say? Summers-who? Summersville is a bright, colorful, clean-line collection of fabrics from Moda, designed by Lucie Summers. She's English, but the design has a distinct Scandinavian aesthetic, and just has a distinct joy about it. The shop has it on the bolt, and a couple kits that include the fat eighth bundle are available.

--Carol

Curves Ahead

Nancy's back from her class with Jean Wells at Asilomar and for one of her projects she used this adorable bird print from Michael Miller (shown pictured on top of 'Painters Canvas' print in indigo - the shop just got both this week). She worked outside her comfort zone, creating small pieces with solids and sewing curved seams.

We also received new Asian prints, including the most adorable cats...

Last Saturday I got back my blocks from other Block Party participants. I gave each person one square of a print and one of white and asked them to cut and sew them back together with a gentle curve (or more). This was a new technique for some, but everyone seemed to enjoy this different way to construct blocks. I could not be happier with everyone's contribution, but now I have to figure out my final design! Anyone can join our group at any time - we just welcomed another member this month.

--Carol

From Wax to Watercolor

I love new batiks. I love the clean saturated color, the feel of the fabric and even the smell. These beauties are from Robert Kaufman. There's a good slideshow on the process of creating batiks here:  http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/artisan_batiks/?show_all

Garthwaite - Victoria & Albert Museum for Rowan Westminster - that's a mouthful, but such a treat for the eyes and hands (terrific hand feel). This particular line, while historically-based, looks like it could be from a contemporary designer. I did a little digging at V&A online and found the artist was Anna Maria Garthwaite (1690-1763) - http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O91145/design/ , who created designs for the silk textile industry. What appeals to me, aside from the colors and depiction of nature, is the watercolor look of the design... and what do you know, the original was a watercolor (I had no idea about that or the vintage of the design until I looked it up). Mixed in with Garthwaite are a few bolts from another Rowan designer, Martha Negley: Farmington, which includes Feathers, Crabapple Path and Guinea Hen.

--Carol

Walk About in Japan, Tuscany and the Woods

What would happen if a batik, a contemporary print and an Asian panel went walking about... this is Nancy's version of Walk About.

More fresh bolts as promised - these arrived at the beginning of March:

 Tuscany-like olive print, coordinating teals, 'linen' near-solids, red & whites, and dachshunds (not pictured: paw prints)

gold & burgundy grapevines, winery lingo and coordinating prints

Aneela Hoey's 'A Walk in the Woods'

--Carol

New Fabric Rollin' In

I was procrastinating prepping pictures for the next newsletter (coming soon!) and I realized we've been getting a ton of new fabric into the shop. Yes, the shop is still for sale, but Nancy & Diane are continuing to receive fabric and notions. So, over the next few days, I'm going to upload photos of fabrics new to us in the last month. Some of the pictures were snapped of bolts just out of the box, so please pardon the plastic wrap and the quick and messy presentation. 

solids! yes, we are carrying more coordinating solids

Bold & Beautiful (Breezy) by Michelle D'Amore for Benartex

Groovin' - Northcott Fabrics

Caiman (Rowan Design Gallery) & Cosmos from Westminster

--Carol

News

To fellow quilters and loyal customers

After 15 awesome years, Nancy and I have decided to sell Quiltmaker. We are ready to retire from Retail Life and create different personal and professional adventures.

We are eager to meet the person/s who will continue this most wonderful endeavor. SO, please join us in spreading the word! Quiltmaker is for sale $120,000

Diane and Nancy

Challenges & Inspirations

Or should it be inspirations and challenges? I think I typically start a project working from an inspiration, but sometimes we're challenged and have to come up with our own inspiration. One of the vets from the Pathway Home Project requested a camouflage quilt, and Nancy rose to the challenge in her own way. Starting with a few brown prints, she managed to combine an assortment of large to small scale prints, batiks to modern designs, with accents of color including yellow, green, pink and blue. The variety of prints combined with the simple piecing and random arrangement mimic camo in a modern way. Block Party Club members thought this quilt could be the basis for a class on color theory - I know I'd love to take it!

Gail was inspired by the Wonky Stars block in Modern Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks from Your Favorite Designers, so Block Party Club members were challenged to make blocks for her. It was a welcome challenge though - I keep seeing wonky stars all over the internet, so I knew I'd try the technique sooner or later. I'd say we were all successful (laid out on the design wall below). It was a fun, freeing technique! 

--Carol

Here comes the elephant!

Ellie the elephant paid the shop a visit the other day and I fell in love all over again.  Sewn by Renee Hein (notice her peeking eyes), Ellie is an adorable fused & machine applique pattern by BJ Designs that's appropriate for a wall hanging or small throw. Renee's lively interpretation is really fun - I spy Kaffe Fassett, Jane Sassaman, batiks, and she even used bright green Minkee in the curvy border. Fear not the plush fabric!


We often get asked about whether we recommend backing quilts in Minkee or other plush fabrics the shop carries. The answer is a resounding YES! Plush fabrics do not shrink and they quilt beautifully - check out the back below. There is excellent sewing information here. Plush fabrics may cost a little more, but most are 60" wide which is perfect for a throw-size quilt, and totally worth it for a soft, snuggly quilt.

--Carol

This quilt was displayed at a booth with Lecien Fabrics

This quilt was done in Lecien fabrics and we carry many of them at the shop. Nancy and I loved the borders of this one!

The leaves are golden, russet, red; Fall is here!

The colors of this quilt remind me of the changing colors in the neighborhood. I think the simplicity of this quilt is one of the things I especially like.

Hop Kit Mania

This coming weekend is our annual Shop Hop for which we always go a little crazy making kits, hanging samples and sprucing up the store. I promised pictures of the kits, but first I want to share a beautifully executed quilt by Martha Emery, a Judy Niemeyer foundation paper pieced pattern. Martha will be teaching paper piecing next year, so keep an eye out for the class newsletter.

The Easiest Ever Jelly Roll Throw pattern works terrifically for Bali Pops and Tonga Treats, both of which we carry in several colorways... thanks to Shirley Hansen for bringing in her version. Definitely an easy and fast throw to make, and gorgeous in batiks!

And now for the kits: 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so we thought Running Scared would be a quick project to whip out (look out turkey!) - whimsical and colorful, this wall hanging is definitely attention getting:

Nancy did a little whipping out herself and came up with and sewed Good Morning Placemats and Napkins in a day. She used a Provencal inspired border print and kept the quilting to a minimum:

Vintage Sonnet is a Napa Valley style table topper that takes almost no time at all to piece together. I think this would make a really great gift (hint, hint):

Need another quick gift? Dazzling Tiles Tablerunner fits the bill. A Kaffe Fassett floral and Bella solids coordinate perfectly in another easy to sew project. Don't let the 2" squares deter you - we include gridded fusible in the kit which makes matching seams a breeze.

We also have purse, apron, applique and full sized quilt kits, lots of new fabric, notions and books. Stop by during the Hop and pick up your free block kit. We'll be open extended hours 9am-6pm on Friday and Saturday, 9-5 Sunday.

--Carol

Another Asian Braid Beauty

Shirley's Asian Braid

It's so nice to see a quilt that was started in class, finished! Shirley Hansen never fails to disappoint (she's already finished the Stars Block of the Month in Christmas fabrics). Here she is with her quilt top from the Asian Braid class - I love her fabric choices. Bring yours in and show and tell!
--Carol

Now That's Class!

In class last month, the popularity of French Braid continued in an adaptation Nancy called Asian Braid, named for the fabric she used. It could have easily been called Western Braid for her previous creation, but whatever the name, the class was a hit. The pattern showcases wide strips of focus fabric accented by complementary French Braids. Perfect for that fabric you can't bear to cut up! (click pictures for close-ups)

studious sewers; on the back wall: left, Asian Braid, right, Western Braid

Nancy displays a work in progress

Diana Monez is glad she took the class!

--Carol

Home Sweetwater Home

Even before I saw the latest Sweetwater line of fabric in person, I knew I had to have some. Well, ok, I confess I was peering over Nancy's shoulder when the fabric rep was here, trying not to drool. Modern colors, small scale print, words, and ticking stripes make up this fresh new line. Nancy ordered enough fabric and fat quarters to make kits for the Sweetwater pattern Yacht Club, but there is plenty left on the bolts and we've made up fat quarter stars. Sweetwater's Simple Home has projects for every room in the house.

I don't own a boat, but I just love Yacht Club - we have kits and patterns (the flags are fused, raw edge appliqued - easy!)

Greys, soft blue, strong red and creamy yellow...

 

Intersection is a simple, but strikingly different pattern. Nancy is making it with different fabrics - instead of a cream background she's using a tone-on-tone golden print and coordinating greens and oranges.

 

--Carol

Art Quilt Contest Winners

A good time was had by all who came to our 15th Anniversary Party and Sale, but the biggest grins were worn by the quilters who won in the Art Quilt Contest. Over the month of June, submissions were hung in the classroom and voted on by shop visitors. Left to right, Wild Flowers by Ina Block won in Nature Category; Star in Moony Night by Nelda Heide won in the Color Category; Nancy Eberlin; Diane Massey-Todd; San Trini by Robin van Boeschoten won the People's Choice. Not pictured: Migliavacca Moods by Susan Lane Coburn, which won for Architecture. Thank you to all who entered and voted.  --Carol

A Zebra for Nancy

I thought of my shop partner, Nancy, when I saw this art quilt at the International Quilt Market/Festival in Houston.

Nancy especially loves the wild graphic animals.

Houston International Quilt Festival 2010

This striking quilt was beautifully exhibited at the Houston International Quilt Market and Festival. For viewing only, please.

Houston 2010 Market and Festival

My trip to Houston's International Market/Festival was wonderful this year.

I was nonstop with many vendors to see and exhibits to experience. I took some photos of quilts that were exhibited and will post a few in the month ahead. Please, these are for inspiration only.

Delightful students finish their Basic Quiltmaking Class

Students in Basic Quiltmaking learn so much and we are all excited when their first quilt is finished.

These two students couldn't wait to sew up a second project: A mitered baby blanket (on the right)!

Quiltmaker's Designer Basket for the Quest

Congratulations Liz from all of us at Quiltmaker!

Liz Magee came by to pick up her basket from our Quilters Quest shop hop.

She made it to all 11 stores and her completed Passport was one of the eleven drawn for Second Prize: A Basket filled with quilting delights! Diana Monez put together our dazzling basket and it was so laden I thought we might have to use a cart to get it out of the store!

Delightful "I SPY" quilts

'I SPY' quilts give hours of discovery to children: "I spy a monkey, a flower.....elephant, an owl". Charlene Thomason joined with several friends (also grandmothers) and created these delightful quilts for her grandchildren. Each square selected, cut and sewn with hand quilting to add the perfect touch!

Stonehenge Fabric in earth tones

This new pattern is perfect in earth tones of the Stonehenge line from Northcott.