Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Meet Maca from the Czech Republic!

Maca z Kadane from the Czech Republic made this beautiful sewing machine cover. What a nice arrangement of selvages and little pictures. I like the binding around the bottom edge too. Good job, Maca! :)

This photo shows the Round Robin quilts that her quilting group made, 17 in all. They are on exhibit in the town of Ostrov nad Ohri. Visit Maca's blog at: http://macinkav.blog.cz/.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Alice Weickelt's Prize-Winning Selvage Quilt

Alice Weickelt from Fall Creek, WI won a prize for this selvage quilt at the Minnesota Quilt Show. Wow, great job Alice!

Thank you to Victoria of http://www.bumblebeansinc.com/ for this photo.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Quilt Diva Sends Me Her Only Japanese Selvage

Who would send you her only Japanese selvage? Gretchen (Quilt Diva) of the very creative blog: http://www.spicewoodquiltingdiva.blogspot.com/, that's who. See the selvage at the top of the photo above? The color windows in this Cosmo Textile selvage are in the shape of little strawberries. We're suckers for stuff like that, aren't we? Moda has some new selvages that are awesome too.

Then she included a selvage that says "Quilt Museum" in honor of my new website: http://www.onlinequiltmuseum.com/, even though this fabric is really from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. Next is Texas blue-bonnets, then Gretchen's signature "Quilt Diva" fabric. She says that little face looks just like her, but thankfully it doesn't. Finally, a selvage printed up-side down, from way back in the 1900's. So twentieth century, plain font, so serious.

Not only that, but Gretchen also made me a selvage book cover! She says it's the perfect bag for anything your heart desires. The lining was made from the same orange fabric that you see next to the pretty mother-of-pearl button. I love all the fabrics, so I took some close-ups so you can take good look too. I keep a Bible in this most of the time. It has batting in it and it feels so nice to hold. Am I blessed or what? Thank you so much, Gretchen!






Be sure to click on over to Gretchen's blog (see above). There's a list of things that you may not know about her, and they are pretty amazing.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Which Fabric Do You Like Best?




I'm shopping for fabric to use for draperies in our bedroom for our new house. I've narrowed it down to two. On my computer they both appear bluer than they really are. The acutal color is more of a light teal, "robin's egg green." But they're equally distorted, so we can still use these photos to compare.
The first one is shown in the 3 photos above. It has a subtle damask pattern in the background, so we'll call that one "Damask."
The three photos below show the other fabric. We'll call that one "Linen." The dark green in this one is a little cooler than the fabric above. (It has less yellow in it.)

They are about the same price; the linen may be a little less. I'll be making the draperies myself. Easy enough for a quilter, right?



So, which one do you like better? Damask or Linen? Thanks for your help.
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Saturday, June 26, 2010

Selvages from the 1800's

You all know of Barbara Brackman, quilt historian and prolific author from Kansas. She has a very interesting post on her blog about selvages, bolt stamps and bolt labels. The bolt stamp on the selvage above is from about 1800. Under the crown it says "British Manufactory."

The image above, printed on muslin, was found on the back of this Double Irish Chain quilt top. Barbara says this is probably a bolt stamp, like a selvage marking. It says: "Finished Soft for the Sewing Machine."

Above is an example of the paper bolt labels that were used in the 1800's. They became more elaborate as printing capabilities improved. Then, in the 1900's printing on the selvage became popular again. Read more on this topic at Barbara's blog: www.barbarabrackman.blogspot.com.
She even shows a selvage block by May Britt.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Edda's Selvage Totes


Edda of Kalamazoo, MI made these stunning tote bags, her first two selvage projects. She says they are great conversation starters. Her friends are saving selvages for Edda now.
In the top photo, you can see one red selvage among all the light strips. Isn't that great? Then the basketweave-style bag has lots of color. Nice job, Edda!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Miriam's Prize-Winning Selvage Quilt

Miriam in West Texas made this awesome selvage log cabin quilt, and as you can see she's been winning prizes (and cash). Now that's a good deal, considering the selvages are "free." These selvages are from her stash, and from her quilting buddies too. The quilt measures 70" x 70."
And she's almost finished with her second selvage quilt; I can't wait to see it. Yayy, Miriam!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Cottage Bliss in the Rocky Mountains

I visited a wonderful quilt shop recently and I wanted to share it with you, so I took lots of photos. This shop is located right near the Rocky Mountain National Park in the town of Estes Park, Colorado.

When you enter the shop you are offered a cup of hot tea, served in an elegant china teacup. As you look around, you might wonder if you've suddenly entered heaven. (I checked to see my car still outside, just to make sure.) Look at these silver bracelets, $10-$17. They are stretchy so you can easily put them on.

Such an elegant combination of fabrics, china, gifts, books, etc. A real feast for the eyes.



There were lots of quilts on the walls, but I was asked not to photograph them since they sell the patterns. Okay, that makes sense.

Aren't these beautiful fabrics? If we were shopping here together, I'd point to the bolt below (orange/pink floral) and say "Isn't this a pretty one?" How do you like this virtual shopping? :)





If you're near Estes Park sometime, you'll enjoy Cottage Bliss!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Daryl Perry's Selvage Creations


Daryl Perry, a talented quilter in New Mexico made her first two selvage projects. Arent' they stunning? I love that button and the striped binding and lining for the eyeglass case above. I'd like to find a pair of those pink polka dot glasses too!

There's a zippered change pocket at the top of this wallet. See the little zipper pull up there? Lots of attention to detail! Great job, Daryl! See her blog at: www.patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Quilt Along - Asterisk Quilt (Part 3) - Finishing

Have you been following the "Asterisk" Quilt-Along? This is the third (and final) Monday installment. If you want to see everyone's blocks on flickr, click here. (Be sure to click on "More" to see them all.)


To make the "piano key" border, cut a pile of strips 1" x 4+" long. I cut them about 4 1/2" long as I'm making the quilt, and keep them in a pile for the border. Sew them in a long row. Press.

Trim to 4" wide (below). Piece these lengths together as needed for the border (see bottom photo).



The three blocks above represent the quilt top.

  1. When all your blocks are sewn together, make an inner border using 1" strips. I chose red because it is neither dark nor light, and I like it.
  2. Now attach your piano key strips to fit along the right and left sides of the quilt. Then attach piano key lengths to the top and bottom of your quilt top.
  3. Finally, add another 1" border.

The quilt shown in the first photo was machine quilted with parallel horizontal wavy lines. That is my "specialty." I just try to keep it simple so I don't ruin my quilt tops! I'm sure you'll blow me away with awesome quilting on your quilts. I can't wait to see them and put the photos in an up-coming Exhibit at http://www.onlinequiltmuseum.com/.

Please email your photos to karen@onlinequiltmuseum.com by Sept 1. Thanks! (Include your name the way you want it listed, where you're from, and the name of your quilt.)

So, did you think this quilt was easy? Was it fun? Is it on your "To Make" list?

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Quilts for Nashville

My dear friend Pam lives near Nashville. Their house suffered serious damage in the recent flood. But she's not complaining, she's collecting quilts to give to families who had even more seroius damage and lost all their personal household belongings.

Pam is a quilter with a big heart, and if you donate a quilt, she will find just the right family who will treasure it. You can reach her directly at: pam@realwomenquilt.com.

Lena's Orange Zinger

Lena in Tennessee made this bright little orange zinger. She has it spread on a table where she displays her collectibles. You can see it on her blog: http://www.helenismostoshare.blogspot.com/. I like that nice soft border too. Very nice!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Victoria's Awesome Selvage Quilt!

Take a look at this wonderful selvage quilt by Victoria of Bumblebeans in New York City!
I love how she put all this together, the stripes, dots, selvages and light touches of navy that make this quilt dance! Bravo Victoria!

Selvage Coaster Tutorial from Canada

Sarah Vee of "Sew Joy, Reap Quilts" from Northern Ontario, Canada, has posted her first selvage tutorial, "Selvage Coasters." (This post is dated June 8.) She has a nice collection of liberated style quilts on her blog too. Take a look: www.sewjoy.blogspot.com. Nice job, Sarah!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Selvage Sofa in New Jersey!

Yes, this is Jill Bunis' yellow Selvage Room in New Jersey! That's what I call it anyway. She recently made these two big selvage cushions to add to the day bed that already had her selvage quilt on it. You can see more of this room on her blog: http://www.cre8fmomquilts.blogspot.com/ including the window cornices done, of course, in selvages. The b/w fabric is Mark Lipinski's Califon line. Nice job, Jill!

I like the way Jill features bits of her prints, especially the fortune cookies and the rows of geometric patterns. See the button print below (at the bottom of the photo).

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Selvage Quilt from the UK

Shirley Sherratt from Taunton, Somerset, UK just finished this beautiful selvage quilt that she calls "Gleanings." It measures 65" x 65." She used only what she had in her stash, as well as gleanings from the selvage stash of her friend Val.

This reminds me a little bit of Linda Robertus' quilt with the narrow red sashing, but they both have different styles too. Shirley posted about it on her blog: http://www.stitcherydo.blogspot.com/.
I love this one! Now I have to add it to the selvage quilt Exhibit at http://www.onlinequiltmuseum.com/ too (Page 9 of the exhibit photos).

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Carla's New Selvage Pillow

Carla of Kansas City, MO made this delightful selvage pillow. She used phonebook pages for foundations! Aren't those pom-poms perfect? Nice job Carla! Take a look at her blog for in-progress photos: www.lollyquiltz.blogspot.com. (Click on posts for the month of May to see it.) I really like this!