May 27, 2013 at 10:14 pm (Studio Work)
Tags: arts, cottage grove, Crafts, Elkton, emerald valley quilters, fabric, Family, Gammill, Lane County Historical Museum, longarm quilting, oregon, Paducah, Pioneer Quilters, quilt guild, quilt shows, quilting, quilting books, quilts, sewing
The last few weeks I’ve been starting new projects. I haven’t actually been doing a lot of sewing, but quite a bit of pulling fabric and cutting fabric out. Then I zoom on to the next project…I’m not sure how many things I currently have going — well actually none of them are “going,” just ready to go. After working today, I walked back into my studio, enthused about making a table mat for my son Michal and his wife Rebecca. The one they have now is pitiful, the quilting on it is soo sad, and it’s at least 6 or 7 years old…
So I started pulling some fabric for it and looking for a set of fabrics I’m already working with. I opened several totes before I found the one I was looking for. In the midst of this, I stopped and took a look around. So here it is for your viewing pleasure, a tour of my studio, as is (warning: these images may disturb some viewers):

My stash, or most of it

From my spinning & weaving days. Her outfit is made from a horoscope warp — each thread represents a color assigned for every horoscope degree – 360 threads

Taken from in front of the stash shelving, looking across my cutting table to the design wall. See the lamb? Made from an antique quilt, it’s so cute!

The fabrics overlapping each other are for the table mat. The totes are evidence of my frenzied search

My sewing station, with a couple projects laying beside it (moved so I could clear the cutting area). There’s a pile of Dresden Plate blocks on the right…I don’t like their background now.

A sorted pile of squares…

On the design wall: on the left, 4 Winding Way blocks; a Dresden Plate modern style quilt project; Halie’s doll quilt blocks; serpentine Dresden color run; Mike & Rebecca’s replacement Double Wedding Ring blocks (remember their original quilt top is being quilted by the Pioneer Quilters, so I needed to make them another.)

My ironing station, with a Round Robin quilt that Debby and I worked on together. Those are Dresden Plate blades on the board.

Debby made this quilt as a commemoration of a visit to our Elkton home, called “Memories of Oregon.”

These tubs and kids’ carseats do NOT belong in my studio! Aargh!

A clent’s quilt in progress

I drew ten designs for the Grandmother’s Flower Garden; the back side shows the quilting

These shelving units and cupboard have all my longarm tools, reference books, thread, and quilts stored in them. The quilt above the shelf is done by Sheila Steers, purchased at the Small Quilt Auction for EVQ, 2010

And assorted treasure

Family photos on the front of the storage cupboard. No, you can’t look inside!!

Matt about 4, I think; I’m in my 30’s in our kitchen/dining room at the ranch. What you see is all there was to that kitchen. Notice the drawer being used as a cutting board.

Michal at 17…Rebecca had painted his face for Halloween…

A display plaque from Pioneer Quilters as a thank you for chairing our quilt show

This is our “hospital” quilt. Whenever a family member is in the hospital, this quilt goes with them. Apparently we are all healthy right now!

Quilt from a photoshopped picture taken at Black Sheep Gathering 2002(?) and a cute plaque Debby gave me

Our antique Cuckoo clock, and a quilt by Sandie Massett purchased at the Small Quilt Auction for EVQ 2010

Fat quarters from the Fat Quarter Queen (every year at PIQF Debby buys me a dozen new fat quarters) and Sporty Barbie wearing a 1st Place medal I won in a 10k race years ago…a table topper made by Ann Pfrender and a cow with yoyo flowers…
This is where the magic is supposed to happen. I supposed even magicians have times when all they do is just think about things…

Back to the fabrics for the table mat for Mike & Rebecca
So now I’m ready to cut those fabrics into pieces. I hope I will be able to sew a few seams, perhaps even complete a project?
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May 5, 2013 at 6:06 pm (Pioneer Quilters)
Tags: AQS, arts, barbara brackman, cottage grove, Crafts, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Family, Gammill, gwen marston, Lane County Fair, Lane County Historical Museum, longarm quilting, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt guild, quilt shows, quilter, quilting, quilting books, quilts, sewing, trunk show
This post was begun Saturday, April 27, 2013:
I can’t fully express my feelings this evening. Today we enjoyed a presentation by Molly Schiessl, owner of Fourth Corner Fine Quilt Gallery in Ashland, Oregon. Molly has recently relocated to Eugene, and agreed to share some of her antique quilt collection at our quilt show. The presentation was amazing!
She began by asking members of the audience what type of documentation they included on their quilts: the date, a dedication, signature of the quiltmaker, and even the age of the quiltmaker are all very useful information to attach to the quilt. Most historical quilts do not have that information; they are undated and unsigned. Molly’s collection dates from the 1840’s to the 1940’s. Here are a few photos of quilts she shared with us:

Crib quilt, probably from a kit

Closeup, isn’t it nice?
Here’s another one:

I love this circus theme!

And look what she also had!
So that tells you a lot about how common this kit must have been!!
Then she showed this sensational quilt, Elizabeth Norcross’ 1847 New Jersey Quaker Friendship Quilt. This quilt has inscriptions throughout the blocks, ink drawings, wonderful detail!

Truly a beautiful quilt!

One of my favorite blocks

Many unique blocks in this quilt

Note the spiral inscription here!
More information is available about antique quilts at www.fcfquilts.com
But before I finish this post, let me just show you this marvelous example of Broderie Perse

1819 Broderie Perse Quilt

Here’s a nice closeup. The workmanship is wonderful!
Seeing these marvelous quilts made my heart sing! Quilting transcends the generations, and I can imagine the quilters who lived long ago as well as the quilters yet to be. We were so fortunate to have Molly Schiessl share her wonderful quilts with us!
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April 25, 2013 at 3:36 am (Pioneer Quilters, Presentations)
Tags: arts, cottage grove, Crafts, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Gammill, Lane County Fair, Lane County Historical Museum, longarm quilting, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt shows, quilting, quilting books, quilts, sewing
Remember the Jellyroll Quilt? Within the first hour we had a bid of $175 for it. The prospective buyer very graciously suggested we continue to display the quilt and accept further bids on it throughout the show. So we have a silent auction set up for that quilt! If you would like to bid on the quilt, simply speak with the Lane County Historical Museum staff to place a bid. Yes, we’re very excited!!
AND the Boutique items are just as wonderful this year as in past years:

Aren’t these fabric bowls beautiful?
We also have wonderful sets of coasters, made using the same technique, in many colors!

Show your loyalty with a pincushion!

“For the Love of Yo-Yo’s”
We still have some wonderful bags for you to choose from. Here is one made of selvedges:

Selvedge edge zippered bag

You can’t have too many pincushions…
Even the most expensive boutique items (in the $20 range) are priced at less than the supplies to make them. The Pioneer Quilters group works throughout the year to create these delightful and useful items for our sewing pleasure. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Museum!
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April 25, 2013 at 3:22 am (Pioneer Quilters, Presentations)
Tags: AQS, arts, barbara brackman, cottage grove, Crafts, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Gammill, gwen marston, Lane County Fair, Lane County Historical Museum, longarm quilting, Northwest Quilt Exposition, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt shows, quilting, quilting books, quilts, sewing
The Pioneer Quilters Unbroken Thread Quilt Show, “Our Quilting Family,” opened to an enthusiastic crowd of quilt lovers this past Tuesday, April 23, 2013! Our featured quilters, Joyce Garrett and Jamie Wagle, were busy throughout the day, sharing their wonderful exhibit with attendees.

The Featured Quilters display area. Jamie’s Celtic Applique quilt is shown on the right and Joyce’s “Leaves” hanging on the left.
These sisters have done many projects together throughout the years, and in many cases have their quilts displayed side by side, as the Twisted Ribbon Bargello quilts are.

Twisted Ribbon Bargello. Jamie’s is on the right

Signature Quilts. Which one is Joyce’s?
Throughout the day their display area has been very busy as show attendees stop to view their work and discuss it with them.

Joyce (on the right) at the exhibit

Jamie, comparing signature quilts both she and Joyce have displayed

Another stunner! Whose is it?
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April 24, 2013 at 3:58 am (Pioneer Quilters, Presentations)
Tags: AQS, arts, barbara brackman, cottage grove, Crafts, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Gammill, guild president, gwen marston, Lane County Fair, Lane County Historical Museum, longarm quilting, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt guild, quilt shows, quilter, quilting, quilting books, quilts, sewing, trunk show
We enjoyed a thrilling presentation by Eugene Modern Quilt Guild President Jessica Beaudet Wednesday afternoon, “The Modern Quilt Movement & Trunk Show.” And what a trunk show she shared with us!
Jessica is an accomplished and passionate speaker; I am so very glad I was able to hear her presentation:

Jessica Beaudet
She very generously shared her knowledge of the Modern Quilt Movement, reminding the audience that we all speak the same quilting language, no matter what the form of our communication is: in person, by telephone, or by internet connection. She uses the internet as a tool to enhance and share her quilting knowledge with quilters worldwide.

Jeanne Wong introducing Jessica
And here are some of the quilts! (Please excuse the head views — every seat was taken today!)

This “Improvised Chair” quilt is shown sideways to display the hour that belongs just to Jessica

Isn’t this compelling?

Note the setting of the bolder blocks — just a slightly different take

A traditional block, a red & green quilt, but with a definite color edge!
We thank Jessica profusely, for her presentation at the show today! Our community is so fortunate to have such a talented and generous quilter in our midst!
And lastly, exhibited in our show, is a marvelous quilt by Jenny Bonynge (quilted by Cynthia Brunz) in the modern aesthetic.

“First Flight” by Jenny Bonynge
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April 20, 2013 at 4:33 pm (Client Quilts)
Tags: arts, cottage grove, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Lane County Fair, Lane County Historical Museum, longarm quilting, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt shows, quilting, quilts, sewing
This quilt belongs to Ann P. who asked me to put feathers on it. Twist my arm! Please, could I put feathers on it? Ann is one of those quilters who does everything right. She trims the extra threads from the seam allowances on the back. The quilt and back are pressed and folded carefully to avoid any extra wrinkling of the fabric. She pays careful attention to each detail, and that really makes a difference in the finished quilt.

The quilt and backing are square. All these details take time and effort, but they really make a difference when I begin to work on the quilt.
I placed a feathered wreath in the center of the “plain” block, and a feathered “V” shape from the center of the “X” block. That combined nicely with the feathered wreath to create an extended design.

Feathered Wreath
Inside the red chain patches I put a very small continuous feather sprig to create a continuity of movement.

Detail of “X” block
Ann used a double sawtooth border for this quilt, a feature that elevates the quilt visually. I wanted the sawtooth to show and puff a bit, so I put a very simple continuous curve in it.

Ann’s Extra Touch
Then I placed a very curvy feather along the entire border, again adding movement and softness.
This entire quilt was a pleasure to work on, and I’m very pleased with the results. It is, however, difficult to see your quilting when you’re working with toile, so I had to work without the machine light on — otherwise I couldn’t see the stitches!

Here’s a little bit of the back!
Look for this quilt at the Pioneer Quilters’ 37th Annual Unbroken Thread Quilt Show, April 23-28, 2013, at the Lane County Historical Museum, Lane County Fairgrounds. The show opens at 10am and closes at 4pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday, the last day of the show, the hours are 10am through 4pm.
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April 15, 2013 at 1:23 am (Presentations)
Tags: arts, cottage grove, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Gammill, Lane County Fair, Lane County Historical Museum, longarm quilting, Northwest Quilt Exposition, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt shows, quilting, quilts, sewing

April 23-28, 2013, the 37th Annual Unbroken Thread Quilt Show will be presented by the Pioneer Quilters and Lane County Historical Society and Museum. The theme this year is “Our Quilting Family,” appropriate for our featured quilters, sisters Joyce Garrett and Jamie Wagle.
Joyce and Jamie have an impressive body of work to share during this show. They have been members of Pioneer Quilters for many years, and have accumulated a number of friendship quilts and projects done together, but with individual style. You will be astonished at the breadth of their work!
Our show will exhibit over 100 quilts, made by quilters in our local area as well as Pioneer Quilters. Each year the show is a fabulous display of local talent.
The Pioneer Quilters enjoy sharing quilting knowledge with the public, so each day the show features demonstrations and speaker presentations.
Speaker presentations are each day from 1-2, and every one is a “must-attend” this year.

Mary Maxwell’s “A World View” presentation and trunk show, 2012
Tuesday April 23 features Art Quilter Sheila Steers (last year’s featured quilter) speaking on “What if…”
Sheila began quilting in 1976, and has studied color theory and taken workshops from internationally known instructors, using that information to challenge herself with each project. You will enjoy insights into Sheila’s creative process as she asks the inner question, “What if…”
Demonstrations run from 10:30-12 and from 2-3:30. Each demo will show a technique or project, with tips and information for you to try at home.

Jayne Scoggin’s demo on Small Purses 2012
Tuesday April 23, will feature “BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag” demonstration by Merline Smith from 10:30-12, and “Embroidery 101” by Jeanette Singler from 2-3:30.
Everywhere you look you will see quilts and more quilts. The Museum also exhibits quilts from its wonderful collection.
And of course, the Pioneer Quilters are on hand, working on a quilt in the frame!

Hand Quilting each day during the show

This photo captures the essence of hand quilting at a frame. Quilting & Talking…

And more Quilting!
We hope you will join us!
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April 10, 2013 at 6:30 pm (Client Quilts)
Tags: AQS, arts, cottage grove, Crafts, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Gammill, longarm quilting, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt shows, quilting, quilts, sewing
This is another wonderful quilt by Jan G! You won’t find any intense feathers or bubbles or other quilting designs here; the quilting is and should be background, to emphasize the subject of the quilt, and hopefully enhance it. I can imagine this quilt in a dog-lover’s home:

Golden Days
This dog looks so true to life, I can almost feel its happy disposition. The green kerchief around its neck, and almost smile make me think I’m about to get a big loving lick, or maybe a request to go run in the park.

Closeup of the fur

The eyes sparkle!
And yet another quilt by Jan G, a nice throw quilt showcasing beautiful batik fabrics:

Very nice color choices!
The quilting is an allover feather and swirl design, inspired by the fabrics. You can see a little bit of it in this closeup:

A little bit of fun here
Even though the quilting isn’t dominant for these two quilts, it still plays an important supporting role, and I still have a lot of fun with little extra touches that can be viewed up close.
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April 8, 2013 at 2:20 am (Client Quilts)
Tags: arts, cottage grove, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, Family, Gammill, longarm quilting, Pioneer Quilters, quilt shows, quilting, quilts, sewing
These quilts were done during December 2012 and January 2013, but haven’t been published yet.

Starry Starry Night

Quilting Closeup

Quilting on the Back
I’ve quilted this quilt one time before, and I was very happy to see another one come to my frame. I’d like to make this quilt for myself, it’s just very beautiful. Here’s a little bit of the sky:

Morning Stars
And this quilt was done in January, a raffle quilt for the Daffodil Festival held each year at the Long Tom Grange, Junction City, Oregon. This was a five-part block of the month quilt through a magazine. The group followed the pattern, then in the last segment there was a note that the patterns for months 3 and 4 were published in the wrong size…oops…

Daffodil Quilt

I love these roses

The Cardinal and the Butterfly are just wonderful!
When you look at the overall view of the quilt, you can see the amount of work that went into each block. I could only imagine the amount of juggling the quilting group, led by Elenita Saltmarsh, had to do to make those pieces fit together seamlessly. I did have a copy of the magazine on hand and could see the very slight differences necessitated by the magazine’s mistake. The quilt is extremely beautiful, and I know its new owner loves it!
I still have a few more quilts to show; I’ll share them in a followup post.
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April 5, 2013 at 1:48 am (QuilterMan)
Tags: arts, cottage grove, emerald valley quilters, Eugene, fabric, longarm quilting, oregon, Pioneer Quilters, quilt shows, quilting, quilts, sewing
It’s a tried and true classic pattern, yes? And a good pattern for a new quilter.
So I talked it up…I showed John pictures of it. I looked around and finally found the pattern in my attic storage area. I haven’t gotten permission to show a photo of the pattern, but here is a photo (from a free images page) of a Yellow Brick Road quilt:

This is a nice example of the classic quilt pattern
So he looked at the pattern. Then he pulled fabrics from my stash:

This is my stash, or most of it…
He likes blue, so he was working with blues. I had forgotten there is quite a bit of cutting initially And, since I’ve been sewing for over 50 years, it’s hard for me to remember that he hasn’t learned to read patterns…so it was slow going there. By the time he had all the pieces cut out, he wasn’t interested in constructing the blocks.

Patches on the Design Wall
So he just put the patches up and kept working on them. I was a little flustered at this point. I really wanted him to get the idea of making a block, and using those blocks to construct a quilt. Er, umm…he was breaking the rules. Well I shouldn’t be surprised about that!

Quilt Number Two
So he just kept at it. and pretty soon a top emerged. He had controlled, for the most part, the placement of the values, and created a design he liked. Of course, this needed to go to the top of my quilting queue. So here’s a closeup of the quilting:

And one of the back:

The back is a deep blue flannel we bought at Joy of Quilting in Florence, Oregon. Just right for this top. So there’s Quilt Number Two for John, another really pretty piece.
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