QuiltCon Raleigh - Part 1

I've been home from QuiltCon, in Raleigh, North Carolina, for two days now. I continue to mentally process everything I saw there. From the opening of the event - the Awards Ceremony (which MQG members could watch via livestream) to my last workshop that ended at 9 PM Saturday evening, it was another incredible QuiltCon.

Here are a few interesting statistics about the MQG and QuiltCon. 

And, at the Awards Ceremony it was announced that more than 10,000 attendees were expected during the four days of the show. 

After seeing long lines - like a quarter-mile? - every morning before the show opened at 10 AM, my guess is that QuiltCon attendance surpassed 10,000.  

Once inside the Exhibit Hall, before descending on the escalator (or stairs), there was a panoramic view of the whole floor. Vendors were on the right; quilts were on the left. 

Vendors on the right

Quilts on the left

One of the most exciting moments was being present when the award for first place in the "American Patchwork and Quilting Super Scrappy Challenge" was announced. Our own Central Florida MQG member, Beth Shutty @blue_dragonfly5 won! We're so proud and happy for her!

Those members who were available (21 of our 56 members attended QuiltCon) met at Beth's quilt for pictures. 

And in case you don't know which person Beth is, we're pointing her out to you!

If you see QuiltCon magazine on the newsstand, you'll see Beth's quilt inside. 

In upcoming blog posts I'm planning to share quilt pictures of non-award-winning quilts, so if you'd like to see the winners, go to the QuiltCon website HERE. 

People

Besides quilts, it's the people that QuiltCon is about - those I enjoyed seeing again, and for the first time.

It was delightful to reconnect with dear friend Di @darlingdi from Sydney, Australia who was here in 2017 when we attended QuiltCon Savannah together. This is one of a half-dozen blog posts about her time here.

This is the second time I've met-up with Clara Stoikow @bimbambuki_blog, a lovely lady originally from Germany who currently lives in Manhattan. She made this quilt Scrappy Manhattan that won "Judge's Choice" from Stacey A. Watson.

(Left) Jo Avery @joaverystitch from Scotland was at QC again. I took her Improv Tiny Piecing workshop on Friday evening (more on that later). She and I swapped gifts. 

(Right) For the first time, I met Paola Machetta @cultofquilt of Italy, whose improv work I have admired since first seeing her Sealights quilt at QuiltCon Phoenix in 2022. 

While in a QuiltCon lecture by David Owen Hastings, I learned the he bought Paola's Sealights quilt!

Sealights by Paola Machete

Here's Paola with this year's Nightlights quilt. Doesn't it just glow?

Paola wanted a picture of us with my quilt, Feelin' Groovy made for the Maximalism Exhibit. I'm honored that she asked.

It was also fun to watch people as they looked at Feelin' Groovy.

Some of these sweet friend brought gifts for me.

From Di I received the key fob; from Jo I received the cute little stitchery; from Clara I received the adorable hand-stitched hexagon necklace fob; and the "I (heart) EPP" is from Tina Craig @seasidestitches (no picture). Gosh, it's difficult to remember to take pictures with friends! When you're in the moment, you're just enjoying their company, and not paying attention to making photo keepsakes. 

Such is the case with Candi Lennox @candipursuits of St. Augustine, Florida. Here's she's with a group quilt she made, inspired by a piece of Kaffe Fassett fabric!

Candi and I hung out together looking at quilts and vendor-shopping, and had lunch together... and never thought to take a picture of us together. Sheesh. I'm happy to say she has an eyeglass case and a fold-up shopping bag I gifted her. 

This is Debra Jalbert @madeofhonorquilts formerly of Clermont, Florida, who now lives in Tennessee. Debra made Big Stitch which hung in the Minimalist Category. I wish I had a close-up of this quilt so you could see that she pieced tiny blue and orange strips that she inset as skinny pieces. Impressive work!

I finally got to meet Tara Glastonbury @stitchandyarn who lives in Australia. At QuiltCon 2020, Tara bought my quilt L Cabin, which is now hanging in her Sydney studio. Tara recently wrote a great blog post Modern V Contemporary that I highly recommend reading. She makes a great case for understanding what modern is, and is not. 

Here is Tara with Multifarious Me, her entry in the "American Patchwork and Quilting Super Scrappy Challenge." Tara's quilt came in second place behind Beth's. 

After several Zoom workshops/meetings last year with Irene Roderick @hixsonir I finally got to meet her in person... and tell her exactly what I thought! That she's a very special instructor whose ability to educate me about how to do improv afforded me a big leap toward success. She's the person who helped me finally accept that I can do improv - albeit carefully, and not always successfully. I owe her a lot!

Also along improv lines, I met (L) Lenny van Eijk @modernstitchwitch, and (R) Annie Hudnut @anniehudnut, both of whom had multiple quilts in the show.

Lenny van Eijk made Alien Jungle (63" X 79") for the Piecing category.

Lenny made Summer Journey #1 (39" X 39") for the Use of Negative Space category. 

And Lenny made Summer Journey #3 (39" X 39") for the Use of Negative Space category.

Annie Hudnut made Spin (74" X 75") for the Modern Traditionalism category. 

And, Summer Cherries (64" X 57') in the Use of Negative Space category.

I could certainly keep going, but will share more in a future post. Linda

QuiltCon Ahead!

It's been a bit of a whirlwind for the past five days, as I've scrambled to fulfill commitments and prepare for QuiltCon.

I had a "Squirrel!" moment last Friday when I saw on Instagram that Sewingtimes Nancy had posted a new, free YouTube tutorial: DIY Reusable Shopping Bag. It seemed like the perfect thing to tuck in my purse, for possible (HA!) QuiltCon vendor shopping. 

Back in 2016 I won an Instagram giveaway of a Kona Kaufman fabric panel, and this was the perfect way to use the whole piece!

You can see the pocket into which the bag is folded. 

It's about 5" square when all tucked-up - a nice, portable size.

I also made two more bags using other Florida-themed prints that I anticipate giving away at QuiltCon.

Friday brought a delivery... another Instagram giveaway. I know, I know... I'm fortunate! 😇

For linking @magicfabriccare to my Unallocated scrap quilt IG post, I won these seven items from Magic Fabric Care, a division of Faultless, in Kansas City.

1. (front) iron cleaner, in a tube

2. (L-R) Quilting & Crafting Spray (mist, 16 ozs.)

3. Quilting & Crafting Fabric Fresh
4. Quilting & Crafting Spray (aerosol)
5. Quilting & Crafting Steamer Boost
6. Quilting & Crafting Fine Mist Sprayer 
7. Quilting & Crafting Spray (mist, 3 ozs.)

I've already tried Quilting & Crafting Fabric Fresh, so I know it works beautifully to remove wrinkles from even the most-wrinkled quilting cotton. It will be a real treat to use the other products too! Thank you, @MagicFabricCare! 

A Saturday trip two hours south took me to Sarasota where I gave a Big Stitch Quilting and More program and trunk show to about 40 members of the Sarasota MQG. 

After lunch, most of them stayed for the stitching demo.

The program coordinator, Lois, prepared kits so everyone could try big stitch quilting with perle cotton on a quilt sandwich made with linen. 

If you notice lots of pink linen, that's because Lois found an inexpensive pink linen tablecloth to cut up and make kits. Great idea!

How's this for a little connection? Lois, the Sarasota MQG program coordinator took my domestic machine quilting workshop when I taught in Rock Hill, South Carolina in August 2017 (during the eclipse!)! When she became program coordinator in Sarasota, she remembered that I teach! Thank you for inviting me, Lois! I had a wonderful time with your chapter.

On Sunday, with my best Bible study friend, Jody, I had the privilege to again go to the movie theater to see episodes 4, 5, and 6 of Season 4 of The Chosen.

Every episode continues to be thought-provoking, and (for me) very emotional. So many things that were portrayed - for example, the Mary and Martha story (Luke 10: 38-42) - that provide vivid and profound moments of understanding that move me, and have enlighten my thoughts and the reality that Jesus lived on earth!

I pray for Dallas Jenkins, writer and director of this series. He's taking on a great responsibility to portray Jesus in a manner that's Biblical, authentic, and plausible. For his efforts he's answering to some criticisms, and I admire the thoughtful and caring way he responds.

made by Ashelyn Downs

Now I'm attending to last-minute QuiltCon preparations. Packing. And prepping supplies for two workshops.

I've pulled fabrics for Large Scale Minimal Improv that's Friday evening from 6 to 9 PM.

This quilt sample was made by the instructor, Ashelyn Downs @urbandwellstudio

We are to bring one or two inspiration fabrics. The Dutch-made African print along the bottom is my color inspiration. I purchased that piece at the October 2021 Broward Quilt Expo in Pembroke Pines, Florida. 

Fabrics along the top are (L-R) accent colors; five neutral linens; three solids; two neutral prints; and three pieces of denim. It remains to be seen whether I use them all. 

I'm also taking Jo Avery's Improv Tiny Piecing workshop which requires a much less extensive fabric pull. 

Book Recommendation

Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III is the story of Tom Lowe, a happily married man with a young son, who works too hard in his construction business. He's always worked long hours to get ahead - to give his family everything they want and deserve. Then, one fateful day while roofing without a safety harness, he falls off a roof. Overnight he's thrown into a pain-filled world - with burning hip pins - that lead to drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and the ruin of his marriage and relationship with his son.

Now Tom is getting by, day by day, living from one disability check to the next in subsidized housing where he's neighbors with others like himself who are struggling to get by. 

As he lays the blame for his problems at others feet Tom's situation goes from bad to worse. It's the fault of the banker who loaned money at an adjustable rate for the home Tom build. It's the fault of his wife who left him for an attorney who could provide a better life.

Such Kindness would be great for a book club discussion! I would be interested to know others' views on Tom's character as he evolved from being frustrated and blaming, to sincere gratefulness and appreciation. 

The only thing I didn't care for was the narration. Believe it or not, the author himself, Andre Dubus III reads the book. I found his droning monotone voice less than compelling, and without distinction among different characters. If it weren't for the narrator, I would have scored it higher.

Linda's score: 4.0/5.0 

QuiltCon Ahead!

I don't know this fella, but his name is Larrie, and he's going to QuiltCon. My friend Candi, tagged me when she saw this Instagram picture and spotted my Log Jam quilt behind Larrie. It's my quilt that was displayed at QuiltCon Atlanta (2023) in the "Log Cabin Challenge" category. Apparently Larrie liked it! Though Larrie was not the buyer of Log Jam which sold at last year's QuiltCon. 

So indeed... Raleigh, here I come! I'm riding there with two quilty friends. We plan to arrive in time for the QuiltCon awards ceremony. If you're a member of The Modern Quilt Guild, you too can watch the award ceremony! Clink the link to watch, Wednesday, February 21, 7 PM Eastern time. 

Until next week, when I'll have lots of QuiltCon pictures and blogging to do, happy making my friends! Linda

Wading Through WIPs

With two quilt events coming up, my attentions have been somewhat distracted. I've made slight progress on projects, dilly-dallying on WIPs. I'm not in the right head space to think about starting something new.

With my Prudence quilt top finished at 58" X 58", it was time to piece a backing.

During last week's South Florida MQG's "Sip 'n Sew" Zoom get-together, Jessica suggested I make a backing using black and white stripes, cut and pieced like an hourglass block. Since I don't have enough black and white stripe to do that (yes, my stash is dwindling!), her idea triggered something different. 

I cut a 24" X 24" square - the largest cut I could get - from a Freespirit, Anna Maria Horner print called "Fluent, Passport." 

Then I searched for anything in my stash that coordinated with it. I turned up a 2007 orange tone-on-tone RJR print. I used nearly all of it. 

Lastly, I cut striped setting triangles from a diagonally-printed black and white stripe from Blank Quilting Corp., called "Paradox." The backing measures 60" X 60" so I don't have much wiggle room for quilting. 

For the first time, I used Hobbs Tuscany Cotton Wool Blend for the quilt sandwich. Christa Watson said in a lecture (last year) that it's her favorite batting because it's light weight, breathable (cotton), and doesn't hold a fold (wool). We'll see. 

So far, it's quilting great! Maybe credit is due to my wonderful Bernina 770QE. 😁

I set my Bernina to a 3.10 stitch length, and reduce the tension to 4.5 because I'm using 100-weight thread, ivory-colored Wonderfil Invisifil on top. In the bobbin is orange-colored Aurifil 50-weight thread. I've walking foot quilted diagonally across the quilt, through the striped fabric pieces. 

Once the quilt has been stabilized with walking foot quilting, I'll switch to ruler quilting. I want to quilt concentric circles in each small medallion block.

Also, I dug out blocks made for a Glitter quilt, designed by Jen Kingwell in her book Quilt Lovely. I haven't touched these blocks for a year! I know this because I write notes to myself. I have made 92 blocks and need 152 for the quilt.

Using a set of Glitter templates, I cut out more shapes. Then on the diagonal, I arranged nine-patch looking portion to machine-piece.

After I pressed seams, I stacked the four inset corners for each block with its machine-sewn section (pile on the left), They're ready for hand-piecing to set-in that "bent" seam. I learned early-on that my attempts to machine-sew those seams was less than satisfactory. So hand-piecing it is (far right)! 

Since I'm riding with two friends to QuiltCon, the stack of prepared-to-handpiece blocks will go with me, 

Also, I continue to stitch this hand embroidery piece started in June 2023. It's an enlarged design from Sarah Thomas's book Color Your Own Sariditty Sketchbook, embroidered with Wonderfil size 8 pearl cotton. 

I'm trying to create interest with a variety of stitches. This looks better in person than it does in these pictures. 

Book Recommendations

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas is the first book in the Hathaway series that takes place in London and rural England in the 1800s. The story focuses on Amelia, the "responsible sister" who, because their parents have died, looks after her two younger sisters, and her older, irresponsible brother who has inherited a title and a deteriorating manor house and lands. 

Amelia meets a handsome man, "a Rom" (gypsy) by the name of Cam who has a reputation for managing and making money, and seducing with women. Being a respectable English lady, albeit a poor one, Amelia tries to resist a physical attraction to Cam. But when they find themselves in neighboring estates and in social situations that keep them in contact, their attraction grows. All the while, Amelia is despairing over her brother, a fragile sister who's recovering from scarlet fever, and keeping the secret of her youngest sister whose kleptomania must be the result of stress. 

In comes Cam to sweep Amelia off her feet (literally) and give her the emotional support she insists she doesn't need. I kept wanting to say to Amelia, "For being a fine English woman, you sure are willing to risk scandal by falling into bed... again and again." 

Linda's score: 3.6/5.0

Scrublands by Chris Hammer is the first book in the Martin Scarsden series. This won't be the last time I look for this author. 

Martin Scarsden is a reporter with the Sydney Morning Herald whose past experiences, hidden from the Taliban for three days in the trunk of a vehicle, has scarred him. His editor thinks Martin needs a change of scenery, so he's is assigned to write a "one year later" story about the citizens of a nearly abandoned (fictional) town, Riversend located near Bellington (also fictional), in the Outback.

The story Martin must write begins with the aftereffects of a Sunday morning, a year ago, when everyone's favorite priest, Bryon Swift, unexpectedly goes postal and shoots five men outside the church. Byron himself is then killed by a local policeman, so no one knows why Byron did the unthinkable.

At the Oasis bookstore/coffee shop, one of the few Riversend businesses that's open daily, Martin meets the beautiful owner, Mandalay Blonde. Then he meets the town's former mayor, drawing lagers at a local bar. The longer Martin stays in Riversend the more people he gets to know, and the more unanswered questions he uncovers. 

Mr. Hammer does a good job describing the environs. So much so that I could feel the 40C (104F) heat and dust in the air; could hear the quiet of the town except for rumbling bikies motoring through; and could see the red sunset due to smoke from bush fires. Hammer is an excellent writer! Though a couple scenes were pretty graphic - Codger lives in a ramshackle house in the scrubland and often doesn't wear clothes because of the heat - the locale, people, and interconnected storylines held my interest.

No surprise, Aussie narrator Rupert Degas, was fantastic! A couple characters spoke with full-blown Australian accents - the kind I describe as full of low, guttural "oi" sounds - that were so believable as to almost be difficult to understand. So, all in all, I highly recommend this one!

Linda's score: 4.4/5.0

Linda

Gearing Up

Days are passing fast and furiously, and I'm trying to keep activities and preparations in order.

I'll be leading our Central Florida MQG meeting this Saturday morning. The following week I'm giving a  Big Stitch Quilting and More program to members of the Sarasota MQG.

Then there's QuiltCon, with supplies to pull together for two workshops: Improv Tiny Piecing with Jo Avery @joaverystitch and Large Scale Minimal Improv with Ashelyn Downs @urbamdwellstudio While I have lots of small fabric bits for Jo's workshop, I have a limited stash of "woven fabrics" needed for Ashelyn's workshop. I'll fill in the gaps at QuiltCon vendor booths.

I've prepped gifts for friends I'll see at QuiltCon. I had fun choosing fabrics to make 15 eyeglass cases using this tutorial by Quilters Candy. 

Progressing on my Prudence quilt, I hand-appliqued the quilt center onto four borders. 

After much angst, consulting with friends, and a FaceTime with Candi @candipursuits for final input, I settled on this tone-on-tone black print for borders. Though some quiltmakers suggested I go with another color - most were fond of a solid deep burgundy/merlot color - I would have had to buy fabric, which is something I really don't want to do. So, I went with what I had. 

The Prudence quilt top measures 58" X 58", and I'm satisfied with it. Coming up with a backing from stash will be my next challenge! I'll definitely need to cobble together different prints.

Prudence quilt top, 58" x 58"

Book Recommendations

Matrix by Lauren Groff was recommended by author Ann Patchett in a @parnassusbooks Instagram video.

The story spans the late 1100 to early 1200s, relating the life of Marie, the product of rape by a nobleman. Marie is physically a giantess among her peers, and has no prospects for a match, so Eleanor, queen of the royal court, sends Marie to an impoverished abbey in England. There, Marie is forced to accept her circumstances. She rises to challenges, embraces the faith, and documents visions sent by the Holy Mother. She turns the abbey from impoverished to flourishing.

This was a disappointing listen. Some references to events and documents were obscure, and I didn't care for explicit descriptions of relationships among some of the nuns. 

Linda's score: 3.4/5.0

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth is an older title about a 38 year old woman with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Anne knows she will succumb to it because it's the same disease her mother had. Though Anne is a skilled paramedic, a number of signs indicate she's beginning to lose thoughts, and she doesn't want to endanger people in her care.

Her brother and his family take her in, but soon Anne reluctantly agrees that moving into a 12-person private residence called Rosalind House, will provide the reliable care she needs. There she meets Luke, another young person with a similar diagnosis.

Due to her husband's public Ponzi scheme, Eve and her seven year-old daughter must find a new place to live. Though Eve is a trained culinary chef, she takes the job of cook and housekeeper at Rosalind house because it's in her daughter's school district. Eve and her daughter makes friends, and Eve observes a special relationship between Anne and Luke - one that their families want to stop. Yet Eve recognizes that as their conditions progress, Anne and Luke increasingly need each other. 

I appreciated listening to this book because of its relevance to people I've met or know who have dementia/Alzheimer's disease. It gave me insight into how the disease progresses, and its ramifications on families and the patient.

Linda's score: 4.2/5.0

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a fast-paced story that begins with Evie's relationship with her boyfriend Jake, and the fact that she's is living a lie. While she's fallen for Jake, he's also her mark - she's supposed to find out more about a business he's running, one other than his public position as a financial investor. 

As Evie looks back on her career of stealing items and secrets, her story is revealed through several aliases she's used, and places she's lived. Since her mother's death, no one knows she's really Lucca Marino. So when Evie meets another woman who introduces herself as Lucca Marino, Evie is shocked and scared. Could her boss, Mr. Smith, be communicating something to her? It's time for Evie to find out who Mr. Smith really is, and why he's insistent that she has information she's keeping from him - vital information that he wants. As Evie is keeping her true identity secret, she's also wondering how much Jake knows and isn't admitting. 

 

This story was engaging, and kept me wondering. When it was over, I continued to think about the interconnections. How in the world did the author put together such a story? It had to have been "assembled backward" to make it work! 

Linda's score: 4.2/5.0

Wednesday evening a friend and I went to the local movie theater to see the first three episodes of Season Four of The Chosen. Except for a five minute intermission, we were in our seats from 3 to 6:50 PM. 

My goodness! The episodes were incredible, with really thought-provoking lessons for believers in Jesus. I especially appreciated how each episode begins with a short Old Testament incident (like David and Bathsheba, just as their infant son has died), and related it to the New Testament story. It was extremely impactful.

If you can't get to a movie theater to watch The Chosen now, be sure to look for it when it's released!

Simply download the free The Chosen app. Then start watching the first three seasons for free! I highly recommend them! Last year I was in a virtual three session Bible study about them and can't recommend them highly enough. Season four will soon be available on the app too. 

Today I power-walked four miles, and really enjoyed the weather. February in Florida - 70F with 52% humidity. Perfect!

Linda

End of January

I am continuing to track fabric usage in 2024.

As my "Fearless Curved Piecing" improv quilt remains stagnant on the design wall, January became a month of only a few finishes, and even those finishes were small. I used not quite five yards of fabric, and made no fabric purchases.

Recent finishes are... a Pelican Tote Bag, a free pattern from Bagstock Designs. I've made the free Sunshine Crossbody bag too, and have found Bagstock patterns to be well-written. 

Fabrics are Anna Maria Horner's "Echinacea" print, purchased a couple years ago from Sew Modern Chicky; and an aqua faux leather purchased at last year's QuiltCon from the Sallie Tomato booth. 

For my Pelican Tote, I used add-on instructions to install a recessed zipper.

In addition to an exterior pocket, the pattern calls for an interior zipper pocket (I can't live without that). I also added to the opposite lining side, a sectioned slip pocket. 

In January, after taking Timna Tarr's Map Making workshop, I finished a 19½" X 24½" map quilt.

Since learning how to make such a quilt, I am itching to start another one that's been brewing in my mind for more than a year. It involves my four different, four-mile power walking routes. 

This fun 2005 "Beach Babes" print is the map quilt backing and facing. 

A line dancing friend to whom I gifted a bowl buddy for Christmas, asked for two more. These also came from my sewing room in January. 

I'm not sure how much sewing will happen in February due to me giving a program to the Sarasota MQG, and attending QuiltCon. Actually, I'm facing the real possibility that fabric may be purchased at QuiltCon! I'm only hoping I can remind myself to keep purchases to a minimum - out of necessity.

😀

Book Recommendations

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim was an unexpected surprise, primarily because it was about something I know little about - a type of autism called Angelman syndrome. 

The Parks family lives in Virginia, near a large parkland. They'r Korean-American. with three kids - 20 year-old twins, Mia and John; and 14 year-old Eugene who has Angelman syndrome, that leaves him unable to speak.

Dad and Eugene go for their daily walk. Eugene returns home covered in mud, and runs to his room to jump on the bed, a sure sign that Eugene's emotions are running high. Mia thinks he's had a disagreement with their dad. However, as time passes and dad doesn't return home, the police become involved and a search begins. They need to find and speak to a particular person, but everyone is challenges further because of COVID - places that have needed information are closed, and hospitals aren't allowing visitors.  

Ms. Kim has written an engaging story - a sort of mystery - and woven it into a beautiful story with insights into the frustrating perspective of a person who's unable to communicate. Even with incredible patience and perseverance is understanding possible?   

Linda's score: 4.4/5.0

Of the eight books I listened to in January, these six title earned my score of 4.0 or better. You can find reviews of each title in January blog posts. 

Linda