Posted by ovbrantley on November 12, 2009
Gone are the days when quilters used whatever was on hand to stuff inside their quilts. The type of batting used can greatly affect the quilting process as well as the finished look of your quilt.
Many quilters are purists and will only use 100 per cent cotton batting in their quilts. However, there are battings that are 80 per cent cotton and 20 per cent polyester that machine quilters say is a perfect combination.
Hand quilters are concerned about being able to push the need through easily. Wool batting is often at the top of the list for hand quilters. Many say the neddle slides through the quilt like a knife through melted butter.
Now organic battings have entered the market, and those who are environmentally conscious will only quilt with organic batting.
After choosing a batting type, the decisions do not end there. You must also consider the loft. Do you want a very thin batting which is often used for wallhangings or do you want a puffy look?
The wise thing to do is to experiment. You may find that you will use different types of batting depending on the quilt you are working on.
What is your favorite batting?
Posted in Quilt School | Tagged: batting, quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on November 11, 2009
- Pray for Peace, by Evelyn Holmes, Atlanta, GA
This beautiful quilt was created by Evelyn Holmes of Atlanta, GA. It is a moving tribute to the men and women who serve in the armed services.
Evelyn Holmes
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: art quilter, fiber art, Afircan American quilter, Pray for Peace, Evelyn Holmes, Veteran's Day, military quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on November 11, 2009
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: Veteran's Day | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on November 8, 2009
Early quilters had little more than needle, thread and scraps when they set about making a quilt. My, how things have changed. Take thread for instance. The choices are astounding!
Most quilters use cotton thread in a neutral color such as tan or gray for piecing, but that is only the beginning. Choices for quilting the quilt sandwich seem endless. There are variegated threads, metallic threads, silk threads, polyester threads, cotton threads and embroidery threads. Each type comes in every color of the rainbow. You are limited only by your imagination.
What type of threads do you use?
Posted in Quilt School | Tagged: quilt, thread | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on November 4, 2009
When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall by Jeanette Walton, 2009.
When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall was featured in the November 1, 2009 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter. It was created by Jeanette Walton.
Jeanette says this quilt remained unfinished for over five years. She had taken a class to learn to make the quilt only to discover that her skills were not advanced enough at that time. Frustrated, she put it away. (That tiny half square triangle border is harder than you think). Luckily for us, Jeanette returned to her project and is able to share this beautiful quilt with us.
Jeanette Walton
If you are not able to make it up to the Georgia mountains to admire the majesty of nature during leaf season, When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall is the next best thing. It is currently on loan to the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-Purpose Center, 2885 Church Street, East Point, GA.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: African American quilter, Jeanette Walton, Start Your Week with a Quilt, When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on November 4, 2009
Cash awards totaling $44,250 will be presented at the 2010 American Quilter’s Society Show and Contest to be held in Lancaster, PA, March 24-27, 2010. Entry deadline is December 1, 2009. For more details, visit www.AmericanQuilter.com.
Posted in Call For Entries | Tagged: American Quilter's Society, Lancaster Pennsylvania, quilt contest | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on November 1, 2009
The World Quilt Show will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida November 13 -15, 2009. There will be over 400 quilts from 10 countries on display. Show hours are 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Admisssion is $12.00
Visit www.worldquilt.com for more information.
Posted in Quilt News, Quilt Travel | Tagged: quilts, West Palm Beach, World Quilt Show | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 28, 2009
Mischievous Pumpkin by Vickie Clark
The featured quilt of the week in the October 25, 2009 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter was Mischievous Pumpkin and it was created by Vickie Clark. It was featured as a friendly reminder that Halloween is Saturday.
Vickie Clark
Vickie designed the pattern for this 32 x 32 inch quilt which is on sale at Quilts and Fixins quilt shop located in Jonesboro, GA. The pumpkin is made from chenille to give him extra texture, and showcased against a background of friendly ghost fabric. The pumpkin border carries out the theme of the quilt.
Hang this little guy on your wall, add lots of candy and a fun costume, and you will be ready for Halloween. I think I hear the door bell.
Trick or Treat!!!
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Mischievous Pumpkin, Start Your Week with a Quilt, Vickie Clark | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 26, 2009
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, located in Augusta, GA, is currently exhibiting a group of quilts from its permanent collection and from quilters in the area. The exhibit opened October 1, 2009 and will continue through November 30, 2009.
Visit the web site at www.lucycraftlaneymuseum.com for museum hours.
Posted in Quilt Exhibits | Tagged: Lucy Craft Laney Museum, quilt exhibit | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 25, 2009
Hammonds House Museum has been a true partner to the African-American quilting community in Atlanta. It co-sponsors the Clara Ford Quilt Lecture series with the Clara Ford Foundation, and it has featured quilts in its gallery.
The museum will hold its annual fundraiser at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2009 at the Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA. The fundraiser has a Harlem Renaissance theme and will include a theatrical performance, food, auction and music.
Visit www.hammondshouse.org to purchase tickets. If you cannot make the gala, consider purchasing a membership.
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: Clara Ford Quilt Lecture series, Hammonds House Museum, Southwest Arts Center | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 21, 2009
Love and Prayers, by Maxine Moore
Pink is everywhere these days because October is breast cancer awareness month. I dare say quilters were probably leaders in the breast cancer awareness movement, so the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter could not let the month go by without showcasing a breast cancer quilt.
The October 18, 2009 featured quilt was made for Gail with the help of her brother Kenny. It was made by Maxine Moore.
The quilt prominently features the pink ribbon that has come to symbolize breast cancer awareness. Pictures of family members are also incorporated into the quilt.
Maxine reports that the recipient of this quilt was in the middle of her treatment when she received this quilt. She is now in remission — a testimony to the power of love.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Breast Cancer Awareness, fiber art, Love and Prayers, Maxine Moore, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 21, 2009
A new book entitled 500 Art Quilts is scheduled for release in March, 2010. It is published by Lark Books.
Several African American quilters will be featured in the book. One of them is Renee Allen of Atlanta, GA. Her quilt call Hallelujah! is shown below. You will definitely want to add this book to your quilt library.
If you have a quilt in the book, drop a comment so that we can all make a special effort to look for it. Thanks!
Hallelujah! by Renee Allen
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, fiber art, Halleleujah!, Lark Books, Renee Allen | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 15, 2009
Yes We Can!, by Elisa Woods, 2009.
This week the world paused to recognize the remarkable honor bestowed on President Barack Obama. As the world knows by now, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. So the featured quilt in the October 11, 2009, Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter was an “Obama quilt” called Yes We Can! by Elisa Woods.
President Obama has inspired and moved many people around the world to take action. Quilters are no exception.
Elisa Woods
Elisa says she was very inspired by the election and subsequent inauguration of President Obama. In fact, she attended the inauguration with her brother Marvell Collins who passed away shortly thereafter. With President Obama and her brother forever linked in her heart, Elisa has created a series of “Obama quilts” that are for sale.
Visit www.obamaquilt.com to see other quilts in the series and to purchase if you wish.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: African American quilter, Barack Obama, Elisa Woods, Nobel Peace Prize, Yes We Can! | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 15, 2009
One of the first lessons a future master quilter must learn is how to sew a quarter inch seam. Garment patterns are based on a one-half inch seam, but quilt patterns are not. If you want your points to be pointy and your seams to match, practice, practice, practice to sew an accurate quarter inch seam if you are using patterns.
Once you are a master quilter or quilt artist, it probably won’t matter, because you can do your own thing. But until then, learning to sew a precise quarter inch seam is the most important lesson you can learn in quilt school.
Posted in Quilt School | Tagged: quilt piecing, Quit School | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 7, 2009
Blazin' by Cathy Johnson, 2009.
When describing the month of October, Anne Mary Lawler wrote:
“The fields are harvested and bare,
And Winter whistles through the square.
October dresses in flame and gold
Like a woman afraid of growing old.”
In keeping with such a poetic description of October, the October 4, 2009 featured quilt in the Start Your Week With a Quilt© newsletter was Blazin’. It was created by Cathy Johnson.
Cathy Johnson
This 38 x 55 inch bargello quilt was made from a pattern called ribbons in motion in a class taught by Jeanette Walton. Cathy pieced the quilt, and Maxine Moore machine quilted it.
The key to a successful bargello quilt is the fabric choices. Here, Cathy’s choice of vibrant oranges and lush greens on a brown background make this a beautiful October quilt.
Blazin’ is currently on loan to the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-Purpose Facility, located at 2885 Church Street, East Point, GA.
Posted in Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, bargello quilt, Blazin', Cathy Johnson, fiber art, H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-purpose Facility, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on October 4, 2009
The International Quilt Festival, the mother of all quilt shows, opens in Houston, Texas October 15 and continues through October 18, 2009. The festival will be held in Houston, Texas at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
For more information, visit www.quilts.com.
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: International Quilt Festival | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on September 30, 2009
Clara's Big Red Squares by Clara Ford
The Clara Ford Foundation recently sponsored, in collaboration with the Hammonds House Museum, a day of quilt appraisals. Holly Anderson, Georgia’s only certified quilt appraiser, was on hand to lecture and conduct a day of appraising.
One of the main points of discussion was why get a quilt appraised. Now we know. If you are one of the many people in the Atlanta area dealing with insurance companies after the flood, you realize how valuable an appraisal would be right about now. Our quilts are truly priceless and irreplaceable, but the next best thing is a fair price.
The Clara Ford Foundation will offer quilt appraisals annually at Hammonds House Museum. Check this site often for news of the next date.
Posted in Quilt School | Tagged: appraisals, Hammonds House Museum, Holly Anderson | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on September 25, 2009
Partnership for Public Service by Marva Swanson.
Quilter Marva Swanson created the poster quilt for the Celebration of Public Service Quilt Exhibit currently underway at the National Archives in Morrow, GA. The quilt was prominently displayed at the front of the room during the September 24, 2009 opening ceremony of the exhibit.
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, fiber art, Marva Swanson, National Archives, patriotic quilt | 1 Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on September 23, 2009
A Gallery of Quilts: Celebrating Excellence in Public Service through the Art of Quilting opens September 25, 2009 at the National Archives, 5780 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA. The exhibit features 16 quilts that explore the theme of public service. All of the quilts were created by seniors at the Fulton County Senior Centers.
Hats Across America by H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility Quilters, 2009.
The exhibit was judged by a distinguished panel of judges. First Place was awarded to Hats Across Americaby H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility Quilters. Second Place was awarded to Honoring Our Servicemenby H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility Quilters, and Third Place was awarded to Underground by Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility Quilters.
Honorable Mentions went to Rescue Me by the New Beginnings Neighborhood Senior Center, Log Cabin In Red, White and Blue by the Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center and On My Honor by the Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center. The Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild was also recognized for its financial support to the project.
The quilts will be on display and open to the public from September 25th through September 30th. Hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. For directions or further information please call the National Archives at 770-968-2100.
Posted in Quilt Exhibits, Quilt News | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Brown Sugar Stitchers, H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-purpose Facility, Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multi-purpose Faciltiy, National Archives, New Beginnings Neighborhood Senior Center, Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center, Patriotic quilts, Public Service quilts | Leave a Comment »
Posted by ovbrantley on September 22, 2009
Marquetta Bell-Johnson
Marquetta Bell-Johnson will sign her book Hand Dyed Quilts Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Intown Quilters. The book signing will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until closing at 6 p. m.
Marquetta will also perform demonstrations on her dyeing technique. She will also have some of her hand dyed fabrics for sale.
Do not miss this exciting event.
Posted in Quilt News | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Book Signing, Hand Dyed Quilts, Intown Quilters, Marquetta Bell-Johnson | 1 Comment »
