-Buy quilts in the best condition you can afford. That means no gaping holes, no stains, and no worn spots. You should have a reaction when you first see the quilt. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it.

-Nineteenth-century quilts are in high demand because there’s a finite supply of them. The most unusual designs in pristine condition are the most valuable. Don’t use investment potential as a way to gauge a purchase, however.

-To learn more about heirloom quilts, view as many as you can. Visit antique shows and talk to quilt dealers and historians. They have a wealth of knowledge to share. There are hundreds of books about quilts; read as much as you can. Learn to identify fabrics and quilt patterns, because these will give you the best clues for determining the age of a quilt.

-You have to have a broad base of information about quilts so you have a sense of what patterns show up again and again. Those quilts are worth less than the ones you rarely see.

-Everyone has a favorite quilt. Early 1800s Amish quilts from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are attractive because the quilters used only four patterns and made quilts from solid fabrics, usually very fine wool. Others love the charm of quilts made in the 30s and 40s with their sweet motifs of innocent childhood. Folk art lovers prefer those that hark back to a more primitive lifestyle. And who can resist a quilt that reminds us of the wagon rides across the prairies?

-Because of their beauty and historical charm, quilts should be used. Hang them on the wall or drape over a chair. Stack them on beds or fold them into a cabinet. If you have pets or children, you might need to take more care in how they’re displayed. Always be sure to refold or turn the quilts to avoid damage.

-Vintage quilts were made to last and are a fun choice for a child’s room. Heirloom-quality quilts, however, shouldn’t be used by small children. If you’re worried about damage, think about displaying the quilt in another way.

-Try to be as nice to your quilts as possible so they don’t need to be cleaned too often. Wash 20th-century quilts yourself but send those from the 19th-century to a textile conservator for washing. Make sure the quilt is strong--both fabric and stitching--before you wash it. Absolutely do not dry-clean a cotton quilt.

-Auctions are fun and lively events to attend! Preview the quilts first so you know the condition of the quilts you want to bid on. Set a spending limit before the auction begins—it’s very easy to get caught up in the moment when the auctioneer is shouting out bids. Remember to ask about selling fees and sales tax; they will add to your total expenses. Selling quilts on Internet auctions is a booming business. If you see something you like, ask to have it sent on approval. It’s impossible to see the quality of the quilt and the colors on a computer screen. Ask for references and only buy from reputable sellers.

-There’s a misconception that antique quilts are expensive. Many can cost under $200. That’s a lot less than many reproduction quilts. Common patterns, such as 1930s-era floral kit quilts are more affordable. You can find most quilt types in any price range. Condition and artistry of the design raise the price.

SOURCE  _   http://www.allpeoplequilt.com

Quilt by Janice

Carrie Jacobs-Bond Composing Threaders Quilt Club

Overview

Our Quilts of Valor Project is ongoing. Currently we are preparing to construct 50 quilts for returning wounded Purple Heart veterans. The $5,000 will be spent on all necessary aspects in creating quilts. These supplies would include fabric, thread, quilt batting and possibly sewing machines.
At present, our 18 active club members are using their own fabric and supplies for our charity work. Being from an economically depressed area, our resources are dwindling, but our desire remains very strong.
We would be extremely grateful to receive help with this project.

Deliverables:
50 Valor Quilts

Read more and vote for it at  -   http://www.refresheverything.com/yoopervalorquilts

Is Australia's favourite craft event held annually at Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. This fantastic craft event runs in conjunction with the Sydney Quilt Show. Under one roof, you can buy unique craft supplies, see displays and learn in FREE workshops. The Craft & Quilt Fair also includes the Decorative Art Sale & Exhibition and the Sydney Bead Fair.

See...

displays and demonstrations of quilts, fashion, textile art, embroidery, beading, scrapbooking, patchwork, knitting, sewing, doll making and more. Don’t miss our guest artist, Sharyn Hall, who will demonstrate shibori, fabric printing and dyeing.

Getting Started

For many quilters, the thought of machine quilting can be overwhelming. Designer and expert machine quilter Mabeth Oxenreider shares her tips for success.

1 . Think about how you want to quilt your project from the start. Knowing how you’re going to finish the project can help you make decisions along the way. For example, if you’re going to outline-quilt a design, you may change the direction you press the seam allowances to avoid quilting over them.

2 . Prepare for a smooth quilt back. Use spray starch (according to the manufacturer’s directions) on your quilt backing before taping it to the floor or a table. This will give the fabric a firmer hand and make it easier for you to smooth all the layers before pinning. Keep the top, batting, and backing taut (not stretched) as you pin to make quilting easier.

3 . Give yourself space. When you sit down to machine-quilt, give the quilt as much space as possible. Avoid letting it drop to the floor, as this will create drag on the quilt, causing long, irregular stitches. If you have a limited work surface, adjust an ironing board to the height of your sewing machine bed to help support the quilt’s weight.

4 . Use the right tools. Select an 80/12 sharps sewing machine needle and 60-weight thread in both the needle and bobbin.

5 . Know where you’re stitching. If you’re stitching in the ditch, the needle should pierce the quilt just next to, but not in, the seam line.

6 . Experiment with free-motion quilting. In this type of quilting, you will drop the feed dogs and move the fabric freely in all directions beneath a darning foot. Use your hands as a hoop, placing your thumbs about 3" in front of the presser foot and fanning your fingers out to the sides. Never push the fabric ahead; this will cause tucks and wrinkles in the quilting or cause the batting to pull, which can distort the finished quilt. If your machine won’t allow you to drop the feed dogs, tape a business card over them to prevent them from grabbing the fabric.

7 . Concentrate on the moment. Instead of worrying about the parts of the quilt that are resting on the table, pay attention to the portion of the quilt within your hands.

8. Quilting the straight lines first will keep them straighter. If you’ve pinned the layers together well, you should be able to start quilting any portion of the quilt.

9 . When quilting curved designs, go slowly. Going too fast doesn’t give your machine time to make a good stitch. Bobbin thread that is resting on top of the quilt backing is one sign you may be stitching too fast.

10 . Get comfortable and relax. Don’t expect every stitch to be like the last one. It is not possible to make every stitch the same, but, with practice, you can achieve an overall stitch consistency......

Read more at  -   http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techniques/machine/machine-quilting-like-a-pro_1.html

Designer: Roseann Meehan Kermes

Download this Project  

Materials and Cut Fabrics

It’s summer—time to travel! And if you’re like us, you’re always looking for quilt shops along the route, no matter what the destination. We found a scrapbook album with pages that are actually long, sturdy envelopes; it’s perfect for carrying notes, swatches, and materials lists when you’re fabric shopping. Designer Roseann Meehan Kermes decorated this one with paper-pieced blocks and fun rickrack.

(To order a long Wire-Bound Envelope Album, send $12 ppd. to Rosebud's Cabin, 2580 7th Ave., North St. Paul, MN 55109, 651/426-1885, www.rosebuds-cottage.com.)

Materials
Scraps of assorted yellow, pink, blue, and green prints (blocks)
1/4 yard green print (cover)
1/8 yard dark pink print (border)
7/8 yard 1/2"-wide yellow rickrack
7x10" thin cotton batting
4-1/2x9-1/2" wire-bound envelope album from 7Gypsies(See above for a mail-order source.)
Assorted embellishments: Scraps of assorted ribbon, chipboard initial, buttons, floss, sepia ink pad
Heavyweight fusible web or “Peel N Stick” double-sided adhesive sheets from ThermOWeb
Scraps of chipboard
Assorted 12x12" patterned scrapbooking papers
Brown cardstock
¾”-diameter circle punch
Coordinating brads

Quantities are for 44/45" wide, 100% cotton fabrics. Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together, unless otherwise stated.

Cut Fabrics
To make the best use of your fabrics, cut the pieces in the order that follows. For the Log Cabin Scrapbook, you will need two blocks of your choice that are 3" square finished. If you'd like to replicate the Log Cabin blocks, follow the instructions below. To download foundations for paper-piecing Log Cabin blocks, click "Download this pattern" at left. If you’d like to replicate the Fabric-Covered Scrapbook, follow the instructions below.

From assorted scraps, cut:

Pieces needed to make blocks of your choice; to make the featured Log Cabin blocks, cut assorted strips 1" wide to use for paper-piecing

From dark pink print, cut:
2—2x9-1/2" border strips
2—2x3-1/2" border strips

From green print, cut:
2—6x9-1/2" strips

For more instructions go to  -   http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/scrap-book_1.html?sssdmh=dm17.448954&esrc=nwapq&email=1943517106

Fremont, NE - May 21, 2010 -- AccuQuilt (www.accuquilt.com), a leader in fabric cutting solutions for quilting and fabric crafts, is pleased to announce their partnership with quilting celebrity Sharon Pederson. The release of Pederson's Rose of Sharon exclusive licensed die for the AccuQuilt GO!® Fabric Cutter adds an additional level of excitement to the conclusion of the Rose of Sharon Block Challenge, which inspired quilters from 11 countries to submit over 850 quilt block designs.

"The Rose of Sharon quilt block challenge truly brought out the creativity in hundreds of quilters," said Steve Nabity, AccuQuilt's CEO. "Sharon's commitment to teaching others about quilting is a perfect match with AccuQuilt's dedication to making quilting easier for all. We are proud to have contributed to the challenge, and are excited about working with a thrilling personality like Sharon."

The Rose of Sharon Block Challenge invited quilters to create a quilt block using only three pattern shapes--the blossom, the leaf and a circle. Once entries were submitted, Nine Patch Media, publisher of Sharon's line of instructional DVDs, narrowed the field to 50 finalists. From that final 50, a group of 12 winning designs were chosen by quilting superstars Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims and will be announced on May 21, 2010, at Spring International Quilt Market in Minneapolis, Minn. Each winner will receive an individual prize package valued at over $1,650, which includes an assortment of AccuQuilt products in addition to other exciting items. One grand prize designer also receives Bernina Software Embroidery 6, valued at $2,199.

"I was blown away by the amazing response to the Rose of Sharon Block Challenge," said Pederson. "The number of designs and the enthusiasm displayed by quilters everywhere has exceeded my wildest expectations. I can't wait to announce the winners and share these outstanding designs."

Beyond the end of the contest, 83 of the designs will be featured in a Rose of Sharon book and over 100 will be included in the DVD, with the 12 winning designs featured on the cover. The book and DVD bring the beauty of the traditional Rose of Sharon design to a new generation of quilters, and complement Sharon's already impressive collection of instructional materials and notions.

Sharon's contest was more than just a way to inspire quilt designers, it also helped bring attention to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI). The AAQI is a national, grassroots charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund Alzheimer's research. The AAQI auctions and sells donated quilts, and sponsors a nationally touring exhibit of quilts about Alzheimer's. Sharon Pederson and AccuQuilt are proud supporters of the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.

To purchase GO!® fabric cutting dies as well as the GO!® Fabric Cutter, the Studio™ Fabric Cutter and hundreds of Studio quilting dies, quilters and quilt retailers should visit accuquilt.com or call 888.258.7913. The new Rose of Sharon GO! and Studio dies are now available for purchase.

ABOUT ACCUQUILT
Headquartered in Fremont, Neb., AccuQuilt offers quilters, fabric crafters and retailers a premiere line of fabric cutters, dies, quilting patterns and other quilt and fabric cutting solutions that help quilters quickly and accurately cut shapes for quilting and fabric crafts. Cutting with AccuQuilt® cutters is a natural evolution of fabric cutting methods. "First scissors…then rotary…finally…AccuQuilt®" for fast, easy, accurate fabric cutting. Visit AccuQuilt online at www.accuquilt.com.

To participate, find a shop hosting One Million Pillowcase Challenge events in your area. Once your pillowcases are complete and donated locally, log on below to enter how many pillowcases you made. Help us reach our goal of ONE MILLION Pillowcases.

Read more at  -  http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/faqs/

It's definitely not Grandma's quilting bee, but a Leaf River woman is continuing the time-honored tradition in a very up-to-date way.

After years of sewing and quilting, Karen Borneman opened her own shop Jan. 13 in a brand new spacious building a few feet from her back door.

The Leaf River Quilt Company, 6679 W. Ill. 72, offers the latest fabrics, patterns, and techniques for turning out what may become an heirloom quilt.

Borneman offers classes in quilting and other sewing projects, such as purses, fabric baskets, and some clothing items.

Borneman said she decided to open her own shop because she loves quilting and has seen interest in it growing in recent years.....

Read more at  -  http://www.oglecountynews.com/articles/2010/05/13/37707816/index.xml

Katherine Pulyk, 10, stands behind her rag quilt she created with a family friend Joanne Brady.Photo by Susan Hodges

by Susan Hodges

At 10-years-old it isn't often you have already finished sewing your first quilt but for Katherine Pulyk not only has she finished her first quilt but is looking forward to starting her second.

"I am hoping to do another one but this time it will be with knots that we have to tie but we don't know how to make the knots yet," said Pulyk who had her quilt on display at the Quilt and Art Show at the Vermilion Regional Centre in Vermilion on Saturday and Sunday.

Making a quilt is not something Pulyk has learned on her own however but through a family friend Joanne Brady.

"Mrs. Brady was talking to me about quilting one night and I said I would like to make one. She said I could if I wanted to and so that is how it started," said Pulyk.

The two met once a week for three months and during that time Pulyk learned how to sew on a sewing machine and how to cut and line up the pattern.....

Read more at  -  http://www.vermilionstandard.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2553087

Fremont, Nebr. - April 25, 2010 -- AccuQuilt, a leader in fabric cutting solutions for quilting and fabric crafts, announces the kickoff of the Barn Quilt Design Contest. Quilters, artists and creative types everywhere are invited to submit their ideas for display on the AccuQuilt home office in Fremont, Nebr.

AccuQuilt is active in the quilting community, providing fabric crafters everywhere with fast, accurate solutions for cutting beautiful quilts. Now they're displaying their quilting pride by placing a painting of the winner's colorful quilt square on the AccuQuilt office. The AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design Contest is looking for anyone with an eye for design to submit their barn quilt creations to barnquilt@accuquilt.com.

First, second and third place prizes will be awarded to the most vibrant blocks. The first place winner will receive a $1,000 AccuQuilt shopping spree along with an all expenses paid trip for two to AccuQuilt to see the unveiling of their creation. Second and third place winners will receive $500 and $150 gift certificates respectively.

"We are honored to join the National Barn Quilt Trail and demonstrate our support for the rich tradition of quilting," said Steve Nabity, AccuQuilt's CEO. "This contest is a thrilling opportunity to show the world that AccuQuilt is deeply committed to the quilters who make us such a success. We think big, and displaying a 20' x 20' barn quilt shows our passion to all who see our office."

Barn quilts have adorned farms across the nation for over 200 years. However, the modern American barn quilt movement took off in 2001 when Donna Sue Groves of Adams County, Ohio, painted a colorful quilt block on her barn as a way to honor her mother's love of quilting.

Rather than stopping with just one block, Donna encouraged others in the community to paint their own blocks to create an original driving attraction for tourists. Her idea quickly grew into the National Barn Quilt Trail, which now crosses over 25 states and British Columbia. Travelers from around the world plan driving tours of the barn quilts, making them a popular attraction as people visit each barn quilt location.

The contest begins immediately and runs through Friday, May 14th. Winners will be announced at the Spring Int'l Quilt Market in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 21st. Full contest details can be found at http://www.accuquilt.com/barnquilt.

About Accuquilt
Headquartered in Fremont, Nebr., AccuQuilt offers quilters, fabric crafters and retailers a premiere line of fabric cutters, dies, quilting patterns and other quilt and fabric cutting solutions that help quilters quickly and accurately cut shapes for quilting and fabric crafts. Cutting with AccuQuilt cutters is a natural evolution of fabric cutting methods. "First scissors…then rotary…finally…AccuQuilt™" for fast, easy, accurate fabric cutting.