Fall!

It took its' sweet time getting here, but we finally have cooler temps here this week.

I managed to get the September segment of Rajah Revisited done before the end of the month, it's 50.5" square at the moment:

This pattern is the 2016 Block of the Month quilt from thequiltshow.com, a subscription internet quilt show and so much more. It is based on an historic quilt made by slave women shipbound to Australia from England, in the 1840's.  There are two more borders to go.  If you subscribe before the end of 2016 you will have access to the entire year's patterns.  A new Block of the Month will start in January, 2017, and it is designed by the incomparable Sue Garman.  I am a huge fan of The Quilt Show--even when I am not particularly interested in one of the shows, I still learn things.  And the forums and puzzles, and special features are just terrific.  You can sign up as a basic member and look around before you decide to subscribe.

Next up is making two garments for International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston--I head down there 4 weeks from now for thirteen days.  It is the highlight of my year.  Having these garments really helps with wardrobe issues for that long.  Each year, fabric companies donate fabric to the Education Team.  Each person selects her choice of fabrics from a specific line and can make her choice of garments.  We wear specific garments on specific days.  This helps us look like "staff" to the thousands of students on the 3rd floor and helps us look professional but comfortable.  Several pairs of black slacks, a handful of tank tops/blouses, and I am good to go with my jackets.  This year we are sporting Amy Butler's latest line, Eternal Sunshine by Free Spirit Fabrics and Cherrywood Fabrics, with our choice on one print to be added to the Cherrywood suede-look solids:

I rarely figure out what I'm making before I order, just take a guess and make it work.  Some of the others plan their order for the specific garments they plan to make.  I am excited about this years' fabrics and eager to get my jackets made.  For me, selecting the patterns and which fabrics will go where is the challenge--once that's done, making them just comes together.  We'll see if my luck still holds in that department.

Here's hoping Fall has made an appearance at your place too.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Needle Chasers Quilt Guild Quilt Show 2016

Recently, the Needle Chasers Quilt Guild of Tishomingo County, Mississippi, located in Iuka, MS, held its' biannual quilt show.  They are 60 members strong and one of the nicest group of quilters you could ever hope to meet. Iuka is in the Northeast corner of Mississippi, bordering, Tennessee and Alabama.  An easy two hour drive from my home.

There were about 15 categories and each received a first, second, and third place award, along with several honorable mention awards. The categories were separated by size, Large, Medium, and Small, and by technique, Large, Pieced, Quilted by Hand, Large, Applique', Quilted by Professional, etc.  After all the categories were judged, there was a Best of Show, Large, Best of Show, Medium, and Best of Show, Small selected from the First Place winners in those size categories.

This year they also had a special award for "Outstanding Handwork"--this award was presented in memory of three of their members who had passed away since the last show, all of whom were excellent needlewomen.

And a few of the winners are:

BEST OF SHOW LARGE, Applique', Machine Quilted by a Professional
Wreath of Roses
Made by Karen Asbury and quilted by Marge Love

BEST OF SHOW MEDIUM, Mixed Technique, Machine Quilted by a Professional
Diamonds in the Rough Squared
Made by Lynn Doyle Blaylock, shown here, Quilted by Cheri Weber

BEST OF SHOW SMALL, Other, Quilted by a Non-Professional
Carolina Lily, Made and Quilted by Terri Embrey

OUTSTANDING NEEDLEWORK AWARD
Ruth's Rose Garden
Large Applique', Made and Hand Quilted by Dorothy Dailey

And the coveted Viewer's Choice Awards were announced shortly before the show closed:

VIEWER'S CHOICE, LARGE
Large, Mixed Technique. Quilted by Professional
Grandma's Garden in the 30's
Made by Barbara Patterson, shown here, Quilted by Terri Rogers

VIEWER'S CHOICE, MEDIUM
Another Ribbon for Lynn Blaylocks'
Diamonds in the Rough Squared

VIEWER'S CHOICE, SMALL
Small, Mixed Technique, Quilted by a Non-Professional
Zoey Zebra Made and quilted by Nancy Ice

Another few favorites of mine:

King of the Jungle,
 Medium Pieced Machine Quilted by a Non-Professional
Made and Quilted by Kathleen Robinson

Twisted Posies
Medium Pieced Machine Quilted by a Professional
Made by Marcelle Bethany, Quilted by Sharon Beene

Long May She Wave
Medium Pieced, Machine Quilted by a Non-Professional
Made and Quilted by Terri Embrey

Deco Heart Beat
Small Pieced Quilted by a Professional
Made by Anita Haddad, Quilted by Anita and Terri Rogers

I presented a one hour Trunk Show each of the two days.  It was well-received and I brought exactly the right number of quilts to keep the talk to one hour.  After the first day, they told me I spoke "Yankee fast" for Southern ears, so the second day I sloooowwwwed down, some...

It was a fun few days for me and I hope to return to spend more time with the lovely ladies of the Needle Chasers Guild of Iuka, MS.  As you can see, they are an eclectic group and do wonderful work. There were vendors and theme rooms, and funny signs  part 1  part 2 everywhere. Make plans to attend their 2018 show, you won't be disappointed.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Sunday Funnies Part 2

The rest of the signs from the Needle Chasers of Iuka, Mississippi Quilt Show:

Sunday Funnies Part 1

I was recently at the Needle Chasers Quilt Guild of Iuka. Mississippi. They have the cutest signs posted throughout their show.  Some I have seen before, some are new to all.  All were cute--so here is the first of two installments--enjoy a chuckle today:

Let's Quilt!

Barbara