International Quilt Festival 2016

Better known simply as "Houston", the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX was another great success.  I've been home a few days and it's time to show you around.  WARNING: Photo rich!

As usual, I had to get up very early, 4:30 a.m., to catch early flights, first to Atlanta, then on to Houston Hobby airport.  After checking in for 13 days, I unpack and get my clothes in order for the two weeks.  We wear specific garments on specific days and I want everything in order so I am not scrambling around at 6 a.m. each day figuring out what to wear.

The view out my Hilton-Americas window--lots of construction  still ongoing

Closet is ready

The next day we start all the preparations for Market and Festival.  Market is just for the trade, credentials are required.  For 5 years I worked the Market as the Buyer for Patches & Stitches, ordering inventory for the next 6 months, and getting new ideas on how to better run the shop.  It is exciting to see what is new.  There were lots of bright fabrics, lots of hand-sewing projects, and so much enthusiasm from vendors and buyers.  Our industry is strong!

At Sample Spree Friday night I bought just a little fabric, from Windham Fabrics, one bright, one more reproduction-style:

The rest of Market I get ready to welcome 130 Faculty members to Festival.  This involves preparing their welcome packets, with name badge and lots of information, and stuffing the Festival Show Tote with a pin and Show Book, called the Q Square.  There were also special "goodie bags" and other gifts--they love to receive and I love to give those things out:

When I get a chance, I head down to the show floor from the Education office on the 3rd floor, to see the quilts.  Mostly, I go to the special exhibits.  Here is a taste of the ones I was most interested in:

I've been a fan of Susan Carlson since her book Free-Style Quilts  came out, 2000

20' long, for real!

Ribbon Quilts, a Special Exhibit curated by veteran Tom Korn, featured lots of quilts made to replicate Military Service Ribbons.  The exhibit was rounded out with military uniforms on display and a running video stream of military folks in uniform.  After much digging and having to order a new tie, I loaned my United States Marine Corps Dress Blues to the exhibit.  It sure brought back lots of great memories and I'm glad I participated in this way:

I am a huge fan of the 19th Century Patchwork Divas, a group of quilters who have been making quilts together for some years.  Here are just a few of the great quilts in this Special Exhibit:

I want to start a group like this some day--biggest problem? That great name is already taken, whatever could I call us??

Here is one of my favorites, a quilt inspired by 19th century work, this time from France, Quilts De Legende:

I wish you could see how tiny these triangles are, no bigger than 1.5" finished quarter square triangles--right up my alley!

There were Twenty Years of Dear Jane quilts:

And Millefiori quilts, which I know I'll never make, but really admire:

The quilts are great!  The vendors amazing! But for me, my two weeks in Houston is mainly about the people:

Melinda Bula--see the glamorous part of the job of traveling quilt teacher

Paula Nadelstern--showing how your kits/fabrics get to class

Dr Karen Nyberg, Astronaut, addressing a luncheon crowd

Alex Anderson

Karen Kay Buckley demo-ing hand applique' at Saturday Sampler

Kimberly and Kent Einmo--they had a blast at the show, smiling like this always!

2016 Education Team dressed in Eternal Sunshine by Amy Butler for Free Spirit Fabrics

One more important person to me, Brenda, an employee of the Hilton.  She has taken good care of me since I first stayed there, 2003.  We keep in touch a few times throughout the year--telling each other about our grand-girls, hers a recent college graduate just embarking on adult life, and my 18 month old Stella, just learning to talk.  I wanted Brenda to know how much I appreciate her so I gave her a quilt, about twin size, to wrap her in a hug, as quilters do.  Here we are as I presented it to her, complete with her name and the date on the label;

I've made hundreds of quilts and will keep making them.  Recently, I'm been looking for people to share them with, so my sons won't be stuck with all of them when I'm gone. The very best ones are safe in deep storage but it's fun to give some of the "every day" quilts to people who will appreciate them.

Have to show off a local guild member's quilt hanging in the 2016 Quilts: A World Of Beauty Judged Show:

Elaine Wick Poplin, a high school math teacher, sees things no one else sees.  Way to go, Elaine!  Check out her blog at http://messygoat.com/  Or Instagram @messygoat

Want photos of the top winning quilts? Go here: 2016 Winners

Want more behind the scenes photos? Check out Humble Quilts blog  Lori is a blog friend I asked to join us this year, see what she saw.

Want to see different quilts?  See what Catherine Redford, a terrific teacher from IL found interesting:  Catherine Redford's blog

If you are on Instagram, search #quiltfestival for almost 7000 photos--what else do you  have to do today?

I have hundreds more photos and lots of stories I could tell but that's enough for today.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Festival Fun

On the Road Again

It's finally time to head to Houston, where I will check in tomorrow to the Hilton-Americas for 13 days.  It takes a lot of planning and organizing to have clothes for 13 days but I have done it for 18 years and pretty much have it down pat.

New luggage will be easy to find at Baggage Claim:

I will NOT buy black luggage.  Not when purple is available.  The large TravelPro suitcase is new so this is the photo I will keep in my phone until the suitcase has to be replaced.  When/if my luggage is delayed, it helps to have this photo to work from at the Lost Luggage Claim department.

While I'm gone, The Splendid Sampler will reveal four more blocks so I'll have to play catch-up when I get home.  Here are blocks #71-73:

This week I finished binding Quilters Madder and Color in Black and White, 2:

I thought I would hand-quilt this one but first, I normally Stitch in the Ditch (SID) by machine. You can't see the SID, it's hard on my hands, and takes a long time.  Once I do that by machine, the quilt is effectively basted so the hand-quilting can commence.  BUT once I did the SID, I just kept going and quilted the whole thing by machine.  It was Ruler Work for the straight lines and free-motion quilting in the border, following a stencil design marked with chalk.  There is wool batt in there which adds a nice loft to the piece.  Best of all, it's done!  Quilt is from Lori at Humble Quilts.

It's hard to tell scale, this quilt is 48" wide x 44" high.  It is the small version of a queen-size quilt. It will hang in the Education office for two weeks--several of our Team bring a quilt to help brighten the office for all to enjoy.  I wrote about the large one here.

For my local friends, the Winter Class Schedule at Patches & Stitches  is being completed right now. Here are my samples and dates:

QuiltMaking101  Tuesday 5:30-8:00 p.m. Jan 10, 17,31, Feb 7, 14

3 Sessions                                                    Feb 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 21

                               Friday 9:30-noon         Jan 13, 20, Feb 3, 17, March 3

                          

Texas Braid Sat Feb 25 9-4 p.m.

X Blocks  Thurs Mar 9, 5:30--8:30 p.m.

Antique Rose Star by Machine Sat Jan 21, 9-3

Those are 1/2" finished squares, quilt is 28" x 22" 

Teeny Tiny Two-for-One  Fri Feb 10, 24, 9-1

Smitten  Friday March 10, 24, 2017  9-noon   BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Quiltmaking 202--The Next Step Tuesday March 28 and April 11, 5:30-9 p.m.  Feathered Star will be taught in a future class.

All of these quilts are in my car to be dropped off tonight when I go to teach the Beginning class.  Here's hoping many of the local folks will find something here that appeals to them.  It is so rewarding to help quilters improve their skills and make "gifts for generations yet unborn.".

If I get a chance, I'll do a blog post or two from Houston--our days are long and full but there will be lots worth sharing, just not sure I'll have much time for it.  I will post photos on Instagram for sure so follow me there if you like:  bbquiltmaker.

Let's quilt!

Barbara

Friday Finishes

It's been a busy week but I have a few things to show for my efforts.

First, is a sample for a new class I'll be teaching this Winter:  Quiltmaking 202--Stars and More Stars. I have taught beginning classes for 27 years and many of my students want to know "what's next?"  If they want to improve their skills and move along to more challenging patterns, this is a great class.  We'll make 8 pointed Lemoyne stars, yes, with real set-in piecing:

In the late Spring/Summer, I'll teach another Feathered Star by paper piecing--this is a 12" star, smaller than the 15" one I usually teach.  I quilted this with ruler work on the Bernina Q20. It has to go to the shop now as a sample--when I get it back I'll add more quilting.

Today I finished the Quilters Madder top from Lori's Humble Quilts Sew-A-Long.  It's about 29" square.  I think I'll take it to Houston to hand quilt--I always have hand work with me on a trip, even if I sometimes don't get to work on it:

Another blogger I follow did a pin cushion swap recently and today I received my pin cushion all the way from jolly old England--look what Penny made for me:

I love how it is reversible--use upside or down.  Very sweet--I am very happy, thanks, dear Penny!  Here is the one I made for Laura L in Massachusetts:

I have also kept up with Stella's Splendid Sampler, here is yesterday's block, #72 of 100:

I will be able to do Sunday's block then will be in Houston when the next four blocks are released so will have to get caught up when I get home.  This block was designed by Victoria Findley Wolfe, who I will see in Houston.  She said she loves to use polka dots in her quilts--that was the reason she added the dots to this block.  I started with a polka dot background.  This one I hand appliqued.

The binding is almost done on Color in Black and White, 2--I showed it here.  I still have a RARE Bear body to make--to donate to the cause in Houston.  You can read more about that here.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

Lots to Do

In less than 10 days I'll be in Houston, TX for Quilt Market and Festival.  It is the highlight of my year and something I look forward to so much.  But there is a LOT to do before I get on that plane.

Today I've been having fun with my Bernina Q20 sit-down longarm machine, free-motion quilting on a small quilt I am taking for our Education Office display:

Just organic wavy lines about 1/4" apart.  In two hours I got half of it done and will finish the other half tomorrow.  This morning I made the binding and the sleeve so I'm on track to get this done on time.  The pattern is from the book Making Quilts by Kathy Doughty, Her pattern is entitlted "Soul Searching". My quilt is titled "Color in Black and White, 2" as it is the baby verison of a full-size quilt I made last year:

"Color in Black and White": Queen Size version at guild quilt show in 2015

While cutting fabrics for the queen-size version, which used 2.5” strips, I also cut 1.5” strips for this baby version. I delved into my “deep stash” to find all the colors I needed.  The baby size is 48" x 44".  I had the queen-size one long-arm quilted but wanted to do the baby by myself.

The other day I posted a photo of Stella's Splendid Sampler quilt hanging on my design wall.  I usually crop everything else out of the photo but didn't this time and there was a lot of interest in my "Lifetime Quilt" in progress.  Today I finished another large block so here are 4 of those on the wall:

I wrote a step-by-step blog on this one a few months ago:  Lifetime Leader/Ender project.  Shown here are four 20" blocks--there are a total of 2048 triangles, 1.25" finished.  I expect to make at least 16 of those 20" blocks, hence the name, My Lifetime Quilt.  I can't die until it's done so I'm sewing slowly!   These blocks are being made as I am working on other projects and start out as 5" blocks of 1.25" finished half square triangles:

This isn't hard.  I just make four, then join four together for a 10" square, then make four 10" squares and join them together for a 20" block.  That's as big as I'm making them right now.  When I have 16 20" blocks, I'll join those together then decide if I need four more.  Right now I can easily take the 20" blocks off the design wall should I need to.

This past weekend our grand-girl Stella made a quick visit here with her folks, my son and his wife.  We loved having her visit.  She makes funny faces on command.  And she got to see her big-girl bed quilt, "Stella's Splendid Sampler", on the design wall.  It's a great "I Spy" quilt--she found the bunny and the cupcake and the house and the dress and...  She'll be back at Christmas when she'll be almost 19 months old.  She even called me "BB" this trip--I was thrilled!!

Also, this week I have to create Supply Lists and send those and class samples and photos of the samples to my local quilt shop, Patches & Stitches, where I teach.  The Winter 2017 schedule will be coming out soon so this all has to be done before I leave town.  One more sample needs a binding--the binding and sleeve are made, now to get them on the quilt.  It's always something...

Let's Quilt!

Barbara