SUNDAY SALES -- GORGEOUS GARMENT FABRICS

 While sorting and clearing out things that need to go, I came upon these gorgeous garment fabrics I bought some years ago. Since there is little likelihood I will make anything with them, I am offering them to you. I hope you find something you love. I believe much of it is linen/cotton fabric.

 Prices do not include shipping, $12-20 for most packages, depending on weight. 

1. Gathered Back Top, includes pattern, almost 4 yards hand-dyed linen/cotton:  $25

2. Crazy Quilt Vest Kit, includes pattern, fabrics, floss and beads: $20

3. Misty Moonlight Kit, includes beautiful buttons. Wish I knew what I intended to make: $40 SOLD

4. Dark Periwinkle Blue 1.5 yards x 52" hand-dyed printed linen/cotton, 3/4 x 60" solid hand-dyed blue: $40--I paid $81 some years ago, the receipt was with it SOLD

5. White Silk, 2+ yards: $25 SOLD

6. Brown hand-dyed floral linen/cotton, 26" x 38": $10

7. Green hand-dyed linen/cotton, 20" x 56": $10 SOLD

8. Plum hand-dyed print linen/cotton, 24" x 54": $10 SOLD

9. Brown/plum floral hand-dyed linen/cotton, 24" x 52", $10

10. Plum hand-dyed linen/cotton, 33" x 52":  $15 SOLD

11. Maybe I saved the best for last: 100% Silk braids for garments or quilts:$8 each, there are 10 now

What I made with these a few years ago, mini log cabins, printed on muslin so there is no paper to remove, 12.5" square: 

If you WANT IT ALL, $275 and shipping will be no more than $35, Priority USPS mail. You have to be first to GET IT ALL!

There are still a few quilt fabric bundles available on my first SUNDAY SALE POST--find it HERE.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

TEXAS TOUR 2023

 Guess where I was teaching recently?

Longhorn Steakhouse art in Humble    TX

Hampton Inn Lufkin TX

It's no secret I love Texas and love teaching there. Every year since 1996 I have attended Quilt Market and Festival in Houston. But there is a LOT MORE to Texas than just Houston.

On a Sunday, I started in Huntsville, TEXAS--a town about an hour north of Bush IAH Airport in Houston. I was met by my contact Cathy and a friend and we headed north to get dinner and drop me off at the first Hampton Inn of the trip. Yummy Yummy was the name of the Mongolian BBQ place we ate dinner at and it was--yummy.

The next day was a free day until my pickup that evening. I was determined to get in exercise every day I could and I did. Right near the hotel was a big shopping center. Each day I walked around the entire building several times for an hour minimum. It was a great way to move and I much prefer it to fitness centers in hotels. After my walk I am a hot, sweaty, contented mess:

I ate a great lunch at McCallister's Deli, half salad, half sandwich:

Tall Pines Quilt Guild had about 65 in attendance for the lecture "Time Management for Quilters", a good turnout for them. It was also the  night they gave away a new sewing machine as a fundraiser for the guild. I was asked to pick the lucky winning ticket. One ticket fell on the floor so I took that one. Ramona, the lucky winner was thrilled:

After an hour's walk the next morning, I was picked up for the workshop: Charming Sampler. 13 folks enjoyed the day learning fast ways to make several blocks:

The next day we headed south to The Woodlands for the next leg of the trip. I was able to check in to a lovely Hyatt House hotel at noon. After lunch I changed clothes I did a power walk for more than an hour. Dinner was Mexican and I enjoyed it: 

Breakfast at the Hyatt House was amazing!

The Woodlands Area Quilt Guild had over 100 in attendance for the lecture "Time Management for Quilters":

 The lecture was very well received--many came to speak to me after about how much they enjoyed it. One woman told me she had been to many programs over many years at various places and this was the best one she ever heard. Now, that's really nice to hear. I aim to inspire.

I met two members of The Quilt Show who know me from the work I do on the Block of the Month quilts. Venetta M brought her 2023 Homeward Bound--it is beautifully done. She is doing machine applique and prepped the background with Terial Magic. Seeing how stable the background fabric is and how lovely her stitching is, I wished I  had chosen that method too--needle turn hand applique is taking a LOT of time:

Connie C is not working on the 2023 Block of the Month but has done several previous quilts. She told me she felt like I was her personal teacher as she used my Blog and Videos to supplement pattern instructions--thanks, Connie!

The next morning was the workshop "Five Easy Pieces". A small group learned the ins and outs of paper piecing. We kept so busy I forgot to take photos.

Class ended at 2 pm and I was out power walking for an hour and a half by 2:30. I loved breakfast so much that morning I brought duplicates of my breakfast to my room to have for dinner. The room had a refrigerator and microwave so I was all set. 

Friday was the start of a little vacation. A friend I know from Festival invited me to spend my down weekend at her home in Kingwood. She picked me up at 11 and we headed southeast to that area of metro Houston, almost an hour away. As I had done a long power walk that morning I was ready for lunch. I can't say enough great things about Salata, all healthy salad stuff they serve you based on your requests. Delicious! I would love to have one of these restaurants here:

Their motto, I concur: 

It was so great to spend time with Glennis, relaxing, talking and hand sewing for two days. An added bonus was being able to do a load of laundry. I only regret we didn't get a photo of she and I together. Next time.

Sunday morning it was time to move on. After a great Texas breakfast at the Humble City Cafe, Glennis drove me about an hour to Livingston where I was met by a couple from The Quilt Guild of the Piney Woods, Sarah and Doyle B. They drove the remaining 45 minutes into Lufkin, in East Texas. We ate a late lunch at Golden Corral so I was set for the rest of the day. 

After checking into the next Hampton Inn in Lufkin, I changed clothes and hit the huge parking lot for that usual power walk. There were 5 hotels in this lot, no restaurants or stores, so it was easy to just keep walking all around the parking areas, one lap was about a mile and I did 6 laps. 

Sarah picked me up in the morning for the lecture, wait for it, "Time Management for Quilters". Yes, each guild selected the same lecture. That helped with the packing. After a quick lunch--Chick Fil A has great salads--we did a 3 hour workshop called "The Village". Usually a 6 hour workshop, it can be taught in 3 hours but it moves at a fast pace. And we don't have time to sew any trees or stars. Liz got her first Quilter's Scrap House done: 

As soon as class was over, we put all the tables and chairs away, then jumped in the car for the almost two hour drive down to my final Hampton Inn of the trip, at the Bush IAH airport area. Dinner on the road was perfect--who knew Whataburger has great salads?! They do, I loved it, and it was the perfect end to 10 days of eating mostly smart and daily exercise. 

This was the nicest Hampton Inn of the trip and their shuttle service to the airport Tuesday morning was perfect. Yes, I do sleep under my own quilt at hotels--those duvets are just too hot. And a quilt is so much better.

All of my flights were uneventful and on time or early. I walked some at both airports, Bush in Houston, and Atlanta, rather than just sit. 

It was a great trip but I was definitely glad to see my man and my bed that night. The two pound blip up was gone in less than 48 hours--I call that a win.

I LOVE going to TEXAS and will teach there any time. TEXAS TOUR 2024 is already scheduled--in April 2024 I will be teaching in Beaumont and Victoria--my third visit to the Victoria guild. Dates and info is on the TEACHING CALENDAR at the top of this blog.

I hope to see you on my travels!

Let's quilt.

Barbara

FOUR CORNERS QUILT GUILD--DURANGO, COLORADO

 I recently had the pleasure to travel to Durango, CO to be the featured teacher/speaker at the Four Corners Quilt Guild's annual meeting. This was the first time in 3 years they had a face-to-face meeting--you know why. 

They are a very talented and welcoming group and I enjoyed my visit immensely. Here are a lot of photos that tell the story:

My view of the La Plata range as we approached Durango--snow in April does not compute for me:

The wonderful Barb Morgan met me and we set off for the General Palmer Hotel, a Victorian property in the heart of Durango. I was surprised with a very much appreciated goodie bag in my room:

My lovely room, small but so comfortable and lots of storage. My quilt was perfect: 

Breakfast each morning was good and ready at 7 am: 

The first day's class was LOVE YOUR LAYOUT--a design class that is FUN. The Students did great:

A look at a few of the quilts being made in class:

This student inadvertently brought 8" blocks to class instead of 4" so she was able to make a twin size quilt: 

Charlotte brought pinwheels to class, an option, and was able to finish her quilt in class: 

Saturday was the annual meeting, with over 100 attendees. Lots of work goes into a meeting like this and it showed with all the table decorations and lots of wonderful giveaway prizes. 

I always enjoy Show and Tell and it was so good to see a few finished Block of the Month quilts from The Quilt Show. And to hear that my blog and help on the Forum are appreciated:

Color My World, pattern by Wendy Williams

Garden Party Down Under, pattern by Irene Blanck

After a great lunch, it was time for my Presentation: The Hard Stuff--a look at complex quilt patterns: 

As this was the 30th year for the Four Corners Quilt Guild, they did a bit of reminiscing about previous events.  I was honored to see the good company I keep, being part of this esteemed group of quilt teachers who preceded me:

Sunday was the class CHARMING SAMPLER. I love to teach this one, it is an original design that starts with a Charm Pack. These are 3" blocks and everyone did great and learned a lot:

                                         

The next day I was off to the small Durango airport early. So early, no gate agents were there for an hour. And TSA was closed, until an hour before the next flight out. No problem, I just waited until they

appeared and all was well.

Love a small  airport--lots of plugs for charging devices, only one gate area to serve two airlines, a little snack bar place right there with all the chairs:

All four of my flights, going and coming home, were on time and uneventful. All in all, a great trip.

Thanks to the wonderful women of the Four Corners Quilt Guild!

Let's quilt,

Barbara

EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR AT ASILOMAR 2024

 I am so thrilled to announce I am part of the amazing FACULTY at EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR for 2024. Registration will open soon and many of these classes fill quickly. I think mine will be no exception. My class is in Session 2, March 1-6, 2024.

Many years ago when I first learned about this 5-day intensive class experience I wanted to attend. Held at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Center in Monterey, CA, it was definitely on my Bucket List. Now I am privileged to participate as Faculty.

FULL CIRCLE, a pattern by Wendy Williams

My class is a Wendy Williams pattern called FULL CIRCLE. When I first saw this quilt in person in 2020 I knew I would make it and teach it. It is PERFECT for this 5-day format. Made in 4 Quadrants, we will be able to complete the first Quadrant in class and students will know all they need to know to complete the 90" square quilt at home.

In making my sample, I  have prepared a detailed, comprehensive, multi-page set of tips and more instruction that will add significantly to the student experience. 

UPDATE MAY 23, 2023. Here is my completed top, I love this a lot:

At my Joyful Journey Retreat in March 2023, I engaged 6 dedicated students who wanted to TEST my teaching plan for this project. Read more about that HERE. They worked hard for our 4 days together and provided a great deal of feedback which was very helpful.

My sample is almost complete, here you see the first two Quadrants:

Because students at Empty Spools Seminars come from all over the globe, I will provide detailed FABRIC SELECTION information/advice to anyone who wants it. Selecting Fabrics for this quilt takes some effort and planning. I expect to get to know many of the students in advance as they share their ideas for fabrics with me electronically over the next 11 months. 

And, as always, anyone who takes a class with me knows that it comes with  LIFETIME  FREE ADVICE, by email, as long as I am kicking. These students will be confident they are able to go home and finish this amazing quilt. 

Take a look at all the incredible classes offered in 2024 over 5 Sessions. Many of the teachers I know well have told me how much they LOVE having the same group of students for 5 days, so they can really engage with them. And the many students I know who have attended keep THIS EVENT on their Bucket List, as often as they can. 

LOCALS--I will be teaching this locally at SOUTHERN CHARM QUILTING  as a SPECIAL EVENT. September 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2023. My quilt sample will be complete by June 1. You get to take the class AND sleep in your own bed. If coming from out of town, plan on a hotel stay. It will be a very educational and FUN event you are sure to love. Class size is LIMITED so you get lots of special attention.

I hope many of you will join me on our FULL CIRCLE adventure.

Let's quilt.

Barbara