A glorious day both outdoor and indoor, last Sunday was. We hosted a “quilt-in” for the Boston Modern Quilt Guild on August 10, as they wrap up their Quilts for Boston initiative. Guild members filed in and out, quilted on the Gammill longarm machines, chatted, laughed, and dropped off binding and more finished quilts.
A new motif for every block on this charity quiltWhimsical loops in a variegated quilting thread popped on this bright quilt.
Gwen and Laurena kept both the Statler Stitchers going. Sara and Courtney tried free motion quilting on a longarm for the first time. They easily adapted, incorporating a variety of motifs in the quilts.
Laurena at the Statler StitcherStacks of quilts ready for binding by the Boston Modern Quilt Guild.
Five quilts came off the machines that afternoon, ready for binding. A leisurely, fun way to spend a Sunday!
Many of us cope with family members who aren’t thrilled to experience a Quilt Show. At the Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod Show, it might just be easier to send them on to other places, leaving you in peace and quilts.
Great beach photo by Kirstin Carey thanks to Cape Cod Chamber
First and foremost, the beach. Cape Cod National Seashore not only has magnificent beaches, but a wonderful visitor center near Eastham. Will they need to eat? Stop by Arnold’sclam shack.
For the curious shoppers of all ages, the Brewster General Store offers sweets and goodies that will distract them from any vendor purchases you may have picked up at the Quilt Show.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs from Dennis to Wellfleet and there’s many bike shops along the way that will rent bikes and trailers.
That should keep them busy. Enjoy the Bayberry Quilt Show. There’s nothing like undistracted immersion in a favorite past time. Be sure to stop and say hi to Laurena at the Gammill Longarm Quilting booth.
The Bayberry Quilters show in Harwich, MA takes place from July 31 to August 2, 2014
If you’re on the Cape in the next couple weeks, be sure to stop by the Bayberry Quilters show in Harwich, MA. Laurena will have a booth at the show where you can try a longarm quilting machine. It’s always a great show and a wonderful time to be on the Cape!
Laurena sees more and more quilters arrive with Minkee quilt backs. This plush microfiber fabric feels scrumptious, making it totally irresistible for cozy baby or lap quilts. Before working on the first customer’s quilt with a Minkee back, Laurena checked out as many online sources to make sure it would be a success. Here’s 5 tips to using Minkee fabric on your quilt.
These plush fabrics are very stable along the warp, but stretchy on the weft. Keep the selvedges on your fabric and do not cut them off.
Pin your zippers opposite the grain of the fabric (i.e. perpendicular to the selvedge edges). This will control the wiggly aspect of the fabric. It may mean more rolling, but the results are definitely worth it.
Minkee is 60″ wide. Joann Fabrics sells a similar product called “Soft and Comfy” that is 58″ wide. Measure your backing to ensure that your fabric is 4″ – 8″ wider and longer than your quilt top. If you need to enlarge the back, add that extra panel in the middle of your back. This makes the back interesting and keeps it stable.
Think about your batting choice. Quilter’s Dream Cotton Select gives the quilt a fantastic drape. (Yesterday, motivated marathon quilter Susan finished 4 baby and lap quilts using Select and they looked fabulous!) Higher loft battings plus the plush backing will give your quilt a different dimensionality.
Quilting stitches tend to disappear in the plush fabric. If you’re hoping to make a colorful quilted statement on the back, you may want to consider a heavy flannel instead of plush microfiber.
The folks at Fabric.com created one of the best videos on how to use Minkee, so I thought I’d share it with you.
It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s time to see beautiful quilts in a gorgeous environment that’s air conditioned.
Detail from one of the 58 quilts from the Pilgrim/Roy Collection on view now at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Have you been to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to see the Quilts in Color Exhibit? If you haven’t, be sure to get there before the exhibits closes on July 27.
What a fabulous setting to view spectacular quilts. How often do we get to view quilts close up and from a distance? This is one of those special occasions.
The museum curators carefully chose lighting, hanging mechanisms and even wall colors to unite the different themes of the exhibit. It’s an opportunity to discover color combinations and how they play on quilt tops. Nearly all of quilts were made before 1950, Gerry Roy links his background and appreciation of Abstract Impressionists and Op art.
Did I mention that the museum is air conditioned? It’s closed on July 4, but open late normally Wednesday through Friday nights. Check the hours and keep in mind that Bank of America card holders can flash their bank cards for free admission the first weekend of the month.
If you absolutely cannot get to see the exhibit in July, definitely click over to enjoy all of the fabulous slideshows and videos about the show.
I’ve been twice since the exhibit opened, and I certainly plan to get back this month. See you there?
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