New and not

I have said before that I see myself as a kind of archeologist of craft sorts. Whether, I’m  uncovering forgotten scraps from throw-away objects or celebrating vintage imagery and inspiration in modern context, I get a good feeling from this kind of recycling.   These treasures deserve more air time and serve to make the past, last.

 

 

I have also repeated this a few times lately:  that planning your project is a good idea (within reason, of course.)  It seems  to throw the idea of improvisation out the window, but each has a place.  I like to alternate.  This adorable embroidery has been lovingly planned to dress the front of a fancy laundry bag.  

This beautiful improvisation in black and red is the work (and planning) of Quilt Initiative led by Lizzy Rockwell. She always thrills me with the projects she elicits from a group of men and women at the center – some from scraps.  But always delightfully designed, often with Quilter’s Alley fabrics.

We’re planning for the Empire Quilter’s Show at the Fashion Institute of Technology –  28th and 7th Ave. NYC, this weekend the 21, 22 of March.
Hope to see you there!

 

Long Arming

 

We’ve blogged, we’ve skyed and now we’ll be long arming.  We are sad to see our fellow business, Little Red Quilt House, close operations as a resource for machine quilting this week. Because it leaves a hole in our service to customers, we’ve decided to purchase our own long arm and start offering machine quilting services at The Quilter’s Alley.  The details are forthcoming as we make the necessary decisions.  Our website will contain a special area for this information.

 

We have set up an area for Specialty Fabrics that lend themselves perfectly to children’s clothing.  Our selection of patterns for kids is growing, with the addition of some of Oliver + S fall line in larger sizes and classic heirloom style clothing from Michelle Designs and others. These have places on the fabric to embellish with embroidery. We have ordered 22 delightful bolts of Lecien fabrics in bright miniature prints.  Some of it will be sliced into Sushi Rolls (3 inch strips) and some will be available for making garments, accessories and quilts.
Look at the sumptuous colors on the horizon.

 

 

We continue to have wonderful projects coming to life at our shop.

Ohio Star is so popular at our shop, especially the witch pattern.

 

Nice free motion quilting

My Tuesday Girls

Kaci finished in one session

The next project for Start Sewing Series

Irish Chain, just back from the quilter

Some projects on their way. See next post!

One of my sidelines: Personalizing Pillowcases

 

Tuesday on Martha

Susie Flynn and I visited the Martha Stewart Show. We spent a good half-hour waiting on line.  The advice to “dress to impress”  which comes with your email confirmation was taken very seriously by the girl behind us.  Her five-inch heels were too much for walking in the city, but she donned them as we waited to go inside to the show.  

 

Dressing to impress at the last second

 Susie and I took pictures of one another to remember the day.  I included this one to save space and to demonstrate how psychic Susie is.( Notice what Martha is wearing below.)
These are shots as we inched our way up the line and through security.

 

Larger than Life

 

Aqua is the color of the day

 

 

The Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond was featured with some gorgeous Thread Velvet. (You can see a sliver of the Designer Diamond behind Martha.) We were on the Cooking Side of the set.  Diane Lane was the guest and she’s gorgeous too.  We had lots of fun under the lights and dodging the camera-on-the-crane. (Technical term) We received a book on survival, some Martha mags and a voucher for her new Embroidery Collection.

Then we took a walk to the (delightful) City Quilter which hosts the most inspiring collection of fabrics outside of our own.(if I say so myself) Kathy, the owner, made us feel at home and Judy Doenias popped up between classes.  What a surprise for me!  Judy taught at our store about a year ago and I’m trying to convince her to do another round. They brought us downstairs to see the floorcloths they’re working on,  and we had a chance to meet Kathy’s business partner at his computer (also downstairs) her husband! Stu and I are not the only couple who can work together successfully, but I’d love to share stories with Kathy.

 

Kathy (blinking) & Dale

 

Blog Heaven

We’ve been watching the Martha Stewart Blog all week, waiting to see when the photos from the VIKING Convention would appear.  Well, if you scroll way down, you’ll see us, but I’ve taken the liberty to borrow a couple that we are very proud of. Meanwhile, Martha did a great job capturing what we experienced at the convention.

 

We’re back from Convention

This has been the most amazing week!  Going to the Husqvarna VIKING Convention is lots of work, but loaded with fun and excitement.  The sky in San Antonio, TX is big and blue.  Our hotel was luxurious.  Most of all, the Designer Diamond and other new products that were introduced made it an inspiring trip, with lots learned and much to share now that we’re back.

Here are a couple of highlights:

This is a view from our hotel room window.  18th Floor.

A conversation with Martha.  It was like being on her TV show.  We were among the group who met her earlier, one on one, as well, and then got front row seats for this part. She has created a new line of embroidery designs which we will be carrying.

Husqvarna Viking and Scott Fox giving Martha the 1st Designer Diamond as a gift.

 

 

 

Making me think

This is the second crazy quilt this week. Coincidence?

 

Crazy

After my morning “off,” which amounted to two hours at my guild meeting, only because it was my turn to bring block exchange, it turned crazy when I got to the store. I haven’t been to a meeting with these gals since December or January, and my phone, which I thought was ringing in my head, rang the entire time in my coat pocket, hanging in the host’s mud room. It’s a good thing when the store is hopping, but I get no peace. The block exchange I offered is an modern hand applique called Lollypop Trees. All my fabrics are Kaffe Fassett – ish.  I packed precut templates and all the fabrics and pattern and my own instructions into four kits, hoping that at least four people would be able to handle the magnitude of the project.The blocks are 20″ each.  

There is no time pressure and we discussed having people share one block, maybe someone making the applique shapes and someone attaching them to the background. I know this group. They’ll work it out.  Of course my camera was in the car, but Heidi brought two spectacular quilts to show and tell. (among other projects)

So when I got back to the shop, there was the “why didn’t you answer your phone?” and it didn’t settle down all day.  There was one truly magnificent highlight, when the antique crazy quilt was opened onto our big table.  Everyone gathered in awe and even I stopped for a moment.  I keep thinking, there is definitely karma in quilts, silent calm, patience and beauty.