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After quilt retreat: Batik tree skirt

I spent 25 hours working on the batik tree skirt for the Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild’s tree in the Festival of Trees fundraiser next month. The first seven were spent cutting the fabric. The pattern and templates were all on paper. I had one chance to cut the templates right so I had to take […]

Virtual Shop Hop: The Cotton Cabin, Dubuque, Iowa

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that includes a trip to a quilt, shop then consider visiting The Cotton Cabin in Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque is a lovely town on the Mississippi River with a vibrant Main Street where you’ll find local restaurants, coffee shops, a knitting shop and The Cotton Cabin Quilt Shop. The […]

Just Hangin’ Around

This is the first in a series of crib quilt I’m working on that takes a modern twist on pictorial kit quilts that were popular in the mid-20th Century. I have a few of the antique crib quilts in my collection. They feature one large image that is appliqued, embroidered or both. Some are on […]

Ready or not

There is a pretty good chance I’m going to have the baby early, possibly today or tomorrow even. About a week ago my blood pressure spiked. It wasn’t so high to induce before I was full term, but it was high enough to have me work from home for the rest of the pregnancy. See […]

Quilt show in the bunk room

One’s choice of bedding at quilt retreat is a very important choice. I’m sure there are posh quilt retreats where everyone has their own room in hotel-like fashion. But at my Guild’s retreat, we all share bunk rooms and the quilts that adorn them are on display for everyone to see. It is like a mini […]

SAQA exhibit celebrates Marie Webster

Marie Webster. Never heard that name before? Well quilters today owe a lot to her. In 1909, she broke with traditional Victorian quilt patterns and created her first applique quilt that was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. Her designs, featuring a center medallion typically of flowers, and strong borders caught the eye of […]

September BOM 2016 tutorial

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day! It doesn’t feel like it here in the Midwest where I am but fall will be here soon and that means it is quilting time again. This month’s Block of the Month pattern is a small one. Finishing at just three inches square, I opted to use […]

Blue ribbon quilts from the fair

I went to the Mississippi Valley Fair this week and spent some time looking at the quilts entered for judging. There were some beautiful quilts and for the first time, I felt like my skills are pretty comparable with some of the ones on display. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m good […]

A sneak peak at ‘The Wedding Quilt’

Judging by the expressions of jealousy and shared excited on my Facebook profile when I announced that I got my hands on an advance copy of Jennifer Chiaverini’s new book “The Wedding Quilt” I’m guessing you all are going to be pretty interested to read my review of the book. I’m halfway through and I’m […]