Arizona Quilt Show

Last week I attended the annual AQG show in Mesa, Arizona where I was fortunate to get a very close look at the official Centennial Quilt. 

It was made by a "team of quilters, historians and artisans from across the state" and it will become part of the permanent collection of the Arizona Historical Society. It depicts the history and various features of this diverse state from desert to mountain elevations.

I thought you might enjoy a closer look....click on any photo for even closer examination.

This is the back of it - the names of all contributors are listed. It was quilted separately so basically two quilts are joined into one to allow custom quilting on each side.

The design, artistry and workmanship is astounding. Cudos to those who had anything to do with its creation. It is truly a treasure for the state of Arizona.

I also snapped a few other photos......
Since I'm working on my diamonds these two caught my eye.

And....I was surprised to see this quilt made with fabrics from the 1970's.  I recognized several exact prints in my collection. Maybe they are making a comeback!

Could the rapid rise in cost per yard of fabric today be encouraging us to take a new look at our stashes?

Next Weekend: Regional Quilt Study Meeting

Tucson, AZ

March Theme - The 1970's!

I hinted in a earlier post that one of my monthly themes this year would have to do with a time period in quilting that gets no respect these days....but I started quilting then and maybe some of you did too.







As a home sewer, polyester blends and knits were the rage for fashion fabrics (no ironing!) but they didn't work well for quilting.


I found this image on-line but I made this! I had the pattern - who knows I may still have the pattern!




The American bicentennial spurred a nostalgic look back at our nation's past.. Quilt patterns began to appear in magazines and community school classes offered beginning quiltmaking. Quilters Newsletter, the first magazine dedicated solely to quilting, was started by Bonnie Leman in 1969. Quilt stores began to pop up and another quilt revival was born.

The very first quilt I made (1974) was this Trip Around the World in small calico prints and poly-blend solids.
(This is a photo re-run from my post last November on One Patch Quilts.) It's the only one I have of that first quilt.

 Reminder: Photograph your quilts!




As it happens, two of the topics chosen by the Minnesota quilt study group for 2012 are 'Quilts from the 1950's, 60's and 70's' and 'One-Patch Quilts'.
So for my first project this month I am combining these topics and making a Tumbling or Baby's Block 'small' from my authentic 70's stash!





I am using a metal 60 degree diamond template which is a bit larger than I wanted so I am tracing the inner line and then eyeballing the seam as I hand-piece.

I am making little groups of three...It's a great take-along project for those found moments or while vegitating in front of the boob-tube.



These are not sewn together but I've laid them out to get the idea.

Cool? Groovy? 

When I showed a friend she said, "I really kind of like it - but don't you dare tell anyone I said that."

What did I tell you about no respect? 

Wait til I tell her I'll be using poly batting!

Then and Now
Always in Fashion

Here I Go Again.....Starting New Projects

Even though you all know I have lists filling literally pages (you've seen 'em) of 'old' projects/UFO's, or as Lynn calls them 'Works in Progress"...it IS a New Year and it's energizing to be starting a New Project.....or two.... okay, I happen to have three small quilts in mind.
I've chosen a theme for each month this year - a way to remind myself to  experiment and add freshness to my on-going projects.

January is Amish style.Here is an assortment of fabrics I plan to use for my first design; the classic Diamond in a Square.

February is Pennsylvania German style. I pulled some pieces from my stash that should work.

In March I'm going back to the '70's.  The 1970's!! 

Where did I get all of these? 

I've had to think ahead - pre-planning these three months because I will be traveling and won't have access to my fabric stash.

 I start sewing tomorrow.....

Stay Tuned!