Pacific
Piecemakers Quilt Guild
Bits & Pieces
May 2004 -- Volume 9, Issue 5
Jeri Taylor, Editor
www.pacificpiecemakers.org
MAY
May
21 & 22
Gualala
Arts
Again this month we are highlighting two of our own treasures. Anna Hines will lecture on
“Pieces: Poems and Books
in Quilts,” on our regular meeting day, May 21. Social hour will start at
12:30; the meeting will begin at 1:00.
Many of us have seen Anna’s delightful quilts, and look
forward to hearing her describe the way she integrates the
quilting process with the illustrations of her charming
children’s books.
On Saturday, May 22, Annie Beckett will teach a workshop on
the Ives Color System. No one
who’s seen Annie’s quilts can deny her impeccable sense
of color, so here’s the opportunity to help develop our own
“color eye” more fully.
The workshop runs from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and costs
$25.00. Contact Laurie
Mueller (785-9533, P.O. Box 314, TSR 95497, laurie@mcn.org.)
GUILD
GLIMMERS
By
Jeri Taylor
Guild members were treated to a dazzling display of Japanese
textiles last month as Mary Austin shared her extraordinary
collection.
After acknowledging that she had always been drawn to the
culture of Japan — a wooden Buddha was a wedding present and
her father needlepointed “Embracing Cranes” for her
— she described her journeys to the island nation and the
beginnings of her collecting efforts, which now focus on old
country fabrics.
We were introduced to a new vocabulary, some of it familiar
(sashiko and shibori), some of it wonderfully arcane
(shockikubai, tsutsugaki, tsujigahana).
But whatever the name of the technique or the garment, each
was unique and beautiful in its own way.
Mary is fond of rabbits, which are a common theme in Japanese
fabrics. She told us that
while we see the “man in the moon,” the Japanese see
the “rabbit in the moon pounding rice cakes.” Other common themes are pine,
bamboo and plum blossoms (the “three friends of
winter”), the crane and the tortoise, and lotus blossoms.
In all, it was a fascinating visit to an ancient, powerful,
and spiritual culture.
PRESIDENT’S
CORNER
What Are You Afraid of ?
When I first started quilting, I felt I could follow patterns for most basic blocks. I was comfortable as long as the block had squares or triangles. Straight seams were my friends. After a while I realized I had a built in little list of “things to avoid,” things I was afraid of trying. I avoided curved seams, paper piecing, appliqué and inset piecing. All of my quilting was straight or geometric machine quilting following the edges of the blocks or bindings. Then one day I noticed what I admired in other quilters’ work were the very things I avoided in my own quilts.
So I made a list of things to
try. I found a “big sister” or quilting mentor to get
some first hand advice and practice. Within our guild and
individual quilting groups, we have a wonderful range of amazing
expertise. I took workshops.
I learned and made mistakes, some really spectacular. One of the wonderful things
about quilting is the endless opportunity it provides for
creativity.
We have a challenge show coming
up in June. A chance for you to challenge
yourself. If you think of the show as an opportunity, you may
decide to try one of those techniques you have avoided. Our Guild
calendar is full of intriguing workshops and lectures,
opportunities to develop and refine your skills. The Progressive
Quilt, Block of the Month, and Comfort Quilt workshops all
provide fun opportunities to try something new. Go ahead —
Carpe your diem.
Donna Blum
THE
LIBRARY CORNER
By
Ann Graf
Thanks to some generous book donations as well as another
successful silent auction, the following books will be added to
your library shelves:
Endless Stars: Strip-Pieced Quilts that Sparkle by
Jean Potetz. This is a clever new technique for creating four
pointed star quilts quicker. Try it out on comfort quilts.
Japanese
Inspirations – 18 Quilted Projects by
Janet Haigh. It’s an attractive book with more good ideas
for creating Japanese patterns.
24
Quilted Gems by
Gai Perry. This is a treasure trove of a beloved quilt
teacher’s most requested patterns with lessons in color and
design.
Thinking
Outside the Block – Step by Step to Dynamic Quilts by
Sandi Cummings. Spontaneity sparks spectacular designs. Start
with six traditional blocks, then move to
“transition” units that offer a bridge to contemporary
quilt making.
Quilting
by Hand – Simple Stitches, Exquisite Quilts.
Jinny
Beyer’s latest book is richly illustrated and well written.
Quilt
National 2003: the Best of contemporary Quilts. By
Sterling Publishing Company, this is a collection of over 80
quilts from this prestigious exhibit.
P.
S. I Love You Two by
Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. More good ideas
for children’s and comfort quilts.
Patchwork
Picnic by
S. Halferty and Nancy Martin
Red
Wagon Originals – Designer Series by
Gerry Kimmel and L. Brannock. This is an old favorite, but new to
our collection; uses folk patterns, flannels and plaids.
Improvisational
Quilts by
Nancy
Crow. If you like color, you’ll be inspired by this
collection of Nancy’s contemporary work. She’s a
legend.
America
from the Heart: Quilters Remember September ll, 200lby
KereyBresenhan. This book came about as the result of the moving
exhibit of quilts (Quilt Market in Oct. 200l) made by quiltmakers
from around the world - made so quickly in a catharsis of grief
and anger.The exhibit was unforgettable, heartbreaking and
inspiring.
Finally,
Gwen Marston’s book, Mary Schafer, American Quilt Maker,
has arrived.
SNIPPETS
May
3—June 13: Quilts by
Lisa Bowes, Zocalo Coffeehouse, 645 Bancroft Avenue, San
Leandro, CA 94577. Artist’s reception: May 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Further info:
www.io.com/~lisabee/quilts.html
June
5-6: Wine Country Quilts,
Santa Rosa. Quilt show put on
by the Moonlight Quilters of Sonoma County. Further info: 707 528-6624
May
9-14: Quilters’ Escape,
Fortuna. Four days of
hands-on study with a national teacher of your choice: Jane Sassaman, Judy Severson,
Dixie McBridge, Cynthia England, and Janet Jones Worley. The $495 cost includes meals,
workshops, lectures, and all special activities. Further info: 707 442-0081 or
www.quiltersescape.com.
May
29-30: Fort Bragg Memorial
Day Quilt Show. Opportunity to enter quilts
and see many beautiful quilts by local quilters. Entry
deadline May 1. Further
info: 707 964-1514.
SOMETHING’S
FISHY
The challenge show is almost upon us!
MAY 21— Get an entry form at the May meeting and
give one copy of the information section to Mary Austin or Janet
Sears. You are encouraged to
offer your quilt for sale; be sure the price is on the entry
form. These forms must be
handed into the office by Mary or Janet on May 21! Keep the other copy of the
form to hand in with your quilt.
JUNE 9 OR JUNE 10 — Deliver
your quilt to the Art Center between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Be sure your quilt has a
hanging sleeve, slat or rod, and a label. Securely pin an entry form to
the back of your quilt.
JUNE 12— The show opens with a
reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Please bring a plate of finger foods with you.
JULY 5— The show comes down;
pick up your quilt between 10:00 and 1:00.
LIKE
SURPRISES? THE PROGRESSIVE
QUILT
PROJECT IS FOR YOU!
Just bring a brown paper bag with your name on it, containing
a block 12” or larger to the June Guild meeting. The block can be pieced,
appliquéd or put together any way you want. In the bag you may include
leftover fabric that you think might enhance progressive work on
your block. Before leaving
the meeting you will pick up another quilter’s block with
instructions for the first round of work. If you are unable to attend
the meeting, get a friend to bring your block and pick up the
other one for you.
Bring the growing block to the July meeting. We will have four rounds and
you will work on four different blocks.
The completed tops will be exhibited at the October meeting. Keep your work on the blocks
secret. Have fun, and prepare
for shock and awe!
Ellen Soule
HELP!
Sharon Simon is looking for a few good women — one or two
to finish two quilts she doesn’t have time for now. One is a Roberta Horton
whimsical cat, about 20 x 64, and needs a bit more piecing and
quilting. The other is a 72” square quilt which needs hand
appliqué, piecing, and quilting.
She is willing to trade ALL her fabric/notions/beads, etc. in
her stash in order to get these two quilts completed. Sounds like a good deal for
someone! Contact Sharon at
785-2574, or Sharon@mcn.org to get more details.
COMING
IN JUNE
Melody
Johnson’s fantastic fusing workshop, June 15-17. Don’t miss this
world-class quilter!
MEMBER
INFO
New
members: Sue Friedland,
415-750-9463, P.O. Box 111, Cazadero 95421, 30 Dec.
suef@sonic.net.
Linda
Jones, 785-1743, P.O. Box 1384, Gualala 95445, 8 Sept.
Leanne
Liston’s new address: 38930
Old Stage Road, Gualala 95445.
Cynthia
Daniels’ new email: Fergus@mcn.org
HAPPY
MAY BIRTHDAY
Charlene Younker
4
Linda Brodie
11
Joyce Gaudet
17
Leanne Liston
17
Bette Covington
19
Donna Auguste
30