Machine Quilting: Hit The Accelerator

Machine Quilting: Hit The Accelerator
By Wade Robins

Machine quilting is becoming more and more popular by the day. Long gone are the days when you would sit down with a quilting frame and manually hand sew it until you are satisfied that it is well designed and will stand the test of time. If you still do use that method then you should really try machine quilting for size. If you do not like it then it is your choice, but you owe it to yourself to try out the technology that may just save you a lot of time and make it more enjoyable as a pastime. Some quilters love machine quilting, especially those that are new to the hobby, but some prefer to stick to the traditional methods of quilting instead. The choice is yours!

Hand-Sewing Vs. Machine Sewing

You have to be creative if you want to create works of art via quilting. There are various patterns that you can follow but it is much more satisfying to come up with your own designs and create a style for yourself. Hand sewn quilts are symbolic of the effort that individuals are prepared to put into their handiwork and if you make your quilts that way then you should be proud of yourself. However, you may well have to wait for weeks and weeks before you can finally add the finishing touches to one quilt. With machine quilting, however, you can easily create beautiful quilts in just a few days. Machine quilting is the in thing at the moment as a direct result of that. A machine can power a needle quite easily through several layers of fabric and gives you the freedom to choose the type of stitching that you want without having to manually learn how to do it!

Machine quilting

can offer some distinct advantages over hand sewn quilts. Firstly, the finished project will look more professional because it is easier to create straighter edges and basic designs with a machine than it is when stitching it by hand. Machine quilting also ensures that the final product is much stronger than a hand sewn quilt could ever be. The machine will actually pull the material tauter than one individual could ever do and thus the stitches are guaranteed to have a strength that only a machine could bring! This is much better for the longevity of the quilt.

Both hand sewn quilt and quilting machines have distinct advantages over the other, but in the technological world that we inhabit, technology wins every time. Unfortunately for old arts, if you cannot do it with a machine then many things would not actually get done at all. Machine quilting makes life so much easier and the results are just as fabulous.

You can also find more info on Quilting Software and Quilting Supplies. IHeartquilting.com is a comprehensive resource to known about quilting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins
http://EzineArticles.com/?Machine-Quilting:-Hit-The-Accelerator&id=591882

for information about fish quilt patterns, visit
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Enhance Your Quilting Experience - Quilting Kits

Enhance Your Quilting Experience - Quilting Kits
By Wade Robins

If you have decided to make a go of quilting then you may want to check out all of the aids available to you on the market. There are many products that you can choose from out there but a good one for any beginner is a quilting kits. Quilting kits will provide you with everything you need to make a beautiful quilt first time around. Quilting kits will provide you with full and comprehensive instructions as well as ready-made material squares, quilting materials and other essential parts of the quilt. Whilst it does not contain the thread used to quilt, everything else that you would ever need is contained in the quilting kits.

Quilting Kits: The Contents

Quilting kits contain everything you need to make attractive and useful quilts. There will almost certainly be a top and bottom of the quilt in there that are already cut to size. As a result, any beginner can learn how to sew quilts effectively and quickly because the most difficult parts of getting started are already done for them. It can be difficult to cut level and equal top and bottom layers. It is fairly simple to stitch the layers together after initially cutting them to size so you do not have to worry about having an uneven quilt with any of the quilting kits available out there. If you have experience with quilting then quilting kits will actually enable you to have it completely finished in just a few hours.

All sections of material have to be equal, or as close to equal as possible in order to work properly. If you not achieve the correct sizing the first time round then it is possible to alter the materials but you would end up with a series of smaller squares and thus a smaller quilt! Quilting kits provide the altered pieces for you and thus save you a lot of time and effort trying to perfect the art of cutting the materials down to size in the right way! Even the simplest of squares are hard to cut, but the more intricate the design the more expertise it will take!

Quilting kits are excellent for any quilter, regardless of what level they are on at the moment. However, they are also extremely versatile and can be used for various other things as well as the obvious quilts. You can make baby clothing and blankets, wall hangings, rugs, quilted cushions and pillows and much more from decent quilting kits. With this sort of flexibility, you cannot go wrong!

You can also find more info on Quilting Software and Quilting Supplies. IHeartquilting.com is a comprehensive resource to known about quilting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins
http://EzineArticles.com/?Enhance-Your-Quilting-Experience---Quilting-Kits&id=615672

For information about easy quilting patterns, visit
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Your Guide To Quilting Material

Your Guide To Quilting Material

Your Guide To Quilting Material
By Wade Robins

There are many beautiful factors associated with quilting that can leave you to enjoy your hobby as a result of the complete and utter freedom that it lends you. One of those factors happens to be quilting materials. There are no rules that dictate the quilting materials that you must use when sewing patterns and designs. Instead, you can choose the materials that you want to use and incorporate various textures into your designs. Cotton, wool, velvet and various other fabrics are all commonly used by quilters the world over.

The tools that you are using to make your quilt can have just as much impact on the final results as the quilting materials that you are using have. The needle, for example, is of paramount importance in ensuring that your quilt is of a high quality. The shorter the needle, the more control you have over it and the better it will be at piercing the cloth accurately. You may, however, need a larger needle to push through the quilting material. However, regardless of the needle you actually us, you should always make sure that it is sharp.

Quilting thread is one of the essential quilting materials. You should use it to decorate your quilt as well as hold it together and it should therefore be of the special variety that is much stronger than ordinary cotton. Not only will you be embroidering through three layers of material, it will be pulled from pillar to post and must be strong enough to withstand that. Any quilting materials that you use must be strong enough to withstand such force. A wax coating on the thread will enable you to pull it through easier as well so this is always an option worth considering. Of course, the colours of any quilting materials that you use are completely up to you, but it is always worth considering specialist materials.

There are certain factors that you need to take into consideration before purchasing any quilting materials. Firstly, you will need to take the aesthetic appearance of any look that you hope to achieve into account because obviously the final look and feel of velvet will be very different to the look and feel of cotton. You will also need to consider the intended use of the quilt too because a delicate one is unlikely to survive very long on a child’s bed, whereas tough quilting materials will withstand almost anything!

Quilting materials are massive as far as the choice and range is concerned. All tastes are catered for and all level of expertise are too. However, you have to learn to run before you can walk so choose cotton or something as malleable before using denim for example. Quilting materials are widely available so search for bargains before sitting back and enjoying yourself.

You can also find more info on Quilting Designs and Quilting Machine. IHeartquilting.com is a comprehensive resource to known about quilting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins
http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-Guide-To-Quilting-Material&id=624930

For information about Dresden Plate quilt patterns, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/dresdenplatequiltpattern/

Creating and Selling Craft Patterns

Creating and selling your own craft patterns for fun & profit!
Crafters are creative and talented people who thrive on the thrill of seeing the finished product. As a crafter myself, I enjoy seeing the talents of other come to life at craft shows and patterns that I discover in magazines and books.

If you are a crafter and have always wanted to get your ideas published here are some ideas and suggestions for writing and getting your ideas sold.

My favorite craft is to crochet, but I also make candles and soaps. I like following the directions on some of the many craft patterns out there but a lot of times I will be creative and make up my own. I have started to compile my patterns into a notebook and share them with others.

In order to get started you must first write down everything you know about the item that you have created. First start with what materials are needed. For example if you are creating a crochet project, write down the type of yarn you used, the size of the needle and any other materials that were needed. If you are doing a general craft, make sure to specify what the materials are such as glue, paper, etc. Try to be as detailed as possible to make it easy for crafters to locate the materials they need at the store.

Once you have a list of materials required, start out listing the basic steps and instructions for your craft project. For example if you are creating a candle craft make sure to provide safety tips and instructions, along with suggestions on how to prevent errors. A good suggestion is to review other craft patterns you have read to see how they were prepared.

The next phase is to write out your craft pattern in detail, providing step-by-step instructions. Make sure your information is clear and precise and to the point. Try to provide photos or illustrations of your project that makes it much easier for the reader to follow.

Once you have the pattern written down, test it out to make sure that you are able to follow all of the instructions. Even better, ask a fellow crafter to review it to see if the pattern is easy to follow.

The next step is to get your pattern published. There are several magazines and Internet sites that are looking for patterns. You can learn how to submit your work through publications such as Writer's Market or the magazine Writer's Digest. If you have a subscription of your favorite craft magazine, check out their requirements for pattern/author submissions. If they don't have anything listed contact them via phone or email and ask if they are accepting new projects and what their guidelines are. Some may require a photograph along with the finished written craft project so be sure to be prepared.

The amount of money a publication will pay you for your patterns will vary. You can even consider publishing your patterns yourself if you want. If you decide to take the step into self-publishing your patterns, check out the self-publishing books on Amazon or through your local bookstore. Also ask other crafter how they have started in the business of creating and publishing their patterns.

Crafting is a big business and with a little creativity and inspiration you can become a published crafter!

About the Author

Writer of Gel Candles How To Make For Fun & Profit & How to Sell On Ebay and Other On-Line Auctions. How To Self-Publish Your Book and Get It Sold! Writing and auction tips and more available on my web Site! I also create my own craft patterns, books and e-books!

For information about double wedding ring quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/doubleweddingringquilt/

Nifty Kids - bright clothes for bright babies, shop for baby clothes UK.

March 16, 2004--Nifty Kids, a UK based online retailer of quality baby clothes, today launched its new updated website.

Specialists in bright, colourful clothing, many taken from the leading Australian range Brightbots, Nifty Kids has all a bright baby could need! Protective swimwear, cute booties, joggers, dungarees, baby quilts, the majority made from 100% cotton and manufactured to high standards.

All major credit cards are accepted through the leading industry payment system Worldpay, while the site has been specially built to make it easy to use. Payments can be made offline if required.

Designed to have every type of baby clothes a fashion conscious parent would desire, we hope that you like our range.

Why not try us out? Go to www.niftykids.co.uk TODAY!

For information about discount quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/discountquilts/

The http://www.patternreview.com sewing community helps sewers share their experiences and learn from each other on the internet

http://www.PatternReview.com is a growing online community focused on categorizing, managing and sharing sewing experiences and opinions. The website which was launched in November last year is free for all of its users and boasts a growing number of sewers and reviews.

Deepika Prakash, a sewing enthusiast and a software developer, saw the challenge and difficulty in easily obtaining information from popular sewing message boards for making sewing decisions and created http://www.PatternReview.com to allow sewers to post and read opinions in an easy to navigate and categorized manner. The site initially allowed users to share reviews on their favorite patterns but over the last six months has evolved to allow users to also review and discuss sewing machines and sergers, sewing related websites, sewing books and magazines as well as fabric and sewing stores.

“The user response to http://www.PatternReview.com has been overwhelming and I receive e-mails from sewers almost on a daily basis thanking me for building and maintaining this site”, says Deepika. She has been rolling out new features and has most recently added functionality which allows users to create pattern review requests, maintain their personal pattern catalogs, create pattern wish lists, as well as buy, sell and exchange patterns with other users. This last feature was added to save sewers the added expense incurred in selling patterns via ebay or half.com.

http://www.PatternReview.com also features a weekly celebrity chat on Sunday evening at 9 PM EST and in the past has featured designers such as Peggy Sagers and Christine Jonson. Chat transcripts from previous chats are also available on the website. http://www.PatternReview.com is also running a Stash Contest to help sewers reduce theirs stash. Stash Contest winners receive prizes from contest sponsors.

“I developed http://www.PatternReview.com so that sewers could easily learn and share their knowledge, experience and opinions with each other. As the site grows I hope more and more sewers will benefit from it”, says Deepika. Looking at the user testimonials published at http://www.PatternReview.com it looks like the site is achieving this goal.

For information about denim quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/denimquilts/

New Martha Pullen certified instructor in Heirloom Sewing and Quilting

Martha Pullen, host of PBS-TV series Martha’s Sewing Room announces that Wendy Ann Wood of Portland, Oregon, has recently completed training in Huntsville, Alabama to become a Martha Pullen/Janome Licensed Teacher. This title has been awarded to a very few, select sewing teachers across the United States, England, Canada, Mexico and Australia. Pullen heads a sewing empire, Martha Pullen Company, Inc., based around the concept of heirloom sewing, which includes the publication of an international magazine, Sew Beautiful. Sew Beautiful, Founded in 1987, enjoys a readership of over 100,000 people six times a year. Each licensed Martha Pullen-Janome teacher is allowed to sell all of Pullen’s twenty-nine books written to promote this art as well as the Martha Pullen brand of imported fabrics and laces.

Pullen has been conducting The Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion in Huntsville, Alabama for eighteen years. The need arose to have very specialized teachers to teach the Martha Pullen methods when she began receiving hundreds of invitations to teach that she simply could not accept.

It became a new objective to carefully choose a few individuals who could travel for Mrs. Pullen sharing the joy and techniques of heirloom sewing and quilting. Wendy is one of the very small number of people who will be doing just that – traveling and teaching for Mrs. Pullen.

What is heirloom sewing? Heirlooms are hand made and meant to be treasured by families for generations to come. Handmade family pieces, such as the products Wendy is licensed to teach, are always sought after and carry warm memories of the person who made the garment. Heirlooms are stitched knowing that probably they will be around much longer than the person who made the garment or other item. Heirlooms, which Wendy has been licensed to teach, are fashioned after elegant Victorian clothing, which was extremely popular around 1900. The revival of heirloom sewing started around 1970 and is more popular today then when it began. At one time heirlooms were completely made by hand but with today’s computer technology advanced sewing machines and sergers; almost all of this type of sewing and embroidery is done by machine. Certainly the lack of time for today’s busy individuals who sew has necessitated that the process be faster. Janome has been one of the leaders in helping people who love to sew have the luxury of returning to their sewing machines to create these masterpieces.

From Pullen’s research, people are sewing for two main reasons today. First, sewing offers stress relief in a very fast moving world. Second, individuals love the creative aspect of making art pieces, the category into which these heirlooms certainly deserve to be placed. The classes Wendy will teach offer both of these elements to her heirloom sewing students.

The Janome Sewing Machine Company is headquartered in Japan where the sewing machines are manufactured; they are sold worldwide. Classic embroidery has been considered very aristocratic for centuries. With the new Janome sewing machines, elegant embroidery can be done with the touch of a button. With this new computer technology, making museum quality heirlooms has become very easy. Pullen has designed heirloom embroidery cards for Janome as well as other ones under the Martha Pullen Company brand. Many individuals enjoy the embroidery aspects of these computer machines to embroider numerous items, not just delicate heirlooms.

Classes which Wendy is certified to teach include an elaborate christening dress, an heirloom portrait dress for a little girl, several home decorating projects, and eighteen inch doll dress, angel fairy ornaments, custom pincushion and a museum quality quilt. Each Martha Pullen teacher is licensed to conduct classes anywhere in the world. With Wendy’s classes she will certainly facilitate her students to be able to create family heirlooms and memories using modern technology. One of the best-kept secrets of the sewing world is how easy it is to stitch a beautiful heirloom.

Anyone can take a Martha Pullen Heirloom class. All you need is a working sewing machine that can do straight and zigzag stitches and basic sewing knowledge. For more information on Wendy’s upcoming classes in our area you may visit her web site at: http://heart2hand.home.attbi.com/ and click on the ‘workshops’ button. Or contact Heart To Hand at: 503-884-1953.


For information about dachshund quilt patterns, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/dachshundquiltpatterns/

RECREATIONAL FASHION DESIGNERS MAKE PATTERNS LIKE THE PROS – ONLY BETTER!

So, can a recreational designer really make better fashions than the pros? How?

The secret lies in the sloper. A professional designer must appeal to and fit as many people as possible with each fashion item. A recreational seamstress doesn’t have these limitations. The recreational seamstress might be inspired by something manufactured under a designer label, but she makes all of the design decisions from style lines and fabric to trimming and accessories.

You too can learn how to style sewing patterns for your own Signature Originals. You will style slopers into patterns just like the pros using the CADterns Fit-FIRST system of personal patternmaking. Better yet, by starting with your own personal slopers, you make your own PERSONAL patterns. Best of all: NO MATH required!

Metamorphosing a fitted sloper into a fitted pattern may be easier than you think. We’ll start small (quarter scale) and practice with paper (a variety of weights and colours – start collecting samples today). What have you got to lose?
Enrolment requires a computer with email access, a digital sloper (available in class if needed), a printer, and $50.00 enrolment fee.
If you enjoy sewing but want an alternative to traditional patterns, this marriage of computers and sewing patterns is just what you need.

For information about custom quilting, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/customquilting/

Jinglers Baby Products

May 21, 2004 -- Jinglers offers the products like Baby Products, Chennai New Born Products, Baby Quilts Manufacturers, Pillows for infants, Mattress for kids, Chennai Mattress Protectors, Cushions for baby, Carry Bed for babies, Baby Bed, Baby Carry Bed, Baby Blanket in Chennai, ultimate comfort for the baby, baby comforters, Baby Gifts in chennai, india baby products, best baby products in chennai, Baby Accessories, New Born Products, New Born Accessories, Seat Rests, Baby Quilts, Baby Beds, ultimate comfort products, indian baby products, chennai baby products, baby products in chennai, india infant products, chennai kids products, terry cottons Pillows, cool cotton Pillows and more at Chennai in India.

Jinglers understands the baby’s needs and is the choice of mothers for over a decade. The soft and comfortable range of baby beds is an ideal companion for the baby’s growing years. Scientifically designed to aid healthy sleep and activity. "Ensure that your child grows with Jinglers". Jinglers special creation is Baby Carry Bed with Hood (BCB). The ultimate comfort for the baby and Mother.

This 3-in-1 Baby Carry Bed with Hood can be used as,
1. Baby Bed
2. Carry Bed
3. Blanket

The jinglers range is made from high quality poly fibre covered with cool cotton and terry cottons. For more information please visit us at: http://www.jinglersproducts.com/

For information about free baby quilt patterns, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/freebabyquiltpatterns/

New Avery Dennison™ MicroTach™ Basting Tool Features Smallest Tack and Needle Available on the Market

Framingham, MA May 13, 2004 -– Avery Dennison™ Fastener Division, a global leader in the design and manufacture of fastening products, introduces its new Quilter’s Choice MicroTach™ basting tool. MicroTach makes the basting process faster and easier than traditional techniques. It also features the smallest tack and needle available on the market.

This durable hand tool, originally designed for high-volume manufacturing, eliminates the need for pins, glue, thread, and large tacks. Its tiny but strong nylon T-End fasteners are ideal for a variety of craft projects, including basting, tacking appliqués, decorating, and more. The fasteners securely hold quilt layers and decorative pieces in place until they are ready for sewing. MicroTach is highly portable, lightweight and ergonomically designed to make basting fast and easy. In use, the small, ultra-fine needle gently spreads the fibers of the fabric to prevent holes. Once in place, the micro fasteners hold tight, yet are easily removed without damaging the fabric. The new MicroTach starter kit features all the tools necessary to make craft work fast and easy, while treating delicate fabrics gently.

Customers will find MicroTach unique because it improves on traditional methods of basting by providing:

·A basting tack that is over 35% smaller than other basting tacks available on the market.
·Tiny micro fasteners that can be sewn over without breaking a sewing machine needle.
·A small, extra-fine needle that helps to prevent damage to fabric.
·The ability to hold materials flush, which prevents puckers or folds.
·Easy micro fasteners that can be removed with a snip or quick pull.

For more information on the Avery Dennison MicroTach basting starter tool kit, call Avery Dennison customer service at 1-800-225-5913 or go to the company’s Web site at www.fastener.averydennison.com.

Avery Dennison is a Fortune 500 company with 200 manufacturing facilities and sales offices in 39 countries. The Fastener Division, headquartered in Framingham, Mass., is a leader in the design and manufacture of fastener systems and products for retail, apparel and packaging industry applications. Avery Dennison Fastener Division is QS-9000 certified and a leader in plastic fastening systems.

Spring Quilt Market Booth # 1652

For informaton about crazy quilting, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/crazyquilting/

Small Town Sewing Retreat Provides Big Opportunity for Learning

August 5, 2004 -- Walk into any classroom during the Stitch and Sew Get-Away in Olds, Alberta, and you're bound to find a small cluster of people gathered around an instructor to get a close-up view of a special technique uniquely her own. Then it is back to the sewing machines to apply this knowledge while it is fresh in students' minds.

All the while the instructor is present to assist in the process, share anecdotes of her own experiments and facilitate the camaraderie that develops among all participants.

Hosted by Betty Caskey, fiber artist, teacher and owner of VictorianPleasures.com, the sixth annual Stitch and Sew Get-Away wrapped up July 29. This year it offered a new fiber arts attraction when it expanded to offer its first annual Doll Conference.

Instructors from across Canada and the U.S. gladly come to Olds, Alberta every summer to teach at the beautiful Olds College campus and share their knowledge with eager students. Learners come from distant reaches of Alberta, as well as neighboring provinces, in order to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the fiber arts industry.

Silk dyer and painter Betty Conlin makes the trek every year from Ontario to teach her students the art of expressions in the fiber medium. This year, with the addition of the Doll Conference, the Get-Away offered classes from renowned doll artist elinor peace bailey of California.

"Word just has to get out about this show," says peace bailey. "It's just got such potential. The classes and instructors are top quality, and getting just the right number of people in the class makes for a dynamic learning experience."

Hostess Caskey agrees. "There's still much more I'd like to do, and so many more areas in which to grow. I enjoy putting on the show, and I think the students enjoy their time here too. They certainly benefit from the one-on-one attention from some excellent teachers. We have some of the best in the business here. You have to go a long way from Olds to get that same opportunity, and would probably have to spend a lot more to do it."

Classes this year encompassed sessions on design, silk dying, quilt techniques and finishing, while the doll conference provided hands-on experience in doll construction, facial design and working with multiple medias. Future classes will expand into new fiber and visual arts, such as journalling. Still, says Caskey, the focus remains on working side-by-side with industry icons.

"You usually have to go to big shows in the States or major Canadian cities to get to see presentations from some of these people, fighting crowds and rarely having the opportunity to interact with them. Here you get to work directly with them, then go have lunch and "talk shop".

The dates for the summer 2005 Stitch and Sew will be announced late this fall. For more information on the Stitch and Sew Get-Away and Doll Conference, contact Betty Caskey at 1-888-345-SILK (1-888-362-7455) or at her website, http://www.victorianpleasures.com.

For information about custom handmade quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/customhandmadequilts/

The Creativity Center, Inc. offers unique Kids Program

Clayton, Summer 2003 — Renowned art quilter, Valarie Jean Bailey will instruct Quilt-A-Story Summer Camp, a hands-on 6-week day camp for children ages 8 and up at the Creativity Center in downtown Clayton.

The camp offers children the opportunity to create a quilt based on storyboard sketches they design together. Children will also learn basic sewing skills, the theory behind quilt making, and gain insight into the basics of contemporary art quilting.

Contemporary art quilters often work with hand-dyed fabrics, special threads, beads, and paint. Using these nontraditional fabrics and embellishments help artist’s form a very unique piece of collectable art. The differences between contemporary and traditional quilts are very noticeable when comparing the two styles. The traditional quilt patterns, used most often as bedspreads, are made with patterns handed down over many years. The unique and creative art quilts we see on museum and gallery walls are a true expression of an artist’s creativity.

For more information on contemporary art quilting, visit the Contemporary Quilt Art Association at http://www.contemporaryquiltart.com or the online gallery of work at Quiltart http://www.quiltart.com/gallery.html. This unique camp is highly interactive, educational and fun. Cost of the camp is $400 per student. Due to the inclement weather over the winter, the camp dates will adjust to the Johnston County schools summer schedule. Camp is tentatively scheduled to begin June 9th and run through July 17th. For more information, or to register for the camp, please contact The Creativity Center at 919-553-8451, or visit the website at www.centerofcreativity.com. The Creativity Center is located at 190 Clayton Commerce Center, just behind the Clayton Post Office parking lot. The Creativity Center provides a wide variety of exciting onsite and offsite programs and activities for children and adults.

For information about crazy quilt patterns, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/crazyquiltpatterns/

A Decorating "Hug"

Quilts are a decorating palette of color, texture, and comfort. They add so much to your home decor. Not only do people notice the wonderful patterns, but they have a very "inviting" feeling. You almost want to curl up with a good book, and place that cover across your legs, and be whisked away to far away places and great adventures.

Quilts are not only to be used on beds, or chairs. They have come into their own as coverings for tables, trunks, and other areas that need a touch of "special." You can use the many colors in a quilt to highlight a room, bring out other features, or to contrast and give a great visual effect.

When you purchase a quilt, they can be hand-made, or machine-made. They are pieced together or squares of different patterns, or textures are sewed together for a certain effect. Whatever quilts you choose, they can be utilitarian besides beautiful. they are pefect for a light cover for a short nap, to enjoy by a roaring fire, or to cover a sleeping baby on your lap. Quilts are really just the touch for so many opportunities to provide comfort and decoration.

There is a vast price range when you purchase a quilt. Some of these masterpieces take months or even years to put together, while otehrs are gifts from relatives or friends that decided to make you something that would bring you a lot of enjoyment. Whether they are picture-perfect, a memento of generations past, or an attempt by a love one to create something unique and different as a gift or token of appreciation and affection, by all means use them in your decorating scheme. People will notice them and they add a feeling of "come sit a while and let's relax" to your home.

You might notice that people choose the chair or table near the quilt and finger the thread and texture lovingly. Its friendship and hospitality all brought together with needle and thread, a lot of creativity and imagination, and no matter where you purchase your quilt, they are made by someone who loves what they do and wants to share a "welcome" to whoever purchases their work.

So invest in quilts and add that very special decorating item to your home - you'll be amazed at the many uses you will find for it and the many times you find yourself using its wonderful "hugging" effect.
ENJOY!
©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 August

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For information about crazy quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/crazyquilt/

The Quilts on a Thousand Hills

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Illustrated Bible News - Special Edition Title The Quilts on a Thousand Hills

Editor: Larose McCluskey mailto:tetracha@aol.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcome to Illustrated Bible News

You are receiving this ezine because you or someone else requested a subscription at this address. To be removed from our mailing list, please see the unsubscribe instructions at the end of this newsletter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quilts on a Thousand Hills

by Ron McCluskey

"Aunt Joe! Aunt Joe!" Alice called down the stairs.

(Everyone called Josephine Aunt Joe. But, I call her that for a special reason. After all, she was my step great-aunt in-law.)

"What do you need Alice," Aunt Joe replied.

"You gave away our quilt. Did you forget that we are getting company tonight?"

Aunt Joe and her husband were missionaries in Africa. It was very difficult to get supplies and even harder to get luxuries like quilts. Even though they were in Africa, they lived high in the mountains where it got cold at night and blankets were necessary. Alice was her housekeeper. There were two very important church leaders coming to inspect their mission and stay the night with them. They would get very cold without a quilt.

"That's right," Aunt Joe said thoughtfully, "We better pray about it. After all, you know the Lord owns the quilts on..."

"Stop right there," said Alice, "I know what you're going to say. You are going to say that the Lord owns the quilts on a thousand hills. But how is he going to get you one here by tonight?"

"Well, lets just pray about it." And that is what they did. When they got off of their knees, they fixed up the guest room the best they could. Then they went downstairs.

When they went into the kitchen, right by the back door there was a barrel. What a surprise! When they had gone upstairs it was not there. As they looked at it they noticed that it had been sent from the United States.

"Look," said Aunt Joe, "It's the mission barrel. My husband must have brought it while we were upstairs and we did not hear it."

They eagerly opened up the barrel and do you know what they saw? ... They saw shirts and pants; blouses and skirts; socks and shoes. They eagerly took the clothes out of the barrel and clear at the bottom there was a quilt. It was a beautiful quilt. It was a thick quilt. It looked like it would keep a bed very warm. They quickly took the quilt upstairs and it just fit the bed. It was even the right size.

"See," said Aunt Joe, "God does own the quilts on a thousand hills and He can get them delivered wherever He needs them."

When they got back downstairs, they looked closer at the barrel. They noticed that it had been shipped over two months earlier from the United States. How did it arrive just in time? You know what I think? I think that God whispered in a ladies ear, "Would you like to have some fun with me? There is a missionary in Africa that needs a quilt. If you start making it now, we can get it there just in time." And that is what happened. That lady started making that quilt and put it in the mission barrel. That way it could get there just in time to surprise Aunt Joe and Alice.

When you need something, be sure to think of God. He owns everything on the earth and can supply every need that you have. Also, don't forget to listen for His voice. You might be the next one He calls on to share in His fun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Larose McCluskey is a physician who enjoys doing multicultural medicine and mission work. She has held child evangelism programs in 6 countries. Her work can be seen on www.larom.org and www.illustratedbible.com

For information about country quilts, visit http://quiltinfosite.com/countryquilts/

Caring for Quilts

Caring for Quilts
By: Joyce Moseley Pierce

For many years my mother worked in sales and lived out of a suitcase as she traveled the country, but that didn't stop her from doing some of the most beautiful needlepoint and cross-stitch work I've ever seen. When she retired, she quickly filled up the walls of her home and kept the local frame shop in business. After she had given favorites to her children and filled every white space in her home, she decided to start making quilts, but instead of just sewing the pieces of fabric together, she cross-stitched or needlepointed squares that would be sewn together by the town's quilting expert.

I was the recipient of one of these beautiful quilts but because my children were small, I didn't want to leave it out on a bed where it might get smeared with peanut butter and jelly, or even worse, colored with crayons or a permanent marker. Instead, I folded it up and put it in my closet inside a plastic zippered bag that my bedspread had come in.

Well, when Mom came to visit the next time, she went looking for that quilt. I assured her that it was packed away and that nothing could harm it. After all, it was sealed in plastic. Nothing could get to it. Boy, was I wrong!

I learned a lesson from Mom about how to store quilts:

1. Don't ever store them in plastic of any kind! It doesn't matter that your bedspread came in it. It's not the same.

2. Don't store them in humid or hot climates. If the temperature feels good to you, then it's okay for your quilt. If you live in Houston you shouldn't even own a quilt!

3. Don't store quilts in attics or garages. It makes a comfy bed for rodents and insects.

Instead, you should:

1. Store your quilt in a pillowcase or sheet, or roll it onto a muslin-covered tube.

2. Place a piece of fabric between the pillowcase or sheet and your quilt to protect it from the acids in the wood.

3. Twice a year, when the humidity is low and the air is blowing, air your quilt outside, out of direct sunlight.

4. Mark your calendar to refold your quilt every 3-4 months so you won't make a permanent crease in it. Crumple up some acid-free tissue paper to help eliminate fold lines.

If you feel comfortable in displaying or actually using your quilts (and isn't that why we make them?), you'll want to follow these guidelines to make your quilt last longer and help retain its beauty.

1. Keep your quilts away from direct light. The sun will make them fade and will age the fabric.

2. If you notice any tears, repair them as soon as possible. Remember that "a stitch in time saves nine," and will help lengthen the life of your quilt.

3. Clean up any accidents immediately. Washable quilts can be cleaned with cold water. My quilt, with the delicate cross-stitching fabric and thread, would need to be dry cleaned by an expert.

4. Before you wash, test the fabric to see if the colors are going to run. Use a white towel and cold water to test each color.

5. Do not put quilts in the dryer or hang them over a clothesline. They should lay flat between two sheets placed on the grass in the shade.

When I was a young, married woman I discovered a box of fabric in my grandmother's closet along with the pattern for a quilt that had been published by the Kansas City Star in the 1920s. Grandma told me she had bought the fabric when my dad was born and had just never made the quilt. She told me if I wanted to make it, she would pay to have it quilted for me. I accepted the challenge, and without knowing anything about quilts (or anything else!), I cut and assembled all of the pieces. It was beautiful, and I remember the pride I felt in knowing that I had sewn every stitch, but even as I laid it across my daughter's twin-sized bed, I could see how thin and worn the fabric had become. I wish now I would have used the pattern and bought newer, more sturdy fabric, that would have lengthened the life of the quilt, but that was just one of life's lessons I had to learn.

Going through the process of piecing that quilt helped me to have a deep appreciation for all of the time and love that goes into each stitch. As I worked on it, I tried to imagine my grandmother as a young mother and wondered what life was like for her. Was motherhood as challenging for her as it was for me? Did she ever imagine that she would have a granddaughter who would treasure this old fabric and the bond it gave to both of them?

Buying a bedspread is fast and fairly inexpensive because they are mass produced, but you can't expect it to give you you the same warm feeling as when you run your hands over the stitches of a quilt that was made by you or someone you love. When your hands caress the fabric and stitches of the quilt you have painstakingly created, the memories of the past are guaranteed to rush into your heart. If that quilt was made by someone who loved you, you will feel a connection that seems oblivious to time.

Copyright 2002 Joyce Moseley Pierce http://www.emersonpublications.com Joyce is a freelance writer and owner of Emerson Publications.She is the creator of "All They'll Need
to Know," a workbook to help families record personal and financial information. She is also the editor of
The Family First Newsletter, an ezine for families with young children.

Joyce is a freelance writer and owner of Emerson Publications.She is the creator of "All They'll Need
to Know," a workbook to help families record personal and financial information. She is also the editor of
The Family First Newsletter, an ezine for families with young children. http://www.emersonpublications.com

For information about continuous-line quilting designs, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/continous-linequiltingdesigns/

Online quilters from Quiltsville meeting in St. Louis.

The internet, email, browsers, and chat rooms are modernizing the age old skill of quilting. The weekend of October 11, 12, 13, and 14 fifty plus quilters are gathering in St. Louis to meet face to face for the first time since they met in a quilting chat room. The old fashioned quilt bee has changed from church basements and quilting frames hanging from the ceiling to chatting around the internet. As with the old quilt bee, ideas are shared, recipes exchanged, problems prayed for. Even without knowing faces, these quilters are devoted to each other and are there for each other in times of trouble. Many of the quilters have made baby quilts that will allow them to display their skills and quilting techniques, but after all the 'show and tell' these quilts are being donated to Children's Hospital in the name of one member who recently had a child treated there after a fatal drowning accident.

These 50+ quilters are all ages and will arrive with fat quarters and charms (quilting language) to trade with each other. They are coming from a number of different states, Canada, England, and Japan. Committees have been formed to display the baby quilts, provide games on Friday's tour of St. Louis quilt shops, make nametags, plan a lime green p.j. party, learn a new quilting skill, and whatever else stirs their imaginations.

Thursday night is a 'Meet and Greet Reception' and they will put names and faces together for the first time.

Friday QUILTERS' EXPRESS TOURS has planned a bus
tour to local quilt shops where they will receive a special welcome from shop owners.

Saturday they will share with each other the quilts they have made and have a guest quilter teach them a new skill.

Sunday at a buffet breakfast they will try to remember all the details of each person they met so faces can come to mind once they return to computing in their quilting chat room

For information about comforters and quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/comfortersandquilts/

Cat-run Handmade Quilts Website Expands to Add Vintage Quilts & Online Shopping

Cat-run Handmade Quilts Website Expands to Add Vintage Quilts & Online Shopping

Rolla, MO. -- A cat-run handmade quilt website has expanded to add more vintage quilts and an automated shopping cart for online shopping.

Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Collectibles, http://www.bluebirdgardens.com, features two rescue cats as guides through handmade quilts and related collectibles such as old books, flower vases, wallpockets and handhooked rugs. Headquartered in a college town in southcentral Missouri, bluebirdgardens.com has been online for a year featuring USA and imported new and vintage handmade quilts and other garden-related items.

"We started as an online catalog," said CEO Charlotte Wiggins. "Since we live with two cats and gardening is a favorite hobby, it made sense to merge the two and have a site that features the cats, a seasonal garden tour as well as garden locations to feature our products."

Originally a spin-off from selling items on Ebay, the company has evolved as the result of customer requests.

"Our customers kept asking for more features, including shopping online, so for the past 6 months we've been developing the shopping cart and locating more quality vintage quilts," she said.

To complement the vintage quilts, the website also added a quilt history section, starting with quilting in the 1800s. "We get a lot of emails from visitors interested in quilting background so it was natural to do some research and develop this section."

The site also generates a lot of email for its two feline stars, Otis Regrets Brown and Margaret Jumptall.

"If you've ever lived with cats you understand that their not being involved was not an option," Wiggins said. "These two are very inquisitive and they were very upset when we tried to keep them out of the business. So instead we assigned them what we jokingly describe as "quality control jobs." Now we wouldn't think of having a quilt photo session without them. Our site is known for the cats almost as much as the quilts!"

One of their best-selling quilts has been custom-made quilt designer Pam Bono's "Nine Lives" quilt.

"We joke that there must be a lot of cats ordering that quilt," Wiggins said.

Wiggins has been quilting since childhood, although she doesn't make the quilts she sells. She said there are enough other quilters in neighboring communities to provide ready made as well as custom quilts. She also locates her quality quilts at estate sales, auctions and through direct purchases.

"Quilting continues to be a popular Ozark hobby, which means I meet a lot of interesting people who have developed excellent quilting skills," Wiggins said. "We also have an active quilting guild that helps supply some of our USA-made quilts. It's a good way for quilters to market their work and we can have some quality control over the products."

Not that she doesn't quilt. She is currently working on a flower applique quilt her mother started last year, and repairing several customer quilts.

"I'm not the fastest quilter by any means," Wiggins said. "I just finished a flower garden quilt I started when I was a teenager. Only took me 30 years to finish that one!"

Point of Contact Charlotte Wiggins
email:bluebird@fidnet.com
573-364-1908

For information about collaborative quilting, visit http://quiltinfosite.com/collaborativequilting/

International 9/11 Memorial Visits Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

September 28, 2004 -- The showing of the Heart of America Quilt will take place October 3rd 2004, at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to show support for our troops, pay tribute to New York, PA and the Pentagon. Panels of fabric from all 50 states and many other countries will be on display in the form of a United States Flag at near 10,000sq.ft. in size. Included will be panels from the military, first responders, community, political leaders, organizations, businesses and children’s panels from all over the world. This will be the first time the international memorial has been shown off the east coast. It has been shown in many locations including the Washington D.C. Metro area and New York City. During this showing of the Heart of America Quilt, two additional panels will be added from Iraq. One panel of fabric contributed by the school children of Iraq with the help of US soldiers stationed in Iraq, the other panel is one that is contributed by soldiers and brought to the United States in the back pack of Army Sgt. Gabe Madina stationed in Tikrit, Iraq while traveling home on leave. The additional panels will be place on the quilt after a service for veterans to take place during the second day of the Balloon Fiesta.

“It is a great privilege for us to be a part of the internationally known Balloon Fiesta. Their hospitality and Americanism is like an uncontrolled contagion of great positive attitude and hospitality. “
“Paying tribute to our veterans, honoring those we lost on 9/11 and thanking those that keep us safe in communities, our country and our world is nothing more than common sense. Having those same people find time to help the Heart of America Quilt while they still continue their work, now that is amazing” Susan Morissette, President of Heart of America Quilt.

For information about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta ® please visit www.aibf.org
Contact Kathie Leyendecker, Director of Media and Community Relations at
kleyendecker@balloonfiesta.com


About the Heart of America Quilt-

The Heart of America Quilt began in the aftermath of the event of 9/11 as a small quilt from Maine. Started by the Morissette family on Sept.13 2001 to help the children of Maine heal and feel a sense of helpfulness to those that lost so much on 9/11. Within weeks of its conception, the Heart of America Quilt grew to nation level with panels from many other states. At present the Heart of America Quilt has involvement from all 50 of the United States with an addition of over 10 countries and this quilt in a form of a United States Flag is over one half acre in size when displayed in full form. From the small project it began as, it has grown to hold names of tens of thousands of people from across the world. For more information please visit www.heartofamericaquilt.com


Contact Susan Morissette, President at susan@heartofamericaquilt.com or 207-873-3573

For information about civil war quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/civilwarquilts/

International 9/11 memorial visits New York City for first time.

New York City, NY July 10, 2004 -- This will be the first time this memorial with tens of thousands of signatures will be displayed in New York City. Signatures include political leaders, First responders, Children and organizations from all over the world. Over 7,000sq. ft. of fabric will be displayed in the form of an United States Flag.

Tickets must be reserved and can be from the website. Singer Molly Fitzpatrick(ME),Shari Roat (IL), Daniel Lemaster (MD) and the Band Selfish Steam (MA) will be performing as well as a child chorus. Speakers have been invited and include National and local leaders, Military and Survivors of 9/11. The event is planned to show support for our troops, pay tribute to New York, PA and the Pentagon.

Guest will be traveling from as far away as Alaska in the USA and from countries as far away as Australia.
Speaker list will not be available until August 30th.

About the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum-
Established in 1982, the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum is comprised of the 900-foot-long aircraft carrier USS Intrepid with two full decks and four theme halls: the guided missile submarine, USS Growler; and an extensive aircraft collection. The Museum, which attracts more than 600,000 visitors each year, offers a wide variety of programs and events for children and adults to continue the Museum's mission to honor our heroes, educate the public and inspire our youth about the price of freedom. For more information, visit www.intrepidmuseum.org.

About the Heart of America Quilt-
The Heart of America Quilt began in the aftermath of the event of 9/11 as a small quilt from Maine. Started by the Morissette family on Sept.13 2001 to help the children of Maine heal and feel a sense of helpfulness to those that lost so much on 9/11. Within weeks of its conception, the Heart of America Quilt grew to nation level with panels from many other states. At present the Heart of America Quilt has involvement from all 50 of the United States with an addition of over 10 countries and this quilt in a form of a United States Flag is over one half acre in size. From the small project it began as, it has grown to hold names of tens of thousands of people from across the world. For more information or ticket purchase please visit www.heartofamericaquilt.com


For information about Christmas table runner quilt patterns, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/christmastablerunnerquiltpatterns/

Internationally Acclaimed Quilter Creates New Art Medium

February 9, 2004--Most artists paint ON fabric, but artist ANNETTE GRIGSBY doesn’t. She paints WITH fabric! While quilting bees and quilters replicate traditional patterns in practicing this traditional craft, Annette has converted her extraordinary quilting talent to that of a new and unique art medium. Fabric art.

“I was born in Missouri, raised in Arkansas, married a Louisiana man in Mississippi and spent the last 43 years learning, teaching and traveling all over the country making quilts,” Annette says. She finally ended up in Kansas, America’s mid-point, where she continues to innovate and redefine her craft . . . her art . . . well, her artistic craft.

Her first memory of sewing was as a small child making doll clothes with her sisters on the front porch of their Eudora, Arkansas, home. Fifty years later the obviously gifted brood of three sisters, Annette, Betty Sanders (Cactus Flower Gifts) and Nancy Campbell (Designs on You), now strewn by the tides of life from Washington state to Texas, are all three Charter Exhibitors in OurCraftShow.com, a recently launched online virtual arts and crafts show.

Annette set a previously unexplored course for her talents, never satisfied with as good as any. “Of course, as soon as I learned the way they told me to do something, I figured out a better way for me,” Annette explains. While some quilting patterns suggest three dimensional objects, like cubes and stars, Annette’s quilting adds an unusual ingredient of depth and perspective to the picture. Her departure from repetitive patterns and shapes gave her the freedom to create images, scenes and interpretations not previously or elsewhere seen in the quilting community. Taking depth a step further, some of her works are actually in full relief, like her Le Fleur, pictured above [photo available if not attached.

So, when Annette entered into quilting competitions it surprised no one but Annette that she took the field by storm. Her work has won awards in both national and international competitions. First place, International Hoffman Competition; Finalist, Good Housekeeping Quilt Contest; Specialty Award from Woodlawn Plantation; and blue ribbons from too many state fairs and regional competitions to list.

Recognition is always appreciated, but it’s evident that Annette is not driven by her competitive side. “I confess, I haven’t kept up with all of the awards. There are a lot of others, but I just gave most of the awards away with the piece,” says Annette.

No, what drives Annette is the only motivation strong enough to push an artist to the top of her craft, the love of her work. While her bent for detail and perfection is evident in the workpiece itself, her own description reveals the thought, concept and emotion she attempts, no, succeeds, in conveying. Of her Watchers From the Shore, shown above [photo available if not attached, she writes “You can almost hear the murmurs of amazement as the three natives witness the three ships' arrival in their world. Were these gods or men? Were they friend or foe? Hidden among trees and foliage, you can see the fear in the way they hold their bodies.” A lesser passion would have produced a lesser work.
Just as there is only one original “Sunflowers”, one original “Irises”, most of Annette’s pieces are one of a kind, like Watchers From the Shore, Christmas Eve at Our House, America’s First Land-Sailing Adventure, I’ve Got the Blues X 3 and Sweet Caroline. But the same craftsmanship and originality are found in her other pieces, like her Forever Friends series.

Annette Grigsby’s work can be seen and purchased on the internet at her booth (Annette’s Fabric Art) at www.OurCraftShow.com.

For information about Christmas quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/christmasquilts/

Quilters around the world are piecing for peace.

The age old tradition of gathering around a wooden quilting frame to quilt, trade recipes, share family joys and sorrows has been modernized. Quilters now develop friendships and share traditional values by gathering around the computer to chat online.

There are many international, online quilting communities. These modern quilting bees are social gatherings where quilters learn about each other and their countries. The WTC terrorism has prompted these international quilters to share their emotions and to organize their skills to help others in this time of world felt tragedy.

You do not have to belong to a group to be part of this effort to 'piece' the world together. The YELLOW RIBBON page at Quilters' Express Tours (http://www.quilterstours.com) website has listed a number of different ways you can use your quilting skills to ease the pain of September 11, 2001.


For information about free Christmas quilt patterns, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/christmasquiltpatternsfree/

Missouri Personalized Handmade Quilt Company Celebrates Is Fourth Year By Launching New Line of Custom Personalized Gifts (Oct. 2003)

Rolla, MO October 10 2003-- A Missouri handmade quilt company October 2003 celebrated its fourth year in business by launching a new line of custom gifts. Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Collectibles, http://www.bluebirdgardens.com, headquartered in Rolla, offers personalized, custom and finished handmade quilts, baby quilts and throws as well as collectibles and furniture care and refinishing products.

"This new line is a natural evolution from what our customers have asked from us over the years,” said CEO Charlotte Wiggins. “We have a high percentage of return customers and they’ve evolved into asking us for help not only designing a special quilt but finding unique and specialty items.”

Those requests first led to the company expanding its basic product, quilts, to include unfinished quilt tops. “Several customers wanted to make quilts but didn’t have time to piece them so we started making custom tops so they could finish them.”

In addition to expanding its quilt line, the Missouri company this year launched a line of “gift mitts” targeted at quilters, antique collectors, furniture refinishers, gardeners and animal lovers. Wiggins said the concept started three years ago when a New York customer was picking up a custom quilt and broke her foot. Two weeks before Christmas, the customer asked Bluebird Gardens to shop for gifts for their top 20 customers and to make them “personal.”

“It was a little hectic but we did it,” Wiggins said. “The gifts we made and selected were a hit and she’s been back every year. We keep telling her our secret is any gift can be made personal with a little thought, and a little chocolate.”

The experience led to developing a collection of mitts and products that would interest the company’s customer base.

“A number of our shoppers are spouses and kids who want to find something special and feel comfortable asking us for ideas,” Wiggins said. Customers will be able to choose from a variety of USA-made gift mittens, have names embroidered, and then fill them with specialty times. The mitts can then be shipped to the recipient or directly to the gift giver.

“This is often the time consuming part of gift-giving, trying to collect a number of unique and complimentary items that would appeal to someone who shares our interests, like gardening,” Wiggins said. “Ever tried to find a good quality trowel in the Midwest in the middle of December? We have. It used to be impossible. It won’t be, now.”

In addition to items produced by other Missouri companies, including soaps and gardening implements, enterprising customers have access to recipes they can make on their own.

“We grew up getting handmade gifts as the special part of the holidays,” Wiggins said. “We know our customers also appreciate those so we added our favorite tried and true recipes to the website. If you want to make your own special gifts, you can go there to find recipes and instructions to make your own custom gifts. And if you don’t have time, you can ask us and we’ll be glad to make them for you.”

Originally a spin-off from selling quilts and related items on Ebay, the family-owned company today employs 6 part-time quilters, 1 seamstress, 1 embroiderer and 1 cook to make and customize quilts and other items.

”We get a kick out of this time of year,” Wiggins said. “Really makes us feel like Santa’s helpers!”

For information about cat quilt pattern, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/catquiltpattern/

Preston County Quaint Quilts Goes On Line

July 28, 2004 -- Preston County Literacy Volunteers, Inc. is teaching unemployed and unemployable adults the art of quilting. Quilting teaches many reading and math skills. The quilts are then made available at http://Quilts-PCLV.ORG PCLV is a non-profit orginization serving Preston County West Virginia. There are 8,000 adults in Preston County without a high school diploma--a staggering 36% of teh adult population. PCLV is a member of the United Way family.

The quaint quilting project came up as an idea and way to serve those who are not brave enough to come forward and to improve their reading skills. Another goal of the class is to build friendships.

Classes are currently on Friday mornings from 9 to noon at the WVU Extension Offcie in Kingwood, WV located behind the court house. Bev Tasker is the volunteer instructor. Delisa Riley the AmeriCorps member is her assistant. PCLV Board member Karen Bright arranges the use of the room.

Enjoy your visit to our site and take your time to look around at some of the amazing quilts we have to offer. More quilts will be available soon. Come back often to see the updates of the quilts we will be offering. We hope that you book mark us. And again thank you for visiting.

FOr more information on the course please contact us at pclv@quilts-pclv.org.


For information about beginning quilting, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/beginningquilting/

BOSOM BUDDIES OF SOLANO COUNTY TO HOST QUILT AUCTION AND CRAFT FAIR OCTOBER 25, 2003 Volunteers Needed to Donate Crafts and Work at the Auction

VACAVILLE, CA September 23 2003 — Bosom Buddies of Solano County, an all volunteer, grass roots organization dedicated to the support of breast cancer patients and survivors, is pleased to announce its Third Quilt Auction and Craft Fair. The event will be held during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 24-25, 2003 at the Vacaville Ulatis Community Center, and will benefit the Marti Nelson Cancer Research Foundation and other cancer related programs and patient services.

“We raised over $40,000 in our last auction, with the top quilt bid around $2,500,” said Margaret S., event coordinator, Bosom Buddies of Solano County. “The 2003 Quilt Auction and Craft Fair will be our third one and each year has proven to be bigger and better than the last. We’re confident that this year’s auction will be a huge success.”

The event doors will open on Friday, October 24 from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. where attendees will be able to view over 100 quilts and wall hangings. In addition, the Country Store will be open and stocked with fabulous, handmade crafts including holiday decorations, Bosom Buddies pins, cookbooks and more.

Saturday, October 25 the doors will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT. Event activities that day will include a raffle, Country Store, and, of course, the auction. Quilts and wall hangings will be up for bid in two different formats — a silent auction, open from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday and a live auction that begins on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. PDT.


For those interested in helping, Bosom Buddies of Solano County needs volunteers to:
• Donate craft items to the County Store — Please contact Karen at (707) 426-2660
• Work at the Quilt Auction — Please contact Jan (707) 447-6533

The next Bosom Buddies of Solano County meeting will be on September 24, 2003 (9:00 a.m. PDT) at 200 Hidden Valley Lane in Vacaville. Interested persons are invited to visit. For more information, please contact Margaret at solanobuddies@yahoo.com.

About Bosom Buddies of Solano County
Bosom Buddies of Solano County is an all volunteer, grass roots organization dedicated to the support of breast cancer patients and survivors. Its mission is to raise awareness of women’s health issues through education and support of patient related services and programs through fundraising events and activities. Bosom Buddies of Solano County is a subsidiary of the Marti Nelson Cancer Research Foundation with nonprofit status.

For information about cathedral window quilts, visit
http://quiltinfosite.com/cathedralwindowquilt/