#50 – The U.S. States Quilt

Tags

Blocks, Fabric, faserkünste, Fiber Arts, nähen auf papier, North Carolina Quilt Symposium, Paper Piecing, patchwork, Quilt, Quilt Block, Quilt Blocks, quilt show, steppdecke, steppen, US States quilt

This is a VERY long term project, that is finally finished!

Dieses war ein sehr, sehr langes Projekt – und es ist endlich fertig!

After i designed the patterns for all fifty U.S. States, I decided to put them together in one (massive) quilt; it measures 110″ x 110″.

Nachdem ich die Muster für alle 50 US Staaten entworfen habe, habe ich sie dann alle in einer (Riesen-) Quilt zusammengenäht.  Die Quilt ist ca. 280cm x 280cm.

A great big thanks goes out to my sister-in-law Lucy, without whom this project would have taken a LOT longer.  Lucy came and stayed with us for a couple of weeks last summer, when Charlie was recovering from radiation. That allowed me to work uninterrupted and with peace of mind. assured that BHE was well taken care of….

Ich muss mich hier bei meiner Schwägerin Lucy bedanken; ohne sie hätte das Projekt sehr viel länger gedauert.  Sie kam letzten Sommer, ist zwei Wochen hier geblieben und hat die Zeit mit ihrem Bruder verbracht der sich damals von Strahlentherapie erholte.  Das hiess dass ich ununterbrochen und konzentriert an dieser Quilt arbeiten konnte! 

In June, I entered the quilt into the NC Quilt Symposium Quilt Show.  I generally don’t expect to win; my motivation for entering is the judges’ critique.  I want to know what someone who does not know me or my work thinks of a piece that they are seeing for the first time. But, to my surprise and great delight, this quilt did not only win it’s category, but also Best Machine Quilting!

Ich hab die Quilt dann im Juni zu einer Quilt Show geschickt.  Ich mache das eigentlich nie um zu gewinnen.  Ich möchte wissen, was die Jury, die mich oder meine Werke nicht kennen, davon hält.  Ich war dann auch sehr überrascht, und auch entzückt, dass die Quilt nicht nur den ersten Platz in ihrer Kategorie gewonnen hat, aber auch ersten Platz in Steppen!

All 50 U.S. States

The reaction I get the most when the quilt hangs in a show…

It was delightful to see people taking pictures of their own state during the show!

Das Beste war aber, dass ich ständig Leute gesehen habe, die ihren eigenen Staat gesucht habe, und ihn dann photographierten!

All the patterns, for each individual state are available in my Craftsy shop.

Die Muster sind wie immer, in meinem Craftsy shop erhältlich. 

Today is the day!!!

Tags

Fiber Arts, North Carolina Quilt Symposium, Quilt, quilting

Source: Today is the day!!!

Mountain Range – a free block / Die Berge – ein gratis Block

Tags

Berge, Blocks, free paper piecing blocks, nähen auf papier, North Carolina Quilt Symposium, patchwork, Quilt, quilting, steppdecke, steppen

This is a quick little block I put together in the past few days. I have been thinking about the North Carolina mountains lately – it may have something to do with the fact that I am going to the North Carolina Quilt Symposium next month, which this year is taking place in Flat Rock, NC (in the North Carolina mountains).

Hier ist ein Block den ich in den letzten paar Tagen zusammengestellt habe.  Ich denke zur Zeit viel an die Berge (vielleicht weil ich zum “North Carolina Quilt Symposium” fahre; es findet im Mai statt, in den Bergen von North Carolina.

The pattern itself is for a 9″ block and is very suitable for beginners.  In addition, it can be re-sized easily; not only by enlarging/reducing it with the help of a photocopy machine.  If you decides to make the block and then cut away part of the “greenery”, it does not only change the dimension but also puts more emphasis on the mountains….

Das Muster is für einen Block, 22.85cm und ist für Anfänger sehr geeignet.  Er kann auch sehr leicht verkleinert oder vergrössert werden.  Man kann den Block auch in Original Grösse nähen, und dann einen Teil der “Wiesen” wegschneiden.  Das ändert dann nicht nur die Grösse des Blocks aber hebt auch die Berge hervor. 

The block is available in my Craftsy shop, and I am making it available for free, for a while.  Enjoy!

Der Block ist in meinem Craftsy Shop erhältlich – jetzt einmal gratis… 

 

2014 North Carolina Quilt Symposium

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cafeteria, classes, community bathrooms, Cyndi Souder, dining facility, distances, dormitory, dorms, Fiber Arts, instructors, Jacqui Gering, modern quilting, NCQSI, North Carolina Quilt Symposium, paula nadelstern, quilting, quilts, teachers, traditional quilting, UNCW, walk, walking

Ok, so my intention had been to “blog along” as Symposium was going on.  As you notice, I did not make it passed a couple of arrival photos on my Facebook page.  I will try and sum up my experience(s) at Symposium here – but it may take more than one blog post!

My friend and roommate rode to Wilmington together, and while she relaxed in front of the dormitory, I went into a NCQSI Board Meeting.

The Dorm

The view from the Dorm towards the Pool

Unloading!

Then, check in – we received our tote bags (filled with maps, more detailed class information, schedules, coupons and such) and our room keys.

After that, we decided to race over to the Quilt Show because we wanted to see our quilts hanging up.  We had a VERY short period of time to get there and do this; we had to get back for opening ceremonies…

And there hung our quilts – Mary Ann had two in the show, Sana had two in the show, and I sent four.  Imagine our surprise when we realized that between the three of us we won seven, yes SEVEN ribbons!

The next couple of days flew by – we went to the Dining Facility, had classes, went to the Dining Facility, went to the Quilt Show, went to the Dining Facility (can you tell there was a lot of eating involved?).  But, in between all that I realized a couple of things.  We talk about the camaraderie a lot, but experiencing it is a whole different ball game!  And while I did not get to meet a whole lot of new people (I am really not a people person), I got to know my acquaintances a lot better.

I also once again realized that many of us do not understand/realize how fortunate we are.  The UNCW campus is expansive and the distances are a bit more than what we all are used to!  Well, we walked pulling our machines and equipment behind us, loaded down with bags of fabric – and most of us handled it pretty well.  Some did not…I heard some complaining about the distance, some about the community bathrooms, etc. etc.  All of this we were informed about before hand!  There were two ladies in wheelchairs – they did not complain once, they were happy and cheerful –

During meals is when opportunity for conversations and exchange of ideas took place.  I met one of the teachers, a young woman from northern Virginia and had the opportunity to experience her wit and sense of humor – and I liked it! I did not take her class, and our only interaction was in an informal setting.  That helped the conversation be more open and “free” (I think)…

I took classes from Paula Nadelstern on one day, and Jacquie Gering the second.  What a contrast!  Paula is precise, and her templates are created with exact measurements and mathematical calculations.  Jacquie is a “just-slice-it” kind of girl. Slice a piece of fabric and see where it takes you…

Paula Nadelstern

Class participants in P. Nadelstern’s class

Jacquie Gering

Both classes were very well presented and both were right up my alley.  I can see myself completing both projects that I started in class.

The days went by way too quickly, and despite my reservations and hesitation about participating in Symposium, I have already signed up for next year!

Btw, more of my thoughts about specific events of the weekend will come in subsequent posts!

Readying for Symposium or Ready for Symposium?

Tags

anxiety, classes, driving, fabric choices, Fiber Arts, flavin glover, friends, instructors, kaleidoscope, log cabin variations, North Carolina Quilt Symposium, packing correctly, paula nadelstern, Quilt, quilting, sewing machine and accessories

The North Carolina Quilt Symposium begins tomorrow.

I am excited to go, and already miss BHE all at the same time. I am looking forward to spending a few days with my roommate (she is a popular girl and I don’t ever get her by herself for a while) and also looking forward to my classes.

This is my first Symposium – I participated last year by organizing the Quilt Show but I don’t think that counts. So, it is the day before, and am I ready? Not by a long shot!

I have chosen, packed, unpacked, changed my mind and re-packed the fabrics for my classes several times. I have packed my sewing supplies, sewing machine and accessories in what I think is a compact way that I think will work, and I have made a feeble attempt to pack my clothes, linens and towels.

To heighten my anxiety, I am not the one driving! Which means, if I forget something vital (or what I consider to be vital), I can’t just jump in the car and run to Wal Mart to get it.

I am also taking two books with me that I would like the authors to sign: Flavin Glover, who does fantastic Log Cabin variations, and whose class I would have loved to take if it only was not interfering with my other class; and Paula Nadelstern, whose class I am taking and really, really excited about (let’s see how excited I’ll be after I am in the class and not understanding a thing!).

Drop Off

Tags

awards, drive, Fiber Arts, North Carolina Quilt Symposium, outlook, perspective, quilt show, quilting, quilts, recognition, ribbons, truck

The NC Quilt Symposium is taking place in Wilmington, NC this year. A couple of friends and I have entered quilts in their quilt show; yesterday was quilt drop off day. So, the four if us piled into my (generous) husband’s truck and started off for the 2 hour drive to the Coast.

BHE had spent the previous day spit shining the inside and outside of the truck, and so we felt as if we were riding in complete luxury!

I like these rides – the weather was beautiful yesterday, a nice warm summer day, the route was familiar and so we were able to engage in conversation. One has no idea the things friends will discuss when alone in a car! (Several topics will not be mentioned here because WordPress would withdraw my permission to publish).

We arrived at the drop off location and got in line. We could get a glimpse of other participants’ quilts, which made me want to take my projects back to the car and back home! When one of my friends who also felt that way said that out loud, I shared with her that I don’t enter my quilts in competitions with the expectation of winning – I enter them because I want the judges’s critique.

But the best comment came from the lady in line behind us. She said, that we enter quilts in shows because we are sharing them with others who would otherwise not get to see them.

I think she, as opposed to the rest of us has the right perspective. I know there are many out there who make quilts for the accolades and recognition or for other, worthwhile reasons. I like her outlook – she wants to share with others what she has made. Now, I would not be surprised if I walked into the Quilt Show next week and her quilt(s) have ribbons on them!!