QuiltCon Magazine

QuiltCon will have a special issue magazine, available on newsstands March 3rd, and I'll be in it. My special display of 1970s quilts will be mentioned, and the magazine will be available online through the Interweave store. Thank you, QuiltCon. I'm happy to be part of it! For more details, click here.

Medallions at Modern Domestic

I was passing through North Portland today, on my way to drop off six large boxes of quilts being shipped to France, and stopped by Modern Domestic on Alberta. 

During the last month, they have displayed medallion-alongs from the Portland Modern Quilt Guild members, and the medallion quilt I won in the raffle in December was part of the display.

Lucky me, they were about to take down the medallions, so I got a few pictures, and was able to take the raffle quilt home with me.

While there, I chatted with Lupine, who was working on scheduling shows. We talked about showing some vintage quilts there in the summer, so I look forward to gracing the walls of Modern Domestic later this year.

If you stop by Modern Domestic during the next month there will be another display. It's wonderful that they have a whole schedule of rotating displays throughout the year. Always something inspiring on the walls.

QuiltCon Next Week!

Next week, thousands of quilt lovers from across the country and abroad will gather in Austin, Texas for QuiltCon 2015, the second national conference of The Modern Quilt Guild.

I will debut 20 quilts from my "Modern Materials, Quilts of the 1970s" exhibition, lead tours of all the special exhibits three mornings, give two lectures on Friday, and attend a few of the other events.

I am excited to see friends, meet new friends, and enjoy all the exquisite quilts on display. The quiltmakers of Gee's Bend will be there, and I hope Lucy Mingo makes the trip. I have one of her quilts and I just love her. QuiltCon has a mobile app, handy for keeping track of the busy schedule. Looks like it's going to be a great conference! More info, click here.

Soon after I get back from QuiltCon, I will present my second web seminar. The topic will be 1970s quilts, and the web seminar will take place on February 27th at 1pm eastern. Great opportunity for anyone who missed QuiltCon to learn about the quilts. It will be an eye-popping and an eye-opening presentation. For more information, click here.

inspired

Chris Turner's amazing quilt, completed in 2014, 41" x 41"

Chris Turner of DuPont, Washington was looking for a challenge, and she found one! When she asked if it would be OK to make a quilt inspired by one of my quilts, I thought, "Wow! Ambitious. Have at it!"

the inspiration quilt, c. 1850, Kentucky

At first, I didn't know what would happen. Would the quilt be a UFO? Not that I doubted Chris's ability...she is skilled, experienced and highly capable. It's just such a monster of a quilt, and those cornerstones!! The maker of the inspiration quilt must have been an insane genius and a sewing savant.

"Wow! Ambitious. Have at it!"

That's no trick tape measure, the cornerstone really is less than 3 inches square

just out of the box, but don't worry, the table top is not this quilt's home

Chris worked on it during 2014 and finished in the fall, and I got to see progress virtually through photos she shared. As if I wasn't already beyond blown away by the finished quilt, Chris wrapped up the project by doing something even more mind blowing. She gave me the quilt.

the cornerstones from the inspiration quilt are twice the size of Chris's

What an exquisite gift! I am eternally grateful. And...in case you're curious, the inspiration quilt is 81" x 84". Chris's quilt is 41" x 41". I know...wow. Thank you, Chris, you're amazing! I have to be the luckiest man on Earth.

Princess Feather, after washing

The 1850s Princess Feather has been washed and dried. It brightened up a bit, but is difficult to see in the photos. Here's a side-by-side.

before (left) and after (right) - click to enlarge

A very subtle difference-- you can tell if you look closely at the whites, especially to the left side. Even though all the staining didn't come out, it's cleaner. Remember what the wash water looked like?

 I may try again at some point. There are a few ways to break down stains, but for now I'm satisfied. A lot of dirt came out, and it's a bit brighter and more even. The quilting stands out a bit more, too. I was curious, so I measured it before and after washing. It was 96" square before washing, and about 95" square after, so it shrunk a little. That must be why the quilting stands out more after washing.

washing and drying the quilt

first wash - dirty water!

The spectacular Princess Feather quilt I found yesterday needed a bath, so that's what it got. I gently soaked it in cold water with a little Dawn dishwashing liquid, soaked and rinsed it a few times until the water came clear. Before soaking, I made sure the red fabric would be colorfast. I knew it would be, because it's Turkey Red, a fabric known for colorfastness.

second rinse, more dirty water

soaking before final rinse

when the water came clean, it was time to drain and dry

When the water finally came clean, I drained the tub, gently pressed as much water as possible out of the quilt, and rolled it into a laundry basket. It was then carefully spread out on a table covered with absorbent towels covered with a bedsheets. Several hours later, I rolled the quilt back and removed the damp towels and sheet, and spread out the quilt again, leaving it to finish drying on the clean, plastic tables.

before washing

after washing, partially dry, white getting brighter as it dries

As it dried, I made sure the quilt was as flat as possible and the edges were as straight, so the drying also served to block the quilt. It's almost dry now, less than 24 hours later. There is still some discoloration and staining, but it appears to have improved with washing. As it dried, the white got brighter, and the quilt took on the crisp feeling of an air-dried textile. Will try to get another photo this week to see what it looks like side-by-side with the "before" shot. Stay tuned...

1850s Princess Feather, Plucked from a Local Antiques Shop

Plucked from a local antiques shop in Portland, Oregon-- a sensational 1850s Princess Feather quilt! Just like the "Start the Car" quilt found in the same neighborhood last April, it was the last thing I expected to see. Most of the time, the oldest quilts around here are Depression Era, and often in poor condition and overpriced.

The quilt is 96" square, and the quilting is great. It looks like leaves placed every which way, fitting together like puzzle pieces. Border is a big bonus. Appliqué stitches are very nice, too...small and even. In good condition, with minor deterioration in two small areas in the corners, and yellowing throughout. I am planning to soak it, carefully, and think it will brighten up considerably.