What Does the Future Hold for Quilt Events?

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Luana

Sewing in the time of COVID-19 – Week 46

During the week I spend a lot of time communicating and sharing ideas/updates with friends in the industry. I think we all know that when we get to the other side of this pandemic, things are not going to be the same. There will be a new normal, and many things that might have come 10 years in the future, will have become an accepted norm in the ‘Now’.

We all know that having large chunks of the population (office workers and students) moving online, is going to change our thoughts about what meetings and activities can take place virtually. Some organizations have actually seen a boom in participation because now they can attract attendees from around the country and even around the world, instead of just locally.

Savvy quilt museums for instance, are scheduling online events now, that will go to a hybrid mode post-pandemic. That way they can maximize attendance from local/in-person, to including a larger audience virtually. Now is the time to be thinking about what kind of equipment will be needed to hit the ground running in this hybrid mode, in the not-too-distant future.

Many quilt teachers have tried taking their classes online, with varying levels of success. I suspect that we’ll see teachers who have perfected this mode of instruction, who then offer classes online to other wannabe teachers, on how to set up and promote an online/hybrid class.

Even with online classes, there has to be a limit on the number of students, so the teacher can give everyone individual feedback or attention. If a class is free or cheap, students should not expect that type of attention from the teacher. So there will be widely-varying models of online teaching.

QuiltCon –
The virtual version is coming right up – Feb 18-22. “QuiltCon Together” has classes, lectures and exhibits online so I suggest you sign up now, for those midwinter socially-distanced blues.
eQuilter is proud to be a Gold sponsor for this online conference.

Online Lecture Calendar: Go to Blog for registration links.
Feb 13 – Canadian Quilters Association – “Intl Quilt Trends” – registration open now to CQA members – tickets open to public Feb 8.
Feb 21 – The Condor & The Eagle – Film Screening for eQuilter customers and friends. Info & Registration Here.
Early March – SAQA Color – Interview with Martha Sielman

with Hope for the Future,
Luana and Paul

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Free Quilt Pattern – Stars and Stripes Soaring Eagles

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Luana

The winds of change are blowing across our land, and the Eagles are gliding on those updrafts with a new perspective on what it means to be an American. Our democracy continues to redefine the concept of patriotism and this week’s exclusive Free Quilt Pattern takes inspiration from the artwork of Linda and Deborah in this stunning quilt design.

To make this 61″ x 72″ quilt, you will start with the 28″ x 44″ digital-printed ‘Eagle Mountain’ panel, featuring Bald Eagles flying free over rocky peaks, and a rippling American Flag. Then you will piece the border with 3 Stonehenge textured coordinates, and 3 Hoffman Hand-Dyes.

This makes an excellent ‘Quilts of Valor’ project, or a heartfelt gift for a special veteran. The detailed artwork and the rich saturated colors make this a memorable quilt that will bring deep meaning to your patriotic gift.

…featuring the ‘Stonehenge Stars & Stripes’ collection By Linda Ludovico and Deborah Edwards in support of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, for Northcott Fabrics.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Votes for Women‘ and ‘Kaleidoscope Duets‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Compelled to Create

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Luana

As a kid, I was compelled to create. I was the shy kid in the back of the class, making detailed drawings on the back of my assignment papers. I had to draw, all the time. It was a compulsion. Fortunately in 7th grade I had an art teacher who recognized this as a talent, and told me I was an artist. I began to read biographies of Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and Da Vinci. It was such a huge relief to know that throughout history, there were others who had that compulsion to make art. I found great comfort in studying their artwork.

Years later when I began to experience their masterpieces in person, these visits to museums were extremely emotional epiphanies. The first time I saw the Mona Lisa at The Louvre was in the late 80s, when she was still in a small dark room and you could walk right up to her, just hanging there on the wall like the Raphaels and other paintings in the room. I stood there for a very long time, somehow realizing that it was a once-in-a-lifetime intimate interaction with the enigmatic portrait. The last few times I visited her, it was in a huge room with a thousand people all taking photos of her with their phones. I am happy that she continues to serenely smile and inspire so many others, but in my heart she is still my Mona Lisa, who smiled at me in that small side gallery.

Today of course, she is considered to be an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci’s favorite painting has been described as “the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world”.

We have just received the Leonardo da Vinci collection from Kaufman Fabrics, and I am delighted to have her serene smile on the shelves when I walk through the warehouse this week. The photo of the street artist was taken in Florence in front of the Duomo on a trip to Italy.

with hope for the future…
Luana and Paul

Online Lecture Calendar:
Jan 29 – Sandra Meech Interview – Visions Art Museum “Season Pass” – Arctic Quilts and my Polar Bear photos.
Feb 13 – Canadian Quilters Association – “Intl Quilt Trends” – registration open now to CQA members – tickets open to public Feb 8.
Feb 21 – The Condor & The Eagle – Film Screening for eQuilter

Early March – SAQA Color Trend Interview with Martha Sielman

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Free Pattern – Kaleidoscope Duets

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Luana

It is always a celebration when we have one of Paula Nadelstern’s Kaleidoscope quilt designs available, and this week’s exclusive Free Quilt Pattern is an explosion of Paula’s special kind of colorful fireworks!

To make this opulent 82″ x 82″ bed quilt, you will cut up and piece 3 kaleidoscope panels, 4 coordinates, plus solid Black. The dazzling colors and marbleized textures in the coordinates make this a sumptuous feast for the eyes.

We are deeply stocked at the moment, but Paula’s collections do tend to sell out quickly, so if this catches your fancy we recommend you place your order soon. If you are new to Paula’s unique artwork, check out all of her gorgeous collections in her designer category here.

…featuring the ‘Duets’ collection and the ‘Where In The World’ collection
by Paula Nadelstern for Benartex.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Votes for Women‘ and ‘Venetian Bouquet‘ quilt patterns!

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Looking to the Future

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Luana

Sewing in the time of COVID-19 – Week 45

There has been a lot of chatter and speculation about future quilt exhibits and quilt festivals, so I’ve spent the last week or two reaching out to organizers and trying to get a little more information on where things stand. Of course we are still in the deep end of the pandemic pool, and even though the vaccines are coming and the far shore is coming into view, there are still many unknowns…including when it will be safe to travel and gather.

Here is a list of shows that we sponsor, and some updates:

QuiltCon –
The virtual version is coming right up – Feb 18-22. “QuiltCon Together” has classes, lectures and exhibits online so I suggest you check it out, for those midwinter socially-distanced blues.

Birmingham Festival of Quilts – August 2021?
A final decision has not been made as to whether the event will happen this year, and it will be announced in April or later.

Houston – International Quilt Festival – Fall 2021.
Last week Quilts Inc put out a Call for Entries for this event and we are all hopeful that by late October we will be able to gather and travel.

Tokyo Quilt Festival 2022?
There is news circulating that this event is gone ‘forever’ or ‘permanently’ but the official language is ‘postponed indefinitely’. It does look like the show will not ever be held in the Tokyo Dome again, but I’d put my money on a show coming together eventually in a different venue.

The Call for Entries for Visions Art Museum “Interpretations 2021” juried exhibition is now open as well. Keep working on those quilts for the multiple Calls for Entry coming this year!

Online Lecture Calendar:
Jan 24 – India Quilt Festival – Intl Quilt Trends
Jan 29 – Sandra Meech Interview – Visions Art Museum “Season Pass” – Arctic Quilts and my Polar Bear photos.
Feb 13 – Canadian Quilters Association – “Intl Quilt Trends” – registration open now to CQA members – tickets open to public Feb 8.
Feb 21 – The Condor & The Eagle – Film Screening for eQuilter

Early March – SAQA Color Trend Interview with Martha Sielman

with Hope for the Future,
Luana and Paul

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Free Quilt Pattern – Votes for Women

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Luana

Over the last year we’ve been celebrating the Centennial of the 19th Amendment, learning about the struggle over several decades, by the Suffragists who fought to secure the vote for women.

Most women today recognize how precious it is to have the right to vote, so we’ve put together this exclusive eQuilter Free Quilt Pattern to celebrate Women’s Suffrage. This is a great gift for a student of Women’s Rights, or maybe your local chapter of ‘League of Women Voters’ who continue the fight to guarantee the right for all to vote here in the USA.

To make this 50″ x 69″ quilt design, you will start with the digital-printed 24″ x 44″ panel featuring quotes from suffragettes such as Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Amelia Bloomer, combined with vintage photographs and posters. Add 5 coordinates from the collection, to make this quick and easy quilt with a powerful message.

…featuring the ‘Votes For Women’ collection by Sandra Sider for Benartex.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Timber Gnomes‘ and ‘Venetian Bouquet‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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We the People

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Luana

Today, on our Inauguration Day, I am sharing with you a quilt that I made for the “Inspired by Washington DC” quilt project, curated by Donna DeSoto. (She also curated the Endangered Species project, which included my “Polar Bear, Eclipsed”)

Title:
The White House — Sunrise, Sunset…Front Door, Back Door

Artist Statement:
“The image of my quilt depicts the sun rising and setting over the front and the back of the White House. This represents the change that takes place after elections, as one presidency ends and another begins. The residents may come and go over time, but what the White House represents… known as “The People’s House”… will stand as long as this iconic residence exists. It is not just the residence and workplace for the American President, but it is one of the most well known symbols of freedom and democracy, representing America’s history, and our hopes and dreams. Each new President and administration represents our hopes for the future, for our country and for our children.”

This is one of many quilts with a Washington DC theme that will be featured in an upcoming quilt exhibit, and a book by Donna, published by Schiffer Publishing. The exhibit was supposed to premier at the Houston Quilt Festival in Fall 2020 but the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The peaceful transition of power on Inauguration Day is the foundation of our democracy. It is time for a new kind of patriotism for America – a compassionate and inclusive kind of patriotism – a return to basic respect and humanitarian priorities. It is time for healing our country so we can get through this pandemic and come together again in peace. Quilters can be part of that healing, with every loving stitch we make. It is time to mend this ragged patchwork back into the comfort and protection of our UNITED States.

May we all be blessed with peace, prosperity and health in 2021.

with hope for the future…
Luana and Paul


Online Lecture Calendar: Go to Blog for registration links.
Jan 24 – India Quilt Festival – Intl Quilt Trends
Jan 29 – Sandra Meech Interview – Visions Art Museum
Feb 13 – Canadian Quilters Association
Feb 21 – The Condor & The Eagle – Film Screening for eQuilter
Early March – SAQA Color Interview

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Free eQuilter Pattern – Venetian Tiles

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Luana

The “Venice” collection is one of the biggest blowout designer groups we’ve ever had, and since we just got another precious shipment, we are offering this Free Quilt Pattern using these deliciously juicy digital prints in eye-popping saturated colors.

To make this 53″ x 68″ quilt, you will start with the central 24″ x 44″ panel, then cut and piece the rest of the quilt with 9 collection coordinates. The swirling colors remind us of millefiori patterns and the marbleized colors found in the blown glass of Murano. (an island off Venice, where the ancient glass-blowing industry still exists.) It may be hard to cut up these beautiful fabrics, but the results are worth it…Enjoy!

…featuring the ‘Venice’ collection by Christiane Marques for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Full Moon Owl‘ and ‘Venetian Bouquet‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Art as Confession

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Luana

Sewing in the time of COVID-19 – Week 44

Today I’ve spent time at the online Poetic Justice conference, which was about using the Arts for Peace and Healing, organized by ‘The Listening’. I’ve also been at Craft Napa with Pokey Bolton and several friends who are teaching online this weekend. What these 2 events have in common is bringing creative people together for comfort and community. Sunday night I will be virtually attending the International Peace Honors put on by the Peace Tech Lab in Washington DC. (One of my quilts ‘Mothers of the World’ hangs in their conference room.)

After such a difficult week in our country, I am focused on Peace and Healing. I am also thinking about ways to use art, sewing and creativity to promote unity and a new kind of patriotism that is compassionate and inclusive. I invite you to give this some thought as well. When we get to the other side of this I expect to see many quilts expressing these feelings and ideas, and I hope for exhibits that will allow us to voice our sadness, our trauma, our hopes and dreams. Sacred Threads has been delayed by one year due to the pandemic, but keep in mind this is one exhibit that has always welcomed the expression of these kinds of emotions.

In the Poetic Justice conference, I heard a phrase that caught my attention. “Art as Confession” was about sharing personal trauma in a cathartic way as a transformative healing process. This is a theme in the work of the Common Threads Project and founder Rachel Cohen. eQuilter donated to Common Threads at the end of the year to support their work, and you may be interested in their upcoming online workshop “Common Threads Sampler”.

Common Threads Workshop

Sacred Threads

The Listening

Peace Tech Lab – Register for Intl Peace Honors

Craft Napa

It is a stressful and troubling time, and I urge you to use your sewing and quilting as a way to process and release the difficult emotions you may be feeling. When we come together virtually, and some day when we come together again in person, we can hold a safe nurturing space to support and heal, through friendship and quilting.

with Hope for the Future,
Luana and Paul

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Free Quilt Pattern – Butterfly Bouquet

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Luana

From caterpillars to chrysalis….Butterflies represent Rebirth, Renewal and Hope for the future.

For this week’s exclusive eQuilter Free Quilt Pattern we offer this beautiful uplifting design with colorful flowers and exquisitely detailed butterflies. If you start sewing now, this will be done for the Spring/Summer season!

To make this 63″ x 82″ quilt design, you will use a panel and a large allover digital print from our exclusive Rubin Design Studio. Add in 4 Hoffman Hand-Dyes and Kaufman Solid Kona Black to frame this stunning collection of framed butterfly vignettes.

We have spent much of the last year like a chrysalis, quietly curled up at home, but now we can see a time coming when we can spread our wings and open up to a new time of freedom and healing. Be the Butterfly!

…featuring the ‘Butterflies and Dragonflies’ collection by the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Full Moon Owl‘ and ‘Panda Sanctuary‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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