Creative Nudge – QuiltCon Best of Show

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Luana

Having just returned from QuiltCon in Savannah Georgia, to photograph the Modern Quilts on display there, I wanted to make sure you all saw the Best of Show quilt by Katherine Jones. She is from the Tasmania MQG in Australia, and has created a stunning 98″ x 98″ pieced quilt that sets the bar very high for aspiring QuiltCon quilt artists.

This is absolutely a work of art…it is not a ‘traditional patchwork quilt with a twist’. It is an original and incredibly complicated paper-pieced design using solid fabrics, based on the intricate facets of a Princess Cut Diamond. Hence the name – ‘Bling’.

It took 160 hours to piece the top, and then she used a Walking Foot to quilt the project on her BERNINA 720. The word that seems to come to mind for everyone who saw this quilt was….WOW.

For those who think that Modern Quilting is simple designs, this mind-blowing quilt has just re-written the description of “What is a Modern Quilt?”

If you are inspired by this quilt design, remember that we have every single color of Kaufman’s Kona Solids … over 300 colors! We also carry the color card so you can be as fussy and matchy-matchy about the colors as you like. Can’t decide which shades of Green? Snap up some Solid Pre-Cuts and play with color to get those creative juices flowing!

Be sure to look for the new MQG show “Fresh Quilting” on PBS and online, for more fresh updates on Modern Quilting! eQuilter is a sponsor of the show, and I am a guest on the show. We are thrilled to be able to support this movement that is growing and changing exponentially.

Thanks to all of you who came to the eQuilter Cocktail Party on Friday at QuiltCon. It was so great to see all of you there!

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana

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2017 Travel Calendar:
March 26 – April 1 – Wash DC & NYC
Dec 29 2017 – Jan 5 2018 – Tanzania Great Migration – New Years in Africa – Taking Reservations NOW!

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Free Pattern – Lighthouse Wonders

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Luana

This week’s Free Quilt Pattern is actually 2 versions of a scenic Lighthouse view:

‘Sunshine’ is a walk along a rocky coastline at Sunrise (or Sunset!) with brilliant colors shining in the sky, and reflected in the waters.

‘Stormy’ is a dramatic coastal image with dark clouds and cooler colors: a sentinel Lighthouse stands at the end of a rocky pier.

Both powerful images…which one would you choose?
Maybe both?

These 59″ x 67″ panel quilts would make a fantastic pair of wall hangings, or a pair of cozy lap quilts on the front porch of your own coastal retreat.

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.

EQ7 is the leading quilt design software, which is available here at eQuilter.

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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Quilt Con in Savannah

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Luana

This weekend I am writing to you from QuiltCon in Savannah Georgia…the quilt conference for the Modern Quilt Guild. You may recall that last year this conference was in Pasadena. Last night we hosted a cocktail party as the show ended, and it was great to meet so many of our customers!

Next week watch for my photos from QuiltCon, so you can see the emerging trends of Color, Design and Fabrics for the Modern Quilt movement.

Fresh Quilting is the new Modern Quilting TV show on PBS, and it had its online debut on Thursday. eQuilter is a sponsor of the show, and I will also make 2 appearances on the show in this first season. We are so excited to support this new Modern show, and hope you will enjoy it too!

Last week I was in Venice, photographing Carnivale costumes. I’ve uploaded lots of photos here so you can enjoy the colors and fabrics of this annual celebration.

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana

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Free Pattern – Magic of Harry Potter

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Luana

Harry Potter fans – The Sorcerer’s Stone Quilt is here in magical DIGITAL detail! Go on a wizarding adventure with Harry, Ron & Hermione as you stitch up this fabulous fantasy project.

Your favorite Hogwarts fans of every age will treasure this 58″ x 65″ quilt, and can be a sofa throw or blanket for those spell-binding magical marathons.

‘Harry Potter’ is an exceptionally detailed Digital printed collection,
from the ‘Harry Potter’ collection by Camelot Fabrics.

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.

EQ7 is the leading quilt design software, which is available here at eQuilter.

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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Creative Nudge – Carnivale and Mardi Gras

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Luana

This weekend I was able to check off a big one on the Bucket List – I was in Venice for Carnivale to photograph the costumes! I have been fascinated with the masks and historic ensembles that are worn by Venetians and visitors alike, during the Italian version of our Mardi Gras. Besides the collage above, I’ve uploaded lots of photos for you to enjoy, so please join my celebration on my photo page!

I always say that travel is the best test of character, and I did have a surprise when I checked into my hotel room. The location was fantastic…very close to San Marco Piazza which is where all the Carnivale action takes place…but my room had a tiny twin bed and was like a broom closet. I inquired about changing rooms, but they said they were fully booked because of the holiday. However my room did have a full bathroom including a tub and a bidet. Ha! So I walked and walked until my feet were about to fall off… came back to take a bath and a long nap. I was out chasing photos and party-goers most of the weekend.

As for the rest of my “working” vacation, I visited a textile factory and a costume atelier…more about that in the near future.

My last night in Venezia I joined some quilters who had just arrived and were about to embark on a Mediterranean cruise. My table-mates had spent time in Tanzania, and raved about their experiences of the Great Migration and the Serengeti. I am so excited to be making this trip on New Years the end of this year, and especially to share it with some of you!

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

Enjoy artist interviews, tutorials, and quilt festival tours, on our eQuilter Video Page.

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2017 Travel Calendar:
Feb 24 – eQuilter Sponsored Cocktail Party at QuiltCon
(Front Lobby of Conference Center, right after show closes.)
March 26 – April 1 – Wash DC & NYC
Dec 29 2017 – Jan 5 2018 – Tanzania Great Migration – New Years in Africa – Taking Reservations NOW!

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Free Pattern – Wildflower Trails

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Luana

Were you one of those kids who read every single horse book you could get your hands on?

This week’s eQuilter Free Pattern will put a big smile on your face, with herds of wild horses grazing in a high mountain meadow…foals gamboling in fields of wild flowers…evoking the romance of mustangs running wild and free.

Hang this 40″ x 53″ quilt as a wallhanging, to bring that feeling of fresh mountain meadows and sunshine into your favorite room. Hang it in the bedroom of your horse-crazy kid, to bring beautiful dreams of horses and the wind in one’s hair…

… from the ‘Wildflower Trails’ collection by Clare Goldrick for Elizabeth’s Studio.

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.

EQ7 is the leading quilt design software, which is available here at eQuilter.

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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Bella Venezia

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Luana

This weekend I am writing to you from Venezia. I am on a working vacation, doing textile research, and taking photos of Carnivale. There are many beautiful cities in Europe where the history of their wealth and culture is intimately tied with textiles, and this is one of those cities. During Venice’s Carnivale, people come from all over the world to dress in costumes that emulate the dress and textiles of the 18th Century. I shared a water taxi with a woman from Norway, who was meeting her husband here to attend one of the costume balls. Many costume-makers are kept in business by this annual event!

Last week I posted on Facebook – “Does anyone want to meet for dinner in Venice?” and I got an answer! So I am meeting a group of quilters for dinner on Monday night, before I fly back on Tuesday.

Today I attended an event at San Marco Piazza but the crowds were so intense I had to go back to my hotel to take a nap! But this evening I did my favorite thing: First I found a couple of young Italians with the best costumes, and I followed them through the streets. When they paused for a photo on Ponte dell’Accademia, I snapped a photo and then followed the crowd of locals, steaming into Dorsaduro. I walked and walked and walked until I was utterly lost, and then I looked for the first restaurant that had an open table.

This is how I find non-touristy places to eat. Not for the faint of heart, which is why it is hard to do it with a companion. The place I found was an organic neighborhood restaurant near the University. I was the first person to sit down, but soon the neighbors streamed in for their holiday meals, and the owner greeted them all by name. They smiled and said hello, and we all watched the owner do a flourishing table side prep. A trio of musicians strolled in and played traditional Italian tunes. Laughter and the clinking of wine glasses filled the space, surrounded by the deep Venetian Red walls.

The owner marked my map with their location, so I could retrace my steps. I’ve uploaded photos on my Flickr page – hoping to share the moment with you all. Monday I have a couple appointments related to my textile research. Every time I come here, I dig a little deeper. If there is such a thing as past lives, I must have had a few here…

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana

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Free Pattern – Winter Retreat

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Luana

This week’s exclusive eQuilter Free Pattern celebrates the snowy season, with a peaceful view of a sparkling winter landscape.

The unique quilt design combines a stained glass technique with a large scale scenic panel, creating a delightful winter vista.

A snow-covered path leads the viewer past a country gate, and guides the eye toward frosted trees painted in cool blue and white hues.
Retreat to your sewing haven and enjoy your ‘Winter Retreat’ pattern today!

… from the ‘Scenic Snowfall’ collection by Timeless Treasures.

To help with this quilt construction, see our special ‘eQuilter Quick Tips’ video titled, ‘Simplified Diagonal Corner Seams‘ featuring the ‘Autumn’ version of the quilt, and presented by Dana Lacy Chapman, our Customer Service manager.

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.

EQ7 is the leading quilt design software, which is available here at eQuilter.

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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Creative Nudge – Japanese Mola Master

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Luana

We had SO much fun this weekend at our Bernina Sewapalooza. We had 51 people (50 ladies and one husband) and 34 machines packed into our new classroom. It was Awesome! Stay tuned for future workshops and creative retreats….to be announced in our weekly newsletters.

Last week’s Midweek Creative Nudge featured the gentle hues of a Taupe quilt with appliqued blossoms.

Today I want to share something on the other end of the scale, also from the 2017 Tokyo Quilt Festival.

This is a Mola quilt (Reverse Applique) by Fumiko Nakayama, named ‘Flower the Macrocosm’. Some of you may recall that I talked about her on one of my appearances on Quilting Arts TV. She is the Japanese artist who created the entire ‘Tales of Genji’ series in Mola quilts.

The continuing cross-pollination of quilting techniques, being shared across continents and oceans, is fascinating and thrilling to me. I do love to see local culture being expressed in quilts (Celtic quilts in Ireland, Babushka quilts in Russia, Frida Kahlo quilts in Mexico, etc.) but I also love to spot Japanese Taupe and Indigo in the US, American applique in Europe, Paris-themed quilts in Japan, and Central-American applique in Tokyo! The internet has made the world a smaller place, and in the world of quilting, that provides even more inspiration.

Speaking of the internet and quilters…tomorrow I fly to Venice for a photo conference. A few days ago I asked on Facebook – “Anybody want to have dinner in Venice next weekend?” and I got a response! I am meeting a group of quilters for dinner there on Monday, but I am still looking for dinner-mates on the weekend. What fun! I will be doing some textile-related research while there, and photographing the start of Carnivale.

Wherever I travel in the world, there are quilters…our tribe of fellow-fabriholics who instantly recognize us as part of the quilting family. Aren’t we lucky? *smile*

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

Enjoy artist interviews, tutorials, and quilt festival tours, on our eQuilter Video Page.

********

2017 Travel Calendar:
Feb 17-20 – Venice Photo Conference
Feb 24 – eQuilter Sponsored Cocktail Party at QuiltCon
(Front Lobby of Conference Center, right after show closes.)
March 26 – April 1 – Wash DC & NYC
Dec 29 2017 – Jan 5 2018 – Tanzania Great Migration – New Years in Africa – Taking Reservations NOW!

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Free Pattern – Ticket to Ride

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Luana

All Aboard!….for this week’s Free Quilt Pattern!

Train Buffs and Steam Engine Aficionados will appreciate this Railroad-themed quilt design, inspired by a detailed panel featuring locomotive vignettes.

The train illustrations are set against a landscape backdrop, with a large scale border featuring train cars, pieced from coordinating blenders. This 61″ x 61″ square quilt can be a Lap Quilt, Crib Quilt, Playmat or Wall hanging!

… from the ‘Ticket to Ride’ collection by Exclusively Quilters.

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.

EQ7 is the leading quilt design software, which is available here at eQuilter.

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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