Prayers for So Cal

Posted on January 4, 2025 by Luana

Our hearts and prayers are with Southern California now. Although there have been some early queries about donating comfort quilts to fire victims, please understand that what they need now are the basics of existence. We are donating to World Central Kitchen, who are bringing meals to those displaced. I always give to trusted/known non-profits, and local relief organizations on the ground and on-site. This will be a long recovery for those who have lost homes, but right now we can support them by donating to trusted organizations that are preferably locally or community-based.

I am sure California quilt guilds are already gearing up to help in the aftermath, but the priority now is to put out the fires, get people to safety, get them fed and safely housed. Having seen our community go through a similar fire 3 years ago, we know what comes next. (Marshall Fire, 12-30-21)

It has been a rough start to 2025 so far, but I am finding my sanity and focus with needle and thread. I am actually in the studio daily now, prepping for my show in Kyoto, but also as a meditation to clear my head and process the news. I hope that you also find solace and clarity in Mindful Making, Slow Stitch, or whatever creative activity is speaking to you now. Every stitch is a prayer….for comfort, healing, and peace.

My mom was born in So Cal, I lived there as a child, and returned to get my degree in downtown LA while I lived in West Hollywood. Now I have a brother and so many quilter and industry friends who live in So Cal. When I look at the maps of burnt neighborhoods, I know those streets, so I empathize with the incomprehensible loss. Sending love and hugs to all of you affected. We are thinking of you.

sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates: www.luanarubin.com
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival
Apr 3-6 – SAQA Conference – St Pete, Florida
April 27- May 3 – Alegre Retreat

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Free Quilt Pattern – Mystical Elephant

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Luana

Our Mystical Elephant panel is the feature of this week’s Free Quilt Pattern. This mesmerizing portrait captures the wisdom, loyalty & intensity of the elephant’s gaze, emerging from a wild, mysterious forest.

To make this 47″ x 47″ quilt design, you will start with our exclusive, magical 29″ x 44″ elephant panel. Piece the borders with our rich and vibrant canopy curls coordinate, then finish with solid black, which makes the quilt colors really pop. A deep jade hand dye provides a spirited accent binding.

As a wall hanging, this is a real conversation piece for the true wildlife lover. Or use this as a Nap quilt for powerful and prosperous dreams.

…from the ‘Mystical’ collection by the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

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.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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Soaring into the New Year

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Luana

Happy New Year from all of us at eQuilter.com!

Every new beginning gives us the opportunity to review the past and make new goals for the future. This is something I have done every New Year since I was a little girl. I make a list of the things I must do in the coming year, the things I want to do, and the things I hope to do. Within those 3 levels of priority, I make sure I accomplish at least one thing from each category. Do you have a system of goal setting also?

This coming year I want to be more mindful about doing things with intention. I don’t want to spend time just distracting myself from other things. I want to spend time focused with my attention on the process. This includes my time in the studio but also my time on the computer, on my phone, with my friends and family, and my time doing research for future projects. (I still need to go see the Maurice Sendak exhibit at the Denver Art Museum!)

So I give you this idea to chew on, for New Years Day:

Am I distracting myself during my creative time, procrastinating or avoiding other foundational tasks?
I think of the Zen Buddhist concept of “Chop Wood Carry Water” or maybe even the parable of the Little Red Hen. When it is time to clean our sewing machine, re-organize our stash, and tidy up our work space…we can be focused on the task and make it a layer of mental and creative prep time…it is like sweeping the mind free of clutter.

Notice how the guts of your machine work while you clean and oil between sewing sessions. Give your machine a new needle for a new project so you have one less thing to worry about if your thread is breaking. Audition gutsy new color combos while you review your stash. (Don’t worry – that scary hue can just be an accent color!) Contemplate different techniques and using new media in unique ways, while you clean your working area. I often find when I do these basic tasks, I move things around to accommodate and discover new efficiencies in my workflow. Right now I am re-learning to use my Silhouette Cameo digital cutting machine, and I plan to set up a Marbling station in the Spring. It is good to have something to look forward to!

No matter what your 5th grade art teacher told you, EVERYONE is creative and everyone has the heart of an artist. We all had it as children it is always waiting for us to open the door again. Being creative and crafty is good for our mental and physical health. Making things with our hands helps us to be present in the moment…and it heals our hearts.

May your New Year be filled with courageous creativity and audacious experiments that lead to joy and wonder.

Sharing our passion for fabric…..
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates: www.luanarubin.com
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival
Apr 3-6 – SAQA Conference – St Pete, Florida
April 27- May 3 – Alegre Retreat

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Free Quilt Pattern – Enchanted Castle

Posted on December 29, 2024 by Luana

Delicate fairies watch over their fairy-tale castle … in this enchanting Free Quilt Pattern.

The cheerful and brightly hued castle panel makes this 57″ x 71″ quilt design a charming project for that special someone who delights in flower fairies. Magical fairy frames make up the coordinating borders, while the raspberry Hoffman hand dye provides a peaceful & calming outer border. It’s pure loveliness!

…from the ‘Enchanted’ collection by Dan Morris for Quilting Treasures.

PLUS – you’ll receive Free USA / 50% off INTL shipping
when you order the fabrics for this exquisite quilt pattern
(orders $100 and over, no coupon needed).

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.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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A Fertile Time for the Creative Soul

Posted on December 28, 2024 by Luana

You may or may not be aware that our quilting community is very active on Facebook. Instagram is catching up but I find that more of the people (quilters, textile artists) I want to follow are posting frequently on Facebook. So this week I noticed my quilter friends in the the U.K. are referring to this as the ‘in-between days’ – i.e. between Christmas and New Year. But of course many of you are now celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. One thing is clear – this is a fertile time for the creative mind.

I am taking this quiet time to learn some new creative software for my 2025 projects. I am still processing all the information and experiences absorbed on my textile & costume tour. I rearranged some furniture in my home office. I am cleaning and organizing in my studio. There is also a new spiral artsy notebook and I am determined to write in it every day in 2025. I have edited and reprinted my Deadline & Travel Schedule (with lots of question marks!) for the coming year, and pinned it up on the wall.

Have you set creative goals for 2025?
I suggest that you write them down and pin them up on the wall.

Things to include for the coming year:
Choose 3 new colors to include in your palette, that you’ve never used before.
Find or start a group of local quilters for creative support and inspiration.
Plan to take a class or workshop to learn a new technique or skill – online or in person.

What else would you add to this list?
Confidence and an adventurous spirit are assumed, but if those are still issues, put them at the top of the list to be tackled in 2025!

Thank you for sharing this passion for quilting with us.
We are sending ‘in-between’ holiday smiles and hugs to all of you.

sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates: www.luanarubin.com
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival
Apr 3-6 – SAQA Conference – St Pete, Florida
April 27- May 3 – Alegre Retreat

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Free Quilt Pattern – Kitten Moon

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Luana

Everything is better with Kittens!

This adorable kitty rests in the nook of a crescent moon, floating in the clouds, and illuminated by the soft, night sky. Tonight’s Free eQuilter Pattern features this exclusive design which will be cherished by your little ones (and grown-ups too!)

To make this 65″ x 52″ quilt design, you will start with the central 31″ x 44″ panel. Then piece the borders with four coordinating blue Solids and Snow White Pearlescent Fairy Frost.

Children will love napping beneath this delightful quilt, which also makes a welcome addition to any bedroom.

…from the ‘Favorite Pets’ collection the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

PLUS – you’ll receive Free USA / 50% off INTL shipping
when you order the fabrics for this exquisite quilt pattern
(orders $100 and over, no coupon needed).

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.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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Dreaming of a White Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Luana

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

In this season of Hope and Light, we send you our warmest wishes for a holiday full of comfort and joy. It is a time for cherished traditions and precious moments with loved ones…making memories to fill our hearts in the years to come.

Please take a moment for this special holiday message from Luana.

Thank you for supporting our family-owned business for another year!

Sharing our passion for fabric…..
Luana and Paul
and the eQuilter Staff

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Free Quilt Pattern – Aurora Wolves

Posted on December 22, 2024 by Luana

One of our most popular design motifs is Wolves – representing the wild free spirit of the Northwoods. This week’s exclusive eQuilter Free Quilt Pattern features our new majestic Wolves panel, with a pack running through fresh powder snow under the Moon and Northern Lights.

To make this 59″ x 67″ quilt design, you will start with our Arctic Wolf Pack panel, then piece the borders with an Aurora Borealis print and Lavender Hoffman hand dye; then border with solid black.

This beautiful arctic quilt is a great gift for wildlife enthusiasts who dreams of running wild and free!

…from the ‘Wildlife’ collection the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

PLUS – you’ll receive Free USA / 50% off INTL shipping
when you order the fabrics for this exquisite quilt pattern
(orders $100 and over, no coupon needed).

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.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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Peace on Winter Solstice

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Luana

Today (Saturday) is the Winter Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Summer Solstice for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere. The Winter Solstice is a time of quiet contemplation for me, as I take stock of the year that has passed, prepare for the holidays, and plan for the coming year.

This year, more than ever, I spend this solstice praying for Peace on Earth. My quilting keeps me centered and sane when the world is in chaos. Today, every stitch is made with love and hope. I am completing prayer flags for the Toward 2050 labyrinth.

Now more than ever, the Quilting Community is so precious to me. To ALL of you with whom I have spent time with this year, from QuiltCon to Houston, from Allegre to my recent Textile tour in Italy, I thank you for being such a blessing in my life. We have gathered on Zoom across the miles, and when we are lucky we share a meal at a quilt event. When I left the garment industry and found my way to the world of quilting, I instantly knew I had arrived where I was supposed to be. If you are new to quilting, I urge you to find your local tribe and partake of the warmth and camaraderie we find together.

We seek common ground, upon which to build the New Year together. When we gather based on our shared passion for making things with our hands….when we creatively collaborate in a joyful community….it strengthens us for the challenges of our day to day lives.

Thank you for sharing this passion for quilting with us.
We are sending holiday smiles and hugs to all of you.

sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Travel/Lecture Dates:
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

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Free Quilt Pattern – Santa on the Mountain

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Luana

There’s still time to celebrate Santa’s arrival with our fabulous new exclusive Christmas panel, depicting a jolly St. Nick sledding with his friendly animals of the forest.

To make this 55″ x 62″ Free Quilt Pattern, you will start with the 36″ x 44″ digital printed central panel. Then piece the borders with three coordinating wintry-blue snowflake prints adjacent to some magical white tonal stars.

Make this quilt for friends and family, and rejoice in the magic of Santa and the Christmas spirit.

…from the ‘Christmas’ collection the Rubin Design Studio, designed exclusively for eQuilter.

PLUS – you’ll receive Free USA / 50% off INTL shipping
when you order the fabrics for this exquisite quilt pattern
(orders $100 and over, no coupon needed).

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.

Sharing your passion for fabric and color,
Luana and Paul Rubin

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