Did you know that you can quilt at the Midwest Genealogy Center? MGC has a free quilt group, the Dear Jane Quilters (named after Brenda Papadakis’s best-selling book), that meets the 1st Saturday of each month from 1:00-3:00 p.m. And, it doesn’t matter if you have been quilting for decades or have never even threaded a needle before because everyone is welcome! While the DJs are primarily recreating Jane Stickle’s 1863 masterpiece quilt, we welcome all quilters (and want-to-be quilters) to join us for some quality stitching time.
It’s exciting to read about quilting references. It’s also exciting to learn about a new author. With Sandra Dallas, you can have both. In all the books I’ve read by her, there are references to quilting as well as themes of loyalty, friendship and human dignity. Also included are women characters who are very strong and determined to better their lives.
Quilt-lovers rejoice! The local Town and Country Quilt Guild presents an encore quilt display this month at the Smithville Branch. Contemporary techniques, such as machine-stitched confetti quilting, share the space with a hand quilted tulip quilt. A huge square representing a giant panda is a popular trend in wildlife patterns. Another quilt is a framed work of art, which mimics the photograph nearby. And, don't miss the blue ribbon winner in the Crayola challenge from the Platte County Fair. It's a sea of green to feast your eyes on.
In March, the Grain Valley Stitchers took up the challenge of the Jelly Roll 1600 quilt. The quilts went together quickly and easily. There were a couple of mechanical problems that were quickly remedied and the fun began. We have done some really fun stuff at our meetings and you should join us.
Summer is winding down, and although we can’t feel the chill in the air yet, it’ll be here before we know it. After an entire season of outdoor fun, are you ready to curl up on the couch and get crafty? There’s nothing quite like sitting by the fire with a quilt or afghan project on your lap.
When I was 13, I stayed with my grandmother, Rhoda, for a while. Granny, as we called her, was born in 1891. Because Granny believed girls should learn how to sew, she decided to teach me how to make quilts. It took a long time to cut out all of the blocks needed for a quilt! The blocks were made of corduroy, and they were called "big blocks." Granny had a treadle type sewing machine, which she taught me to use. We pinned the blocks in a row and then sewed them together. That was how I made my first quilt.
My journey into the quilting world began in the car while traveling with a friend. I was bored, so I grabbed one of her quilting magazines to pass the time. I was immediately hooked. Before we arrived home, I was already planning my first project, a "foundation pieced" Christmas, wall hanging. If you are not familiar with this process, I suggest a book we have entitled Foundation-Pieced Quilts 14 Favorites from Quiltmaker Magazine.
The Town and Country Quilters, a local quilting guild here in Smithville, has filled our display case this month with some incredible works of art. It's worth a trip to the Library just to see these lovely quilts and wall hangings. This group of women also has items for sale at their booth at Octoberfest this year. So much goes into the "building" of a quilt-- planning, patterns, gathering, stitching, and more stitching. It's obvious that quilting is not just a hobby--it's a passion. And these folks welcome new members to their group.
