LAST DAY

Today is the last day of our 2017 show, and we certainly hope you have enjoyed it.  I know I'm very impressed with the beauty and creative energy of the quilts, and the riot of colors is fantastic.  We are so lucky to have such a special venue to hang our quilts--we soak in a bit of history as we wander around admiring.

Our speakers and demonstrations have been fun and educational and all have left me with something interesting and/or helpful that I didn't know before.  During the show, I've added a few photos to the Speaker and Demonstrations Schedule sections of the blog when I had ones that turned out well, so do check back in those earlier parts of the blog.

Did you catch the feature about The Unbroken Thread on the KVAL news yesterday?  If you missed it, or if you'd like to see it again, here's the link.

Our boutique sales have gone well.  Last night I made the last of my notebook covers for this year's show--I've been able to complete one or two each evening to have at least one available every day--they've been selling out fast, as has so much of the boutique inventory.  This morning I'm bringing in the last one for 2017, completed late last night.  I fell in love with these fabrics together.

A popular item in the gift shop boutique this year has been the used quilting magazines--a variety of titles.  Grab a handful to inspire yourself, for only 10¢ each today.

We hope to see you on this last day of our 2017 show.  Good luck on winning the Dresden Plate blocks!

WILL YOU WIN THESE BLOCKS?

Every year, Pioneer Quilters make blocks based on older designs, to raffle off.  This year's design is Dresden Plates, in lovely 1930s reproduction fabrics.  

There are 49 blocks, so you will have the choice of arranging them on point, as we have done here, or in seven straight rows of 7 blocks, or in a 6 x 8 setting, with one block left over--maybe for a label?  What would you choose for the sashing?

Chances in the raffle are $1 each, or six for $5.  You can buy your tickets at the table where you receive your program when you enter the museum.  Good luck! 

There seems to be a trend or two going on in the show this year.  Dresden Plates and variations! 

There's one hanging above our raffle blocks.  

Here are a couple more:

And did you notice that the quilt in the frame is also Dresden Plates?

Those blocks were made by charter member Martha, who has generously shared so many blocks she's made with members of our group.  Quilt Show chair Diane added the 9-patches and sashing to make this sweet quilt.  

This is the same quilt you saw in the frame at our 2017 show, a few weeks later.  Martha is about to quilt on it.

Another trend is the number of other quilts in the show featuring blocks pieced or appliquéd by Martha A.  

Here Martha puts some stitches into the quilt made by Marilyn from some of Martha's many donated blocks.

A glance at the index of our program clues you into the poorly guarded secret that Martha is a very generous, prolific, and talented woman!  Here are six quilts with some or all of the blocks made by her:

NEXT YEAR'S SHOW

Do you you think you might have a quilt you'd like to put in our 2018 show?  If so, put your name on the list that's at our welcome table (where you pick up a program), and we'll email you the entry form next year.

THE 2017 UNBROKEN THREAD SHOW OPENS TODAY!

IT'S SHOW TIME!

Our 2017 Pioneer Quilters' show, The Unbroken Thread, opens today and continues through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:00 pm each day.  We have 121 quilts entered by Pioneer Quilters and members of the community.  The quilts really are absolutely gorgeous this year!  

Remember, admission is $7, or if you'd like to take advantage of several days of speakers and demonstrations too, $15 gets you a pass that will get you in for as many days as you desire.  If you'd like to take another look at what demos and speakers are available each day, or read any of the previous posts, just click on the Blog Archive to the right

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT THE BOUTIQUE!

The museum has a lovely gift shop year round.  

Among the many treasures is a great selection of books with historical and/or Oregon connections. Some of my personal favorites are their quilting books.

But once we start adding color to the museum with the lovely quilts in our show, we also colorize the gift shop area with our boutique items.

A handful of the Pioneer Quilters are busy throughout the year putting their creativity to use to raise more funds for the Lane County Historical Museum.  All proceeds from our annual quilt show go to the museum, plus 100% of the money spent on boutique purchases.

The Boutique Committee meets most months to show what they've been working on, share ideas, and  put price tags on their wares.

Many of the items are unique, and they're all hand-fashioned by these gifted women.  Visitors to the show often stop in the boutique before viewing the quilts, as they want to make sure nobody beats them to that one-of-a-kind item that's perfect for them or a gift.

The variety is impressive, and these close-up photos only show a sampling.  Boutique merchandise this year includes needle cases, luggage tags, coasters & mug rugs, table runners, potholders, dishcloths and dish towels, thread-spindle doilies, placemats, credit/gift card holders, wine glass coasters/bug covers, fabric postcards, pincushions of all styles and materials, hair accessories, bookmarks, a variety of bags, notepad covers and much, much more!

 

You might want to bring your gift list.  You're encouraged to shop early and shop often (new inventory is often brought in by these talented elves).  And remember, every penny you spend benefits the museum!

OUR 2017 SCHEDULE OF SPEAKERS

A highlight of our Unbroken Thread Quilt Show is the great speakers we present from 1:00 to 2:00 each afternoon, Tuesday through Sunday, April 25-30.  Here's a little bit of information about them:

TUESDAY   

Maren Beck      Hill Tribe Art, Hmong Appliqué and Traditions

For the opening day of the show, we have invited Maren Beck to speak on Hill Tribe Art, Hmong Appliqué and Traditions.  Maren is passionate about traditional textiles and the (mostly) women who weave, dye and design beautiful and often functional fabric art.  For the past decade, her focus has been to share traditional weavings and culture of Laotian and Vietnamese hill tribes.  The fibers used are hemp, cotton or silk--the dyes are natural, the patterns ancient from the tribal groups and from memory, the looms often made by craftsmen in the villages.  The results are stunning and more rare every day as modernity intrudes.

The artists come from diverse ethnicities--Hmong, Dzao, Akha, Lao Loum--but share a passion, talent and reputation for quality textiles using radiation materials.  Appliqué is a tradition in some of the cultures, as is cotton embroidery and silver ornamentation on clothing.

Maren will share examples of both cotton and silk pieces and appliquéd clothing.  Her business is Above the Fray, based in Eugene.

WEDNESDAY     
Kennette Blotzer      Trends in Quilting, Gadgets, Books, etc.

Kennette is the owner of Something to Crow About quilt shop at 42nd and Main Streets in Springfield.  Kennette's passion for quilting has had a profound effect on the quilting community in our area.  In addition to running a delightful full-service quilt shop, she was the force behind the founding of Emerald Valley Quilters, and its first president.  Kennette will tell us about trends in quilting, gadgets, books and more.

THURSDAY     
Viki West      Tips

Although Viki learned to sew from her mother and grandmother, she didn't become a quilter until a couple of decades ago.  After visiting a meeting of our local quilt guild, Emerald Valley Quilters, she not only learned to quilt, but became very active in the guild, holding several positions, including president.  Over the years, Viki has taken many workshops and classes, and said that if she has learned just one new thing, she feels the workshop was worth taking.  And when sewing with friends, she frequently picks up new tips, or learns a new block or technique.

At her presentation, Viki will share a variety of tips that she hopes will make your quilting a little easier, or make you look at everyday objects in a different way.  Even seasoned quilters may take away some new ideas.

FRIDAY     
Rachel Greco      Women and Quilting in The Great War      

Rachel Greco, the owner of Grandma's Attic Sewing Emporium in Dallas, Oregon will speak Friday about women and quilting during the Great War.  Rachel has spent nearly a lifetime working with and learning about the role of textiles in women's lives throughout history.  A self-taught quilt historian and an avid reader, Grandma Rachel is frequently asked to give lectures about quilts, quilt blocks and the role of women and their connection to fabric.  When not hard at work at Grandma's Attic, either on the sales floor or within the online store, Rachel spends much of her time researching the history of women, quilts and fabrics.

SATURDAY
Ken Casey      Color Rules are Meant to be Broken

Ken Casey is a recent arrival to Eugene, but a long-time quilter.  He grew up making articles of clothing for himself and others, and worked in the fabric department of a Phoenix area department store in his youth.  Originally a stained-glass artist who complained about having to create in a hot garage in the Phoenix heat, Ken was encouraged by his sister to give quiltmaking a try.  He's never looked back.  

In his quilting journey, he has spent  a few summers at Quilt Camp in the Pines and Flagstaff, has taken classes from many internationally known teachers and further developed his skills, and has had quilts hung in shows across the country.  He is a certified instructor for AnglePlay Templates.  He currently works and teaches at Piece by Piece in Eugene.

Ken most likes to work with the design process, often creating his own patterns from images in nature or landscape.  A favorite challenge is to take a photograph, then create a quilt with the same colors and ratios of color.

Ken's topic on Saturday is Color Rules are Meant to be Broken and he will treat us to a trunk show. Ken also has one of his quilts, Men Quilters: Miscreants of the Quilt Shop, entered in our show.

SUNDAY
B.J. Titus      Machine Appliqué Method

For the quilt show finale, B.J. Titus will share her method for machine appliqué.  B.J. creates art quilts, often using an appliqué method of layering fabrics.  She also uses brilliant colors and extensive use of thread and bead embellishment.  Many of her quilt designs are inspired by nature and memories of her childhood summers in Florida.  She designs with a focal point that draws the viewer in for a closer view.

B.J. encourages quilters to reach beyond traditional norms and have fun with the design process . . . and most of all, to enjoy the process!

Want a sneak peek?  Photos of B.J.'s quilts can be found at www.bjtitus.com.  You can email her about purchasing her patterns at bjtitus3@comcast.net.