Sunday, April 22, 2018

ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING . . .

ROLLING


A few folks were trying to envision how one quilts the center of the quilt.  "You need somebody with very long arms?"

We attempted to explain how we roll the boards at two opposite sides of the quilt as we go along.  

I thought these two photos would be informative--they're of the quilt when our show started, and about an hour before the end--six days later.  Hand quilting isn't for the impatient!






RAFFLE BLOCKS


Our 30 hand-appliquéd pomegranate blocks were won by Jill.  Congratulations, Jill!  We hope the quilt they'll become will be finished and entered in our show next year!



THANK YOU


Thank you for attending our 2018 show and following our blog.  I hope you've enjoyed both.  Dates and information about our 2019 show will be posted here once we begin making plans.




Saturday, April 21, 2018

STAIRS

LITTLE QUILTS


The Patch Madams is a group of quilting friends.  Every year they select a theme and challenge themselves to create a small quilt inspired by that theme.  

Most years, including this one, you can view and enjoy these creations (and others) hung on the wall above the gorgeous wooden staircase at the southeast corner of the museum.

Not all of the tiny quilts entered in the show are from the Patch Madams, however.  There are small quilts scattered throughout the museum.  So many have interesting stories--be sure to read about them in your show catalog!  









Harry Potter fans--be sure to read catalog info on this one


This one has over 500 pieces in it!

This whole quilt measure 6.25" x 7.75".  That's why I'm using a tiny font.





LABELS


Once you make it to the top of the stairs, you've got more delights in store--great quilts!  At least two of the quilts upstairs have labels that will enrich your enjoyment of viewing them.  

The label on the back of the International Sunbonnet Sue (#21) tells you the countries each Sue represents.   The Washington Apple quilt (#58) has an exquisitely hand-embroidered label.   

Ask the Pioneer Quilter wearing white gloves to show you these labels.


HOW ABOUT YOU?  DO YOU REMEMBER TO LABEL?


We Pioneer Quilters are adamant about labeling quilts.  We even have a poster where we sign our names, not as we finish a quilt, but as we label it.  The more information you can put on a label, the better:

Maker (and quilter, if different)
Date
Location 
For--person and/or occasion

And there are so many other things you can include--the name of the quilt, the quiltmaker's relationship to recipient, inspiration for the quilt, care instructions, name of pattern, fabric content, special note of affection for the recipient, a favorite saying, etc.  If the source of fabrics is unusual (like from someone's clothing,  purchased on a trip, from a fabric exchange, or inherited from a relative), note that.  If it's a friendship/signature quilt, what is the relationship between the block makers and each other or the quilt owner?  If one person began the quilt and another completed it years later, the label should reflect that, with dates as accurate as you can come up with.  The more information on a label, the more you'll delight someone in the future.  Use special ink pens, like Micron Pigma, or machine or hand embroider--your creativity can shine here too.

There are so many different types of labels you can use--many are preprinted--you just write in your details.  Some are done using a block like those on the front of the quilt.  Others are just written on a piece of muslin.  Some people piece the label into the backing, before the layers are quilted.  Others attach it after the quilting is finished.  Some even construct a fabric envelope and have information on and in that.  One of my favorites includes a photo of the young quilt recipient with her grandma--the quiltmaker, a delightful piece of family history.

The internet can give you lots of inspiration on labels--how to make them, information to include, and photos.  Try Googling ("quilt labels" and "quilt label information"), and visit Pinterest to see the variety!

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

A VERY SPECIAL SHOW!

SHOW FEATURES


There are many things that make The Pioneer Quilters' quilt show unique.  

It lasts for SIX days, 

     Tuesday
                   Wednesday
                                Thursday
                                             Friday
                                                       Saturday
                                                                    Sunday

It's held amongst intriguing historical artifacts.



You can buy tickets in hopes of winning our hand appliquéd raffle blocks. 



There's a continual demonstration of hand quilting by friendly quilters who are happy to answer your questions. 




The delightful Pioneer Quilters' handmade items in the museum's gift shop can be purchased at great prices for yourself and for special gifts. 



We have 3 hours of demonstrations daily. 













And, we have a different speaker every day!















Scroll down to our post for April 8th to see the speakers and demonstrations scheduled for the remainder of the show.  We hope you can catch several of them.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

OUR 2018 RAFFLE BLOCKS

POMEGRANATES!


We've selected a delightful vintage pomegranate appliqué design for our blocks to raffle off this year.  

The 30 charming, hand-appliquéd blocks can be set straight or on point, giving quite different looks.  Here they are shown with the straight setting.



Tickets are a just $1.00 each, or the bargain six for $5.00.

The winning ticket will be drawn in the closing minutes of our show.

We are always absolutely delighted to see our raffle blocks turned into a quilt that is entered in a future show.  You can enjoy that this year! 




Quilt #20, Midnight in the Garden District, was made from our 2012 raffle blocks.  



Last years' blocks can be enjoyed in quilt #47, named Flower Stars.  

Both are hung on the main floor near the quilting frame.

Monday, April 16, 2018

WOW!!

HANGING THE SHOW

Sunday was the day folks brought in their quilts for this year's show. We checked them in, found rods that were the right size, and stacked them all on sheets near where they would be hung.

Today, Monday, more volunteers came in to hang the quilts, including many family members willing to climb ladders.  The gift items in the boutique were set up, a new quilt was put in the frame, raffle blocks displayed, and the museum was once again magically transformed.

I love the vibrancy our quilt show adds to an already interesting venue, and am especially impressed that every year seems to outdo the previous.  

Tomorrow's the first day of six.  I hope you can come and enjoy our show!





Friday, April 13, 2018

THIS YEAR'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY . . .

OUR MEMBERS


These are the Pioneer Quilters bringing you our 2018 quilt show, "The Unbroken Thread," at the Lane County Historical Museum.   There are even a few more who couldn't make it on photo day.


You might be surprised to learn that none of us are actually pioneers!  When the original group met 40-some years ago to make plans to form a hand quilting group, it was at the Pioneer Museum, now known as the Lane County Historical Museum.  They took the name from that.

THE QUILT SHOW BARGAINS

Join us next week to enjoy over 100 colorful quilts, hear our great speakers and drop in at our twice-daily demonstrations.  ALL for $7!  

But, if you're like so many others who need to catch several speakers and demos, must see the quilts again or revisit at the boutique, there's an even better deal!  Our Show Pass is just $15 for the whole six days!!

THE ALBUM

The Historical Museum has quilts upstairs and on the main floor.  Our speakers, demonstrations, boutique, quilters around a frame, raffle blocks and featured signature quilts are all downstairs.  Upstairs we have more quilts.  If stairs are difficult for you, please enjoy our photo album, which includes all of the quilts.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

After you've bought (or shown) your quilt show ticket or pass from museum staff, please head to our little table with the friendly Pioneer Quilter greeter.  There you can get your show catalog, buy tickets for the pomegranate raffle blocks, and pick up a gift trio of fabric squares.  

If you think you might have a quilt ready for next year's show, please put your name on our list at that table, and we'll email you the form in January 2019. 



Sunday, April 8, 2018

2018 SPEAKERS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

SPEAKERS

Every day of our show, we have a speaker from 1:00 to 2:00.  They'll cover a wide range of topics.  Here is this year's schedule.   Please note the schedule change (from our flyers and postcards) for Wednesday and Thursday.


Tuesday, April 17

How Old is that Quilt?  
Former American Quilters' Society quilt appraiser Ann Pfrender shows how to date quilts.


Wednesday, April 18 (note date change for Ken)

Man in the Quilt Shop: Stories of a male quilter
Ken Casey.
This will be a light talk about being a male quilter.  Ken is a singer, retired school teacher and helpful guy at Piece by Piece in Eugene.  His quilts have hung in quilt shows at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.


Thursday, April 19 (note date change for Sandi)

Eugene Button Club
Sandi Olsen is a serious button collector, who was featured in the Register Guard in February.

Friday, April 20

The Industry Perspective:  Buying and the fabric industry today
Shawna Haynes of Jean Marie's Fabrics.

Saturday, April 21

Prison Quilt  Project:  Teaching life skills, and more, through quilting
Diane Yolton of Coffee Creek Quilters.   Video here.

Sunday, April 22

Quilter, Author Designer, Instructor!
Karla Alexander of Saginaw Street Quilters in Salem


DEMONSTRATIONS

Our quilt show includes twice-daily demonstrations, Tuesday through Saturday.  The demonstrations are at 10:30-noon and repeat at 2:30--4:00.

Tuesday April 17

Baste a quilt on rolling boards
Wanda Grant

Wednesday, April 18

Three methods for making fabric rugs
Sheila Steers

Thursday, April 19

Quilt as you go:  Fun and done
ChrisAnn Mead

Friday, April 20

Disappearing nine-patch star
Carolyn Flatley Gilkey

Saturday, April 21

Cathedral Window ornaments and more
DonnaLee Terzenbach

Sunday, April 22
No demonstrations.