Collector With A Needle

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Antique Applique Revisited Houston Here We Come

If you are going to Houston Quilt Festival this year I hope you will stop by and say hello!

I will be in the special exhibits area. We can even setup a specific time to meet.

We will have some 'exhibit talks' to tell about the quilts as well!

Happy Stitching!

Dawn

Monday, April 18, 2022

Piecework Bodkin Holder Pattern

The summer 2022 edition of Piecework magazine is hitting the stands April 26, 2022.

I am so excited to have an article AND pattern in this issue.

While bodkins are covered in my book, "Antique American Needlework Tools" I didn't have room to dive as deep as I would have liked. Also included is the pattern to make the sweet floral trim bodkin holder.

In addition to bodkin history and the bodkin bolster instructions, there are several photos of bodkins and bodkin holders for inspiration. Including a special Mother of Pearl Royal Palais Etui set.

I know many of you are makers - so we also put together a few kits from vintage supplies to reproduce the bodkin holders. You supply the bodkins.

One kit makes 2 bodkins, one of each style HERE

(Note: Because the skirt braid is antique, colors in the kits will vary)

You can embellish them with many stitches, or none! Lot's of ideas!

Kit Contents: Pattern, supplies to make 2 bodkin holders

*You supply basic sewing supplies; sewing needle, thread etc.

Look for this cover:

(Paper or Digital)

Subscribe and Buy the issue HERE

Happy Stitching!

Dawn

Sunday, February 6, 2022

New Book Mary Witherwax

Mary Witherwax Front Cover

We are so pleased to announce the release of our new book, "Mary Witherwax".

She's a generous and full book at 138 pages!

There are full color photos as well as a gallery of finished quilts. The finished examples include bed and wall sized quilts. We include the history of the original quilt, as we know it today.

Full size patterns include the full alphabet to use your name like Mary and I did.

Also included are some alternate applique blocks to add to the fun.

Over 165 blocks + Full Alphabet + Full Border

Pattern pages are single side printed.
Ideal for red work as well
White comb bound for full 360 degree opening on a light box.

Pattern pages are printed single sided

The back cover includes a portion of my reproduction. My son wants this one so I will ba adding some extra hand quilting to the alternate blocks.

We are so proud to be partnering with a local publisher; a union certified B Corp.

This means they pay a livable wage to people in my community. No off-shore work waiting on a ship in the ocean. They understand the art and craft community and were very supportive through the entire process. We had some delays due to Covid and paper supplies which is why we didn't do any early announcements.

Mary Withwax by Karen Beigh - Log Cabin Quilter

Mary Witherwax blocks look great in many fabrics.This beautiful example is made in French General prints. Instead of an appliqué border, Karen used a gorgeous French General print.

A few of Mary's blocks in red work

Mary's blocks also lend themselves to red work (or blue work, or...). It was so much fun to stitch Mary's designs and think about her work.

We hope you give the book a try - we think you will love it and find many uses for the 165+ blocks. The digital pattern is available - but is not the same as the book. If you ordered the paper pattern (from 2018) please contact me.

You can order the book HERE.

Thank you for reading along today.

Happy Stitching!

Dawn

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Tis The Season

Hazel 6 months old

Seems the holidays have come earlier this year! We are busier than ever.

Maybe it's the new kitten we adopted? Or maybe, we have adapted the slower pace forced from Covid surges.

Either way - we are looking forward to new projects and new opportunities in 2022! Watch this space for more details.

I was pleased with Carol's mention of my social media posts in Issue 146 of Quiltmania. It was fun to see which thumbnail photos she selected. It was a complete surprise to me!

More on this issue HERE

There are six other people mentioned as well
as all the content providers in past issues and those
coming up in future issues!

I've been contributing to the Piecework Magazine blog. There is a wealth of information on the blog with several contributors and numerous topics. HERE

I've returned to some cross stitch projects. It adds to the variety in between my quilting projects.

This recent finish is 'Mary Hart' stitched on 52/60 count - an uneven linen using Gloriana variegated silk threads. Framed in walnut stained tiger maple - she's tiny at 5". I can hold her in the palm of my hand.

Chart by GigiR - kitted by The Attic, Mesa AZ

My daughter bought her first home and has discovered the joys of gardening.

Her older home has a few apple trees. We did a joint project, making hard cider. It's bottled now conditioning with the 'tasting' planned for Thanksgiving.