Wednesday, March 28, 2018

PRACHTIG!


Yes, for me - the past week was PRACHTIG! (My fluency in Dutch has a long way to go) BEAUTIFUL!
Friends, Fun, Fabric and Fun.

If you have followed my blog since I began, you know I have had an interest in Dutch fabrics since the 1990's.  I used to travel to Amsterdam for work. Dutch Fabrics was a favorite stop. I have completed a few of their quilts from the last two books.

Imagine my delight last year when I invited them to visit Minnesota and they accepted!  Petra Prins and Judith Ebbelaar visited Minnesota on their recent USA trip.

We had originally reserved an appointment to the storage room in Lincoln Nebraska at the International Quilt Study Center. With a change of plans that had to be cancelled. We were unable to make it to the Iowa Quilt Museum either. Darn flu and March weather!



We did have fun.
Velma the decided to come out of hiding.

She LOVED the ladies and a few times had to go into her own room for a nap in the sun to leave us in peace.

Maybe she wanted us to look out the window at the deer?
Or pet her instead of beautiful fabrics?









Yes, the deer came out and made an appearance.

Early morning or at dusk, they come out to raid the feeders...they are definitely suburban deer.






After a rest, we spent some time pulling things out of the vault to examine.

This is Petra and Judith looking at an antique quilted piece out on the tables.

These are study pieces, so yes - touching and examining with care is encouraged.  We wash our hands frequently to remove any oils or soil to protect the fabrics.  I do have gloves for others pieces.






Petra fabrics are printed with high quality and fine attention to detail.

We used a magnifier to compare examples.

I love this fine, fine dot in the Dutch Heritage line and plan to order more color ways of it.  See link above to order. (or on my blog side bar)
If you have any questions please let me know. The postage is always less and they only charge exact postage.




We looked at Petra's quilts from her trunk show.

All lovely!!

I had seen some of the original antique quilts, and photos in books. It was a special treat to see them in person and have Petra tell me about reproducing them.

Examining the use of fabrics and placement of color.

How beautiful!!








An extra special treat for me, Petra brought the antique "Conversation" quilt.

We placed the two quilts side by side on the sofa.

What a delight to see the two quilts side by side.

I was so enthralled I forgot to take a photo of Petra with the quilt.





Petra's Quiltmania Quilt Along


I even held the quilt and looked a the conversation prints in detail.  Later we got out some of my antique conversation prints and I shared some with Petra.

Fun.

I really like how my Hexy Stars quilt colors blend with the
Dutch Heritage fabrics.


Lovely hand piecing.










Judith enjoying some fun (sick? ya, sure!!!)
After some relaxing and fun, we did leave the house!
Remember, fabric, fun and food!!




There was shopping.

The evening they were expecting 12" of snow in Northfield, we went to Reproduction Fabrics to shop and visit Margo.

Margo shared the artwork for her new lines coming out soon - fun to see! She also gifted us with some of her new paper products that use artwork from her Dargate fabrics.


Let's just say...a bags of fabric came home with us.

We had lunch at a cute cafe on Main Street.




On the way back to the cities we stopped at Eagle Creek Quilt Shop and shopped the sale and regular
fabrics. Imagine the laughs when we found sale bolts in the bathroom...


There was time for sewing, as we heard the snow warning - well, the snow never came.
We looked at the original and reproduction and variations of the Noah and Matilda Quilt.
Just a light dusting of snow the second to the last morning.


There were meals here. Including some local specials, wild rice chicken soup and 
Minnesota Hot Dish.
We had a lovely meal out at a favorite Italian restaurant.
We enjoyed some spicy food with margaritas.
(Let's just say that is not my hand, however I enjoyed one too)


I had a mini class from Judith on a new to me appliqué technique.
Great fun!  I understand Gerda does her hexagons by creasing first.


I was so fortunate to be gifted with this beautiful c.1850 Dutch
Tape Measure. I plan to research the makers mark and will 
post about it later this year.
Thank you for this treasure!!!
Thank you for the many happy memories.


Also, this wonderful hat from Marken for my ladies bonnet collection.

Painting by Rudolf Possin, Markem Museum
Here you can see the lace addition.
The style of the hair is just as important as the bonnet.

Thank you Petra and Judith for taking time from your vacation
schedule to visit from Washington DC to Minneapolis! Read more about
their travels on their blogs.
SO many happy memories made!!

Happy Stitching,
Dawn





20 comments:

  1. How wonderful to see you have spend such fun times together. It always amazes me how quilting brings friendship all over the world.
    Your hospitality is awsome!

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  2. Dawn Gracias por compartir. Maravillosos trabajos.
    Una visita tan amable y divertida.
    Saludos

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  3. What a delightful time you had! I loved reading about it on all 3 of your blogs :0) I'm intrigued about the wheel and mat applique method. How wonderful to have a private lesson on back basting from you. Too bad about having to cancel at the International quilt study center - I can only imagine how exciting their storage room would be. So cool to see your conversation quilt together with Petra's. The little tape measure looks VERY interesting - good luck finding out more about it!

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  4. This was a wonderful read and blog update / I enjoyed it very much! :)

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  5. What an absolute thrill for you and Petra and Judith as well!

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  6. What a wow time you must have had! So much to see and do with your Dutch friends.

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  7. You spend a prachtige time together. Studying prachtige quilt. Such a prachtige friendship.
    Nice word and good for your throat. :-) So good to learn from each other. Thank you for sharing. Kind regards

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  8. Looks like we should have an exchange! You here, I in the US; my interest lies in American quilts and their history and patterns. And ofcourse all things that come with it: here is no quilt to be found in an antique shop... And we do not have quiltstudygroups either, although our country has a rich history. Over all, quilting is not such a "big thing" over here and dutch quilters are more likely to follow hypes and make the same things. The three of you really had a pleasant time together, despite the flu!

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  9. The pleasure was entirely ours! We have had a wonderful time, thank you for having us.

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  10. Awesome! LOVE LOVE the conversation quilt!

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  11. Very special memories made by all three of you, that is for sure. Juud made sure that we sort of traveled with her and Petra on this trip and during their visit at your home. Her pictures were inspirational as are yours. You can see the shared love of antique quilts, the desire to learn and share and the fun ....oh my that margarita.....:-) !

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  12. what w wonderful time you must have had! Is there anything you can tell us about the painting of the child... the artist, the time period it was painted, etc?

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    1. Market Girl by Rudolf Possin (1861-1922) German Painter. I am not sure if the painting really is in the museum, I have been in that one and don't recall the painting. Google his paintings and you will more wonderful paintings.

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  13. What an incredible experience this must have been!

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  14. How wonderful that you could meet and share the love of quilting. Fabrics certainly are a lovely link across the miles. Can you tell us more about the new-to-you applique method?

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  15. Oh my goodness, lucky you! How wonderful that Petra came to visit! I admire her so much and her shop and everything. Thanks for sharing -- what a treat!

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  16. Thanks for sharing your experience, looks like a wonderful time :)

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  17. bookmarked!!, I love your site!

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  18. I so enjoy your posts. Thank you for all the efforts!

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Thanks for your comments!