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

Clam Shells

I have been posting more on Instagram and Facebook.  It is fast but I think lack detail. In a blog post I can provide more information.

Today I posted this photo of my clam shells.
There were a few questions so I thought I would make time for a blog post.

I started this project after visiting a quilt exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  A set of clam shell bed hangings caught my attention.  You know how that goes?  A new project was born.

We were literally moving across country the week I got home.  That didn't stop me!

I had templates sent to the temporary house and quickly found the local quilt shops. I even bought extra templates to lead my friend astray as well!

I decided on a charm, because more is more!
My rows alternate light and dark ever so subtlety.

Any template works, don't switch brands in the middle! Check the Length and Width. This is true of piecing papers as well.

My personal preference is to NOT use adhesives on my quilts.
I used a header strip to start, it is slightly wider than I wanted the quilt.
The first row of clams has a short side seam.
The first row is basted on the muslin creating the start of the rows. Later the basting threads and muslin will be removed.

Enlarge the photo to see the notes.

(BTW - That brown and pink print is one of the V&A prints sold at the exhibit)

It is a great pick up project because you can add a clam at a time. It allows for quick starts and stops, if needed.  I think I timed myself once and it took about 45 minutes to add a row.

I am not embarrassed to show you my stitches.
I think I am better every year. If anything I might have too many stitches per inch.  These clams measure 3" across when finished.

They look hand pieced, and really are, in a needle turn kind of way.

This row is growing.
The sides will be trimmed once I am ready for a border or binding once I decide. Be careful with these, this is a lot of bias.

There are two lights complete.
The third light clam at the bottom is just started.
For a while I was short on lights. Made me wish I hadn't don't the light and dark rows. Also, being a charm I always "needed" new fabric.

The clam being "applied" is pinned in place.

Find the center of the cut out clam. This is A, the place the previous clams meet. Turn it under your seam allowance and pin.
Next I do the two ends: B & C.
(I am using small appliqué pins I keep in a finger pin cushion)
Continue pinning D, E, F as needed.

Needle turn and stitch across the top of the clam.
I like to use a neutral thread and keep going adding clams. No need to start and stop.

I hope this was helpful!
There is no wrong way, stitch the way you find comfortable.
Enjoy,
Dawn
PS
My clams will be about 60 x 80 before border or binding

Happy New Year

Pin cushion: Ann Hermes, Notes From The Quilt Lab
Whole Cloth Crib Quilt - Hand quilted by me

Wishing YOU All The Best

in 2018

Happy Stitching,

Dawn

Finish One Start One

1/2" per side hexagons

I started playing with a new project this week.

This is Barnsley fabric (panel and stripe) from the Netherlands.  It is available from Den Haan Wagenmakers
HERE and Marys Quilt Shop HERE, but I think you have to call the shop.

The florets I pulled from my stash of finished ones I display in my coffee table. Nothing is sewn yet. The white of the design wall will be replaced with a subtle print. I am undecided about framing the panel.

I don't want it "over done" - I'm going for an antique look.

Fun to play with - will see where it takes me!

I shared this photo on Facebook and forgot to share it here.
A friend and craftsman made these display tables for me. They have a pull out drawer about 4" deep. This is a photo looking straight down on the beveled glass top.
Rather than keep my finished florets hidden away - I can enjoy them everyday.
There are a few of Mr. Collectors antique rulers in the drawers, all enhanced by a 36" doily underneath.
You can find me on Facebook and Instagram.

All Hand Sewn

I am pleased to say I finished a big project.
By finished I also mean complete with labels, and hanging sleeve.

Some of you can guess from the photo what quilt I mean.  Until May, it must remain unseen online.
For now I have it hanging where my holiday guests can enjoy it!

Mary Wigwam 1790 Ackworth School Reproduction

I was thrilled to add a sampler to my collection.
This reproduction Ackworth School sampler was stitched by Patricia Boyle (Beford Quilter) on 32 count linen.  
More information on the sampler and chart is found HERE.
I framed it by lacing the linen to an acid free mounting board. No adhesives. The glass has a UV coating.  The frame is a beautiful burl walnut I had made from a specialty company in upstate NY.  They have wonderful hard to find wood molding options.

This is the guest room where the sampler hangs.

Not as antique themed as the other rooms.

I like the colors in the sampler with the colors on the Palampore styled duvet cover.

There is also a chair in this room, so I could sit and stitch in here if I want to enjoy the sampler.

Always making time to stitch, heading into this busy time of the year.

Dawn

Our Online Shop 

Quilting - Lots of Hand Quilting

I am heads down quilting!
Taking breaks and doing stretching at predetermined breaks.  About every 45 minutes seems good.  I am working to a deadline I am determined to achieve.
This is my Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album quilt.  I am entering it in the Virginia Quilt Museum Exhibit.  They have asked we not show the finished top before the exhibit.
Each stitch brings me closer to binding, label and sleeve time...
Happy Quilting,
Dawn