Programs
Gladi Porsche Presentation was truly Inspiring!
This past Thursday evening I presented a trunk show of 37 of my quilts for the Merrimack Valley Quilt Guild. 3 years ago I did a similar presentation at the Images quilt show which was part of the Lowell Quilt Festival but that seemed like a long time ago. I remember being somewhat nervous for that as it was my first time doing a quilt related presentation. This time around I actually had fun and wasn’t nervous at all. It felt like a privilege to be able to share my quilts and my quilting journey. The guild had a great turnout for me and I had a lot of positive comments afterward. I’m so happy it went well and was enjoyed. My contact in the guild was great to work with throughout the planning process and it was fun talking with guild members while I was there. Thank you Merrimack Valley Quilt Guild!!!!!!
Thank You, Gladi !
Journeys
Thank you to three wonderful and diverse quilters: Ann Hockmeyer, Liz Swan and Maddie Burke for a wonderful presentation last night. Journeys shows a part of each person that just seeing them at meetings never is revealed. Quilting is the tie that binds but it shows itself in very creative ways because of the imagination of the individual quilter.
Patty Sawyer, Quilt Judge
Patty Sawyer, Quilt Judge who is speaking at our September meeting has offered to do some mock quilt judging at the end of her lecture. You could get some wonderful feedback to assist you with making that prize winning quilt for our Quilt Show this year. If you have a quilt you would like mock judged please bring it with you. A sign up sheet will be at the program table for the mock judging. There can only be a limit number of quilts judged so remember to sign up as soon as you arrive. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting this Thursday. Happy Stitiching! Susan
George and Virginia Siciliano – Visit in May 2010
The Lecture
Yes, this man is nuts! George and Virginia Siciliano’s lecture “This Guy Must Be Nuts” is very funny. While his work is extraordinary, he presents it with a sense of humor. Many of us have seen the results of his workshops at various quilt shows, but to actually see the originals is phenomenal.
How George got into quilting is a very funny story, but I will not tell it because I would not be able to do it justice. If you missed his lecture, make sure you see him the next time he’s in the area. George’s lecture is a trunk show of his quilts starting with the first quilt he made through to his latest. He talks about his experiences both good and bad in his life of quilting. I loved his story of how he got roped into becoming a member of his local guild. We guild members can be sneaky.
When George first started quilting, Virginia would hand quilt his quilt tops, but that got old. George explains his initial attempts at machine quilting. His story of using invisible quilting thread is great. His first quilt using it ended up being unquilted after if was bound. It’s was still unquilted at the time of his lecture.
George is a very animated and entertaining lecturer. This evening was a great opportunity to be able to get a close look at his intricate work and see how tiny his pieces really are.
The Workshop
The workshops were held at the
Nevin’s Library in Methuen, MA. If you have never been to this library you are in for a treat. The library was built in 1883 by the Nevins family. The architecture is wonderful and when the addition was constructed they took care to keep it in a cohesive style with the original building. The stained glass in the room is original to the building. Carrie Zizza was busy drawing the stained glass to create a quilt from it. I took pictures of it so she could enjoy the class instead. Carrie, I hope to see the resulting quilt soon.
Enough about the library, we had two classes. One on Friday and again on Saturday. George is very patient with his students. He has everyone gather around his machine so he can demonstrate his technique. The ruler George designed (a.k.a George’s Tool) for foundation piecing aides in trimming and lining up the next section to be sewn and is easily used by both right and left handers. He demonstrates how he cuts and stacks each round of logs as he goes along. This makes the assembly go a little quicker. Following George’s instructions we were able to create one of his ultra mini blocks with precision.
George showed us a trick when it comes to assembling the blocks. Instead of using pins, he uses double stick tape. That way he can check to make sure the blocks are lined up and adjust as necessary.
As George is demonstrating the block assembly, Virginia uses an extra-large version of the block to point to the piece George is talking about. With the block being so small it helps to see a large version so you know exactly what George is working on.
All in all this is a great class and lecture. Will I continue with foundation piecing? I’m not sure. I was never a big fan of paper/foundation piecing, but after taking the class I understand the do’s and don’ts a little better.
Thanks George and Virginia.
Click Here for the slide show of Lecture and Workshop
Beth Helfter of EvaPage Designs – Lecture and Workshop April 2010
Beth Helfter is a local, hailing from Pepperell, Ma. Her lecture “Perfection Is Overrated” is pretty gutsy. How many of you would stand up in front of a bunch of quilters and parade all your quilting mistakes? Well, Beth does it with flair. It just goes to show beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I, personally, might burn the Christmas Tree, but then again it shows how far she has come in her quilting skills.
Beth has a lot of creativity. I’m not big into applique, but can appreciate that a flower placed in the right position can hide a multitude of sins.
It was great to see what different backgrounds can do for a quilt. I’m not sure if I like the green or beige pumpkins.
Beth’s princess series is very beautiful. What little girl would not like those quilts on her wall?
The Workshop
The workshop “syncopated ribbons” was enlightening, but a challenge for those who like precision. You start with a block and add random strips of fabric (e.i. ribbons) to each side at odd angles. It’s reminiscent of a crazy block. Once your blocks are done, they are squared up and cut into half square triangles then pieced back together. This really give you a random looking block.
Beth also demonstrated how she assembles her scrappy borders. They are foundation pieced from the excess trimmed off during squaring the blocks. Unfortunately, I was so intent on making my blocks I forgot to take pictures. I did get some of the various colors used in class. I hope to see many at show n’ tell.
Click Here to see photos from lecture and workshop
Merrimack Valley Quilters 