Quilting...for the Rest of Us

Episode 033: In Which We Make Quilty Resolutions Dec 18 2010

It's that time of year! Whether or not you like making New Year's Resolutions, setting goals for ourselves at any time can help motivate and focus us on growing as quilters. In this episode, I give some tips for making goals (or resolutions) that are useful and may actually be able to be kept!
If you want to check out the website I got some background material from, visit www.topachievement.com.
Congratulations to Carolyn A--the winner of the holiday challenge drawing! Woop Woop!
I put the call out for about five volunteers who are experienced in applique--any method, machine or hand. Let me know if you're willing to be part of a panel discussion for an upcoming episode.
I've also launched TWO new challenges! Check out the Challenge tab at the top of this page for the stash mystery challenge, and check out the Resolution tab for the resolution challenge (that's not really a challenge, rather, another motivational-type thing).

Episode 032: In Which We Get Our Geek On

In this episode, I talk about some software and electronic gadgets that I find extraordinarily helpful in my quilt life.
For Quilt Album software: http://www.quiltalbum.com/
Quilter's FabriCalc
Electric Quilt
Digital scrapbooking sites I mention:
http://www.designerdigitals.com/
http://www.scrapgirls.com
Directions for Potholders - Coasters - ornaments
(from Barbara via Carolyn--editorial notes are Carolyn's)
1.  Cut 5 squares 1/2 inch larger than you want the finished item to be.  (in my case, I went by the size of the scraps available)  i.e. 7 1/2 for a 7" potholder (cut 1 of batting, if using)
2.  Fold 4 squares in half.
3.  Lay out in this order:
1.  batting
2.  whole square right side up
3.  Folded squares with fold toward the center
4.  Weave folded squares and pin in place.
5.  Sew around the outside of the item
6.  Trim corners diagonally
7.  Turn to right side.

Episode 031 In Which We Talk with Hollis Chatelaine Nov 28 2010

In this episode, Hollis Chatelaine describes her initiative, Imagine Hope, a special exhibition featuring her art quilts and the work of photographers on global issues such as poverty, war, refugees, environmental justice, and much more. The exhibit is extremely moving, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with Hollis a little bit about her process, her quilts, and Imagine Hope's role in bringing people to awareness and action. (Following the interview, my usual announcements, listener comments, and Sandy update.)

Hollis Chatelaine (right) and Leslie Genszler, vice president of the Imagine Hope team. (Also a wonderful person to talk to--I just didn't get it recorded!)
For more information about Imagine Hope, visit www.imaginehopeworldwide.org and on Facebook.
For Hollis Chatelaine's textile arts, visit www.hollisart.com, and on Facebook.
See the "Do Good" page on this blog for information about the Imagine Hope shop--a great place for gifts (for others or for yourself!) that support this project.

Episode 030: In Which We Save Our Stories

I was so happy to have the chance to meet and talk with Amy Milne, executive director of The Alliance for American Quilts, about the AAQ's "Quilter' S.O.S.--Save Our Stories" project. This is a great oral history documentation project capturing thousands of quilters stories; sort of my "quilters like the rest of us" interviews on steroids! I loved having this conversation and I'm sure you'll love meeting and listening to Amy as well.
For more information about The Alliance for American Quilts, visit www.allianceforamericanquilts.org.

Episode 029: In Which We Meet BabaBlankets Nov 14 2010

"Our mission is to create inspiring cultural works that provide sustainable income and well-deserved development opportunities for African women & girls." (Mission statement of BabaBlankets)
I was introduced to BabaBlankets at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this month where they had a vendor booth. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce them to you as well! E. Aminata Brown, founder and designer of BabaBlankets, was able to take a few minutes out of her busy day to talk with me about the work of BabaBlankets in Ghana.
Below: Aminata Brown (left) of BabaBlankets with me in front of her booth at Houston. Photo courtesy Broderick Webb.
For more information, shopping, and their bricks-n-mortar store in New Orleans, visit www.babablanket.com.
To listen to Allison's "Within a Quarter Inch" podcast interview with listener Tami about printing photos on fabric:  http://withinaquarterinch.blip.tv/file/2765570/

Episode 028 In Which We Went to Houston Part 2 11-10-10

In part two, I describe the lectures that I attended at the International Quilt Festival in Houston: Kaffe Fassett, Hollis Chatelaine, Marti Michell, Hanne Wellendorf, Mary Sorenson, and Elly Sienkeiwicz.
Kaffe Fassett's Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts, and his website
Hollis Chatelain's website
Marti Michell's website
Hanne Wellendorf's website (If this link doesn't take you directly to the English version, click on "English" in the bottom left hand corner.)
Mary Sorenson's website
Elly Sienkeiwicz's website

Episode 028: In Which We Went to Houston, Nov 8 2010

I'm going to divide my reflections on my experience at the International Quilt Festival in Houston last weekend into a couple of different episodes or they'd be too long to upload! In this "Part 1" episode, I talk about why you should go to such events, and a few tips if you do. I also share a few tidbits of my experience along the way--such as meeting a very helpful Australian and a pretty neat person who grew up an hour from me! There are also just a few listener comments at the end--I'm dividing those up among the episodes I post this week. Part 2 will be posted in another couple of days.

Episode 27 In Which We Document Our Quilts 10-28-2010

As a follow-up to last week's episode and my journey with my family quilts, in this episode I share my very strong opinion that y'all ought to be documenting your quilts! I give some thoughts about the whys, whats, and hows of documentation, and a very important tip about quilt labels.
Don't forget about the holiday challenge!

Episode 26 In Which We Get Ancestral (Oct 22 2010)

Welcome to episode 26, in which I talk about the antique quilts I inherited from my mother, and what it taught me about fabric and family. For photos of the quilts discussed in this episode, visit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39296555@N06/sets/72157625099928783/with/5108190746/

Episode 025: In Which We Consider Thimbles 10-5-2010

There it is, sitting in your sewing box...or perhaps in a drawer in your sewing cabinet...or maybe under the couch after a kid or pet got at it...your thimble. Have you thought much about the august heritage of this mundane tool? In this episode, we discuss the history of thimbles, some tips for collecting, information about using thimbles (including listeners' favorites), and how to find a thimble that fits. Plus, "quilters like the rest of us" interview with Fran, listener comments, and a Sandy update.
My family heritage in thimbles, displayed in the printer's drawer from my BFF/BQF Kate:

For a couple of additional pictures, visit my blog. (I like Podbean for so many things, but hate the way it deals with multiple pictures!)