Historical Feathers.

I have lots to tell you about, first, if you are observant you will notice the new Subscribe heading on the sidebar. It allows you to register this blog on you browser (google or yahoo) homepage so that you will know as soon as I make a new post. Just click on the Posts button and follow the prompts. That way if the e-mail doesn't get through or you want to tell a friend it will be easier. You can see right away when the new post is up and access it right from your homepage. Hope you enjoy!!

As long as school in Red Hook is on, the Hand stitchers will be starting the Mariners Compass project Tuesday, You need the usual hand sewing supplies, a piece of template plastic and appropriate scissors for that, and two fabrics (three if you want a two color center star) Small amounts only are needed, unless you choose to fussy cut a motif. If you do want to get fancy then you need 8 repeats of the element that you will be fussy cutting.

On Saturday, the Block of the Month will meet at the regular time. Shortly after, starting at 10:15, Diane Johnson will run the Quilt as You Go workshop. This is filling up quickly, and requires some prep work so be sure to let me know if you are going to attend. I will make sure you have the needed information before class.

Next week is busy, With Art quilt club doing reverse applique on Tuesday, The Basket Medallion on Thursday, and What's Up Dot scrap therapy Place mats on Friday, be sure to get registered so you don't miss any of these great workshops.

This week I have been thinking on History. So many great quilts have been made, by both known and unknown artists. Knowing a bit about the context of a quilt's creation makes a huge difference in our appreciation of it, and even it's monetary value. Each patchwork and applique pattern has had time periods of both great and little popularity, just as available fabrics and color combinations did, and still do. One bit of quilt history that frequently gets overlooked is the actual quilting. Did you know that feathers had different looks at different times in history? These designs have typical historical associations, and I have just the book for finding out all about it. As well as being a wonderful and historically referenced book of quilting designs, it is chock full of truly useful patterns to copy with your quilting. (hand or machine) It is called, "Quilting from the Past" by Jenny Carr Kinney, and it the special this weekend at $20.00 It usually sells for $29.95. If you love good quilting, and maybe even want to try it yourself, then this is a great reference. I also have some stencils and Quilt on a Roll that will be 10% off. Can you tell I got inspired? I have a nearly done hand quilting project with cables around the border that I can't wait to show you all either. I hope some day that someone will get inspired by my work the way I have been inspired by the antique quilts I have been lucky enough to see. I guess I'd better remember to put labels on it all too. Happy quilting!!!