As I’ve been researching quilts and quilters among the First Ladies in the White House, I came across some very interesting information about Mrs. Lincoln and quilts.  No, Mary Todd Lincoln didn’t make quilts, as far as I can determine.  However, apparently her dressmaker did.
According to the information at the Kent State University Museum web site, Elizabeth Hobbes Keckley used scraps left from sewing Mrs. Lincoln’s dresses  to create a quilt.  There are photos of this lovely, intricately made quilt made around 1860 and more information about the quiltmaker/dressmaker. 
The quilt also has been on display at the Decatur House in …read more

Although I write about quilters and various events they may be involved in, I don’t have personal contact with everyone.   One reader wanted to know if I could tell her if a quilter would be in her shop on specific days when the reader was visiting nearby.  If so, perhaps they could meet.
The best way to find more information about quilters you’re interested in is to visit their web sites and blogs.  If they have a shop or gallery, and you know the name and town, see if you can find that web site.  It often will give you schedules, a phone number and …read more

Happy Valentine’s Day!
 
May this be a special day for you. 
We have been enjoying Valentine’s Day flowers, cards and candy.  This was a fun day at school yesterday with the Valentine parties.  Today the children in our household are enjoying it, too.
Have you been busy making any quilting and patchwork decorations for Valentine’s Day celebrations?

Asian fabrics have a distinctive appeal…colorful with swirling designs, often utilizing native flowers, apple blossoms and Oriental figures.  Kona Bay offers many of these appealing fabrics, as well as other information for quilters.
Also, here in the US, we don’t come across so many magazines that give us first hand information about quilting and fabric art in the Hawaiian Islands and other points of the Far East.  Asian Fabric Magazine offers insight into quilting and quilters of that part of the world.
You also can sign up for the free e-mail Kona Bay Quilters Newsletter, as I’ve done, to keep in touch with Hawaiian …read more

Do you scurry around making school lunches, getting snacks ready, or checking the hot lunch menu if you have youngsters at home?  If you’re working outside the home at quilting or other employment, do you wonder what to take?
I’ve written about this topic at my Mary Emma’s Country Kitchen blog, under School Lunch Variations, covering school lunches from my mom’s day to the present when my grandchildren take lunch and snacks to school.  There certainly have been changes over the years. 
You’ll also find a recipe for Mayonnaise Cake, something we made often during my childhood for dessert at home and …read more

Quilting often is a solitary task, but quilters also enjoy getting together and sharing their projects and ideas.  This has been true since the pioneer quilting bees, when ladies in an area, often many miles apart, gathered for a day of socializing and stitching called a quilting bee.
Nowadays, there still are quilting bees and groups that meet monthly or more frequently.  However, there are online groups, too.
Constance is looking for an online group.
i have been quilting for about 10 years . nothing fancy,but my family love my quilts. it would be nice to have someone to talk to that understands …read more

Sandy inquired about machine quilting and baby quilts.
I bought a pre-printed baby panel. I want to machine quilt through all 3 layers of material….my question is how do you stitch around all of the designs? Do you have to use a free motion foot? Thanks.
 Does anyone have suggestions about how Sandy could do this?
I’d say she’d have best results with a free motion foot.  However, when I made baby quilts, in days before I could get a free motion foot, I did manage to stitch around designs with a regular presser foot.  You needed time and patience and space to maneuver, …read more

The Food Bloggers have come up with some more recipes that may help you create interesting meals. 
Alphabet Cake Pan
Personalize your birthday cake with an alphabet cake pan. Make their initials, or their age in cake! 
Busy Family Meals
Vindaloo sauce can be used to flavor meats, but we like it best as a vegetarian delight!
Chocolate Covered Buttercrunch Bars                                                                                                       Chocolate and buttercrunch treats made with a surprise ingredient.
Cooking Gadgets
Space saving genius: collapsible colanders!
Horehound Drops
A herbal home remedy for a sore throat or cough.
Old Woodenware Stirs Memories
Mary Emma, at Country Kitchen, finds that old kitchen woodenware brings back memories …read more

Super Bowl
Have you made quilts for the football fans in your family?  What have you found for fabrics related to their favorite team?
I just scanned through some photos of fabrics with designs for the Pirates, Cowboys, Steelers, Patriots and Packers on them. 
 What have you found and how are you using these fabrics?  Do you have anything up on your blogs showing what Super Bowl related projects you’ve undertaken?

Obama Fabric
In keeping with current events, author and quilt historian Barbara Brackman has originated an  Obama fabric design  you can print off onto fabric sheets of your own. 
Thanks to Kyra, of Black Threads, for providing the link for the fabric Pdf at her post Barbara Brackman Designs Obama Fabric – you can print it!  At that same post, you’ll find another fabric Pdf featuring Obama and Biden.