As I skimmed a news article recapping the events in a particular town for 2008, I saw a reference to “paper quilts.”  The fourth grade students made a paper “quilt” after learning about the history of American quilting.

This reminded me of a quilt that hung in the lobby of the Pease Public Library for about a month after the end of the summer reading program.  This was a paper quilt created by the youngsters who participated in a particular reading project.  This “quilt” was lovely and caught my attention each time I stopped by our town library.

Because the quilt was made by youngsters of different ages, some blocks were more precise than others.  But the whole effect was striking, particularly to someone interested in quiltmaking.

If you don’t have time to go into fabric quiltmaking when working with youngsters, why not try paper quilt projects?  These are fun and can teach youngsters about the history of this art.  The projects can consist of individual ones or a joint one, such as that at the Pease Public Library.

Here are some ideas:

• Paper patchwork placemats that can be laminated for actual use.
• Mini quilts to hang on the wall.
• A joint project with each participant contributing one block.
• Greeting cards or postcards.  These can be scanned and printed off in multiples.
• Picture frame

 These items also can include mixed media if you incorporate fabric pieces along with the paper.  Add embellishments, too.

What have you done in the paper quilt or patchwork area with youngsters?

Post from: Blisstree

Paper Quilts Teach the History of Quiltmaking

In this article, a tourism board ponders the idea of attracting visitors to their area with a “Quilt Trail.“  In this case, they’re looking at the quilt designs painted on barns throughout an area or in various states.  People interested in quilts and anything quilt related often come from miles around to view these works of art.

There’s now a web site detailing quilt trail art.

Other types of quilt trails might involve touring quilt shops in an area or quilt shows.  Perhaps there are quilt museums within a region that work together to produce shows and events.

Maybe you develop your own quilt trail as you go on a vacation or business trip. You’ll research anyting related to quilting in that area and visit.

Have you followed quilt trails around the country or within a state?

Post from: Blisstree

The Fascination of “Quilt Trails”

What fun to open a magazine or online zine and find quilters from one’s hometown mentioned.  This happened to me this evening when I discovered this article about my hometown, Why Plymouth Rocks, in the April issue of New Hampshire Magazine. by Tom Long and Stacy Milbouer.

Mentioned here are:

*Loretta Bothello and her Country Heart Quilters, a quilt fabric shop on the Tenney Mountain Highway that also provides quiltmaking classes.

*Quilter Janice Maves who operates the Gallery at Red Gate Farm on Highland Street.

As we browse around our local area, we often can find quilting and fabric art treasures.  What is located near you?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Finding Quilters in My Home Town – Plymouth, NH

 As my daughter, Beth, and I were running errands today, after the snow and sleet ended, we encountered the owner of a local fabric and quilt shop.  We had been to her shop in her home, when she held an Open House this past autumn, and enjoyed browsing and buying, along with the view of the mountain landscape from her yard.

“What are you doing now?’ we inquired.

She informed us she now was designing and selling Quilted Tote Bag Kits.  These seem to be very popular, I’ve noticed, and I think this shop owner/designer is wise to become involved with this trend.

You can’t follow every trend or fad, but if you see quilters and fabric artists becoming interested in something new, and it’s within your realm to follow this, you may find it fun and profitable. 

Are any of you making quilted tote bags these days?  Do you have any pictures of them on your blogs I could suggest my readers view?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilted Tote Bags..Oh! So, Popular!

   If you have a quilting/fabric arts business, you may have items that you’d like to place on sale for an “After Christmas” or “beginning of the year” special promotion.

For some ideas on how to plan this, check out my post, 5 Tips for Planning “After Christmas” & “After New Year’s” Sales at Your Home Business., at Home Biz Notes where I’m a co-blogger with Yvonne Russell.

Shoppers often look for “after Christmas” and “after New Year’s” sales.  So home business owners can utilize this as a shopping promotion, too.  The manager of a mall store told me shoppers are always coming into her store looking for special sales after Christmas and for new sales to start out the new year.  So her store regularly plans specials.

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Hold “After Christmas” Quilt Sales?