I have every patten I ever sewed (40+ years). I WISH I had every pattern that my mother had ever used to sew for me. But what I really regret is that I did not save a fabric swatch to go along with the pattern. That would have been a great memory. But I can describe the fabrics

Image: sxc.hu

I thought, What a wonderful idea…saving fabric swatches to attach to a pattern.  Or if you don’t have the swatches, create a Memory Fabric Journal.

Describe your fabrics and attach that to your patterns or ones your mother used. Or start a Memory Fabric Journal with photo copy or sketch of the pattern cover and description of the fabric, why you made the item, and when you wore or used it.

This can be somewhat literary or of scrapbook design.  It’s open to your imagination.  But it will be fun to refer to and bring back memories of “sewing and quilting times” in your life.  Your descendants would enjoy it, too.

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Developing a Memory Fabric Journal

Miriam’s quilt isn’t finished, but she shows us some “in progress” photos.  Perhaps you’ll be inspired as I was when viewing the birches quilt. 

I also subscribe to Miriam’s blog so get to see many of the crafts she does.

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Enjoy a Unique Birches Quilt

A quilter in Elgin, Ontario, Canada has illustrated through quilts some of Robert Burns’ poetry. Displayed at the Elgin County Museum, the quilts were made by Marion Tews, a descendant of the poet’s best friend.  The quilts depict verses from Burns’ poetry.

Have you ever tried illustrating a story or poem? 

(Blackstone image at Amazon)

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Illustrating Robert Burns’ Poetry through Quilting

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Quilting Books for Christmas Gifts

Artist Trading Cards – These are the size of business cards, made of fabric, paper or mixed media on a backing.  They may be of a particular theme, may be characteristic of the artist’s work (one lady created pictures of her handmade dolls on them), may be hit and miss. Stamping techniques are great for these.  They can be simple or very intricate.

Quilters and artists collect them, exchange them, and give them out for promotional purposes.  Also, they’re fun to make.

(Amazon image)

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Quilting Word(s) of the Week – Artist Trading Cards

 My love of children’s and young adult books has flowed over to One Book Two Book, a blog for book lovers and readers at here at b5media.  As a children’s author as well, I find writing this blog with Karen Weideman very fulfilling. 

At One Book Two Book, I can share my love of reading and writing and hopefully inspire youngsters and adults to enjoy the same.  I also share my stories with youngsters in schools through substitute teaching and author visits, as well as writing workshops.

Here at Quilting and Patchwork, I’ve mentioned children’s books involving quilting as the story theme and hope you’ve enjoyed them if you had a chance to read them.  In some of my writing for children, I include the craft of quilting, and have a quilting scene in my book-in-progress, Papa Goes to War.  (This is a Civil War era middle reader loosely based on my family history.)

Stop by One Book Two Book and let me know what you’d like to find there.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Quilting & Patchwork Blogger also Co-Blogging at One Book Two Book

In this guest post, Kristen King relates how Granny’s Quilt inspired her to attempt a baby gift quilt.  Although Kristen’s attempt was much simpler than Granny’s experienced project, I agree that Granny would have been proud.

Granny’s Quilt Inspires a Baby Quilt

Guest post by Kristen King

 There’s something so soothing about the systematic design of this white, flowered quilt, hand made by my great-grandmother, Flora, whom I always called Granny. The thin rectangles stitched into alternating squares and the narrow pure white border have always made me feel serene. Even when my bed was covered with much more dramatic, wild blankets and other coverings while I was growing up, this was always somewhere in my room.

Now, it hangs over the foot of the brass bed in my guest room, where it’s a source of extra warmth and comfort for my visiting guests.

When one of my closest friends told me she was having a baby about a year ago, I immediately decided that I wanted to make her a quilt – and this was the one that came to mind. For me, this is the perfect example of quilting perfection. Unfortunately, my skills as a seamstress are far from anything even remotely resembling quilting perfection. I’m not even good enough to make callbacks for the quilted toilet paper commercial. Seriously, I’m terrible.

So my workaround ended up being buying pre-made backing and just doubling it so it was the front and back, sewing on a border, attaching a cute bear with embroidery thread (it wasn’t an appliquÈ, but I don’t know what else you might call it), and then using ribbon to connect the front and back so they wouldn’t separate and buckle.

No, it was far from quilting perfection, but my friend loved it, and it’s really the thought that counts with gifts like those. And I think Granny would have been proud of me for trying.

Kristen King is a prolific blogger who writes for b5 at Lively Women (www.livelywomen.com ) and Biz Chicks Rule (www.bizchicksrule.com ). You can also find her at freelance writing blog Inkthinker (www.inkthinkerblog.com).

(c)Kristen King

Photo (c)2008 by Kristen King. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. 

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Granny’s Quilt Inspires a Baby Quilt

Rhonda Jordal, of Forest City, IA, owner of Memories and Keepsake Quilts, has rocketed to fame in six years, since she left her full time job to concentrate on making the fashion pins, appliqued garments and pillows that began selling so well.  Then, at a friend’s urging, Rhonda added quilts.

Still operating out of the basement of her home, she now designs and writes patterns as well.  She is featured in magazines and has an international market.

To learn more about Rhonda and her business, read Local Entrepreneur has gone International in the Forest City Summit Britt News by Mary Loden.  I’m sure you’ll be inspired by what Rhonda has accomplished. 

What about doing this with your business?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Home Quilter Develops International Business

What would you do if you won a $100,000 Quilting Challenge Magazine contest?  Renowned quilter, Sharon Schamber, of Payson, AZ, has done just that with her quilt, “Scarlet Serenade.”

For the complete story about Sharon and her magnificent quilts, check out Quilting artist is tops in U.S.  by Carol LaValley, in The Payson Roundup.  Quilters who have heard about Sharon (and those who haven’t), will be intrigued by her quilting story.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen 

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Winning a $100,000 Quilting Challenge Magazine Contest

These are just two I’ve come across.

 Quilts for Sale, a 1000 piece puzzle.

Autumn Quilts, 1000 piece puzzle.

Also, with puzzles, you can save them for framing by using puzzle glue on front and back.

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Jigsaw Puzzles for Quilters – a Fun Christmas Gift