In northern climates, we’ve been experiencing colder weather and snow.  So as February reaches the mid-mark, our thoughts begin to turn to” spring and flowers and sun.  Julie of Big Horn Quilts in Greybull, WY mentions this in her newsletter and got me thinking about the longer days, flowers, and warmer weather that’s coming before long.
(I receive Julie’s newsletter with the happenings at her quilt store and new fabrics available.) 
So as we think of spring and flowers, we might start searching for floral quilt patterns and fabrics with these designs on them. 
         

Many quilters use e-mail and print newsletters to share their news and work.  These newsletters vary in style and content, depending on the quilter/fabric artist’s talents and what she wants to share.
Generally you use e-mail newsletters if you want to reach quilters beyond the area where you live.  If you have an online shop, or traditional store that also offers Internet sales, you’ll favor an e-mail newsletter. 
 If you mainly sell to customers who frequent your shop, whether in your home or another location, you might print up monthly flyers with sales, new products, and interesting quilting information.
Various types of newsletters:
*Promoting sales and …read more

Throughout the years of quiltmaking, the Bible has influenced women and their quilting…in their daily lives and their handiwork.  In the History of Quilts Newsletter, we learn more about this topic and quilt block series Judy Anne Johnson Breneman is designing, called Bible Quilt blocks.
I find this web site, Womenfolk, which contains much information about America’s Quilting History, a very interesting one in general with many topics covered concerning our quilting heritage.
You also can sign up for America’s Quilting History Newsletter which gives you information and updates.

We sometimes think it’s difficult to see our quilting when the lighting is poor or our eyes are tired.  What if we couldn’t see at all?
Some quilters, like Tanya, who is blind, have developed techniques to help them with their quilting art.  She passed along some of her tips, which, as she says, any quilter can use.  Tanya has found they make her quilting easier.
You’ll find these tips in the Oct. 31 issue of Kaye Wood’s Quilting Newsletter at http://www.kayewood.com/newsletter.pdf .

As I browsed around looking for various types of quilting and fabric, my attention was caught by Kiwiquilts Ltd (www.kiwiquilts.co.nz ) operated by Mary Metcalf.  Here you’ll find information, quilts and fabric of New Zealand, as well as some from Australia.
I found the colorful fabrics with birds and floral designs eye-catching.  There also are some with interesting black and white designs. 
Mary also offers a free e-mail newsletter.  You can subscribe on her site. 
 I’ve discovered that so many of the quilting sites offer interesting newsletters and have been filling my mailbox up with them!
 
 

It seems that quilters continue to enjoy recipes, as they did in the old-fashioned quilting bee days.  I’ve found a number of of recipes published fairly regularly in newsletters for quilters.  Apparently the Fat Quarter Quilters e-newsletter publishes recipes in most every edition.
The most recent recipe is for Buttermilk Noodle Pudding, which seems to be a variation of rice pudding.  No history is published about the recipe.  But it does sound like one that could have been prepared by quilters of days ago when they used buttermilk a great deal in their cooking.
To subscribe to the free e-newsletter, go to: www.fatquarterquilters.com/news.htm .

Kaye Wood’s Quilting Newsletter for Sept. 12 contained some interesting information on the early history of quiltmaking.  We often think of quilting and patchwork occurring in the early days of our country and possibly dating back to Europe. 
However, according to the information here, quilts go back to early Egypt and China.  Kaye’s newsletter mentions that “The earliest recorded
quilted garment was found on a carved, ivory figure of a pharaoh, dated to
be from around 3400 BC!”  
We also learn that the Romans stuffed them as a mattress and soldiers also used quilts.  At one time in history, quilts were used mainly by the wealthy.
For more information about the history of quilting, check out Kaye Wood’s newsletter at:
http://www.kayewood.com/newsletter.html/  

Quilting newsletters and magazines are very valuable to quilters and fabric artists to answer questions, keep them up to date, and inspire them.  You’ll eventually find your favorites, yet will still want to know about new ones.
Periodically, I mention here those I enjoy and new ones I discover.
I just received my latest e-mail issue of QuiltedParadise.com weekly newsletter. It contains tips, quilting techniques, and patterns.  The current newsletter gives tips from readers about quilting threads.  There’s also an explanation, in answer to a reader’s question, abut the difference among 4, 5, 7, and 9-patch quilt patterns.
To subscribe for the free quilting newsletter, …read more

One of the online quilting newsletters I receive is Quilt Connections, edited by Sandra Hatch, also editor of the print publication, Quilter’s World.  I just received the current copy of Quilt Connectins and find it full of information.
Sandra tells about participating at the Grand Lake Stream Folk Festival by overseeing the quilt tent as she enjoyed the music.  This also is the season for quilt shows and festivals, she mentions.  You also get an opportunity to see photos of quilts at the displays.
Generally Quilt Connections contains many helpful tips from quilting readers, as well as other tidbits of interest to the fabric artist.
To …read more

If you’re sending out a quilting e-newsletter, how do you ensure that others will want to subscribe and continue reading?  Generally the newsletters I’ve found are published by quilters and quilt shops selling fabrics, patterns, kits, and quilting related items.  The newsletter becomes a way to connect with your customers.
As I’ve subscribed and browsed through e-newsletters lately, I’ve found these appeal to me:
*Adding something personal about your quilting life, travels, and projects.  This catches my interest more than simply a listing of items for sale, even when those items come with pictures.  This personal blurb generally shouldn’t be too long, but …read more