Quilters Haven - Patchwork and Quilting Blog

It is Monday night, and I am lying in a bed surrounded by quilts. One behind me on the wall, two quilt racks full of quilts, a wall rack with three bed size quilts folded and hung, a basket full of quilts and a chest piled with quilts. My bedside lamp stand is a glass vase full of cotton reels. The pillowcases are made from fabric that coordinates with the gorgeous bed quilt. It is just like having my own quilt exhibition in one room!

Welcome to the beautiful home of Jerry Stube, owner of Quilters Quarters in Leavenworth, Kansas. She has taken me on a tour around her large house and every room has a number of quilts.

I forgot to tell you about the three antique sewing machines in my bedroom. One is a tiny Singer machine, designed for a child.

Now which quilt do I find the most fascinating…….It is the one that features a cross stitch design in each block. Obviously an antique. I wonder if Jerry can tell me about the history?

We have a lost camera that has been here at QH for some time.. we have been able to download the pictures on it for clues….!! They are from the Quilt Walk in 2010… and among the pictures are a lovely family group – Mum Dad and a cute little ‘thumb sucking’ girl of about 3 years old. Is this yours or did you hear of anyone losing a camera? If we can’t find the owner we will donate it to a local youth group.

The weather is sunny and hot here in Philadelphia, ideal for wandering around the Longwood Gardens, a large Parkland on the south west side of the city.

Inside the entrance hall, hangs a fabulous triptych quilt crafted by the Longwood Gardens volunteer quilt group. ‘This dedicated volunteer group worked tirelessly to create a design that expresses the theme of light in the gardens’.

And here are some close ups…..

Superb machine quilting.

And ‘cute’ little creatures.

I really enjoyed looking at this quilt and I hope you have too.
In America, quilts can often be found on the walls as art in public places. It would be wonderful if we could see more in the UK.

For the last few days I have been staying in Mount Laurel, outside Philadelphia, visiting Bean’s first grandchild.

Isabelle Madeline is 11 weeks old and gorgeous!
Naturally, she had to have a quilt. Considering this is supposed to be a baby quilt she does look tiny lying on it.

The quilt uses fabric from a current range called ‘A walk in the Woods’, designed by UK designer Aneela Hoey.

With the Queen’s Jubilee and Olympics getting ever closer, it was time last week to decorate the window to celebrate these two events. 

I began a few weeks ago, making bunting to hang at the window, using the London fabrics we stock in the shop.  I kept it fairly simple, just using the pinking cutter to make triangles, and attaching to red bunting tape.  I made 5m of bunting, and it looked very effective.

I think that these look very festive, and it was quick and easy to make.

My next task was to complete the banner that I had designed to put into the window, which you will see in the pictures following.

Then on Wednesday I started the window.  This, of course, meant a rearrangement of the shop displays, which always causes consternation among the other members of staff as they have to search the shop to find out where I’ve put everything. ….

A few hours later,after playing with stands, fabrics and boxes I came up with the following display, which gives a flavour of the celebrations to come in June and July.

Might have to tweek the display for the Olympics though;  thinking cap on then.

I have just brought in my class sample for the Jelly Roll class that I am teaching on Saturday June 9th. We try to plan a variety of classes on Saturdays for those that are unable to get here during the week.

Belgium Waffles makes a decent size quilt (46″ x 54″)  using just 1 Jelly Roll and no extra yardage. If you don’t want to make a quilt, then you also get instructions for a place-mat set and table runner.

I loved the technique used to make this quilt and the border, all pretty simple sewing but great results. (So you don’t need to use many of your ‘Little Grey cells’….)