January 2007 Quilting Newsletter

January 2007 How to Quilt.com Newsletter

This issue includes:

1)  A Tidbit of History – Egyptian Patchwork

2)  Tools, Tricks and Quilting Tips – Storing Fabric
   
3)  What's in a Name? –Learn about traditional quilt blocks that have the same name, but different designs
   
4)  Recipe for Quilters – Eden Puree for the Cold Winter Nights
   
5)  Newsletter News – Stephanie and Bubba say Thanks and have a secret special deal for the quick quilters in our midst

6)  Quilter’s Trips – Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XVIII; Dallas Quilt Show

7)  Fabric Postcards for the Troops – Lots of Christmas Pictures

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1) A Tidbit of History – Egyptian Patchwork

It seems that every time I look at a history book about quilts, I find that patchwork is even older than I thought.  The most recent input comes from American Patchwork Quilts by Lenice Ingram Bacon.

Lenice contends that patchwork consists of both piecing patches together and what we call appliqué. 

She asserts that the earliest tangible evidence of patchwork is found in Egypt as long ago as the time of the Pharaohs.  The Museum of Cairo claims to have a piece that is made from gazelle hide and composed of beautifully colored pieces, and served as a canopy for an Egyptian queen about 960 b.c. 

The Egyptians developed processes for making fine wool, linen and cotton fabric, and discovered methods for dying these fabrics in order to create fine works of art.  Their art preserved their history and religion and gives us an insight into their way of life and the things that were important to them.

This type of patchwork is still popular in modern Egypt, and current pieces continue to use ancient designs and sacred emblems of the past such as beetles, scarabs, and lotus flowers.

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2) Tools, Tricks, and Quilt Tips – Storing Fabric

Maybe 2007 is the year to get the entire stash of fabric organized.  Maybe.

If it is, here are some tips for storing long lengths of fabric.  Most quilters store their fabric by color – reds together, yellows together, etc. 

When it comes to prints, it becomes a little more difficult.  Many of us look at a print and pick out the main color and keep it in that group.  Others keep all of their prints together.

I keep my prints mixed in with the colors, and separate my batiks and flannels.  Within the batik, wool and flannel piles, the fabric is organized by color.  That makes it easier to sort the fabric for a flannel or wool quilt.  And when working with batiks, I usually begin with that fabric, and then go to my cotton stash to fill in the remainder of the quilt.

Here are some general tips for organizing:

1. Hang your fabric on pants hangers – fold the fabric in half selvedge to selvedge. Then fold it either accordion-style or as if it were coming off of the bolt in the fabric store so it is the width of the clamps on the hanger.  Clamp the selvedge edges on the hanger.
2. Roll your fabric on cardboard mailing tubes
3. Fold it neatly on shelves with the folded side facing out.  If your shelves are open, you can use roll-up window blinds to cover it and prevent the fabric from fading.
4. Fold the fabric so it is approximately 8” by 11” and then place it, fold side up, in drawers in a filing cabinet, like you can buy at an office supply store.  (This one is especially nice for making your quilting look like a business.  Keep the cabinet locked and everyone will think you have a ton of important papers!)
5. Fold the fabric and stack it in plastic see-through boxes or other plastic tubs.  If you use boxes that you can’t see into, be sure to label the contents.

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3)  What's in a Name?

Early in the 1900s, as more women became interested in quilting and wanted to expand the variety of blocks they used in their quilts, they would write to magazines and newspapers for ideas.  Publications would list the requests in one issue then publish the answers in the next issue.  The blocks would be published with instructions and a picture. 

With limited communication across the country, it was easy for quilt blocks with different patterns to get the same name. This month we are featuring two blocks named Snowball in our package of quilt patterns.

Snowball Quilt Blocks

Thanks to Maggie Malone's book 5,500 Quilt Block Designs for this information.

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4) Recipes for Quilters – Eden Puree

With commentary from Fast and Fancy Cookery

While there is no evidence that Eve made soup out of her apples, I know an Eve who does. The result is delicious and, so far as I have been able to tell, not nearly so dangerous to the inhabitants of a garden as was the original use of the fruit.

The purée described below is simple, and the actual time you will have to spend on it is short, but it will require about two hours cooking on a low burner. It is the sort of thing you may start while preparing luncheon or dinner, look at once or twice during the next couple of hours, and when it has finished cooking, devote ten minutes to it for the final touches.

Jarred and stored in the refrigerator, it will be ready when you need it, and require only to be shaken well and heated before serving.

2   LARGE APPLES
2  MEDIUM ONIONS
6  CUPS WATER
10 BEEF BOUILLON CUBES
12 WHOLE CLOVES
1 CUP CREAM
TABASCO
SCOTCH BONNET
1 TEASPOON MINCED PARSLEY

Slice the apples and the onions thin. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan, add the bouillon cubes. When they are dissolved, add the cloves and the apple and onion slices.

Cover and let boil gently until the apple and onion are mushy, about two hours. Add water from time to time if needed, to keep about four cups of liquid in the pan. Strain the liquid, and mash the apple and onion through a sieve into the broth. Add to this purée the cream, and two dashes each of Tabasco and Scotch Bonnet.

Garnish with minced parsley and serve hot. (A blender may be used, if available.)

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5) Newsletter News – Stephanie and Bubba say Thanks

Stephanie and Bubba are most grateful to the quilters who took advantage of the special end of the year CD closet cleaning. They won the challenge, and mom bought ice cream.

In the flurry of activity surrounding the Beginner's Guide CD clear out, Anita found 32 CDs with Rag Quilt in a Weekend! and the Photo Fabric Postcard. Both on the same CD. Wow!

Stephanie and Bubba are interested in getting these sold too, and preferably before the Rose Bowl begins and the competition between their respective alma maters begins.

If you're interested, it's a great deal. Rag Quilts are hot, and our Step-by-Step Guide, Rag Quilt in a Weekend is flying out the door. In Photo Fabric Postcards, you will learn to transfer your favorite photographs onto fabric, and create a small quilt. Using the same skills, you can make any size quilt - just use bigger fabric pieces!

Click here for the details.

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6)  Quilter’s Trip – Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XVIII; Dallas Quilt Show

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XVIII

February 22-25, 2007
Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, Virginia
Over 500 quilts and garments will be on display for your inspiration.  This show also offers workshops, lectures, merchant mall and a fashion show.
For more information and a brochure, visit http://quiltfest.com/activities.asp?id=8

Dallas Quilt Show

March 26-18
Dallas  Market Hall
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Quilt Celebration is the largest all-volunteer show in the United States.  This year 400 quilts will be competing for $13,000 in prizes.  The show includes lectures, a vendor mall, and a Men’s Lounge Area.  What could be better?

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7)  Postcard Quilts for the Troops

Penny’s Postcard Posse was a success. More than 635 fabric postcards were sent to Mountain Home, Idaho to be distributed to the troops overseas as well as soldiers returning from there.

In addition to our quilters, there were three schools of children and their families who participated.

Check out pictures of the fabric postcards:

http://fabric-postcards.com/christmas.shtml

Have a fabulous Month!

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
Inspiration and Education for Beginning Quilters

www.Rag-Quilt-Instructions.com
Fast, Fun and Funky Quilts

www.Fabric-Postcards.com
Quilt Mail Across the Miles

©How-to-Quilt.com 2007