How often this fall have I heard folks say, “I love living here where there are four different seasons in a year because we have Autumn!” We may gripe about the freezing winds in January or the blistering heat in July, but most of us enjoy the variety in seasons. It is fun to visit San Diego and marvel at the consistently lovely weather, but we come home to Kansas to experience the four seasons.
When I am planning our dinner, I think back on the last couple of week’s menu and make an effort not to have tacos or loaded baked potatoes more than once a month. I do realize this is part of my privileged middle class lifestyle. My grandmothers in the 1930’s fed their families the same simple meal day in and day out and was grateful their family left the table full. Now, with all my food choices and the budget to purchase those foods, I tell myself there must be a variety of meals each week.
And don’t even think about wearing the same outfit repeatedly! We like a variety of outfits to choose from for each occasion. (I must admit I wore the same top to an annual dinner two years in a row. I over thought that decision–but not surprisingly, no one came up to me and commented on my wearing the same outfit two years in a row!)
One quilt “rule” is to have a variety of shades/hues in a quilt that has several fabrics–obviously this doesn’t apply to two color quilts. The quilt is more interesting if there is a balance between dark, medium and light shades. This baby quilt has a pleasing formula of light–the prints, medium–the grey, and dark-the green and blues
This wall hanging has a light background, medium inner borders and dark outer border as well as the focal point–the cat and pumpkin.
The Quilters at First shares many similarities but there is also a lot of variety. We all like creating with fabric, we all believe in the ministries of FUMC that we are supporting, and we all like to each other. But there is a great deal of variety in our interests, skills, and methods. And that is a good thing!
Every Wednesday approximately ten Quilters at First meet at 9 o’clock to hand quilt. Their work has won ribbons at the local Prairie Quilt Guild show and at the KS State Fair. Thank goodness these Quilters are so talented and dedicated! These quilters work on group projects while the rest of the quilters work more individually.
Janis loves to appliqué–most of the items in the sale that are appliquéd were made by her.
Diane is our only knitter. She also creates scores of small gift items from what seemly nothing. The Hobby horses were hers.
Vicki has the patience and “stick-to-it ness” to create large quilts with lots and lots of little pieces. She is also the “binding queen”.
Heather has made table toppers and runners for almost every holiday.
Tammy and her best friend Carol like to great “girly” items–Sorry this beauty didn’t even make it to the blog before was sold.
Elaine has made most of our bags for sale, as well as many other items. (I don’t think she sleeps!)
Judy likes strong colors–has done several red, white and blue items. Maybe because she has family in the military?
Shirley probably has more contemporary or modern quilts than others. She does her own quilting –see the butterflies in this piece?
Susan has a gift with color choices. The first quilt in this blog that illustrated the use of light, medium and dark colors is hers also.
Peggy finds patterns and uses them–some of us are not sure how a quilt will end up when we start it!
Lorrie’s first choice when selecting fabric is the rich tones of autumn.
Me? I like scrappy quilts, I like red and white quilts, I like 30’s and 40′ reproduction—but while we were sorting items for the sale, I realized this year, I really liked to embroidery! We have lots of tea towels for sale.
And this is just a few—I must find something else to do while watching TV at night!
Because each quilter in our group is unique–has special talents, we have a wonderfully diverse collection of items for our sale this coming week!!
This week we were busy preparing for the sale–but we do have a few new things to share.
Marty G is a wonderful friend to the quilters. For the past few years he has donated his time, skills and supplies to create a different quilt rack each year. He is a master craftsman and he used the best materials. This rack is made from red oak and finished perfectly. It is 43″ high and 45″ long. It would hold three large quilts. He even included the feather duster and volunteered to deliver the quilt rack anywhere in Wichita. $150
Janis whipped up two seasonal table runners for the coming holidays.
The print is all the beautiful things about winter. The border resembles a Nordic sweater design. 13″ x 41″. $40
This beautiful print is simply quilted in a cross-hatch (one of my very favorite designs). But it is the curvy edges that sets it apart! 14″ x 40″. $40
As I write this post, I have realized that this time next week, the 2024 Quilt Etc Sale will be over. I will be feeling relief, excitement and tired! But I love it! I hope you can come see what a variety of items we have–and a variety of prices, all handcrafted well and with love!
Quilts, Etc. 