Happy St. Patricks Day–or as it is known in our family, “the day before Navya’s (our only granddaughter) birthday! This holiday is short lived in home decorating. The valentine wall hangings and table runners have been put away for another year and the bunny rabbits and pastel colors for Easter and spring are out at my house. Sorry, St. Patrick. I didn’t do much decorating for your day. BUT, another very important “holiday” also occurs this week!
The third Saturday in March each year since 1991/92 has been recognized as National Quilting Day. The day began as “Quilters Day Out” by the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society but was adopted by the National Quilting Association as a national event.
The day was to recognize the history of quilts that dates back centuries, the cultural importance of quilts the world over and the dedication of quilters!
Usually the day is observed with quilt shows, charity events featuring quilts–Quilts of Valor, Project Linus, ABC quilts– quilt workshops by guilds and SALES!!
Without fail, the third Saturday in March I am usually out of town and can’t participate in local happenings. Before retirement, the third week of March was spring break in the school district and there was a trip somewhere–grandchildren. Now, the third week usually is our trip to Arizona for baseball’s spring training. This year I will be on an excursion train from Flagstaff, Arizona to the Grand Canyon. But in honor of this very important day, I will explore some new shops in Flagstaff! And, as some folks always say about Valentine’s Day -“everyday is Valentine’s Day with you”, I say “every day is quilting day”!
Wednesday is “quilting day”at First United Methodist in Wichita. Here are some of our treasures from last week and this week.
The focus fabric in this 48″ x 62″ lap/throw quilt is tropical foliage and butterflies. The color combo of yellow and green would cheer one out of the winter blues. It is machine quilted. The binding copies the various shades of the green borders. $175
Winter time cozy–this quilt with its the evergreens and burgundy/gold nine patches is definitely made for cold winter nights. It measures 50″ X 61″– the right size to curl up with when reading a mystery! $175
We hung this beauty from the banister to photograph. The 55″ x 72″ quilt is a sophisticated combination of browns, teal and cream. Look at the machine quilting; it is similar to the print in the borders. The quilt has a calming mellow appeal. $200
This scrappy star quilt is a 2 for 1! The back of the quilt is pieced also! The fabrics are the dark greens, blues and reds made even more intense with the lighter background fabric. The machine quilting is very visible on the back. 54″ x 68″. $175.
A wonderful combination of browns and neutral batiks were used in this 62′ X 74″ quilt. I have joking called this “your African quilt” when Vicki was piecing this one. The rich colors and the complex design resulted in a striking quilt. It is machine quilted. $200
I finished my string quilt…very scrappy but cheerful. It would be a great picnic quilt, soccer watching quilt, deck quilt or for the person who likes “wild and crazy”. It is machine quilted and the binding is sewn on by hand. The backing is a neutral grey.
60″ x 80″. $150
Pinwheels in autumn prints were used to make this 26″ x 43″ table runner. I can imagine this lovely table runner with a large dried flower centerpiece with candles at each end. It is custom quilted. $50
This table runner features “string” pieced blocks. The soothing creams, beiges and winter white of the blocks are surrounded by a floral border.
The runner is machine quilted in straight parallel lines. 17″ x 38″. $40
Do you claim Kansas as your home? If not by address but in your heart? This 19″ square table topper features two of our best known symbols–aircraft and wheat. The block is surrounded by wheat also.
The backing has sunflowers, cowboys, combines and grain elevators. $25
How about some Kansas pot holders? Look closely and you can see the rectangles are really the outline of Kansas. Each has Insul-brite. $5 each
These six placemats were made from Kaffe Fassett fabric. The fabric designer is known for his “glorious color”. One side is pieced and the other is a solid piece. The placemats measure 11″ x 17″. The binding, which is the same on each mat, is sewn on with a serpentine stitch. The 6 mats are $60. These mats were created and mailed to us by a friend of the quilt ministry. What a fun surprise to receive this package.
All styles of tea towels are being made. These two are $10 each.
I love these book markers! I think each member of my book club needs one!! $4 each
Bet you smiled when you saw these cuties. Crocheted veggies are great additions for adult Easter treats! $5 each.
Happy National Quilting Day! Hope you have an opportunity to have some “Quilty” fun.
Quilts, Etc. 