So, you bought or was gifted a beautiful quilt. The first thing you will ask yourself is “What am I going to do with it?”. The obvious reply is to put it on a bed; isn’t that the reason for quilts. But that isn’t always the solution. Your bed may be too large or small for that quilt. It may be an art quilt that was never intended for a bed. Or that quilt doesn’t really fit the color scheme or theme of your decor. Your puppies may sleep on your bed or your partner may not want to sleep under a quilt–oh, the list goes on and on.

Best answer is to “think outside the box”–but put that quilt out there. Don’t hide it in a closet–all the time. Some of us might have a few quilts and we have to rotate our quilts between closet and display. But even vintage treasures at the International Quilt Museum are displayed once every ten years!

Racks are the most popular method of displaying quilts. I have limited floor space so I prefer quilts racks on the wall.

These are very simple..the quilts are just folded over the wooden rod to fit the space.

Curtain rods may be attached to the wall. The quilt can be hung by threading the rod through a hanging sleeve on the back or by drapery clip rings.

Triangles were sewn on the top corners before the binding was applied. A dowel rod is cut to fit. A dull, discarded sewing machine needle was stuck in the wall and the rod balances on the rod.

The machine needle makes a smaller hole than a nail–I use that spot on the wall most seasons for some sort of wall hanging so the needle stays in the wall.

The easiest way to display a quilt is over the back of a chair or sofa.

Depending on the season, this chair in my guest room often has a quilt for “show”.

Bannisters in doors or out doors are a super way to show off a quilt.

Baskets and ladders are another mobile way to display several quilts at once. (These images were borrowed from Google.)

The stand alone quilt stand is the most common. Many will be used at the Quilts etc. Sale to display the quilts we have for sale. But we have a very special one for sale. Marty G. is a master craftsman. He used two different woods–maple and poplar. The maple adds strength and the poplar has a lovely grain.

The Mission stye makes this one very unique. Marty did not use any nails in the construction, only dowels and glue.

Four coats of finish were applied. This study quilt stand would compliment any quilt or room. It is for sale for $125.SOLD

And just as a reminder the Quilt etc. Sale is next week!

First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Parking is off Topeka. The hours are 10 am to 5 pm on Friday and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday. A coffee shop is a new addition this year. Cash, checks or credit cards may be used.

Hope to see you–it would be a fun outing with family or friends, a chance to get a head start on holiday shopping and an opportunity to support two great ministries of the Church.

If sewing machine could speak, what would they say? Mine might know a few naughty words…or be defensive. “I’m tired of being blamed for something that was not my responsibility–It is never the machines fault the bobbin was empty and no seam was sewn! PAY ATENTION” . But I would also like to think my machine(s) would be proud of some “our” work or delighted it had a part in making a gifts that was loved by the receiptant.

I have had my Grandma Ella’s treadle sewing machine for years, hidden away in the garage under some ratty blankets for protection. I was not sure what to do with it.

I met my current machine as a result of teaching Family and Consumer Science for 32 years. The school district already had Bernina machines in the clothing lab–so I learned to teach sewing on a Bernina and it has been a love affair ever since. If all those machines from the sewing lab could talk, I am sure there would be hours and hours of stories –some about the abuse they endured and some very humorous stories!

I “might” have a few more machines–a small Janome I keep at the Church in our quilting room so I don’t have to take a machine every Wednesday. I am feeling guilty about the extra machines setting unused and have promised myself to find them good homes. Which if they could talk, I am sure they would ask be used rather than gathering dust on a shelf!

Every sewer has their favorite–and it depends a great deal how one is using their machine. Art quilts with lots of layers would require different strengths than sewing formal wear. I don’t embroidery or appliqué with my machine so I don’t need the added bells and whistles. After years in the classroom and talking with parents and students, I recommend buying a Plain Jane refurbished higher end machine when I am ask which sewing machine to buy for a beginner,. Most sewing machine dealers take trade-ins and sell used machines. I would shy away from the cheaper machines from big box stores. And a beginning sewer doesn’t need all the extras — the more gadgets there are, the more gadgets there are to confuse. Ask your favorite seamstress her recommendations.

All of our machines have been working very long hours getting ready for the Quilt etc. Sale.

Our machines have pieced quilt tops, quilted table runners and placemats, appliquéd wall hangings, sewn banners, topstitched trims–all for the Quilt etc. Sale! If our machines could talk, they would urge you to come see all the wonderful items for sale.

We are located at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. The sale is in Wilke Life Center, located on the north of the block. Parking is off Topeka Street and 3rd St. There are no stairs to climb. We will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on the 21st and 10 am to 3 pm on the 22nd. Checks, cash and credit cards are welcome.

First Stop Coffee Shop will be open with homemade goodies, coffee and tea. The coffee shop is off the same lobby as the Quilt etc. Sale.

Take a break and come see for yourself what a sewing machine can do!

Happy First Day of Fall–I thought you would never come! And it is raining–not much but after this summer, any is welcome! A month from today-October 22-will be the second and last day of the annual Quilt Sale. Wow!

We have been busy sorting and pricing items for the sale…..and resisting purchasing for ourselves–but fellow quilters have brought in some really amazing projects. I look at the literally hundreds of items and laugh to myself. Every November after the sale, we meet and plan for next year. Every year we make a list of what sold well and what we need for the next year’s sale. And then we completely ignore those lists! Quilters are a creative group and they must make what their “muse” suggests. And like magic we have a wonderful diverse group of projects despite the lost lists.

Our diversity of projects is mainly due to our diversity of quilters. Some of us appliqué–others avoid appliqué as they would avoid COVID, some love to embroidery–others ask how we did that, some of us search Pinterest to see the latest trends-others don’t use computers at all! All this results in a wonderful mix of items for you.

Diane T is our newest member and she brought an entirely different skill set and projects to our group.

The bibs are just last week’s contribution. Most have flannel on one side. The smaller triangle ones are good for wearing out and about–they are $7 and the larger ones are $10.

So glad Diane joined our group–none of these items were on my “lists”. She is also working on adult size bibs–more later.

Peggy scours Pinterest and discovered “loveys”—those sooo soft mini blankies have a stuffed toy head and ribbon loops sewn in the edges of the body for fidgeting and loving.

She has gifted a lovey each to two sweet girls in our Church family. They give them a thumbs up! No two are alike. $25 each. Was this on our lists last November? Nope SOLD

No one mentioned 3-D Santa’s last year, but Vicki fell in love with these handcrafted Santas in two sizes. SOL

Vicki is known for her scrappy quilts—and this year, her Santas. The large Santas are $25 each and the smaller Santas are $20. SOLD

We are constant surprised by the generosity of friends and acquaintances. This year we have been given vintage quilts and brand new quilts. The striking peacock quilt is from a friend’s sister’s estate—-she wasn’t fond of it but hoped we would find a good home for it.

A bit of metallic thread adds to the exotic feel created by the rich purples and blues. This small lap quilt is for sale for $100. SOLD

Last November we had no idea what we would might find at an estate/garage sale in the coming year! Phyllis rescued these orphan blocks bought by a friend at an estate sale by designing a large twin or full size quilt top–the blocks were made with men’s shirt fabric. The blue “kite” shaped pinwheels add continuity and motion to this 77″ x 92″ size quilt.

Want a quilt for a guy…or do you like the muted vintage look. It is only $175. SOLD

Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, wrote the line “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men.” ..our motto might be “the best laid plans of quilters …” But this tendency insures the Quilts Etc. Sale will never be “the same ol’ same ol” but have new and suprising offerings each year!

Don’t look now but somewhere very close to you a gnome watching you! Gnomes have escaped the garden and can be found everywhere—from pjs to Christmas decorations to our Quilt Etc. Sale.

This summer when we visited the Omaha Botanical Gardens, a gnome scavenger hunt was in progress. Thirty-six gnomes of all sizes were scattered about the gardens, some more hidden than others.

My husband was embarrassingly fascinated by the charts designed to help you pick a “gnome name”.

So, if I use my maiden name instead of my married name, I am “Juniper Raindrop of the Glen”. Each family member received a text with their “gnome name” from Juniper Toadflax of the Garden! Hats off to the marketing division of the Omaha Botanical Gardens–gnomes added degree of whimsey to the morning visit.

The Quilters at First have had some gnomes sneak into our October sale!

Janis professes to dislike gnomes, but two of the gnome projects are from her sewing room!

This table runner with the gnome tending his flowers is truly a “garden gnome”! He must have magical powers to be able to separate the flowers from the weeds with his hat covering his eyes. The background fabric is a print resembling a newspaper. The table runner is 14″ x 46″ and is for sale for $60.SOLD

This holiday pillows has three gnomes sporting long white furry beards, wooden bead noses and extraordinary hats. Expertly appliquéd wool felt gnome bodies are on a snow flake background. A Christmas holly print frames these characters.

The pillow measures 13″ x 14″ — and is for sale for $50. SOLD

Judy N embraced the gnome movement by choosing a flannel panel of two sleepy gnomes napping.

Soft blue and brown add to the high “cuddle factor” of this large baby quilt. In fact the 58″ x 64″ quilt is large enough to grown with the child and would make a perfect curl up on the couch quilt. Machine quilted, it can be laundered often. Both front and back are flannel. $150

One never knows where these mischievous little people will be next. Visit the Quilts Etc. Sale in October and do some gnome searching.

There is a story behind “The Gathering”. Last November after the quilt sale, most of the Quilters at First were already planning for next year’s event. In the months immediately before the sale, we are finishing up–but the months after we are loving the search for new projects. Also, in November we are planning for our annual Christmas party. At this party we exchange two fat quarters per quilter.

During November a list goes up on the white board in our room with our color choices so shopping may begin in earnest after Thanksgiving. (Sometimes the requests require visits to several quilt shops—there was the pastel paisley!).

Janis, our appliqué artist, sets near me in our quilt room with our work stations about 6 feet apart thanks to COVID. We were chatting as we worked—with sewing machines running, other quilters visiting. Janis had ask for bright colors–solids or marble, print on print. I ask her how she was going to use her fat quarters. She excitedly told me about the new pattern she was anxious to start. The large wall art required many different clear bright colors to be used in the rows of large and small “whales”. Ok, fanciful whales. Quilters, like other artists take a great deal of artistic leeway. The pattern had thirty five different “whales”–all different. Then she said that between the rows of “whales” were rows of eggs, but that they were variations of grey, and black and white. What “whale” eggs??? But not wanting to question this project or my hearing, I accepted the idea.

Next week she brought the pattern to show me!

At our Christmas party, Janis opened many packages of fat quarters in bright teals, yellows, oranges and purples. What fun it was to shop for her—so many to choose from and to pick only two!

Last week, Janis brought her masterpiece to share with us.

We immediately hung it in our quilting room to enjoy and for visitors to admire.

This masterpiece measures 48″ x 58″. It is custom quilted…notice the quilted frame that surrounds the piece. It will be at the Quilts Etc. Sale in October if someone doesn’t purchase it before the sale. It is $275 and we will mail it for cost of postage and insurance.

I really think quails are better than whales—but who ever ends up with this beauty should know that in my mind it will always be “the whale quilt”. SOLD

Quilting was probably born of necessity –to keep families warm. Worn clothing and scraps were used by the majority of the quilters. But in the twenty first century, most quilts are sewn from new fabric, and are made to satisfy a creative urge. The Quilters at First love to shop for new fabric–a trip to a Quilt Shop is a mimi vacation. But we also congratulate each other on “reusing” and “recycling” … it is easy to go buy fabric but it takes thinking outside the box to reuse or recycle.

Some quilts can be made from “free fabric” that might be wasted. My definition of “free fabric” is fabric that was left over from a project for which the fabric was originally purchased. Of course, it cost something in the beginning but once the original quilt was pieced, there are always scraps remaining and they are “Free”. Commercial patterns almost always require more fabric than necessary. For example, the following two baby quilts were made from left over fabric originally purchased to make three other baby quilts!

“Stair Steps”. 36″ x 44″. $60. “Dot, dot, dash”, 45″ x 64″. $100

Scrap quilts refer to quilts that use many different fabrics from many different projects.

Some scrappy quilts are less color coordinated, but no less eye catching.

Well loved but worn, tattered quilts demand respect. Each vintage quilt was once brand-new but after years of use show their age. If they could just tell us their stories! Quilters have found ways to share the very last parts of these quilts with another generation. Shirley recycled a well loved quilt and a chenille bedspread to make these pillows and bunting.

The pillows made from a wedding ring quilt are 12″ x 12″ and are $25.There is chenille on the back side. The center pillow is chenille on both sides and is $20. SOLD The bunting with 10 pennants is $20.

Smaller pieces of the quilt were used to make country Christmas trees. The large one is $25 and the smaller ones are $20.SOLD

Quilters at First receive many gifts from families sorting and organizing their parents and grandparents homes after a life change. Most of the items are from a different time — lovely but not particularly current in style. Paulette repurposed these beautifully embroidered butterflies into a quilt more appealing to today’s shoppers.

.Paulette used a batik fabric and set the five blocks in a more more modern adaptation of a nine patch. I will wager the original artist did not imagine her butterflies in a field of batik. These repurposed beauties were not lost to the trash or hidden in a closet but will shine in a place of honor in someone’s home. Measuring 50″ x 55″, it is for immediate purchase for $175.

It isn’t always fabric that we reuse/recycle/repurpose! We have more quilts for the October Quilt Etc. Sale than we have ways to display them! A good dilemma… but how to show off each quilt? I found instructions for a “inexpensive” PVC pipe quilt hanger. My husband priced the needed supplies! Oops, I had forgotten about inflation. But when I was exploring the sub basement at Church, I discovered long pieces of PVC pipe that had been used to create a “Country Store” at previous Quilt Auctions. So after securing permission to use this valuable commodity, I ask my husband and grandson to “repurpose” the pipe into sturdy quilt hangers.

Four more quilts can be displayed; I only had to buy some t-joints and they are easy to take apart for transporting. Win-win-win!

Quilters by large are a thrifty group. But the feeling one gets from creating a quilt or gift from “throw aways” is great! Come to the Quilts Etc. Sale in October to see all the ways we reuse, recycle or repurpose.

The air was crisp at 7 am when I walked the dog–but my elderly neighbor who walks miles more than me, reminded me it was just a tease, that there will be more days of 100 degrees. But I have seen signs that summer is on the downhill slide, bringing joy to my heart.

The third sign fall can’t be too far away is that the cupboard and shelves in the quilting rooms at Church are full to the max with handcrafted items that will be offered at the October Quilts Etc Sale. Each Wednesday quilters bring more finished projects to add to the huge inventory. The first hour of our time together is usually spent admiring each others work. The following is just a sample of yesterdays contributions.

Tammie finished her baby quilt with colored snow flakes surrounding a panel based on Barbara Joosse’s book MAMA, DO YOU LOVE ME? It is 45″ x 46″ and is $125.SOLD

Phyllis contributed these three table runners…completely different vibes. The 15″ x 32″ carrot would be great for spring time with Easter baskets full of colored eggs–yours for $30.SOLD The fall leave table runner has 3-D leave sewn on the batik runner. This centerpiece is 24″ x 32″ and is $40.SOLD The bright star runner is perfect for summer or a children’s party. It measures 14″ x 42″ and is $50.

I’ll bet you have not seen placemats like these! Each placemat is really 4 in 1–Halloween, Christmas, Winter and “I am the Vine” which is great for summer or anytime. Phyllis made these all cotton oval placemats that flip to another season much like a book–the two are $40. SOLD

Oh, I identify with these ladies! The look in their eyes–their “hair”–just how I feel some days! Janis came through again with a winner. (So tempting to say “winner, winner, chicken dinner” but probably best not to do so!)

I didn’t get a photo of the backing but it is yellow with a chicken wire print–perfect for this flock. Measuring 43″ x 53″, this small quilt would fit many places in your home—hallway, over a chair back, on the table–anywhere you need a pop of color and a reminder not to take life too seriously. Janis does impeccable work and it is custom quilted. $175

More and more items -large and small- are being gather together for the sale. Just two months to go—put October 21 and 22 on your calendar for some serious shopping!

Don’t forget we will ship items for the cost of postage.

Remember the museums of your childhood? Although I have been to many wonderful modern museums, I still have the image of a dusty, cram packed room full of hundreds of artifacts when I read/hear the word “museum”. So, when my husband suggested a trip to Nebraska to the International Quilt Museum as a bribe for me to agree to a trip to the minor league ball parks in Lincoln and Omaha, I wasn’t that excited. In fact, I told him, “Just take me to several quilt shops and I will be happy”. Sometimes, the excitement of creating another quilt is more satisfying than looking at what someone else has done. I had been to Paducah, Kentucky to the National Quilt Museum…could anything beat that? But he was insistent that we go after he read that the Museum has the largest collection of quilts in the world. So, I looked the International Quilt Museum up online. Guess What??? The featured exhibit was The Joanna S. Rose Red and White Collection!

Oh, my goodness! The fates were smiling at me! I had wanted to see these quilts since 2011 when this collection of 651 red and white quilts were shown in New York City. Joanna Rose’s husband had arranged for her to see all her quilts together as an 80th birthday present. The quilts were displayed so fanciful, so non-museum like. The photos below are from the https://folkartmuseum.org/exhibitions/infinite-variety-three-centuries-of-red-and-white-quilts/.

After Mrs. Rose’s death, all 651 quilts were donated to the International Quilt Museum and 80 were on display when we were Lincoln. How lucky was I? I would have set through ten games in the July heat to see these quilts!

Right off the cover of the book–Oh I would have loved to meet this artist!

Take aways from this exhibit—simple is as striking as elaborate, even the best quilters make mistakes and lived with them, and put a label on your quilt so later generations know a bit about you!

This was the high light of the visit, but the Museum is great—nothing like the museums of yesteryear. The building is light and airy with open spaces between displays. (Lesson here for quilters, our eyes/brain needs space to appreciate designs/colors in a quilt.)

Three main galleries showcase three different types of quilts. The first gallery was international items –a story quilt from Africa, a whole cloth quilt of silk from China, a quilted flag from a former British colony.

The middle gallery contained more of the traditional antique quilts I had expected.

The third large gallery was devoted to contemporary quilts. This was my favorite–made by a male U of N professor/artist.

Small displays were in hallways — graphic designs on the main floor and on the third floor a charming group of 30’s to 50’s floral quilts.

We chose to join a docent giving a tour but it would not have been necessary to have enjoyed the museum. There was a small gift shop. We spent a couple of hours –my husband’s feet were finished and I was satisfied and inspired. So–if my husband manages a trip to the College World Series in Omaha some spring, we will go through Lincoln—it will be an entire new group of quilts on display!

Best of all I shall live by Joanna S. Rose’s quote-

“Quilts look better when you have a lot of them”