The weather is still more summer-like than winter, but we know winter is coming soon! Cooler temperatures foster a need to create warm, cozy spaces. The Danish folk have a special word for this, “hygge”- meaning to create a feeling of wellness and contentment. Soft lighting, soothing colors, delicious smelling candles, crackling fires, and cuddly wraps aid in the feeling of hygge. In our home it means flannel sheets!
Flannel is a fabric–usually made from cotton or wool fiber, that is woven and then brushed on one or both sides to create a nap. Nap gives the fabric a fluffier texture. Velvet, velveteen, and corduroy are napped. Flannel has a less obvious nap but is softer than regular fabrics. Flannel sheets are on our bed from the time change in the fall until we spring forward in March.
Flannel’s texture is perfect for baby items. We wrap our babies in the softest fabrics to comfort and sooth them. Several baby quilts in the Quilts Etc. Sale are made with flannel.
SOLD
SOLD
Each of these patchwork quilts are flannel on both sides and machine quilted. They are approximately 40″ x 40″ and $30 a piece.
SOLD
Bunnies surround this pinwheel design. It is 34″ x 43″ and machine quilted. $60.
Gender neutral and measuring 38″ x 38″, this baby quilt is $30. SOLD
38″ x 38″
38″ x 38″
These quilts are just the right size to keep one in the car to tuck in around the car seat– or at Grandmas so baby can lay on the floor. $30 each. Both are SOLD
If you look closely, the machine quilting is a sweet floral to compliment these prints and colors. It is 41″ x 48″ and is yours for $60. SOLD
I wish for you and your baby a feeling of “hygge”.
I will always be grateful to Sesame Street for assuring my four year old son that our new single parent family of three was a “real” family! The word family means something different to each person. Some people were lucky enough to be born into a picture perfect family, others as adults created their own loving family and some chose special people unrelated to become a family. True, some families are toxic, but a healthy family shares several traits no matter the form.
“Family is Forever” is a beautiful quilt celebrating the characteristics of healthy families all over the world.
Nancy Halvorsen is the quilt designer but our own Janis R created this show stopper!
The fabric, all quality cotton fabric, is the perfect color and design for each component. The gray background enhances the colors and gives the quilt a contemporary look.
The attention to detail —wow!
The quilt is “custom quilted” which means the machine quilting was designed for this particular quilt…. flowers around the center block, meandering in the open spaces between blocks and outline around the frame. The quilter must hand guide the machine for every stitch.
My phone photos do not due this quilt justice. “Family is Forever” will be displayed in the narthex of First United Methodist Church, Wichita, this Sunday from 10- 12:30.
The quilt is 65″ x 65″. It will be in the auction, but you can insure it comes to your family for $600—what a treasure to pass down to future generations. SOLD
Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction –version 2021 has some great new additions! And that is to be expected–quilting is a very diverse art. So many methods, so many styles, so many end products. Plus all the beautiful fabrics. Several years ago, the quilters made a loose pact, that anything offered at the Quilt Sale needed to be fabric based. But this year we had a offer we could not turn down….Barn Quilts!
Dale Strattman is a local artist…he has had several photography exhibits at galleries in Wichita and the Ulrich Museum. He taught art in the Wichita Public school and at Wichita State University and Tabor College for forty one years. When he offered to give us three barn quilts for the sale, it was a resounding “Thank You” from all the fabric quilters.
The three pieces are each 32″ square. They are weather proof–he has one on his garage. His and these three are his first venture into “quilting” with paint and plywood. The colors in each quilt block are very reminiscent of the Amish Barn Quilts. With out further delay—
Number 1
Number 2
Number 3
Each one is $75 –a Dale Strattman original! SOLD
Before I close this post, I want to share my first memory of Dale. I had just joined the Church Class I attend with Dale and his wife, when the Church’s preschool had a Scholastic Book Fair. I was at the cashiers when I discovered I had used my last check …no way to pay for my armful of children’s books! Being new to the Church, I was terribly embarrassed. I was getting ready to quickly leave, when the man behind me insisted on paying for the books. In the forty plus years of friendship and being Church Classmates, I am constantly amazed at their generosity.
Did you have a “border print” skirt or dress? They were popular in the 1950’s.
This is an example pulled from Pinterest—couldn’t find an example of the one I had and loved. My skirt was a similar pattern but a southern river port in the 1850’s–bales of cotton, wagons and horses, steamboats, diverse population and I think a plantation style home in the background. I read any novel or non-fiction book set in the south during this period. Thus, when I was wearing this skirt, I would imagine I was in this scene–that it was real and I had teleported back. I could feel the hot muggy summer air, smell the river and ride the wagon. (My brother would interject at point “We didn’t get off the farm often enough!”) I still see little miniature scenes–in a museum or a watercolor or fabric, and I imagine myself in that time period and that part of the world..
“Snowman Lane” could be a wonderful place to visit!
I don’t really want to be a snow person, but it seems to be such a happy address. Every snow person is smiling and the houses look cozy and warm.
The attention to detail is amazing. See the blue bird (of happiness I am sure!) and the half smile of “teenage” snow person!
This table runner is all you need to make your entire home festive. It is 41 1/2″ x 17″ and is a pattern by Shabby Fabrics. Cotton, wool felt, woolly flannel, and flannel were used to create this winter scene. It is machine appliquéd with decorative stitching and was custom quilted. It is a Janis masterpiece and is $165.
Somedays you just need to escape –imaginary or real.
One of the lead stories on the news last night was about the log jam of container ships off the California ports. The cargo ships are full of furniture, electronics, shoes, toys, car parts and holiday items. The reporter ended his story with the advice to start Christmas shopping early this year due to shortages related to transportation issues. I have a better idea! Shop local, shop handmade and shop to support outreach missions!.
Preparing for the holidays can be fun and easy if you did some of your shopping at the Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction in October. I always feel quite smug if I have a few of my presents already bought and wrapped before Thanksgiving. For your home or for gifts, these are excellent buys!
A wall hanging or a table runner for a large table, this poinsettia theme piece adds a lovely seasonal feel. Look closely at the custom quilting that repeats the motif. It is 25″ x 43″ and only $50.
Janis is finishing up “Christmas Blessings”. It is 38″ x 26″ and is appliquéd, pieced and custom quilted. The colors are perfect for all styles of home decor. It is $150.
There are nine of these simple placemats–The edges are serged. On the other side of this winter scene is solid red. They are 5 for $25, 4 for $20 or all 9 for $40.
I love this –Joy is being with your loved ones at Christmas–plus peppermint! The wall hanging is 34″ x 49″ and is $75. SOLD
A “Barnyard Christmas” arrived after the post on Nativity sets was written. This 20″ x 24″ wall hanging is a pattern by Sweet Season Quilts and is custom quilted and machine appliquéd. This size is perfect for a smaller home or apartment. The attention to detail is super–look at the cow’s eyes! This unique take on the Christmas story is $100. SOLD
Santa snowmen is 19″ x 20″ and it $40. A hanging sleeve can be added.
Winter Wonderland–a technique called paper piecing was used to create this sparkly table runner. It could grace your table all winter long. $50.
Need to mail your gifts? You may purchase these items now and get them in the mail before the rush. Happy Shopping.
I can’t remember my Grandma Vanslyke without an apron. She was a farm wife from the edge of the Ozarks that cooked on a wood stove, carried water from a well, raised chickens and gardened. If she spilled something on her apron she just turned it inside out! Her aprons were no-nonsense cover ups usually made from feed sacks. So, every time I put an apron on, I feel her spirit and try to work and love as hard as she did.
I am messy–multitasking is like that! Aprons keep dinner off me. I need hard working ones–I like the double layer ones. Pockets keep items I pick up to put away. But aprons are no longer regulated to “blab” fabrics. Aprons come in so many styles and different fabrics, it is fun to choose one that fits you best!
The Quilts Etc. Sale has several apron offerings this year.
The yellow and green flower apron is single thickness and trimmed in bias tape. It is $20. The green gingham is double thickness and trimmed in ric rac is $30.
A complete collection–apron with two pockets–$20, tortilla warmer $10, micro-wave bowl $5, skillet handle pot holders $5 each, and round pot holder $5. This would be a great gift set for your favorite cherry pie maker!
This pattern is “Church Ladies Apron”. This fits this model perfectly–she has helped prepare many meals in the church’s kitchen! Both fabrics are from the same fabric line, different colors. $30
This apron features a fun print featuring salsa. It is lined and could be used by either men or women. $25
Strawberry jam? Double thickness with adjustable neckties. $30. The houndstooth apron is reversible with the plaid. It is $25.
Teddy bear holiday is just the same of both sides. So if you drip hot cocoa on you apron, just flip it over. $20
Those buttons are vintage–but the apron is certainly contemporary. It is double thickness and easy to wear. $30
One model was a professional apron model! My great niece at 3 years has the poses down! She is modeling some of the children size aprons that are available.
SOLD
It had been a long week at pre-school and she really didn’t want her hair brushed. A very realistic look for a grandma’s baking helper!
This was her favorite one–or the one she choose first. When ask her favorite color, she answered-red, blue, yellow, green, purple, orange. That is my favorite color too!
More aprons will be available at the Quilts Etc. Sale. Aprons make great gifts—or make you look like you are really busy in the kitchen!
The Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction is a WIN-WIN-WIN– Not two wins but three!
The first WIN is the two great ministries of First United Methodist Church that receive all the proceeds from the sales and auction minus sales tax– the TV Ministry and the Religious Nurture Center.
The money helps fund the broadcast of our Downtown Alive service. Having to close the doors of our church building during the COVID pandemic helped many of us to recognize the importance of being able to worship with our church community. For many people, this was the only venue available while their churches were closed. During the darkest months of this past year, comfort and hope was offered via the TV broadcast on Sunday morning. It is an expensive mission. The money earned from the sale helps. The second ministry is the Religious Nurture Center designed to create a community for an often-forgotten group of people, adults with developmental disabilities. The money raised from the Quilt Auction will help pay for some of the program costs and for little extras that makes the Center an accepting safe place to grow spiritually and to have fun.
The second WIN is the Quilters at First! The women that meet on Wednesday on the third floor of the D Building have a passion for quilting. They love to create; they love to combine colors and fabric. They are proud of their craftmanship. The Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction is the chance to show the community their work, for what fun is it to make something and no one see it? About thirty women work together all year forming friendships, and beautiful well-made quilted treasures.
The third WIN is You! Wilke Family Center will be packed with hundreds of quilt related items. Queen size quilts, baby and youth quilts, throws, table runners, placemats, aprons, seasonal items, stocking stuffers, and more will be available for you to purchase. These items are made with care and skill; they are not mass produced but unique.
2020 sale
2020 sale
Who wins from the Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction? The TV Ministry and Adult Resource Center, the Quilters at First and You!
The sale with pre-priced items and the auction will be in Wilke Family Center -the north end of First United Methodist building. The entrance is off the parking lot on the east side of the building–off Topeka. There are no stairs to climb. Times are Friday, October 15 from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday, October 16 from 10 am to 2 pm. A live auction of thirty quilts will be at noon on Saturday.
Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Face masks are required as well as social distancing.
Be part of the Win! Join us at the Quilts Etc. Sale and Auction.
(This is an adaption of an article I sent to The Light for the October issue.)
I was told years ago the way to identify a home economics teacher was that her shoes and purse matched and her bound buttonholes were perfect! Not that I was ashamed of my chosen career, but I made an effort to never have my shoes and purse match..and I hated bound buttonholes. ( I retired as a Family and Consumer Science Teacher..so there.) But, I do have to admit I want my table set correctly! I “need” the fork to be on the left side of the plate and the blade of the knife pointed in towards the plate. Intellectually I know it is the company and food that make the meal, but my heart likes an attractive table. The adage “we eat with our eyes” refers to the presentation of the food but why not extend that saying to include the table.
Thus my fondness of placemats. Placemats are a fairly new concept–tablecloths have been around for centuries, but placemats appeared in the last hundred years or so. They were used to protect the lovely finish of wooden tables from heat and scratches with out the hassle of a large cloths that probably needed to be ironed. Spill something on a placemat and it can be changed easily.
After realizing the functional value of placemats, the fun aspect of using placemats was recognized. Placemats dress up the table. Use placemats to celebrate a holiday, to compliment a special set of dishes, or to create a theme. Fabric purchased on a trip made into placemats are useful souvenirs–every time the Alaska theme placemats come out we remember our cruise. And since we are crazy dog parents, we have Shiba Inu placemats.
Caring for quilted placemats is easy. Straight out of the dryer and onto the dining table. Placemats can be flipped over for the next meal if you accidentally spill food.
Placemats are made of various materials–wood, lace, cork, laminate, vinyl, burlap–but the ones at the Quilts Etc. Sale are cotton and are quilted– of course!
This set of four comes with napkins and is reversible. The back side is a deep red for a completely different look. $40 SOLD
Oops,, didn’t check the placement of the fork–that bothers me!
Want to celebrate Kansas’ state flower? or the end of summer? This set of four is also reversible, the back side the color of the napkins. $40
Bees are our friends–and are very popular now in home decor. The back is the same bee fabric. This is a set of 6 for $50. SOLD
My granddaughter was fascinated by this group of animals wearing antlers. They certainly are not the usual characters we see. This set of four has a white on white snowflake print on the back. $40.SOLD There will be another set of placemats at the sale with these same guys but framed with light blue snow flakes. SOLD
With a nod to the colors and prints of the 1950’s, this popular line ” Deer Christmas” by Moda was used for these four placemats. $40. These prints look like they could have been on Christmas cards my grandparents sent.
Excuse my poor phone photography–color is better in “real” life
Six placemats are in this set that could be used anytime, although they suggest a winter scene. They are 12″ x 18″. $50. SOLD
These vintage postcard prints were used to made eight different placemats..they will be bound in the same fabric as used to frame the prints. We will probably sell them in pairs–2,4,6 or 8. Come to the Quilt Sale Etc. to see them in person.
I refuse to count the number of placemats I use–the meals may be boring but the table never is!
Recently I learned that the “minor” prophets in the Old Testament were not called minor because they were less important but because they were shorter writings than the big guys like Daniel. Thus, logically we have “minor” holidays–not less important than the big ones like Christmas and Halloween but shorter in duration! For some of us, these holidays are our favorites–less bustle or a unique family tradition.
Following the calendar year, here are some “Quilty” items to help you celebrate your holiday!
Valentines Day brighten the winter days of February. These quilts will add some color to your home.
The red and white one..those are tiny hearts, is for sale for $50. “Paris is for Lovers” is 38″ x 38″ and for sale for $60.
Table runners give hints of the season. The valentine theme one is 17″ x 53″ and is $35. The Irish green one is 13″ x 45″ and is $25.
For all with Irish roots, St. Patrick’s day is very important! Green beverages, silly t-shirts and scattering of shamrocks about the house.
These lucky shamrocks could be either a wall hanging or a table runner. It is 10″ x 29″ and is $20.
Depending on the liturgical calendar, Easter and Spring often arrive hand in hand… soft colors, flowers and sunny skies.
Easter eggs is 16″ x 28″ — $25
Shirley made one for her porch this summer and decided someone else might like this whimsical salute to the Fourth. Hang this on your porch next summer for $125.
Remember my theory? Red, white and blue can decorate your home from Memorial Day to August.
This hand quilted log cabin with hidden stars could be draped over your sofa from May through the summer. It is approximately 60″ square and for sale for $175.
Understated, this table runner would work well with other Red, White and Blue accessories and would work well into Fall. It is $50.
This guy will be the perfect guest at your Thanksgiving feast. “Turkey Legs” is 10″ x 18″ and also designed by Kim Schaeffer (as was Ducky Weather). It is machine appliquéd wool felt on quilting cotton. It is $50.
Holidays give us reasons to change up the “usual”, to celebrate, to get together with friends and family and to decorate..a little or a lot.
I treasure my family quilts from past generations. I collect 30’s and 40’s reproduction fabrics. Log cabin or four or nine patch blocks are classics. But a craft needs to keep experimenting with new ideas, methods and designs to thrive. Quilters need to break a few “rules” to remain interesting and fresh. True, most of our quilts offered for sale are adaptions of traditional patterns using current colors and fabrics. But we have some my grandmothers would be surprised to see!
The photo I have of this beauty was taken before it was quilted. The black around the edges is the backing. (The backing is always larger than the quilt before it is quilted and trimmed.). It measures 58″ x 66″. A hanging sleeve could be added if you want to make this a wall hanging in your home or office. It is $300.
The hand quilting creates a stylized flower garden in the bottom corner. The bronze, gold and brown batiks frame other floral designs. The quilt is approximately 42″ x 64″. The quilt was purchased at a previous quilt auction at FUMC but can not be used in the new home and was donated for this sale. It is pristine. $125 and it is yours.
How many circles do you see in this pattern appropriately named “Disappearing Circles”? The more you study this photo, several secondary patterns pop out. The colors could be water spattered chalk. Look closely at the machine quilting. The straight lines and sharp corners contrast with the curves. This lap quilt is $70.
Paint dripping down the side of the can? We like “Spill” so much we are hanging it in our quilt room to enjoy before the Quilts Etc. Sale. It is 40″ x 55″ and machine quilted. For the modern baby room, this wall hanging would be the perfect introduction to color. It is for sale for $100.
Asymmetrical patterns? Empty space? Ombré fabrics? I think Grandma Ella would have been intrigued.
Quilts, Etc. 