Sunday, April 15, 2012

EMPIRE and Gee's Bend

 Friend, Rayna Gillman , was speaking at the Empire quilters meeting on Saturday, so I had to head down and support my fellow quilter and Mod member...  She talked about her journey as a quilter,  from being traditional (years ago) and how she "freed" her self up...  You may have seen her new book:


It was nice to see a whole bunch of her quilts at once!  Check out her book...
I was honored to have a few quilts in there... ;-)


Having a good chuckle... Aren't we angels? ( I believe is what we were laughing at...) LOL! NOT!

I picked up this fabric below from Marcia Murphy, who was vending at Empire, this particular piece was made by Val Zeman. I could have spent a lot more $$... gorgeous stuff... I see a really amazing Xmas quilt in my future, using this!!! I do not know if you can buy from her online. I don't have a website for her. Some of you from Long Island may know? Visit Marcia's blog:http://fabricsandfashion.blogspot.com

I am gathering my suitcases for a week in a Gee's Bend workshop in Alabama this week! 
I needed a new wrap to take a long, so I made this asymmetrical wrap last Thursday and quickly went to town embellishing it with reverse applique....(no pattern for the wrap, I made it up...)
 You've seen the Alabama Stitch books right?
Alabama Stitch books by Natalie Chanin?  Gorgeous stuff.  I've had the book for 5 years and never did anything with it.Then I saw her NEW book, and well, I knew I had to give it a go on this project. I want to do the whole top... We'll see... It's my WEAR and SEW project.  I can wear it now, and just keep adding to it as I like! I've been making up the designs as I go!



I've been sewing on it as I wear it and I leave my needle stuck in it somewhere, because, Hey! Ya never know when you'll have some stitching time!  It goes very quickly through the two layers of Cotton T-Shirt knit I used.  I sew my design first, making it up as I go, then went back and trimmed away inside my stitching...  Check out her books, there so much fun.




I leave Monday morning with Kim, to fly to Nashville, only to then Drive down to Alabama, to play with the Gee's bend Quilters,  with Nifty, Bonnie, Mary, and Tina , we will all meet up and have some serious "sewing GIRL" time.... Oh my... I'm so excited... I must go pack!

Have a great week! Pics later!


If you haven't yet joined in on the COLOR challenge at 15minutes play, you must go check it out... 
A new color is announced each Wednesday... and we're having loads of fun!


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11 comments:

  1. cindyannApril 15, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    Where can I buy fabric from Marcia Murphy??
    thanks,
    cindy

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  2. AnnieApril 15, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    Love the wrap, just fabulous! Have a great time with the Gees Bend quilters

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  3. Cindy SharpApril 15, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    Do the raw edges of your wear and stitchproject get turned under? How do you keep them from snagging, running, fraying, etc.?

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  4. Victoria Findlay WolfeApril 15, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    It's t-shirt knit so you don't have to do anything to the edges.. it doesn't fray it just curls a bit, that's it. Go with the nature of it... ;-)

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  5. fiberchickApril 15, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    Funny the Alabama books are warming my shelves too. Your beautiful wrap may inspire me to do more than read them... Your "sew as you wear" concept is a novel one but be careful where you park that needle. Love Rayna's "Free-Form Quilts" too. As for Gee's Bend... WOW...Can't wait to see what comes out of this trip from all of you!!!

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  6. Venus de HiloApril 15, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    All of those books are fabulous, I pull out the Alabama Studio ones from time to time and dream about making a whole wardrobe of stuff, but have only partially completed one hat. The new AS book is especially splendid.

    Have a great time at the workshop, sounds wonderful.

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  7. UnknownApril 15, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    So you know, you have been a busy little quilter as of late... not that it is any different than any other day. I will be with all of you in spirit this week. Sad, I am not going to be there with you all. Have a great time and take lots of pics!!

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  8. Abby and StephanieApril 16, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    If quilts were clothes I might get more work done on some UFOs! The workshop in Alabama sounds fun and exciting. Can't wait for you to share.

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  9. patty a.April 17, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    I didn't know you could go to a workshop with the Gee's Bend Quilters. That sounds like a wonderful experience! Have a great time!

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  10. MulticoloredPiecesApril 17, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    Hi, Victoria. As always, an interesting, action-packed post! Also enjoyed seeing Gwen Marston's quilts. Enjoy Gee's Bend--I'm looking forward to getting a full account in person from Bonnie Hull!

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  11. smazoochieApril 19, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    Have a stupendously awesome time!! I know you will. And please share when you get back home.
    (I'm trying hard not to be jealous (not an attractive trait), let's just say I'm envious (slightly less unattractive). :)

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