by Quilt Alliance | Feb 24, 2013 | Uncategorized
Outrageous Embellishments Frances Holliday Alford I enjoy making my Outrageous Embellishments pieces. The collection of materials is part of the fun. This week I have been making a small piece for a close friend with a February birthday. Purple is her favorite color and amethyst is the birth stone for the month, so color choice is easy. I start with a very stiff interfacing such as peltex or other non-woven material If you cannot find a stiff enough piece, use two layers. I like to use a background fabric which is opposite on the color wheel from the chosen color. Most of it does not show, but there seems to be more life in the piece when the small glints of bright color show through. I baste a piece which is a little larger than the interfacing piece. This piece is 12×20 with a yellow orange background fabric. Chosing the embellishments for the piece is by intuition. I like to use some Austrian crystal, some nicer glass beads, mother of pearl buttons, and some seed beads. I also like to use plastic pieces, often from children’s toys , buttons, or jewellery. Toys or sparkle pom poms work well. If you have a Venus of Willendorf lying around, use her too. Sew each piece down separately, using at least three strands of embroidery floss or a double strand of Silomide beading thread. I use a sturdy large eyed embroidery needle for the larger objects. After the piece is completely covered, you can put a fabric backing on it. I used purple violet floral fabric because it is the birth flower forFebruary. When you make any piece of art work, be sure to put a label on the back with your name and the date of completion. By: Frances Holliday Alford…
by Quilt Alliance | Feb 22, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for February 22: On this day in 1980 the United States hockey team defeated the Soviet Union team, four-time defenders of the Olympic gold medal in the event. Two days later the U.S. team performed a “miracle on ice” by beating the Finland team to earn an Olympic gold medal. Elsie Vredenburg of Tustin, Michigan made this quilt, titled “Ice Fantasia,” in 1989. The machine pieced and hand quilted piece is part of the Founders Collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. The quilt won Second place in the Theme category of the American Quilter’s Society Quilt Show in 1990. View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-hockey-team-makes-miracle-on-ice Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
by Quilt Alliance | Feb 21, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for February 21: On this day in 1948 the National Association for Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) was officially incorporated under the leadership of mechanic and auto-repair shop owner William Frances Jr. Clarice Sabina of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania made this quilt from NASCAR tee shirts in 2010. The extra shirts were sent to Iraq. Sabina documented her quilt during the Western Pennsylvania Quilt Documentation Project. View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nascar-founded Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
by Quilt Alliance | Feb 21, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for February 20: On this day in 1792 President George Washington signed legislation that would renew the 1775 act that made the United States Post Office a cabinet department led by the postmaster general (the first PG was Benjamin Franklin). This act ensured inexpensive delivery of all newspapers and stipulated the right to privacy, and it gave Congress the ability to expand postal services to new areas of the country. This Postage Stamp quilt top was hand pieced by Louisa Davis and hand quilted by Virginia Newman in 1840 in the Dewitt area of Michigan. Louisa’s great granddaughter, who documented the quilt as part of the Michigan Quilt Project, said “Louisa made this quilt top by candlelight during nights when she could not sleep.” View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/postal-service-act-regulates-united-states-post-office-department Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
by Quilt Alliance | Feb 19, 2013 | On this Day in History Quilts series
On This Day in History Quilt for February 19: On this day in 1942 the Army Air Corps’ 100th Pursuit Squadron was activated at Tuskegee Institute. The “Tuskegee Airmen” were the first African Americans called to serve as airmen in the U. S. military. Before this date they were denied training and opportunities due their race. This hand and machine pieced and hand quilted cotton muslin quilt is titled “Aeroplane.” The maker is unknown; the owner inherited it and documented the quilt in 2004 during the Wyoming Quilt Project. View this quilton The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view. Sources: http://www.blackfacts.com/fact/950f3fdb-bde2-461c-82f2-2daa31b9eb66 http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/ Posted by Amy E. Milne Executive Director, Quilt Alliance…
