What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Last Christmas my oldest son asked me to make some fiber art quilts for his good friends. These are adults I have known since they were kids and I was excited to create some art for them. I thought this would be a good opportunity to review my process for those who would like to attempt it.

First, you need to pick a high-quality image—my son picked this one on the far left. Then, you run the image through an art filter in Adobe Photoshop and get it printed out at the store in the size you wish to ...

This past fall I lectured to a quilter’s group in Northern Virginia. My quilt talks consist of a PowerPoint supported lecture where I go through my history of quilting. I then discuss the quilted homes process I developed. And finally I talk about my fiber-art pieces; reviewing my techniques, showing samples, and doing a demonstration. It is always so much fun! As someone who would never voluntarily speak before a group of people, I am remarkably calm during these lectures. Probably because I’m talking to “my people.” THEY get me, these ladies who quilt.

At the end of ...

I try to participate in Project Quilting every year. It’s a great excuse to try a new technique and play.

This week’s challenge is “Sky Color (not blue). We’re supposed to create a quilted item within one week start to finish.

I decided to try a resist technique I saw demonstrated by Quilter Julie B. Booth on Quilting Arts TV (Episode 1703 “You can’t resist this”). She demonstrated how to use ordinary liquid dishwashing soap as a resist on fabric.

Here’s a youtube Quilting Arts TV preview… see it on the end:

This week Project Quilting Season 14 (2023) has as their very last challenge: Conquer Your Fear

They say in their post, “if you only do what’s safe and comfy, you’ll stagnate and grow soft.” I agree. You need to push your boundaries from time to time … and get out of your comfort zone.

As you probably know, the challenge is to make a quilted object (any size) from start to finish in one week using the challenge title as your inspiration. And post a photo at their website before the deadline.

So, after pondering all the fears that ...

When you have an idea in mind for your art quilt, often combining techniques you’ve learned along the way and a little experimentation will help you reach your goal.

My goal for this small landscape art quilt was to recreate a scene of our Capitol shown in the distance through the autumn leaves. The fall season is my favorite, and so beautiful at the UW-Madison with the variety of trees and colors. Having worked in the heart of this beautiful campus for many years, I’ve had many opportunities to view it.

So how do I begin to reach ...

I have been asked many times why the name of my quilt business is the The Tell-Tale Artist. Honestly, I wish it was for a thoroughly well thought out reason — and not just a convergence of random events. But here’s the story…

Back in 2012 I had a booth at a craft show. I did this not to sell my quilts but rather to support my daughter’s crafting, and to bring some attention to my work. At that point I was creating my Quilted Homes series. I did get some business from these shows, but it wasn’t ...

I have been thinking about this piece for almost 4 years. The first time I saw the photo Jonathan Bachman took for Reuters, it moved something in me. The motion he created in the image — the police in riot gear swooping down on a young woman in a sundress. Her stillness countered with the rush of their bodies. Their bulked out, distorted frames contrasted by her slim figure. I saw this and ‘itched to stitch’ it. But the medium I work in is slow; it does not lend itself easily to social commentary.

Nonetheless this image stayed with me. I ...

A few years ago I worked outside of DC at an organization that housed the homeless. Although the work was good — fed my soul and my family– the commute was draining. I eventually said goodbye to Bethesda, but have stayed in touch with most of my colleagues. They are an amazing group of individuals: I have never worked at a place with so many passionate and driven people.

One of them is my friend, Amy. A few months ago I sent Amy a photo of my Mandalorian. Afterwards, she was kind enough to offer me some wall space at her ...

I made this piece for my mom and dad when they were living in St. Augustine Beach, Florida. My father requested it, wanting to cover-up the electrical box in their front hallway. The lighthouse had a plain blue background when I gave it to them.

After they moved back up north and my mother passed, my father gave it back to me. It had hung on the wall opposite of their laundry, and at some point in time a little bleach sprayed up onto it. I considered cutting around the lighthouse and foliage and stitching the whole piece onto some ...

Our oldest son Ed is a huge Star Wars fan. When the Disney Plus channel first announced, I was annoyed that they were pulling all their movies/shows off the entertainment platforms we already had. Eddie was excited because he had heard about some of the new shows they were coming out with. I said I wasn’t purchasing another entertainment platform. He bought a subscription for the family. One of the many pleasures of having adult children still home.

Eddie watched the first Mandalorian episode and told his father and I that we would love it. Ed, the child ...

I have been busy —sooooo busy! — making Christmas gifts these past few weeks, but unfortunately I cannot share the pictures here for fear of spoiling the surprises. But I can share this one piece I made for my beloved neighbor because she is not on the internet read more

Those of you who know me know how much I love this time of year. With the cooler weather and the leaves starting to change – I know I am not alone in my contentment. And of course every October we all celebrate the macabre. There’s an acceptance of all things dark and scary that is fascinating– I mean, come on – don’t y’all find it bizarre that you can buy tombstones and human remains at Michaels?

Part of the joy I find in celebrating this time of year is how well our home lends itself to the season ...

As some of you may know I have been working locally for the past year. It has given me more time to spend with my family, do a little cooking when the spirit moves me, work on my garden & house … and SEW read more