Ties that Bind
Volume One, Issue 2
Volume One, Issue 3
Volume One, Issue 4
Volume One, Issue 5
Volume One, Issue 6
Volume Two, Issue 1
Volume Two, Issue 2
Volume Two, Issue 3
Volume Two, Issue 4
Volume Three, Issue 1
Volume Three, Issue 2
Volume Three, Issue 3
Volume Three, Issue 4
Volume Three, Issue 5
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TIES THAT BIND
Volume 1, Issue 4, May 2000
Greetings to all that visit our site.
Sorry for the delay in getting this out, but as with V1,I3, each time I sat down to write, there was something important going to happen, tomorrow or the next day, that I wanted to let everyone know about.
Lots happening here in the shop and within the Shelby County quilting family.
QuiltSmiths is finally fully stocked with 1608 bolts of fabric! All of the fixtures are in, the OmniGrid display is up and stocked, and the classroom is finally finished. The only addition to the fabric inventory that I plan is the Thimbleberries line. I hope to finally get it on the way by the end of May. We have a lot of new patterns, books and templates. I am amazed by the "Perfect Patchwork Templates" From Marti Michell. Many different shapes that can be used in different combinations to create different blocks. They come in 16 different sets. Rita is still cranking out new blocks as she "plays" with the "Square in a Square" ruler from Quiltingly Yours. Let me just say, I wish that I had beat Jodi Barrows to that idea. Very versatile system that does very precise work.
Also, I highly recommend the balifab.com web site. Take a look at their on line swatches. We have all but about 30 of their fabrics in the shop and you can contact us with their stock numbers for those that you want, or can't live without, in your stash.
There are many new classes in the current session which began last week, check the schedule here on the QuiltSmiths site, but best of all we keep filling the beginner piecing classes taught by Kathryn, a wonderfully talented quilter and QuiltSmiths instructor with the patience of Job. Many nice log cabin and nine patch quilt tops and finished quilts are being created by beginner quilters. This is a tangible realization of our mission statement goals of promoting the art of quilting and passing this knowledge and tradition along to another generation. Highlights of new class offerings are, "I've Lost My Marbles", a fun machine class taught by Arlene. And the "Reproduction Crib Quilt" class offered by Camille, who also offers the "Russian Sunflower" class, which has three waiting lists.
On the topic of teaching, promoting, and passing, back in March, Irma Gail Hatcher, of Conway Album Quilt fame, gave a workshop and displayed some of her stunning work at a local guild. What a blessing to quilting is Irma Gail. Rita reports that her prize winning entry at the AQS show in Paducah was enough to make Master quilters weep, and the faint of heart swoon. (Did ya'll catch the poetic license in that last bit? ;-)
Rita did a quick one-day dash up to Paducah with Cristy, another fine QuiltSmiths instructor and all around nice person, and several of our dear customers. I passed on going, as I object to being anywhere there are no men's restrooms. The quilt shop Ladies find this amusing. But AQS 1998 was my last visit. I hope all that attended this year enjoyed themselves, and I encourage those that did not go, to try to make it to Nashville August 31st through September 3rd, 2K, or to Paducah in April 2001. The large shows are a great place to find inspiration and motivation.
I would like to once again thank David Boothe for his hard work and valuable assistance in the completion of the classroom. With spring being his busiest time of the year, he runs a horticultural service, it was really above and beyond for him to help late into the evenings. And thanks, too, are extended to his family for giving up some of their valuable family time so that David could help me out.
I hope to see or hear from you all soon. If you are outside of the Memphis area, include QuiltSmiths in your summer travel plans. There are lots of quilting related destinations within a days drive of our shop.
Keep those needles flying, and may God bless you all as you pursue your spring activities.
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