New Quilts from Old

I told my husband it seemed like I had no fun at all this summer, being sick, as well as being stressed out by my daughter and her health issues, trying to catch up with work, i.e., the final revision on my next book, and designing, writing patterns and finishing the quilts for my American Schoolgirl Club after missing quite a few weeks.

Some of it was fun stuff, but work nonetheless, and I do stress out if I miss deadlines, something my Dr told me to try to avoid (stress, not deadlines). So going to one of my favorite quilt shows this past weekend, run by a local quilt shop, was just what I needed. Carrie and Katie at Pieceful Gathering in Fox River Grove, Illinois, use antique quilts for their inspiration in designing new patterns and fabric. Their quilt show (showcasing quilts made in their classes) is just lovely and full of inspiration, and so is the shop.

Many of the quilts displayed were very antique-looking and used reproduction fabrics, my favorite, so you can see why I was excited to see all of the quilts made by so many talented Illinois quilters. I would have liked to post photos of so many more, but there were almost 100 quilts and I only have room for a few here, so my apologies to those I left out.

On special exhibit was this late 19th century quilt from the collection of Sandy Schweitzer, which is the quilt that inspired Carrie Quinn's new fabric line, Rebecca's Madders, coming out in December. Can't wait to see it! The back of the quilt is pieced too, isn't that so cool?

Mary Z was there, an old friend I met in Jo Club in 2003 . . . Still happy to see me, or was it being surrounded by all the quilts and fabric?? Hmmm . . . .

(Here's a teaser for you - I'm wearing a small pin that has a picture of the cover of my next book on it!)

Here's one of Mary's little quilts - Sarah's Doll Quilt - that she hand pieced.

And here's one of her big ones - Blue Plate Special.

Here's a doll quilt made by Karen Schultz of Illinois. Simple and scrappy. Hey, Karen, sorry I missed you!

Here's one of Karen's bed-size quilts - Give and Take - which won 3rd place! Sorry if I cut it off a little. I almost fell over backing up trying to get it all in.

Love this Pineapple Table Topper made by Jan Griffith.

Who  can resist 30's Pinwheels?  Made by Vonnie Johnson.

Not all of the photos I took came out very well but here are some other quilts I loved.

     Not Everyone Likes Sunflowers made by Lorraine Tritthardt.

Mary's Stars made by Mary Landis.

                                            

Moda Club BOM made by Tricia Baldwin

Jo Morton's Baskets made by Lynn Ray.
                                                 

Christmas Carol made by Ann Fouse.

                                                    

Blueberries and Brown Sugar made by Julia Ann Thomson.

Now, don't tell me you don't have any good ideas for future quilts. I want to make all of them, sigh. Wish I had more time.