The Quilt Store Many years ago I took my first quilting class at The Quilt Store. I had finished my first quilt by then and had just completed a baby quilt. I was having trouble with the backs, they just weren't large enough. So I took a beginning class to learn more about construction. I just wanted an answer for that question about the backs, but I learned so much more. Things like....you are supposed to bury your knots inside the quilt sandwich. Really? I didn't know that. My first quilt was all hand quilted, double bed size, with all the knots on the back. A technique called Stab and Jab, which is pitifully slow. That might explain why that first quilt took 20 years to make!
Anyway, after the first class, I took another on machine quilting, and then a third on applique techniques. I usually take classes when I am stumped with a question. I had started a Christmas banner project and it was all applique. The instructions were vague and I got caught up with way too many layers to be able to sew through. Susan Tennison set me straight on that. She taught me 10 different ways to applique, and now I know that which technique depends on the type of project you have. I could go on and on with stories about classes and what I've learned, but let's flash forward a bit.
On my most recent visit to The Quilt Store, (yes, even more years later), my love for quilting and fabric design has resulted in my own fabric line. I couldn't wait to see it actually on the shelves! My expectation was to have to look for each bolt of fabric in it's own color section. I think that is one thing that I have LOVED about The Quilt Store so much; it is the way Laurie Evans organizes the fabrics into bays of color. Walk into the green bay, it involks a stronge emotion, the same as the blue bay, and the yellow and orange bay, etc. The colors speak most loudly when they are grouped together and when they surround you, you can hear them clearly. This is how I pick color palettes. Oops, sorry, I digress.
What I found was my fabric line on it's own shelf, right by the front door. I was so happy and I feel so honored to have my own shelf. And it was truly pleasing to see how well my fabrics fit in with the whimsical theme of that section. PERFECTION!!
9 comments:
Oh, Kathy, and what a beautiful bay of fabric it is. Love all of them lined up together. Each one sparkles the other.
They are gorgeous all together like that!
And, yes, I haven't been up there in quite a while, but I love that @ The Quilt Store, the way the have all the colors in sections. Years ago, when I was on Shop Hop, looking for a certain color progression for a Boston Common quilt, they were my salvation!!
You are grinning from ear to ear. Congrats.
They look fabulous! Congrats! A full circle moment! Your obviously doing EXACTLY what was meant to be... congrats!
It is hard to say which glows brighter, your fabric or your smile. You are reaching new heights every day. Congratulations.
WOO HOO! What a feeling you must have had, walking into The Quilt Store and seeing your very own fabric line up in the front of the store! I love the photo of you with the fabric. I'm so excited and happy for you, Kathy!
My, that fabric does look striking on the shelf, now doesn't it?!
Hi Kathy,
I am lusting after your new fabrics! I saw your quilts in the Long Beach Show and they are fabulous! It was wonderful to see your fabrics. I am wondering about the two color piece/ design. How are the colors arranged on the bolt? Does one color go from the selvedge to the middle of the fabric and the other color from the middle to the other selvedge? Thanks and congratulations on your fabric line!
Jaye,
Yes, you've got it. One color goes from the selvage to the middle, then the other starts in the middle and goes to the other selvage. For example, the solids are like that, half red, half pink; half yellow, half green; and half cobalt, half aqua. When you buy a yard of fabric you get a half yard of two different colors.
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