For most quilters, this time of year is a bit early for “Quilt Show Season”, when area guilds have their annual or biennial quilt shows. For me and Northcott, however, it is full-on quilt shows right now.
Last month my colleagues and I attended Road to California in Ontario, CA, about 1 hour from L.A. It was our first time at this show. The weather was unseasonably cool and very rainy, but that didn’t stop the quilters from coming. We met thousands of enthusiastic quilters from the area and beyond – lots from neighboring states, quite a few from Canada, and even some from Europe. We were taking sign-ups for our monthly newsletter, chatting with consumers about the quilter-friendly features of Northcott’s website (the Product Finder is the best!), inspiring passers-by with our colorful display, and providing information on where they could find the displayed fabrics at Road to California. When we had a quiet moment or two, usually toward the end of each day, we would zip around the show to view the incredible quilts in the show, and shop for quilting essentials. LAGA, a vendor that I had not seen before, was selling beautifully-stitched purses and bags, and I just had to have one.
Ria handbag by LAGA
The bags are made in Indonesia by Tsunami survivors and profits help them rebuild their lives.
Now, I am very particular about my purses – they need to have tons of perfectly-sized pockets for all of my stuff. I am not one to toss everything into my purse, have it fall to the bottom, and then dig for it when I need it. No, there needs to be a pocket for each item so that I can retrieve it instantly.
Studio Kat’s Encore bag insert
After purchasing my beautiful purse, I stopped by Studio Kat’s booth and bought a pattern for the Encore purse liner. Now I’m all set!
Next week, the Northcott team is heading to Savannah, GA for QuiltCon. This is Northcott’s 2nd year at QuiltCon, but it is my first time, and I’m very excited. I am rooming with fellow Barrie Modern Quilt Group member Judi, who is also a QuiltCon rookie and is equally pumped. I have signed up for 2 evening classes: one on quilting ideas & inspiration, and one on designing modern quilts using Electric Quilt. In addition to taking classes, I am also presenting a demo/lecture on Alternate Gridwork, showing lots of examples from my stash of quilts. I still have 1 quilt to piece for this, and one to quilt as well. My colleague Elaine is also doing demos – curved piecing and improv piecing. All of this is in addition to manning the Northcott booth – taking newsletter sign-ups, promoting the special Northcott challenge for QuiltCon attendees,chatting with quilters, and more. If you will be there, please drop by and say hi. It will be a busy but thrilling week!
Next month I am once again heading to A Mountain Quiltfest March 21-25 in Pigeon Forge, TN to teach and present my trunk show. Three of my 5 workshops (Stacks of Presents, Easy Lone Star, and Fast & Fabulous Bargello) are already full! There are a couple of spots in my Simplified Double Wedding Ring workshop, and my Borders, Bindings & More workshop still has space as well. It is my favorite workshop – the student learn so much! Mountain Quiltfest is a great event – the teaching faculty is fantastic, and the quilts in the show are amazing. There are lots of vendors, and the team that runs the show is delightful. Pigeon Forge is a great town, with so much to offer. It is an entertainment mecca, with a variety of dinner theaters, attractions, and of course the fantastic Smoky Mountains. Many of the quilters return year after year, and it is so nice to reconnect with them.
Stacks of Presents is my newest workshop, and I am also teaching it locally at Oakville Sewing Centre on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th. Owner Linda is making a party of it, with everything but green beer! I’ll be sure to wear green – when your name is Patti, it’s a given that you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
To round out Quilt Show Season, the Northcott team is once again having a booth at AQS Paducah April 26-29 for Quilt Week. We had such a great time last year, and our booth was non-stop busy. I expect that it will be the same this time around. If you’ll be there, stop by and see what we’re up to.
Speaking of quilt shows, I have been busy with the challenge for my traditional guild. I can’t show you a picture of my entry, since the voting hasn’t taken place yet. I’ll share a picture in my next post, and talk about my inspiration.
I have also been busy with 2 projects for an upcoming issue of Quiltmaker’s Quilts From 100 Blocks. As soon as I have some photos from the magazine editors, I’ll share them with you too. I also made a large lap quilt for my ski club’s fundraiser.
Stacks of Rails & Boxes
I snapped a quick photo before I dropped it off at the club. It was made with Northcott’s snowboard fabric collection called Freestyle. I backed it with flannel to make it extra cuddly!
I have been doing my level best to get back up to speed with my snowboarding this year. I didn’t board at all last year, as hubby and I were in New Zealand and Australia for our winter. I must admit that I had way too much trepidation getting back onto the slopes. I lost a big chunk of my confidence in my ability to snowboard. I am so thankful that I put myself into the 8-week adult lessons this year. It has been the single best thing to give me confidence. Every time I go down a run, I am thinking about the techniques that instructor Tim has taught me – techniques that will help me successfully get to the bottom of the hill, and to improve. I am even trying out a new snowboard that will make my riding easier and more fun. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? The same philosophy can also be applied to quilting. Classes can do so much to teach us new techniques, or to help us improve our current methods. They certainly give us confidence, and they can be a lot of fun. Isn’t that why we quilt?
It’s time to give away some fabric. For a chance to win a packet of luscious Northcott fabric, please leave a comment on my blog by February 20 telling me about the best class that you have taken.
See you soon!
Patti
pattispatchwork-blog.com 
I attended a 3 day class / retreat in 2014 in Las Vegas with Bonnie Hunter, Debbie Caffrey and Charlotte Angotti. They each taught us different tips and tricks with a variety of techniques. It was wonderful and we all had a great time.
Wish I was going with you and Judi to Quilt Con. Having said that my best class was with Penny Berens. It was the Pineapple Log Cabin and really taught me that ANY fabric goes with any other fabric. No holds barred!!!!!!!
Patti, I just have to tell you that my favorite class EVER has been your simplified double wedding ring quilt! Both of my married grandsons have been the recipient of lap size versions made with flannel! Thank you for your inspirational class, teaching a technique that gave me the confidence to stretch my limits and create a very much appreciated gift!!
I had no idea, Pat – thank you for the kudos! I have enjoyed every moment on your Quilt Camp at Sea cruises.
I would have to say the best class I’ve ever taken was a class with Bonnie Hunter through my local quilt guild. I learned so much and found out a good system for organizing my scraps. I’ll see you at Paducah, it will be my first time. I’m soooo excited.
Bonnie is an awesome teacher.
I took a class at Bethany From the Heart Quilt Shop . It was a course on making a wedding ring quilt using quilt smart . Once I got my 12 ” square correct. (Who knew that would be that hard)lol Penny was a great teacher and I am glad I took that class.
Well I have taken several really good classes and one of the best was with you Patti. I have taken your Bargello quilt class twice! I enjoyed the first one so much, I had to take it again when it was offered. Thank you!!
Thanks so much!!
I feel blessed as I’ve had several amazing classes/workshops, over the years. But this makes it difficult to pick my absolutely favorite. If I have to, I’d pick the workshop I took with Diane Guadynski at Asilomar/Empty Spools. She is an amazing quilter, teacher and person whom I had dreamed of taking such a class for years. I saved my pennies, and practiced free-motion quilting for a year, to justify me signing up for this class. I learned loads, but came away being so inspired for a lifetime. I also learned that was to be her last class, which has taught me to never delay taking a class with anyone that you might dream of taking. Never lose out on an opportunity you dream of. Go for it. That includes attending a major quilt show like Road, QuiltCon, Quilt Festival, etc.
I hope you’ll take plenty of photos and share insights on QuiltCon.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com
Great advice – thanks for sharing! I’ll be sure to take photos.
I haven’t taken any hands on classes yet only one on Raggy Quilts and some online tutorials fro MSQC, that have helped me quite a bit. Need to find some classes in my area. Love the local small Quilt shows but haven’t been to a large one because I don’t travel very much.
The best class I’ve taken believe it or not was beginning quilting here at a quilt store in Las Vegas NV. Having a childhood of being an avid clothing sewer, the class was all I needed to become an obsessive quilter. I continue ro learn new techniques.
My most favourite class was a beginners paper piecing. It was in a group of friends, so many familiar faces, and we each had the opportunity to make our project very individualized, and I knew exactly who I was gifting the final product to, so it was special to me as it all came together.
The best class I have taken was a crazy log cabin class. It helped me be more free in choosing how fabrics work together.
Billie Lauder and Anita Grossman Soloman used to have the best classes. You learned so much. That said Nancy Zieman in years past was wonderful. Debbie Karazik is so funny and a wonderful teacher.
I attended Road to California a few years ago. What an amazing show. So many incredible quilts on display. Even met a few quilting celebrities. Would love to attend again.
Maybe next year. 😌
Oops I forgot to write about my favourite course.
Mine was with a lady in Canada called Anna Hergert. She pushed us to move outside our box to design an amazing tessellated quilt. She does amazing work too.
Anna is amazing, and was awarded Teacher of the Year by CQA. Obviously well-deserved!
Best class taken was actually by you!! The wedding ring one – waaay back when. But that Stack of Presents class ….it was a very close second! 😉
Aw! Shucks! Thanks Petunia Pinner!
I think I’ve only had one bad class, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. Meeting new quilt friends, Seeing everyone’s version of a pattern and how the same pattern can “change” depending on the person and fabric choices.