Sewing garments is making a comeback.

What is Upcycling?

Upcycling means using old or discarded or vintage pieces of clothing and transforming them into something which is better than its original by design and value additions.

According to The Economic Times, there are several reasons why upcycling clothes has become so popular:

Upcycling at Road 2020

Walking the Ontario Convention Center, there was plenty of evidence of this popular trend:

In the vendor booth, Paganoonoo, owner Michelle Paganini helped guests imagine new clothing options through upcycling.

An avid upcycling enthusiast and professionally trained fashion designer, Michelle sold garments and instructions dedicated to sustainable fashion. Michelle also taught a $5.00 Lecture Class, Refashion, Upcycle, Re-Use: 3D Sewing.

Jeanne and Sue met Michelle at a quilt show. They were admiring her work when Michelle offered them one of her patterns if they modeled her designs at Road.

Both quilters, they had heard of Road to California but had never been before. Sue owns Patchwork Quilts in Hamilton, Montana and Jeanne just moved from Hamilton to Tucson, Arizona.

They were enjoying the inspiration at the show while modeling their upcycled creations. “Upcycling is a cottage industry for garment sewing that is huge right now,” remarked Sue.

Louise and Suzi live on the westside of Los Angeles. Both women enjoy going to thrift stores, looking for old clothing to embellish.

Suzi is a fashion designer and is a member of Wearable Arts Connections. The jacket she was wearing at the show had been a quilt that was upcycled twice; first, when she bought it at a flea market and then when she reworked it.

Louise is a trained Millner and avid upcycler.  Her jacket was also made from a vintage quilt.

Why do they shop thrift stores and upcycle? “It’s more fun than going to malls. Malls are boring,” commented Suzi. “I’ve been upcycling since I was a child,” said Louise. “There’s a thrill in finding stuff and customizing it. And it saves the environment.”

Recently, Suzi and Louise began attending Mending Circle, a new group in Los Angeles that meets once a month. Members work on hand projects: mending, darning, applique, needlepoint, and knitting. Currently, there are eight women who belong to the group. They are looking for men to join.

They were also first timers at Road to California. Louise came for inspiration and really enjoyed looking at other people’s work. Suzi was looking forward t seeing the Egyptians again. She first came across them at the Textile Museum in Los Angeles.   

Road to California was proud to promote sewing’s latest trend at its anniversary show. Do you upcycle?

Thank you to the Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild for providing the beautiful quilts that hung in the Atrium of the Ontario Convention Center during Road to California 2020- 25^th Anniversary Show.

Atrium Quilts Tradition

Road to California knew early on that the beautiful, light filled main hallway of the Ontario Convention Center could provide a remarkable welcoming statement to the guests who arrived at Road to California.

In 2004, local quilt guilds were asked to supply the Atrium Quilts. That year, the quilts were placed along the walls. It was in 2011 that the Atrium Quilts hung for the first time from the ceiling. Then show owner, Carolyn Reese picked a theme for those Atrium Quilts, “So. Cal Ice Storm,” and local guilds were encouraged to participate.

The following year, in 2012, began the current tradition of inviting one local quilt guild to provide the Atrium Quilts made by its members. The first quilt guild to participate was the South Bay Quilters Guild.

25^th Anniversary Show Atrium Quilts

For Road to California 2020, the Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild was asked to provide the Atrium Quilts. The guild reported that they felt “very fortunate” to be asked to participate.

President, Gayle Bennett, helped gather the quilts from guild members. Gayle kept the quilts at her home, delivered them to Road, retrieved them after the show and delivered them back to their quilters.

Not only did IEMQG provide the Atrium Quilts, they also had three members who had quilts displayed in the Road to California Quilt Showcase.

Guild members, Kelly and Simone, had their diptych juried into the show

and guild member, Elizabeth, had three quilts accepted.

Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild

The Inland Empire Chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild, is a relatively new guild with just over 40 members. They meet on the first Saturday of each month between 2:00-4:00 pm at different locations throughout the Inland Empire.

Thank you IEMQG for providing such a stunning display of quilts at Road 2020. To learn more about their guild, please visit their website.

At Road to California 2020-25^th Anniversary Show, Road offered over 200 classes, Lectures, and Special Events. To help us get feedback on what was offered – and to help us plan for future quilt shows — we provide each instructor and all students with a Class Evaluation to complete before leaving the Show.

Road staff appreciates the input it they receive from the class evaluations. All class  evaluations that are returned are read. Comments and feedback received are evaluated to see what changes need to be made for the future.

Past Changes Instituted  

Some of the changes Road has made from past class evaluations have included:

Turn on irons before class starts to make sure they are working

Change the way classes are numbered for registration

Replace ironing board covers as needed

A past common complaint was that the irons were not hot enough. To address this issue, we take all classroom irons back to our office and clean them after the show is over. Then, we test each iron to make sure they are working before boxing them up and storing them for next year’s show. If an iron is not working, and cannot be repaired, we take them out of our inventory.

Suggestions We Don’t Have Control Over

There are some issues from the class evaluations that we cannot fix, especially when they have to do with the Convention Center. We are a contracted guest with the Convention Center and need to adhere to their rules and regulations. Still, we will let them know of the concerns we receive such as issues with the food or the temperature in the classrooms.

Teacher Recommendations

Road to California prides itself for getting the best and most relevant teachers in the quilting and sewing worlds. The class evaluations play an important part in helping us secure those types of teachers. Road’s Show Assistant, Stevii Graves, makes a list of all the recommendations and researched those names she is not familiar with. Some teachers suggested might be retired,  their teaching style does not fit Road’s teaching philosophy, or they might even have passed away.

Future teachers that we will be bringing to Road based off class evaluations include Sue Nichols, Paula Nadelstern and Sue Spargo (who will be coming in 2021).

Road to California takes very seriously each and every class evaluation that is returned. They are very important as they help us plan for future events. If you were not able to fill out a class evaluation at Road 2020, please contact our office at info@roadtocalifornia.com and we would be happy to send one out to you.

Thank you to all those whose comments help make Road to California the Best in the West Quilters Conference and Showcase.     

Road to California 2020-25^th Anniversary Show was the first time for vendor One Sister Designs to have a booth and meet their fans. Janet Nesbitt and her husband, Tom, were “thrilled” to be at the show. So thrilled, that they cancelled a scheduled vacation in Cabo in order to attend Road 2020.

Farm Girl to Engineer

Janet was raised on a farm in Washington State. She learned to sew through 4H. When she came across a McCalls quilt pattern that had stars in the design, Janet wanted to try to recreate it for herself. So she adapted the pattern, cutting out her own stars using tissue paper and scissors.

Janet left the farm to attend college and graduated in civil engineering. Later, her young family moved to the Seattle area in the 1980’s where she worked for the Navy and began taking sewing classes. Janet had all boys and quickly realized that there was no cute boy stuff, so she began designing her own boy baby quilts.  

In 1990, Janet realized for the first time that she was a “designer.” She took an applique class taught by Sue Linker, the creator of Sunbonnet Sue. Ms. Linker gave permission to Janet to change Sunbonnet Sue from a girl to a boy and put him in various farm themes. “Sue really taught me a lot” about pattern designing, recalled Janet.  

Buggy Barn to One Sister Designs

Janet’s first sewing business venture was Buggy Barn, a quilt store in Reardon, Washington. It really was located in a barn, 25 miles from “civilization” near Spokane. Under this name, Janet partnered with her sister and together they published 36 pattern books as well as designed fabrics.

When her sister left their business, Janet closed Buggy Barn and rebranded to One Sister Designs, an online-only retailer and wholesaler for her full line of unique quilt patterns and books.

In 2000, Janet began designing fabric for Henry Glass. She does 5 fabric lines a year for them. Janet says a unique sense of color is the inspiration for her fabric lines, mixing prints and plaids. “I have to have plaids—plaids are my florals.” Her standard formula for her fabric lines is a big and small plaid, a word design, and a stripe.    

“Crazy” Piecing Technique

Using her engineering background, Janet and One Sister Designs has developed a popular “crazy” piecing technique. This trademark piecing method is easy and forgiving, ensuring quilting success for piecers of all levels. The method consists of:

1. Tracing the quilt block pattern, found in every One Sister Designs book, on to freezer paper;
2. Putting the freezer paper on to a stack of 12-15 squares of fabric and cutting out the pattern on the lines, then
3. Taking the freezer paper off, and shuffling the fabric squares before
4. Lastly, stitching all the pieces together.

This method provides that no two-quilt block’s material will look exactly the same.

“Meeting all the people” is why One Sister Designs goes to 4 – 5 shows a year. They still open their barn occasionally to accommodate their customers.

To find out where One Sister Designs will be next, visit their website.

Featherweight Sewing Machines are very popular and very old!! To keep these machines working their best – despite their age – requires some consistent attention. John Flynn, Road to California 2020 Judge, Teacher, and Vendor offered the first ever Featherweight Maintenance Class to provide students with the basic knowledge to keep their featherweight machines running at peak performance.

The History of the Featherweight Sewing Machine

In the early 1850’s, there were four sewing machine manufacturers: Wheeler and Wilson, Grover and Baker, Howe, and Singer. They were all fighting over patent rights for their machines and ultimately joined forces to form a “patent pool,” creating a monopoly on sewing machine manufacturing. Ultimately, Singer rose to the top and after 1860, they had blown the competition out of the water by not only offering superior machines (they developed an assembly line process before Ford) but also new business concepts like trade-ins and payment plans.

Singer began manufacturing their Featherweight Sewing Machine on October 3, 1933 during the Great Depression. It weighed 11 pounds and cost $125. These machines continued to be produced until 1969.

Through the years, only minimal changes were made to the machine in workmanship and appearance. The two most popular models are the 221 and the 222. The main difference between the two is the free-arm sleeve and the drop feed lever. What has never changed with the Singer Featherweight Machine is the ability for it to produce the perfect straight stitch.

The classic black Singer Featherweight Machine was manufactured until 1961. From 1961 through 1969, the machine was offered in two colors: tan and “pale turquoise” or “celery green.” Today, it is known as the “white” featherweight.

John Flynn and the Featherweight Sewing Machine

John’s engineering background drew him to wanting to learn the basics of how each of the sewing machine systems worked. He set out to collect one of each system and has over 40 machines. His collection includes six Featherweight machines.  John noted that it would be impossible to make a featherweight machine today because it would cost too much for the accuracy the machine enjoys.

John has found that the featherweight machine has the best system for piecing quilts. “Piecing is more accurate with a featherweight than with any other machine on the market today,” remarked John.

The Best Tips for using a Featherweight Sewing Machine

John and his daughter, Kate Flynn Nichols, taught two, three-hour Featherweight Maintenance classes on Friday and Saturday evenings. Both classes were sold out – attesting to the interest of owners with this kind of machine.

Even a few of Road’s Staff who are Featherweight Sewing Machine owners, couldn’t wait to learn some maintenance techniques.

During the classes, John adjusted his own Featherweight Sewing Machine as a way to show students how to maintain theirs.

John couldn’t stress enough two important tips regarding Featherweight Sewing Machines:

1. Consistent lubrication is the key to a smooth-running machine
2. Featherweight Sewing Machines are meant to be used – not to be shown. The best maintenance for these kinds of machines is simply to use them!!

Road was fortunate to have John Flynn and Kate Flynn Nichols share their expertise on maintaining a Featherweight Sewing Machine.

Would you like to see this popular class return in 2021?

Sharing a love for quilting with other family members is extra-special. It makes for a great outing to Road to California for some family quilt bonding time.

Cousins Cookie and Joyce live in Los Angeles. They have been coming to Road together for over 20 years. They book a room at the Residence Inn and stay for four days. “It’s our annual retreat” for some family quilt bonding time.  While Cookie says she has been “playing” at quilting for the past 10 years, Joyce has been seriously quilting for 20.  Joyce learned to quilt after trying to figure out how her mother quilted. Today, Joyce quilts for enjoyment and to honor her heritage. She comes to Road to California to “get away from home” and “to be motivated.” She likes to meet other quilters, learn about new quilt products, and find fabric that she doesn’t usually see. Cookie finds that coming to Road energizes her to get back to quilting. When she isn’t quilting, she also has interests in ceramics, fused glass, and beading. Cookie also has over 600 Barbies that she collects. “Road inspires me with all my art interests.”   

These three sisters – Tassie, Linda and Marianne – plus their friend Cheryl (who is just like a sister), are artisans that work together on themed projects. Linda and Cheryl are “quilters extraordinaire,” Tassie does cross- stitching, and Marianne likes to embellish fabric using buttons.  They were looking for their next group project for family quilt bonding at Road 2020 as well as enjoyed seeing all the “beautiful” quilts.

Ten-year Road to California attendees, these sisters didn’t let Cancer get in the way of their family quilt bonding time. They were interested in researching new projects and finding things they didn’t have yet. For the past 8 months, Brenda has been being treated for Periteneal Cancer- cancer of the stomach lining. She started quilting after she retired in 20013. Jeri learned to quilt from a friend at her work. Both Brenda and Jeri’s first quilts were patterns from Eleanor Burns’ Quilt in a Day. Quilting has kept Brenda going through her chemotherapy treatments. “I’m not ready to die yet—I have too many quilts yet to make.”    

Molly Hamilton-McNally won $5,000 from Sponsor, Pollard’s Sew Creative for Midnight Frolic.

The year 2000 was not a good one for Molly Hamilton-McNally. That was the year she lost her mother and husband to cancer and Molly, herself, was also struggling with the disease. Needless to say, Molly fell into a deep depression. To aid her recovery, an acquaintance encouraged Molly to take a class in basic quilting. Unexpectedly, Molly found herself developing a passion for this art form and it helped in her recovery.

Making Midnight Frolic

All of Molly’s quilts reflect the journeys and roads she has traveled. Midnight Frolic, Road to California’s Outstanding Large Quilt for 2020, was no exception. It was Molly’s re-creation of a moonlit night long ago in Maui. She saw the soft light touch the sea and the flowers and there were tiny insects darting everywhere. Molly says that “I have never forgotten that moment. This quilt is my way of sharing this special time with you.”

It took Molly about 1700 hours, on and off for 2 years, to complete Midnight Frolic. She learned that she needed to concentrate on what she was doing in order to keep on improving.

Molly learned from friends on Facebook that Midnight Frolic had won Outstanding Large Quilt. Of the award, Molly commented, “I was, of course, extremely happy to have won such an honor.” She hasn’t decided what she is going to do with her prize money yet. She went out of her way to thank Pollard’s Sew Creative for her cash prize.

A Three Time Winner

Molly is not a stranger to winning awards for her quilting at Road to California. Molly won Best of Show in 2012 for Everlasting Bouquet, a quilt she made and that was quilted by Cindy Seitz-Krug.

She won again in 2017 in the category, Outstanding Innovative Quilt, for Reborn.   

Molly is an active member of the Tehachapi Mountain Quilters where she is always willing to teach her quilt skills.

Future Quilting

What is up next for Molly? “I always have several projects on my mind so I will pick one of these next.”

Congratulations to Molly Hamilton-McNally for her award winning entry.

Year after year, Party Time sells out to a very enthusiastic crowd. At Road’s 25^th Anniversary Show it was bigger and better than ever.

History of Party Time

Party Time was the brainchild of past Road owner, Carolyn Reese, as a way for guests to unwind after a long day of classes, shopping, and quilt admiring. The event is a two-hour extravaganza that includes games, food, and over a hundred prizes, donated by vendors at the show.

For the last 14 years, one of the highlights of the evening has been the ever-flowing chocolate fountain.  

Diane Martin, a member of the Night Owl Quilt Guild and longtime Road to California volunteer, has acted as Mistress of Ceremonies for the past few years. While she confesses that she always gets a little nervous overseeing the event, when the night is over, she is always thrilled with the results: happy quilters who have enjoyed an evening of fun and friendship.

Crazy Guests

Getting into the spirit of Party Time often includes dressing up. This group of Reindeer met years ago at the Oxnard Adult Education Quilt Class taught by Evonne (bottom left). At their table of 10, there was a combined 110 years of quilting experience!!! Road to California is their favorite reunion as the ladies now live in California, Texas, and Arizona.

Carolyn, from New Mexico, has attended Party Time the past 18 years. She said that the “antler ladies” inspired her to dress up and wear hair gear this year. Carolyn bought her costume at a collectibles shop in El Paso, Texas in 2019. She said that she received many compliments from other guests at Party Time, telling her they had wished that they had dressed up too.      

Mary and Pat bought their matching shirts at Road. They are from Chatsworth, California and have attended Road to California together for the past 5 years, when they both started quilting. They both agreed: “It’s an awesome party!!”

Jean came to Party Time from Fresno, California. Her friend, Diane, made her festive vest. Jean has been coming to Party Time for 12 years!! “It’s fun and exciting,” remarked Jean. Each year, Jean makes the most of her visit to Road. She takes classes and shops all the vendors. In 2020, she took classes from Deb Tucker and Krista Moser. Her all-time favorite Road teacher is Kimberly Einmo.

Mother and Daughter, Kendra and Judy, don’t quilt. They call themselves “quilt appreciators.” One of the reasons they come to Road is to attend Party Time. “A friend has been to Party Time the past 5 years and told us that we had to come.”  Kendra commented that even though she doesn’t quilt (she does do needlework) she loves the Show including the vendors. “There are lots of ideas for new projects here.”

Another Mother/Daughter pair at Party Time were Roxanne and Shirley from South Gate, California. Both have been quilting for the past 10 years. This was their 8^th year going to Road. They come on a bus with their quilt group, a machine quilting class in Pico Rivera. Roxanne gives the gift of Party Time each year to Shirley for her birthday.

Mark your Calendar

Party Time continues to be one of Road to California’s most popular events; it sells out every year. Plan now what you’re going to wear to Party Time in 2021 and be sure to enroll as soon as registration opens in early July 2020. You won’t want to miss out on all the fun!!!   

Cherrywood Fabrics and Bob Ross

For the 5^th year in a row, Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics presented their annual fabric challenge at Road to California. For 2020, the theme was Bob Ross, the iconic American painter, art instructor, and television host.

Mr. Ross was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States. It was also aired in Canada, Latin America, and Europe. His belief that everyone has “a creative need inside of us,” was the perfect inspiration for such a fabric challenge.

Cherrywood Challenges

Cherrywood Fabrics began their fabric challenges in 2014 with their Wicked Challenge– based on the hugely successful Broadway play. Other challenge themes have included The Lion King, van Gogh, the musician, Prince, and 2019’s Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge.

All Cherrywood Challenges incorporate hues of Cherrywood’s 100% cotton dyed fabrics that look like suede.  Up until the Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge, fabric artists utilized four coordinating fabrics. The Bob Ross challenge doubled the fabric choices to eight.

Two hundred quilts were chosen for the entire Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge collection. The collection was divided into “trunks,” organized by when they arrived at Cherrywood’s offices to compete in the challenge. Certain trunks are chosen to travel to various destinations throughout 2019-2020. At Road to California’s 25^th Anniversary Show, all 200 quilts were on display.

Meet the Makers of the Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge

On Saturday afternoon of Road 2020, a few of the makers of the quilts in the Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge, were on hand to answer questions about their experience and to autograph the official, Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge Book.

When raising her family, Cindy Thompson would relax by watching Bob Ross’ television program. “His technique was so fun. It blew me away,” she recalled. Like Bob Ross, Cindy is an artist and was really interested in doing the challenge. A veteran of two other Cherrywood Challenges (van Gogh and Prince), the hard part for Cindy with this challenge was the colors of the fabric; they weren’t exactly her favorite. She knew she wanted a couple of features to stand out in her quilt: a TV and Bob’s hair. With those decisions made, her quilt came together.

The Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge included the first mother/daughter winners, Sara and Clarice. The challenge was the first contest Sara had ever entered and Road to California was only the second quilt show she has ever attended. Sara is also an artist and she felt a responsibility to be credible with this project since Bob Ross “is an inspiration to all painters.” Sara chose to do a “self-portrait” and to keep it simple. Sara said it was a “fun” experience that pulled her in to the quilting world.

Sara’s entry was her first ever art quilt—and it was her mother’s first art quilt as well. Clarice is a quilter and loved doing this challenge with her daughter. Clarice commented how Bob Ross’ landscapes spoke to her on how anyone can “move mountains” and as Bob said, “You can do anything in your life.”

Maryland resident, Kathy Freeman, chose to use traditional quilt techniques in her entry because to her, Bob Ross’ paintings reminded her of folk-art quilts. Kathy’s quilt was entirely pieced; several hundred pieces in all. At Road, Kathy wore a knitted shawl she made in all seven colors of the challenge’s fabric palette. She purchased her yarn from independent knit dyers to match the exhibit.

Cherrywood’s 2020 Challenge

The Cherrywood Challenge for 2020 is Diana

The goal of this challenge is to take inspiration from Diana, Princess of Wales, in creating a unique quilt measuring 20” square, using the limited color palette of pink and white. Entries are due by July 1, 2020. Additional information for this challenge is on Cherrywood’s website.

Congratulations to all those whose quilts were exhibited at Road to California 2020. To see if the Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge will be on display near you, check out the exhibit’s schedule.            

Do you know Jen Kingwell?

An Australian, Jen Kingwell describes herself as “a traditional quilter with a modern twist.” In her perfect world she would hand stitch everything but with today’s busy lifestyle, she does machine piecing as well. Hand appliqué and quilting are among her favorite pastimes.

Jen “stumbled” into quilting 30 years ago. She is a teacher, author, and designer for Moda Fabrics.  Jen has owned quilt stores for over 15 years and currently owns amitie Textiles in Melbourne Australia.

Jen Kingwell at Road 2020

Jen taught 7 handwork classes at Road to California 2020.   

She found Road 2020 to be a “fantastic show” that was “well organized.” Jen added that she had a “really nice experience” teaching every day of the show where she met “the loveliest ladies” who were enthusiastic and willing to try whatever she gave them to do.

We stopped in during Jen’s Creative Hand Quilting and Finishing class and talked to some of her students:

Debra was from Discovery Bay, California. She said she got lots of good information from Jen and that the class was fun, casual and relaxing.

A Road to California attendee since the show was in Anaheim, Elaine has been quilting for over 26 years. Even though she lives local (in Orange County), she likes to stay overnight in one of Road’s host hotels so she can walk over to the show. At Road 2020, Elaine took  2 classes. “I haven’t done any sewing since last January at Road 2019 so I’m excited to pick it up again. I like handwork; repetition is relaxing. Jen is excellent.”

Kim and Brenda are sisters-in-law from San Diego, California. They have been attending Road to California together since 2011. Brenda started quilting 15 years ago. She sold Kim her old machine and taught her how to quilt 13 years ago. Brenda said, “Now Kim is teaching me!!” They belong to Sew Easy Girls where they sit and sew every Thursday.

A Sewing Tip From Jen

One tip that Brenda learned from Jen was how to use thread from the right end of the spool. Thread your needle first, then cut the thread from the spool. Doing it this way, the thread and the knot will go with the nap of the thread.

It was great having Jen Kingwell at Road 2020, reminding her students how handwork is relaxing—and fun!!!