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A Modern Twist At Road 2016

February 25th, 2016

Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. “Modern traditionalism” or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.

There were many opportunities for guests to experience modern quilting at Road 2016. One way was to take a class with two of the popular modern quilter teachers, Natalia Bonner and Jenny Pedigo.

Natalia Bonner

Natalia taught six classes including Beginner’s Guide to Free-Motion Quilting and Incline, a quilt pattern from her book, 20 Modern Log Cabin Quilts. Natalia and her three year old stayed in Whittier with family for the week she was at Road. Natalia thought all of her students were awesome. As they sewed, Natalia would encourage and help her students. She even did some ripping out!!

In one of her classes, there were two ladies sitting across from each other who were both from Maryland. About half way through the class they realized that they were from the same quilt guild!!

Lynn Mysel from Beaumont, California said she “really enjoyed Natalia’s class on improvisational piecing. Even though I didn’t finish my project, I gained the confidence needed to continue when I go back home.”

Jenny Pedigo

Jenny enjoyed everything about her Road teaching experience — including the weather. She was really busy during the show, teaching two all day classes, Chic Kisses and Metro Rings, plus being a vendor for her company Sew Kind of Wonderful.

After attending both of her classes and borrowing other students’ supplies, two ladies finally decided that they “really needed to buy Jenny’s Quick Curve Ruler” so that they could make more of her projects when they got home.

Jenny couldn’t say enough about her “friendly” and “nice” students. Pam Russell and Karen Brohmer (pictured above) said they had a “so kind of wonderful time” in Jenny’s classes.

Road to California is a quilt show for all quilters!!

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Tags: Jenny Pedigo, Modern Quilting, Natalia Bonner, Quilt Classes, Sew Kind of Wonderful
Posted in Modern Quilting, Road 2016 | 1 Comment »

Supporting Local Quilt Guilds: Meet The Valley Quilters

February 19th, 2016

145 The logo was designed by one of the founding members of the guild in 1981 and depicts areas of interest around Hemet, California where the guild is located. Those symbols include nearby Idyllwild in the San Jacinto mountains, clouds, dairies and local agriculture. Mary joined the guild in 1992. She has appreciated the “fellowship, knowledge, and hand quilting skills” that the guild has provided. [caption id="attachment_3822" align="aligncenter" width="695"] Past Presidents Mary Fidler and Sandra Dougherty at Road to California 2016[/caption] Providing quilts for those “in need of comfort” are donated from the guild to hospice patients and to the local police and fire departments to use in trauma situations. Their Yakkers group promotes hand quilting and meet each Monday. While either hand quilting the guild’s opportunity quilt or tying security quilts, it gives members an opportunity to have someone to talk to. The Valley Quilters just celebrated their 36th Annual Quilt Show February 12 and 13. Funds collected at this event goes to their scholarship fund. Five, $1,000 scholarships are awarded to local high school seniors at their April Meeting. Their opportunity quilt, Flowers for my Wedding, was won by Hortencia Roesler. Next up for the Valley Quilters Guild is their annual Quilt Retreat March 14-17 at Vina de Lestonnac. To learn more about the Valley Quilters Guild, visit their website or their Facebook Page. ]]>

Tags: California, Hand Quilting, Hemet, Idyllwild, Quilt Guilds, San Jacinto, Security Quilts, Valley Quilters Guild
Posted in Road 2016, Road to California | No Comments »

Meet Road 2016 Vendor: Southern California Quilts of Valor

February 16th, 2016

The Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003 in Delaware and is an ongoing national service effort whose mission is to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” The quilts serve as tangible reminders of appreciation and gratitude to service members and unequivocally say, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and valor.”

The Long Beach Chapter of Quilts of Valor is headed by Chairman, Barbara Winkler.

[caption id="attachment_3812" align="aligncenter" width="545"]

Barbara tore her tendons and had surgery on her foot before Road. Being in a wheelchair did not hold her back from sharing her group’s message!! Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] They have been a vendor at Road to California since 2007, meeting quilters and piecers, encouraging them to be a part of this great cause. Of their booth, Barbara commented, “We get great exposure at Road, making connections from all over.” [caption id="attachment_3814" align="aligncenter" width="433"]

Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] The group also receives donations during the show ranging from quilt tops to selling raffle tickets for their opportunity quilt. The drawing for their opportunity quilt is held annually on Veterans Day at the Long Beach VA Hospital. During the year, Long Beach Quilts of Valor goes to various veteran events around Southern California, telling their story and presenting quilts. In 2015, they gave away 417 quilts to service members and veterans. At the time of Road 2016, they had already given away 134 quilts with 78 more being donated January 26^th to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder sufferers affiliated with the West Los Angeles Veteran Hospital. Not every recipient requests a patriotic themed quilt; it can be a painful reminder of what they went through, especially with POW’s. For those instances, Quilts of Valor volunteers make quilts in a range of colors and themes such as animals or sports. “You never know what a veteran will request. Whatever type of quilt we make, it always finds its rightful owner,” remarked Barbara. No matter what the quilt looks like, all quilts given by Quilts of Valor are numbered. [caption id="attachment_3816" align="aligncenter" width="517"]

Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] Each year the Southern California Quilts of Valor in Long Beach sponsors a Sew Day at Lakewood High School. This year it will be held on Saturday, February 20^th, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM in the school cafeteria. Between 50 and 100 students and parents are expected to participate in sewing quilts as a means to give back to the community. Quilters from the community are welcomed to come assist the young sewers. Since the 10 years the Long Beach Quilts of Valor has been organized, they have given away over 3,480 quilts. In 2015, the chapter presented a quilt to one of the last survivors (at the time of the gift, there were only 9 alive at the time) of the USS Arizona that was sunk in Pearl Harbor. For Barbara, one of the most touching donations was to a veteran from the Korean War. “He told me he had waited 62 years for someone to say thank you.” [caption id="attachment_3813" align="aligncenter" width="555"]

Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] Are you interested in helping with Quilts of Valor? Until December 31, 2016, they are sponsoring “BE A STAR – FOR OUR TROOPS” Participants are asked to contribute two star themed quilt blocks every two months. The only requirements are the blocks need to be 12.5” X 12.5” (12” finished), one block must have the focus color/print as the star with white as the background and the other block must have the color/print as the background and white as the star. The remaining two month periods and their themes are:

March thru April: Blue May thru June: Patriotic

July thru August: Gold September thru October: Service Branch Specific

November thru December: Maker’s Choice

Long Beach Quilts of Valor will assemble the quilts, make bindings, and supply the backings. For information about this project, Sew Day at Lakewood High School, or Long Beach Quilts of Valor, contact Barbara Winkler at 562-925-7673 or email socalqov@aol.com]]>

Tags: Be a Star for our Troops, Long Beach Quilts of Valor, Quilt Blocks, Quilts of Valor, Sew Day.Lakewood High School, So Cal Quilts of Valor, Veterans, Volunteer
Posted in Road 2016, Vendors | 1 Comment »

Winning The Statler Educational Program At Road 2016

February 12th, 2016

Thanks to Road’s Platinum Sponsor, Gammill Quilting Systems, and to Road to California, Barbara Atwell from Reno, Nevada, won class registration for the Statler Educational Program. Barbara attended four classes taught by Georgia Stull, Thursday through Sunday, January 21-24, 2016. The prize also included entry to the show all four days.

Barbara Atwell saw the Statler Educational Program Giveaway advertised on Road’s Facebook Page and was chosen as the winner from 279 total entries!! Barbara said she was “shocked and amazed” to have won. She had never attended Road before and winning the contest gave her the encouragement she needed to attend.

[caption id="attachment_3805" align="aligncenter" width="543"]

Teacher Georgia Stull with winner Barbara Atwell[/caption]

A quilter since 1979, Barbara had been quilting on a domestic machine for the past 4-5 years and was considering purchasing a longarm machine. She had actually been looking in to the Statler by Gammill and after attending the classes for four days, her desire for this machine was reinforced. “I learned a ton, a lot more than I had expected.”

[caption id="attachment_3514" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

Statler Creators Paul and Mildred Statler[/caption]

When Barbara first saw the Statler by Gammill up close, she thought it was “a thing of beauty.” After working on the machine, she found it to be “a lot easier to use” than she expected. Of her experience, Barbara said, “The software program is amazing. The creative studio is easy to play with before you actually go to quilt a project. If you don’t like something in the planning stages, you can go in, figure out what you want to change, then make the change before you get started.”

All of the students in the Statler Educational Program received a thumb drive to take home with notes from their training and some coupons too.

Barbara came away feeling more confident with her quilting skills. “I’m going to be a better quilter after attending these classes.” She felt that some of the training she received could be applied not only to longarm quilting with a computerized system but with quilting in general. In particular, she learned how to best attach quilts to a machine and the order in which to do the quilting.

The classes were taught in a lecture hall format by Georgia Stull. Barbara thought Georgia was an “excellent instructor. She encouraged questions and gave answers right away. Georgia knew what she was talking about!!”

Georgia was thrilled that Road was offering computerized quilting classes. “Today’s quilters are more comfortable with electronic devices so they aren’t as fearful of the Statler. Also, they appreciate how it is a less physical way to quilt.” She loved teaching in the lecture hall setting. “The seats were comfortable, everyone could hear what I was teaching and they had a good view.” Georgia also felt the set-up provided “a great opportunity for the students to build a relationship with each other and share one another’s viewpoints.”

The first thing Barbara was going to do when she got home was “soak in the tub and then brow beat my husband to buy me a Statler.” She also couldn’t wait to share what she learned with her quilting group, the board of her quilt guild, Truckee Meadows Quilters, and her Soroptomist group.

Barbara shared some closing thoughts: “I am so grateful for this experience. Thank you Road and Gammill for sponsoring the contest. And I have some advice: Enter Road Contests!!”

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Tags: Gammill Quilting Systems, Georgia Stull, Longarm Quilting, Statler by Gammill, Statler Educational Program, Truckee Meadow Quilters
Posted in Giveaways, Road 2016 | 1 Comment »

Meet Road 2016 Contest Winners

February 10th, 2016

Part of the fun of Road to California is entering the contests.

Two Tickets to Road 2016: Teresa Borkin

[caption id="attachment_3796" align="aligncenter" width="492"]

Carolyn Reese congratulates Teresa Borkin[/caption]

Teresa Borkin, from the Seattle area, had always wanted to attend Road. When she won two tickets for the 2016 show in a giveaway on the blog back in September, that sealed the deal. Teresa and six of her quilting friends came for three days. Teresa expected to see high quality quilts and her expectations were met. She attended Preview Night where she enjoyed viewing the quilts without the crowds. Teresa also enjoyed the shopping and seeing vendors from Washington: Carriage Country Quilts, Quilter’s Roost and Quilter’s Coop. “I’m going home with a whole bag of stuff.”

Thursday Daily Winner: Alice Finkelstein

Alice Finkelstein traveled to Road from Paramount, California. This was her 11th year attending the show. Each year, Alice along with her cousin and a friend, stay 3 – 4 days, taking classes, shopping, and enjoying the variety of things offered during the show. Alice put her winning ticket in the raffle barrel at around 1:00 PM on Thursday. It didn’t take her long to collect her prize; she was standing close by when her name was called as the winner of a Baby Lock Rachel sewing machine donated by Moore’s Sewing Center. “I was speechless when I won. It was wonderful.”

Friday Daily Winner: JoAnn Taylor Rice

Road 2016 was JoAnn Taylor Rice’s first time at the show. A resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, JoAnn came for three days and “had the best time. I loved every minute.” She heard about Road to California through her quilt guild, Delightful Quilters. JoAnn was in “shock” when she heard her name called. “My friends and I hurried to get there when the raffle was being held. I hated to think what would happen if I wasn’t there when my name was called.” JoAnn won a Bernina Simple Red 215, donated by Mel’s Sewing Center and Upland Vacuum and Sewing.

Saturday Daily Winner: Maj Uggelberg

Maj Uggelberg was quilting away in a class being taught by Jerry Granata when her friend came running in and shouted that Maj had won the Saturday Daily Raffle. Maj dropped her project and ran to claim her prize, a Husqvarna-Viking 650 sewing machine, donated by OC Sewing and Vacuum. Maj is from Stockholm, Sweden and Road 2016 was the first quilt show she has ever attended. She arrived in the United States on January 12th and was staying until February 26th. Her first reaction to winning was “Wow!!” then, “Will it work back in Sweden?” and “How am I going to get this home?” Maj met OC Sewing and Vacuum owner, Joe Fuller, who told her because it was a Swedish sewing machine, all she would need is a particular cord and there would be no problem using it with the electricity back home. Shipping her new sewing machine home was a breeze because UPS was on site at the Ontario Convention Center and they were able to help Maj get her machine ready to send to Sweden.

Sunday Daily Winner: Liza DeBord

Lucky for Liza DeBord, her daughter entered Liza’s name into the drawing for Sunday. Liza won a Martelli LaCresta Premier Workstation, valued at $3,250!! Liza was “amazed” that she won such an awesome prize.

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Tags: Baby Lock, Bernina, Carriage Country Quilts, Daily Raffle Winners, Delightful Quilters, Husqvarna Viking, Jerry Granata, Martelli Enterprises, Mel's Sewing Center, Moore's Sewing Center, OC Sewing and Vacuum, Quilter's Coop, Quilter's Roost, Upland Vacuum and Sewing, Winners
Posted in Road 2016, Road to California | No Comments »

Shannah's Cameo: The Story Behind The Quilt

February 3rd, 2016

Shannah’s Cameo won First Place in the category, Excellence in Longarm Quilting, for maker and quilter Karen Sievert.

Karen received $1,500 from sponsor, American Professional Quilting Systems

Road to California was a tremendous experience for author, teacher, free motion longarm quilter, Karen Sievert. She taught three of her own classes, substituted for Linda V. Taylor for two of her classes, and found out that she won first place in the quilt contest for Excellence in Longarm Quilting.

Every quilt has a story and Shannah’s Cameo is no different.

Karen Sievert and her husband, Vince, have three adopted children — Wayne, Shannah, and Travis — that were all drug/alcohol babies. Says Karen, “Raising my children, I have learned more from them than they have from me.”

When the kids were younger, they would help out with Karen’s trunk shows and became very familiar with the quilting world. Shannah had asked Karen to write a book and make a quilt named for her. Karen wasn’t interested in writing a third book, but she was interested in making Shannah “just one quilt” especially for her.

Shannah’s Cameo served two purposes: not only was it a gift for her daughter, it also provided the background for teaching a new type of fills class using whole cloth. “Teaching and quilting on whole cloth doesn’t distract the students like a patterned fabric would,” shared Karen.

The focal point of the quilt is a replica cameo of Shannah’s face. A friend digitized Shannah’s image and Karen used different fills for the hair.Karen credits Stevii Graves for being the cheerleader behind this project. It was her support that gave Karen the courage to try new techniques for the quilt that she never would have attempted before.

For classes, Karen gives students her drawing

And they practice their own fills in simulating Shannah’s hair.

This technique has led Karen to develop more classes for the future, using different image sketches like a hummingbird to promote the same idea.

[caption id="attachment_3785" align="aligncenter" width="515"]

Sketch by Karen Sievert[/caption]

What does Shannah think about her quilt?

Karen says Shannah “loves it.” Shannah will be able to keep it after Karen is through showing it,

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Tags: APQS, Award Winning Quilts, Excellence in Longarm Quilting, Karen Sievert, Longarm Quilting
Posted in behind the scenes, Faculty, Longarm, quilt entries, Road 2016 | 4 Comments »

10 Tips and Tricks For Using an Iron

January 29th, 2016

Eloise Wagers from Oliso shared important tips and tricks to make your iron your best friend forever.

Elaine’s main message was:

“You should be using your iron as much as your sewing machine.”

Before you start to use your iron, you need to know what you are doing with it. Do you know the difference between ironing and pressing? Ironing is defined as sliding the iron back and forth over fabric. Pressing is lifting the iron up and down over the fabric. Eloise pointed out that you don’t need a heavy iron to do your best work. Heat and moisture is what is needed for a good crease. Using steam will speed up the ironing process. What should you look for in purchasing an iron? The soul plate should be made from stainless steel. A shiny plate or one that has a Teflon coating tends to create a drag when ironing. Also, consider the length of the cord, a generous water tank that is easy to fill using tap water, and an auto shut off for safety.

What were Eloise’s Top 10 Tips and Tricks For Using Your Iron?

1) Just like pre-heating your oven before baking, you need to make sure your iron is heated up before using. This will also help prevent leaking.

2) Place your iron near your machine but far enough away so that you have to get up and walk over to it.

3) Press all seams twice. First, press the seam like you sewed it. This sets the seam. Then go back and press open or press to one side – depending on the design and how it will be quilted.4) Press as you go. Press whenever you join another seam. Press on the back when you finish a block and when you have the top completed. Press lightly again on the right side. Never press after a quilt after it has been quilted because it will mash the batting.

5) Use the highest setting with steam when pressing cottons. Turn down the heat for polyester or synthetics. Test the fabric first from the back side.

6) White Vinegar mixed with a little water both puts a crease in and takes a crease out.

7) Never press over pins, markings, or basting threads.

8) Press long seams going across your ironing board to prevent distorting the grain line.

9) Clean the sole plate using a dryer sheet, a Clean Magic Eraser, or try this: ironing over wet table salt on a brown paper bag.

10) Clean the steam vents by pouring hot water into the chamber, heat up the iron, and quickly press out all the water over the sink.

And of course, unplug or turn off electric output after use. To learn more about Oliso and their products, please visit their web site.]]>

Tags: How to Clean an Iron, How to Iron, Iron, Oliso, Tips and Tricks
Posted in Road 2016 | 1 Comment »

Road 2016 Highlights

January 26th, 2016

Were you one of the over 35,000 guests at Road to California 2016?

Did you enter the Ontario Convention Center to see the magnificent Atrium Display by the Glendale Quilt Guild?

[caption id="attachment_3754" align="aligncenter" width="496"]

Photo by Brian Roberts[/caption]

Did you see the over 1,ooo quilts on display including Best of Show, Silk Road Sampler, by Melissa Sobotka?

Did you shop with one of the 220 retailers that came from 37 states and 7 foreign countries in the 700 merchant booths?

Did you meander around the live trees adorned with twinkly lights in the Pavilion?

[caption id="attachment_3755" align="aligncenter" width="529"]

Photo by Brian Roberts[/caption]

Did you attend one of the 173 classes, lectures, and special events taught by our internationally recognized experts in their field?

[caption id="attachment_3757" align="aligncenter" width="454"]

Natalia Bonner[/caption]

Did you take a bus tour to local sites and quilt shops on one of our bus tours?

Did you get inspired?

We hope you were able to come and participate with all the show had to offer. The next few months, we will be sharing on the blog some of the amazing stories that came out of Road 2016, bringing back wonderful memories and moving forward to future possibilities.

What did you enjoy most about Road to California 2016?

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Tags: Ontario Convention Center, Quilt Bus Tours, Quilt Events, Quilt Teachers, Quilt Vendors, Road to California, Winning Quilts
Posted in Road 2016 | 18 Comments »

What Exactly Is The Marie White Masterpiece Award?

January 22nd, 2016

2016 Marie White Masterpiece Award made and quilted by Janet Stone[/caption] A couple of years ago, a “very nice lady” came to Carolyn Reese, owner of Road to California, and offered to sponsor the first runner up award on two conditions: One, that she remained anonymous and Two, that Road to California call the award The Marie White Masterpiece Award. Road gladly agreed to her terms. [caption id="attachment_3411" align="aligncenter" width="448"] 2015 Marie White Masterpiece Award made and quilted by Nancy Prince[/caption] Marie White is Carolyn Reese’s mother and a woman who was very active in the quilting and doll making world until she passed away five years ago, six weeks shy of her 93rd birthday. Marie was born in Oklahoma. One day when she was walking home from high school, a busload of young men working at a CCC depression-era camp, passed her on the road. One of the fellows threw a Prince Albert Tobacco Can out the window with a note inside asking her for a date. That fellow was Glenn White and Marie accepted the date. Marie and Glenn were married for 57 years and had two daughters, Carolyn and Glenda. Carolyn and Marie established The Fabric Patch fabric store in 1981. Their store was featured in the third issue of American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine, making it one of the top thirty stores in the United States. Marie’s specialty was doll making. She also loved working with ribbon embroidery and crazy quilting. Two of Marie’s dolls are currently on display in a special Cloth Dolls Tell Their Story Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of History and Art. One is a doll she created from a photograph of her mother, Oda Anderson, taken in 1934. The second doll, “Blanche” is one that Marie designed, taught classes and also sold patterns. Blanche was created in honor of Blanche Young, a well-known quilter and author, who was the teacher that started Carolyn in the quilting world. As they say, now you know “the rest of the story” regarding the first runner up award given at Road to California, The Marie White Masterpiece Award.]]>

Tags: Cloth Dolls Tell Their Story, Marie White Masterpiece Award, Ontario Museum of History and Art, Road to California, Winning Quilts
Posted in Road 2016 | 3 Comments »

While At The Show, Visit The Ontario Museum Of History And Art

January 20th, 2016

There’s a lot to see and do at Road to California 2016:

View over 1,000 quilts on display

Shop at 220 retailers in over 700 merchant booths

Take one of the 173 Classes

Attend a Lecture or Special Event

If you still have time left over from your Road visit, we invite you to go just down the road to the Ontario Museum of History and Art

and see their current exhibit,

Cloth Dolls Tell Their Stories

This exhibit showcases artists exploring remembrance, heritage and celebration through cloth dolls. Traditionally, dolls were created to represent a miniature human form, often used as children’s toys. These artists have transformed the meaning of the plaything by pouring tales and imagination into each doll while emphasizing the fun and whimsical. Carolyn Reese, owner of Road to California, has a special interest in this exhibit because two of the dolls in the collection were made by her mother, Marie White. One is a doll Marie created from a photograph of her mother, Oda Anderson, taken in 1934. The second doll, “Blanche” is one that Marie designed, taught classes and also sold patterns. Blanche was created in honor of Blanche Young, a well-known quilter and author, who was the teacher that started Carolyn in the quilting world. A free to the public Artist Reception is being held Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 5:00 –7:00 PM. The Ontario Museum of History & Art is located at 225 S. Euclid Ave. Ontario, CA 91762. Gallery Hours are Noon to 4 PM, Thursday through Sunday. Admission is free. For more information call (909) 395-2510. ]]>

Tags: California, Cloth Dolls, Ontario, Ontario Museum of History and Art, Road to California
Posted in Road 2016 | No Comments »