Applique « The Backroads to Road to California

Posts Tagged ‘Applique’

Egyptian Ancient Craft Is Returning To Road

Saturday, December 10th, 2016

Stitch Like An Egyptian. Guests were fascinated at watching the men demonstrate their version of appliqueing – a dying art form that has survived centuries of Egyptian history, being found in Pharaohs’ tombs. Originally, this type of artwork used to line tents or screens covered in appliqué that could decorate a whole street. The brilliantly colored appliqué are still used today for ceremonial purposes at weddings, funerals, henna parties, or Ramadan celebrations.

Hosam is a tentmaker through and through. An attorney by profession, Tarek is not practicing currently so that he can focus entirely on his tentmaker work. They will be in Ontario, California for the full week during Road 2017. In addition to their show duties, Tarek and Malik enjoy shopping at the Ontario Mills shopping mall and visiting a local Egyptian market and mosque. Most of all, they love interacting with Road’s guests.

Photo courtesy AQS

At Road 2017, Hosam and Tarek will not only be demonstrating their ancient craft and culture on the vendor floor at the front of the main hall, but will also be assisting their good friend, interpreter and Road faculty member Jenny Bowker. Students will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to learn along side Tarek and Hosam during Jenny’s three separate Tentmaker Appliqué classes that she is teaching on Monday (1001R), Tuesday (2001R), and Wednesday (3002R).

And exclusive to Road 2017 attendees, Hosam and Tarek will have available close to 100 pieces of their ancient artwork to purchase, ranging from $100 to $1,500.

Having these tentmakers at Road 2017 is one way to help preserve their ancient art and culture. This intricate craft has been facing struggles, as machines try to replace hand-made items and unscrupulous businesses copy and sell their unique designs. Road hopes to bring attention to the beautiful yet shrinking art of the few remaining tentmakers who continue to practice their trade.

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Tags: Applique, Applique Quilting, Dying Egyptian Art, Egyptian Tentmakers, Jenny Bowker, Unique Quilt Class
Posted in classes, Road 2017 | No Comments »

Meet Road 2017 Teacher David Taylor

Saturday, October 22nd, 2016

Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen sit down longarm class. These classes use the same skills as a regular sewing machine.

1004C The HQ Sweet 16 Overture on Monday

2007C Rhythm and Hues on Tuesday

David will also be teaching two applique classes:

3009R Simple Floral Appliqué on Wednesday

4601R Animal Artistry through Appliqué a 3-day course, Thursday-Saturday

Award winning quilter, David Taylor, knows about adversity. Last February, a gas explosion and subsequent fire destroyed his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Since the fire gutted the living room and the sewing loft, David has been without his tools and supplies for the past nine months. Both of his Berninas were melted; his serger was gone; rulers were twisted and turned and his Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen was a major loss. Needless to say, it was a very devastating experience. David says, “Every day since the fire, life gets a little easier and a little harder at the same time. I’ve been taking long walks, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles to occupy my thoughts” until he can start to rebuild his studio.

Born in 1963, David was raised in Peterborough, New Hampshire, one of six children: three boys and three girls just “like the Brady Bunch.” His mother “tied” quilts while David was growing up but as a single mom with six kids, she didn’t have much free time to devote to quilting. David first focused on apparel construction. In 1998, a longtime friend who knew of David’s life-long love of fabric, suggested he try quilting. He was reluctant at first as he didn’t want to cut up his “precious fabric collection.” Since then, he has never looked back. Because he has never taken a quilting class, David believes that the best way to learn is to practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice and makes a lot of mistakes. In addition, he believes that quilting “should be a team sport,” He recommends joining a guild or a group and getting together with like-minded “fabric fondlers.” And if there isn’t a group where you live, David says, “Start one.” For David, there is no greater satisfaction than “seeing a student’s face light up when they realize they CAN do this!” He hopes his students will learn that if they create from their heart, the rest will follow.

Before he comes to Road, David will be looking forward to purchasing a home in Henniker, New Hampshire. The house was originally built in 1825, and was renovated at the turn of this century to include a two-car garage with studio and office space above. David says it is “Perfect!” To learn more about David Taylor, please visit his website.

Tags: Adversity, Applique, David Taylor, Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen
Posted in classes, Faculty, Road 2017 | 1 Comment »

Meet 2016/2017 Vendor: Eye of the Beholder

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

Eye of the Beholder Quilt Design will be returning to Road to California in 2017

How does someone go from professional dancer to quilter?

That is exactly what Margaret Willingham did. For many years, Margaret taught choreography for a modern dance company specializing in classical ballet and modern dance. When Margaret developed major back problems (she had 5 surgeries in 2 years), she realized that teaching dance was no longer an option. Newly divorced, Margaret had to find something she could do to make a living. So she turned to her passions to find the answer. [caption id="attachment_4151" align="aligncenter" width="552"]

Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] Margaret loved being creative, artistic, and quilting. For Margaret, fabric was “fun to play with.” She “followed the doors God had given” her and started Eye of the Beholder Quilt Design. She has been in business going on 6 years. Instead of choreographing dances, she is choreographing quilts. Eye of the Beholder Quilt Design specializes in original applique patterns inspired by the world around us. Margaret has developed a reverse applique process that is “a no brainer.” Just Trace-Baste-Snip-Stitch. Margaret shared that she’s even had 10 year olds master her technique. “People are amazed at how easy and simple of a process it is.” Eye of the Beholder Quilt Designs can also be done as machine reverse applique because Margaret has found that some people don’t like to do hand work. [caption id="attachment_4148" align="aligncenter" width="625"]

Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] From August, 2015 to January, 2016, Margaret put 11,000 miles on her new van traveling to various shows. She spends most of the time in her booth demonstrating her applique steps with her customers. She has also put up tutorials on her website, has a booklet that explains her technique, and writes a blog sharing applique tips and experiences. [caption id="attachment_4149" align="aligncenter" width="625"]

Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] Road 2016 was Margaret’s first time at the show. She had never really been to Southern California before and was excited to be at Road as she had “heard good things about the show.” She is looking forward to returning to Road 2017. [caption id="attachment_4150" align="aligncenter" width="625"]

Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption] You can learn more about Eye of the Beholder Quilt Designs on their website.]]>

Tags: Applique, Eye of the Beholder Quilt Designs, Quilt Vendor, Reverse Applique, Road to California
Posted in Road 2016, Road 2017, Vendors | No Comments »

Road 2016 Tiny Quilt Challenge

Tuesday, August 4th, 2015

Juried by American Made Brand, the Tiny Quilt Challenge will have its debut at Road to California 2016 as a Special Exhibit.

The tiny house movement was in the back of the jurists minds when they were brainstorming for this challenge. In the end, American Made Brand wanted the Tiny Quilt Challenge to be accessible to as many quilters as possible. Knowing that it is very time-consuming to create large works, they felt the smaller dimensions for the finished quilts would be enticing. They also hoped to excite junior sewists to enter the challenge.

There is no theme to this challenge other than the size. Quilts are to be no larger than 15” x 15”, have attached to the back a 4″ hanging sleeve along with a permanent label with the maker’s name and address and be made from any of the 62 American Made Brand cotton solids.

Any technique may be used (piecing, appliqué, embroidery, photo transfer, manipulated fabric, etc.) and quilters can enter as many quilts as they wish. However, all quilts must be an original design. No quilt entered may have been published in patterns, books, calendars, magazines, newsletters, websites, blogs or any other form of publication prior to September 2015. Entries will be accepted online until the deadline of September 15, 2015.

The Tiny Quilt Challenge was announced in May. American Made Brand is getting the word out about the challenge in several ways. They started by giving out Tiny Quilt Challenge posters to the many US quilt shops that carry the American Made Brand and they created artcards for shops to hand out to their customers. American Made Brand has also emailed thousands of enthusiastic AMB fans that they met at QuiltCon as well as quilters who entered their Farm to Fabric Challenge or who participated in their AMB Blog Tour last summer. Lastly, they are advertising in a variety of quilting magazines as well as online and via magazines’ e-newsletters.

Judging will be done by American Made Brand in-house staff with winners notified by October 1, 2015. Awards will be given in four categories: Pieced, Applique, Quilting, and Junior Quilter. The top three winners in each category will receive:

1st Place: 1 yard each of the 62 colors of American Made Brand Cotton Solids, a color card and an AMB tote bag

2nd Place: 62 fat quarters – 1 each of the American Made Brand Cotton Solids, a color card and an AMB tote bag

3rd Place: 31 fat quarters of American Made Brand Cotton Solids, a color card and an AMB tote bag

In addition, one Best of Show grand prize winner will receive an airline ticket plus 2 nights accommodation to see the Tiny Challenge exhibit debut in Ontario, California at Road to California 2016!

Great Prizes — Great Challenge

What better way to spend the dog days of summer than by making a tiny quilt or two!!

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Tags: American Made Brand, Applique, Junior Quilter, Junior Sewists, Pieced Quilts, Prizes, Tiny Quilt Challenge
Posted in Road 2016 Challenge, Special Quilt Exhibits | No Comments »

Aloha!! Meet Hawaiian Quilter, Carrie Fondi

Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Carrie taught two Traditional Hand Quilting classes and a Traditional Hawaiian Applique class at Road to California 2015

A mother to 9-year old twins (a boy and a girl), Carrie Fondi of Aloha Quilt Designs, self-taught herself at the age of 12 (or 13) how to quilt. She has been Hawaiian Quilting nonstop since then, studying under many Master Hawaiian Quilters over the last 15 years.

Carrie finds inspiration for her quilting at her second home in Maui, Hawaii. She says, “I can walk down the street and find inspiration in everything from the man’s shirt in front of me to the flowers that have fallen in the sand.” When she isn’t quilting, Carrie likes to swim and surf in the ocean with her family.

Needles (and thread) are the one quilting tool that she can’t live without. A small applique project always travels in her purse. She even quilts on the beach in the sand!

Carrie travels about 30,000 miles in her car each year teaching. Of course, Hawaii is the farthest distance she has gone to teach a quilting class. Because she has young children, she “cannot leave {her} family for long or often.”

When Carrie is teaching, she enjoys watching her students learn the art of hand applique and quilting. She remarked that, “Most students walk into my class scared or intimidated by hand work and then leave with a confident smile on their face.” Her best quilting tip to her students: Relax!!

What did Carrie enjoy most about her classes she taught at Road 2015? “All the happy students!!” She was appreciative for the full classes and the great students she had.

Look for Carrie to return to Road 2016; she can’t wait to meet her new students. Will one of them be you?

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Tags: Applique, Hand Quilting, Hawaii, Hawaiian Quilting, Maui
Posted in Faculty | No Comments »

Unique International Flair at Road 2015

Friday, October 10th, 2014

What is the next international group to visit Road? The Tentmakers of Cairo with their exhibit Stitch Like an Egyptian.

Curated by international textile artist Jenny Bowker, this exhibit sheds light on the art of Egyptian tent making. This ancient, intricate craft has been facing struggles, as machines try to replace hand-made items and unscrupulous businesses copy and sell their unique designs. By hosting Stitch Like an Egyptian’s California premiere, Road hopes to bring attention to the beautiful yet shrinking art of the few remaining Tentmakers who continue to ply their trade.

Originally, this type of artwork used to line tents or screens covered in appliqué that could decorate a whole street. The brilliantly colored appliqué are still used today for ceremonial purposes at weddings, funerals, henna parties, or Ramadan celebrations.

The artists who will be at Road to California are from Khan Khayamiya—the Market of the Tentmakers in the heart of Old Islamic Cairo. Hosam Hanafy Ahmed Mahmoud and Tarek Abdelhay Hafez Abouelenin will be on hand at the exhibit to demonstrate their method of appliqué. The amazing patterns in their pieces are based on geometry, sacred texts, and ancient artwork and convey much of the intricacy and relevance of today’s world of quilts. In addition to their demonstrations, some of their appliqué art will be on sale as well.

Please join us in welcoming The Tentmakers of Cairo and their special exhibit, Stitch Like an Egyptian this January.

Tags: Applique, Bohin, East Los Angeles Stitchers, Tentmakers of Cairo
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show, Vendors | No Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Best Modern Quilt

Tuesday, August 26th, 2014

Claire Victor won $2,000 for her Modern Quilt Entry, Lost in Space, from sponsor, Modern Quilt’s Unlimited

About 15 years ago, Claire Victor decided she wanted to sew her own clothing. Inspired by her mother who was a great home seamstress, she started taking lessons at her local sewing store, Hartsdale Fabrics in Hartsdale, NY. Downstairs in the store, they had a quilt shop; something she had never seen before. What she saw there was so much more interesting than any preconceived notion she had had of what quilting was, and they had classes! Because of her work schedule, she was unable to take a class at that time but she sent ahead and bought the Eleanor Burns – Log Cabin Quilt-in-a-Day book, picked out some fabrics and off she went. She figured it all out on her own, laughed a lot along the way, had fun throughout the entire process and never looked back.

What inspired Claire’s winning design, Lost in Space? “I am interested in geometric patterns, especially ones with illusion. The tumbling block is my “block of choice.” I do them every which way I can think of. Recently, I had the chance to join a hand sewing group at Monica’s Quilt and Bead in Palm Desert, CA and I started to learn appliqué. All the ladies were doing more traditional patterns which did not interest me so I designed my own, an elongated tumbling block. The group came up with the name “Lost in Space”. My favorite reference books are from Sara Nephew and Marci Baker. I had also been studying an old Katie Pasquini-Masopust book.

How long did it take to make your winning quilt? What did you learn along the way? “I decided long ago to never pay attention to how long it takes to make a quilt; I just do it until it’s finished. But if I had to guess, I would say three or four months. It was a great journey; since this was my first appliqué quilt. I was (and still am) having trouble with the technique but it was very interesting to figure out the design and combine machine piecing, English paper piecing, hand sewing and then machine quilting.

What was your reaction when you won? “My first reaction was complete disbelief, and then I cried (a little). You might wish and dream about these moments but believe me they come when you least expect them. Needless to say, once I recovered, I was extremely honored.”

Did you do anything special with your prize money? “Almost immediately I ordered a custom made Sew Steady Table and the rest just went into my general sewing fund.”

Where do you go from here with your quilting? “I just continue…open to future possibilities. After saying I would ‘NEVER do appliqué’ it has turned out to be so interesting and challenging. I can achieve things with appliqué that I could not with regular piecing. I am now working on my fourth appliqué quilt.

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Tags: Applique, Eleanor Burns, Katie Pasquini-Masopust, Modern Quilting, Modern Quilts Unlimited, Monica's Quilt and Bead, Winning Quilt
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014 | 4 Comments »