Hand Quilting « The Backroads to Road to California

Posts Tagged ‘Hand Quilting’

A Self-Taught, Hand Quilting Winner

Wednesday, June 13th, 2018

Andrea Stracke won $2,500 for Best Hand Quilting from Sponsor, World of Quilts Travel, for Aragonit

It was just a matter of time before Germany native, Andrea Stracke, would discover quilting. She had always been interested in trying delicate, hand crafting. Growing up, she spent time experimenting with knitting, crocheting, embroidery, calligraphy, miniature painting and glass grinding. In 1989, Andrea found a book about patchwork quilts in her favorite book store and from that moment on, she was “hooked.”

Andrea shares that she is “completely self-taught” when it comes to her quilting. She learned through books and by trial and error. In 1995, she started specializing in making whole cloth and strippy quilts in different sizes after coming across Barbara Chainey’s book, “The Essential Quilter” in 1993. She said that book “made my heart sing.” Aragonit was inspired by jewelry made in the Belle Époque Era (1884-1914). Andrea said she loves “the beautiful ornaments and scrollwork used for brooches, pendants and other pieces.” Andrea spent 600 hours working on Aragonit. During that time, Andrea became “completely sure” that she was dedicated to hand quilting intricate and detailed hand quilting patterns. She learned on this project the importance of adding intense background quilting to make the main motifs stand out clearly. It was early morning in Germany when Andrea received the email from Road to California that was sent at 10:00 PM Pacific Coast Time. At first, she couldn’t believe what she was reading on her computer. When the realization sunk in, she “shed some tears of joy.” What did Andrea do with her prize money? She bought some fabric, batting and thread to create new quilts. She plans to use the remainder of the money to pay the shipping costs to enter a few more quilt shows in the future. In the future, Andrea plans to keep on making whole cloth and strippy quilts – her real passion. Andrea admits that her designs “are becoming more and more detailed and intricate” and she knows that there is much for her to learn and apply to her upcoming work. “Inspiration is everywhere.” You can learn more about Andrea Stracke on her website. ]]>

Tags: Andrea Stracke, Award Winning Quilts, German Quilter, Hand Quilting, Winning Quilt
Posted in Road to California 2018, Winning Quilts | 2 Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt- Excellence in Hand Quilting

Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Linda Roy won $1,500 for Aztec Sunset from Sponsor, World of Quilt Travel

Linda Roy’s quilting journey began in 1988 when her husband had a job transfer from Southern California to Conway, Arkansas. Shortly after moving, Linda saw a program on television on vintage and newer quilts that introduced her to quilting. Then, a little while later, Linda met one of her new neighbors, Irma Gail Hatcher, who just happened to be an award-winning quilter. Irma invited Linda to join a small group that met monthly at her home and then to the Arkansas Quilt Guild. Linda said, “It was a pleasure to spend time with woman of all ages coming together for the pleasure of creating something beautiful.”

Linda made her first quilt when her youngest son was three. She found that she could keep an eye on her son while he played and do her hand work at the same time. She was hooked on hand quilting with that first original quilt and now hand quilting is her passion. The design and color for Aztec Sunset was inspired by Mayan Ruins. Linda designed her quilt using graph paper. Since Linda made this quilt for herself, she felt that she had total freedom to make it “outside the box.” Two of her favorite large tomato red scraps were utilized in the quilt along with other fabrics in her stash creating a four-block design with a spiraling border. Each quadrant has different but similar fabrics. The tea dyed muslin and stripes are the unifying fabrics.

All the triangles are hand appliqued along with the bias bars. Linda feels that the additional hand embroidery on the quilt gives a little more importance to the hand appliqued triangle shapes. Aztec Sunset took approximately one year to complete. A hoop was used for the hand quilting, working on one piece at a time. Linda remarked that after deciding on the design and color, “hand quilting is my favorite part of the quilt… (it is) very relaxing.” Learning about her award, Linda said she “truly couldn’t believe I had won such a prestigious award. Stunned would be a good word to describe how I felt and still feel.” She plans on using her prize money to replenish her fabric, thread, batting and various quilting needs not to mention that the “worn out chair I sit in to sew could use being replaced too!” Linda’s thoughts on her experience in creating a winning quilt is motivational for other quilters as well: “This award encourages me to follow my heart without fear of the quilting police. Sometimes it can work out!”]]>

Tags: Award Winning Quilts, Hand Quilting, Irma Gail Hatcher
Posted in Road 2017, Road to California, Winning Quilts | No Comments »

Meet Road Vendor WonderFil Specialty Threads

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

WonderFil = Thread (and only thread)

WonderFil Specialty Threads offers products that enhance both the quality and appearance of stitching results, as well as expanding embellishment possibilities. They have a diversity of thread weights, textures, finishes, and materials. A family run business based in Canada, their 17 specialty thread lines are distributed in 8 countries: Canada, USA, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They carry several different lines, ranging from 8 – 100 weight, that can be used for any project. All of their cotton based threads are made only from Egyptian Cotton which is lint free so it doesn’t gunk up their customer’s machines. [caption id="attachment_3125" align="aligncenter" width="646"]

Photo by Gregory Case Photography[/caption] One of their most popular products lines is InvisaFil, a 100 weight cottonized polyester thread. The number one seller in the United States, Invisafil is available in 60 colors and is a great alternative to fine silk thread. It’s unique texture is a result of combining preshrunk cotton with strong, colorfast polyester. It’s the perfect thread for all kinds of sewing, including free motion quilting. WonderFil prides itself in working with teachers, like Vikki Pignatelli, to create color palettes that coordinate with their projects.

New in 2017 is Wonderfil’s partnership with Sue Sprago. Ellana is a wool fabric line combined with 28 weight wool thread that comes in 60 matching colors.

Another line, Efina, is a lighter weight thread designed for hand quilting .

WonderFil is also committed to helping their customers learn how to use their threads. They call this Threaducation. On their website, they offer how-to videos for all their thread lines as well as share contact information for qualified teachers standing by to assist customers in Canada and the United States. Road to California 2017 appreciated Wonderfil’s employee, Joanne from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, supporting their philanthropy project, Roadies Give Back. Joanne is had a good friend pass away from Cancer in June, 2016 and appreciated the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause. “It’s always fun whenever quilters get together,” remarked Joanne during the event.

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Tags: Egyptian Cotton, Hand Quilting, InvisaFil, Sue Spargo, Threaducation, Vikki Pignatelli, WonderFil, Wool
Posted in Vendors | No Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2016 Excellence In Hand Quilting

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

Elegance was made and quilted by Elsie M. Campbell. She received $1,500 from sponsor, World of Quilts Travel. “Quite pleased,” was Elsie’s reaction when she found out she had won the prize for Excellence in Hand Quilting. Elsie Campbell’s love for quilting is in her genes; from her mother, grandmothers, aunts…… and even back several more generations. Inspiration for Elegance came when her son took Elsie in September, 2007 to an exhibit of antique quilts from the Henry duPont collection at Winterthur, duPont’s childhood home. The collection had been opened to the public more than 60 years ago as a museum. There were some exquisite boutis (trapunto or stuffed work) quilts that fascinated Elsie. She decided that if women from the 18th and 19th century could do this form of quilting, “I surely could, too.” Work on Elegance began soon after Elsie returned from the exhibit and continued until September of 2015 – a total of 8 years to complete. During those 8 years, Elsie also made 50+ other quilts AND wrote 2 books ALONG with her traveling schedule, teaching quilt making techniques to others across the nation. Elsie said she never doubted that she would complete Elegance. She would stitch when she had a few moments here and there, usually in hotel rooms while she was on the road and at other odd times. Says Elsie, “A little bit of time here and there really will allow you to accomplish something significant. Just keep at it. If you enjoy the process (and I do!) it doesn’t matter how long it takes to make something of lasting beauty.” [caption id="attachment_4234" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Close up of Elsie’s work[/caption] Elsie also makes heirloom machine quilted quilts, quilting them on a domestic sewing machine. While she loves to do all kinds of quilt making techniques, she started off quilting everything by hand and still loves taking the time to hand quilt. What is Elsie working on next? Elsie is a new iquilt.com instructor. Her online workshop is based on another award-winning quilt, Aunt MiMi’s Flower Garden quilt. The first version of that quilt won the Judge’s Special Merit at Road to California in 2009, and the second version won Best Traditional Quilt in 2014, and several top awards at the AQS Shows. [caption id="attachment_4235" align="aligncenter" width="336"] Aunt Mimi’s Flower Garden II – 2014[/caption] The workshop features 7 online lessons, complete with patterns and professionally produced instructional videos. Elsie still travels to teach quilting to guilds and at quilt shops and national quilt shows across the USA, delivering programs, and workshops, and generally enjoying herself. She sums it up by saying, “I love it ALL!” To learn more about Elsie, please visit her website. ]]>

Tags: Award Winning Quilts, Elsie M. Campbell, Hand Quilting, Traditional Quilting
Posted in Winning Quilts | No Comments »

Supporting Local Quilt Guilds: Meet The Valley Quilters

Friday, 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 »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2015 Excellence In Hand Quilting

Saturday, December 26th, 2015

White Bouquet was made and quilted by Mariko Duenwald of San Francisco, California. She received $1,500 from sponsor World of Quilts Travel

A quilter for almost 25 years, Mariko Duenwald, came to the United States from Japan in 1983. When Mariko was a young girl living in Japan, she found a “rather unique fabric store” in Tokyo that had an American antique quilt on display. At the time, Mariko didn’t know what a quilt was but she fell in love with what she saw and began researching quilts.

After coming to America, Mariko taught herself how to quilt by reading books. Mariko prefers hand quilting. She has said, “With machine quilting, you really have to concentrate. But with hand quilting, you can sit on the couch and watch TV, so I like that. Quilting is the best part of making a quilt, for me.”

White Bouquet was started in 2011 and finished in 2013. It was an original design made by Mariko and her third trapunto quilt. After completing this quilt, Mariko says she now feels more comfortable with this type of quilt.

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Tags: Award Winning Quilts, Hand Quilting, Trapunto, World of Quilts Travel and Textile Tours
Posted in quilt entries, Road to California | 1 Comment »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt: Road 2015 Best Use of Color

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

Cheryl L. See received $1,500 from sponsor, Primitive Gatherings, for Starlette

Cheryl See has had a needle in her hand since she was 3 or 4 years of age. However, she didn’t start quilting until the early 1990’s. Her foray into quilting was inspired by all the small scraps of bright colored fabric that were too small to make anything else except to use in a quilt. Starlette was inspired by her big sister, Star Struck, which is in the National Quilt Museum. Cheryl wanted to make a smaller version to use when she gave lectures and taught. Starlette is entirely made by hand using English Paper Piecing, applique, trapunto, embroidery and hot fix Swarovski crystals. It is reversible with the back having woven appliqued bias strips in a triangular pattern. Starlette includes 4,582 hexagons, 335 circles and 192 ovals. It took Cheryl 9 months to complete Starlette. Cheryl recalled, “It took only 9 months, but I put in a lot of hours in those 9 months.” During that time, she was writing her book, Star Struck & Starlette, and wanted some great step-by-step photos. She found it very helpful to be working on a quilt while she was writing because it helped her to find just the right words to describe to others how to do each step. Cheryl believes, “We continue to learn as we teach others along the way.” Cheryl was happily surprised to win the Best Use of Color Award as she usually competes in the Hand Quilting or Innovative categories. Cheryl used her prize money to buy more fabric to make more quilts. “It’s funny how the next quilt doesn’t ever seem to use up much of my stash!” remarked Cheryl. What is next for Cheryl? “I love all handwork and I love innovative quilts or the unexpected. With my next quilts, I hope to surprise and inspire more quilters to see hand quilting as more than just traditional. I want to keep hand quilting alive and continue to teach new quilters how to quilt by hand.” Another one of Cheryl’s future plans is that she will be teaching four classes at Road 2016: on Thursday, 4015R English Paper Piecing Technique, on Friday, 5013R Innovative Hand Quilting, on Saturday, 6012R Hexie Daisy and on Sunday, 7012R Innovative Hand Quilting. To learn more about Cheryl, please visit her website.]]>

Tags: Award Winning Quilts, Cheryl L. See, Hand Quilting, Innovative Quilting, National Quilt Museum
Posted in Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | 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 »