Hawaiian quilt array photo

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When you think of applique, think of us!
Newsletter
Applique - We share your passion!
Issue: #37

October 2012

In This Issue
ZEBRAS: Go wild!
RAINBOW OVER LANA'I: Variety is the spice of life
MAUI QUILT SHOP: A gem in Kihei
COMING EVENTS
Quick Links
Visit Our Website
Patterns

CURRENT

INTERNET SPECIAL

Black with white stripes or white with black stripes? You decide!

Zebras inverted
Zebras

Sale Price: $10.00

(Regular Price: $12.00)

click here

 

 Postage image

I HAVE A NOTION

Introducing you to the notions Nancy and Janice use.
 

Pattern Transfer Paper

 

Pattern Transfer Paper

We have mentioned this in previous e-Newsletters, but think it bears repeating when we are talking about the Zebras quilt.

It can be difficult, if not impossible, to trace the pattern lines for a 2 Fabric Applique Quilt (2FAQ) on very dark fabric, even with a light box. Enter our Pattern Transfer Paper! (PTP)

 

Lay the dark applique fabric on a hard surface, right side up; place the chalky side of the PTP down; place the pattern, right side up, on top; and pin the layers together. Now, using a dull pencil, chalk pencil, or ball point pen just draw the lines of the pattern.

 

Detailed instructions are included with the PTP. Each sheet is 18" x 24" - large enough to mark half of a 2FAQ quilt. Just slide the paper over to mark the second half, or tape two sheets together.

 

Individual sheets in your choice of red, blue, yellow or white are $5.75. An assorted pack, with one sheet of each of the four colors, is $20. Click here to purchase.
 

HALLOWEEN

Creativity in action

 

Look at what Georgia White did with our Halloween quilt!  We love this, and know it will spark more ideas of what you can do with our patterns, too.

 

Georgia cut out bats and numbered them to make a countdown wall hanging for her niece. What a great idea! (Go to our 2FAQ Gallery to see a larger picture of this quilt.)

Countdown to Halloween
Countdown to Halloween by Georgia White

Halloween. 24" x 36", $12.00


Another obvious pattern to do this with is Candlelight, for Christmas. What other 2FAQ patterns could be used in a similar fashion? Perhaps a countdown to a birthday or anniversary.

 

BIG ISLAND QUILT SHOP HOP

You'll find us there - February 1-11!
 

Our schedule for fun events on the Big Island of Hawaii during their Shop Hop is nearly set. See the Calendar, below right, for the dates.

 

Contact Karen at Quilt Passions, or Donna at Pahala Quilting for more details and to register. Watch the Calendar and Special Interest pages on our website, too.

 

We sure hope to see you there!

 

Big Island Shop Hop

February 1-23, 2013

Passports available beginning January 15, 2013

 

Go the Big Island Shop Hop Facebook page.
 

DESIGN YOUR PERSONAL HAWAIIAN QUILT

Read the Reviews!

We are pleased to see that now three quilting publications have picked our new book for review:
 

The Applique Society Newsletter, Sept/Oct 2012, pages 8-11. An interview with both of us and a review of our book. If you don't know about The Applique Society, read more below.

 

QLab Staff Picks, Quilters Newsletter,
 
October/November 2012 issue, page 58.

 

Book Reviews, American Quilter, 
November 2012 issue, page 16.

Here is one quote from this review: "...these talented sisters--who have been immersed in Hawaiian quilting for over 30 years--infuse the design process with island charm and down-to-earth instruction."

(Note: If you are a member of the American Quilter's Society you can purchase the book and DVD set from them at a discounted price.)


 

DYPHQ-yellow background
You may be interested to know that we do not write these reviews. We submit a review copy of our book/DVD to the editors of magazines with a cover letter to capture their attention. From there they write what they publish. We don't pay them, they don't pay us. We wait with baited breath to see what they say, and we have been pleased!

THE APPLIQUE SOCIETY (TAS)

Are you a member?

 

NO? Become a member today. During their Membership Drive, if you sign-up online and put "PRQC" in the Chapter Name field; or, if you send in a paper membership form and put "PRQC" in the lower right corner - Nancy and I could earn a few perks.  Mahalo!

  

TAS exists to promote, to teach, to encourage the love of ALL types of applique in quilting. Their newsletter is "bursting at the seams with great information. Interviews with talented quilt artists, information on happenings in the world of applique, articles on trends, tips and techniques, book reviews and original patterns donated to TAS for use in their newsletter. Many times these patterns are not found in any other source."

 

Once you are a member, you can join a local Chapter, attend retreats, and more.

If you love applique, as much as we think you do, you will love TAS. TAS website

 

  If you received this Newsletter from a friend, sign-up to receive future issues here:
Join Our Mailing List

 

Greetings!  

 

Nothing like a little public embarrassment to put things into perspective. Thank you to all of you who sent messages of forgiveness and encouragement after my earlier screw-up.  Here are two of my favorites: "You no doubt have made many people feel better about themselves, Janice. I'm sure I speak for many others when I state that we all get distracted and make errors, and we feel better when we realize that we're all humans and that our errors aren't life-threatening and can be corrected. Relax and have a nice cup of tea, or whatever it takes to restore your face to its natural color." And, "Heck, if that's the worst thing that happens to us, we're blessed." Isn't it odd that sometimes it is our mistakes that help us to put things into their proper perspective? I appreciate your understanding and good humor.
 
October is a great month! The fleeting colors of fall seem to peak in October. More than that, I think Halloween has become a wonderfully creative holiday. What other holiday has us searching out (and making!) the perfect unique mask or costume; lets us carve up pumpkins in scary, funny, amazing ways; has us decorating with purple, orange, acid green, and black; lets us host parties where we dunk for apples, eat treats that look like eye balls or severed hands; and lets us just be a kid again? Let your creativity come alive this month.  It is all in good fun.  BOO! 

 

E komo mai,
Welcome, 

Nancy & Janice 

ZEBRAS - Go wild!

Creative options

 

ZebrasSpeaking of creativity. "What", you ask, "can be done with the Zebras quilt to make it mine? How can I approach this pattern in a really creative way?" Let's think about this for a minute.


First, how about changing up the colors? Everyone knows zebras are white with black stripes, or are they black with white stripes? No matter, why not make your zebras purple and green, or blue and gold? Maybe even rainbow?

 

Make the Baby a different color than Momma and the frame.

 

Or, add a thought bubble over their heads as though these two are carrying on a conversation. Yes, inject some humor.

 

Choose, or create, a landscape background fabric.

 

Or, off-set these zebras in a larger quilt by adding borders to the top and right (or left and bottom) to include more animals. Use batik blocks with giraffes, lions, elephants; or novelty prints, applique, embroidery, stamping or stenciling. These blocks don't have to be large, perhaps six or eight inches each.

 

Why not make a larger quilt by adding multiple borders, either pieced or applique. (Speaking of borders, take a look at the Halloween quilt, below left, for a great idea.)

 

Another way to enlarge the quilt is to flip the pattern and trace another Baby zebra. Perhaps reduce it somewhat and put it to the left of the Momma.

 

To make the quilt smaller, creatively crop it. Use Momma's or Baby's face on a pillow, block, tote bag, placemat, or garment. Creatively crop again for a tablerunner.

 

Who will turn this quilt into a Halloween costume?

 

By now, you get the idea. A pattern is one thing, what you do with it is a whole 'nuther thing. Go wild, then send us pictures.

 

HINT: Make photo copies of the cover photo and play around with your ideas on paper before committing to fabric.

 

Zebras: 24" x 36", Normally this pattern sells for $12.00, but for a limited time you can purchase it for only $10.00. Buy It Now!

 

Choose from any of our Fabric Packs to get the wild colors you want for your Zebras start looking here.
 

 

RAINBOW OVER LANA'I
Variety is the spice of life  

 

We have been telling you about our book and DVD set,
Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt, for several months.  Sales are going really well. (We are thrilled, mahalo!) But, we know there are some of you who are reluctant because you still think it is just too overwhelming. We wish there was a way we could make you believe us, that if you can cut with scissors you can design your own Hawaiian quilt (of any size)*. But, here is another approach that you may find more to your liking.Rainbow Over Lana'i

 

We describe this approach using our Rainbow Over Lana'i quilt pattern, but know that this can be done with any of our Hawaiian quilt patterns.

 

Let's say that you really like the look of this pattern, but you are not thrilled about the pineapples. You want a quilt with dogwood, or plumeria, or pots of gold under the rainbows! (And who wouldn't want pots of gold?!) If that's the case, it is a simple matter of replacing the pineapples on the pattern with whatever you want. You don't even need to be able to draw dogwood, plumeria, or pots of gold. We use Google Images, coloring books, magazine pictures and our own photos all the time to get ideas. Find an image you like, trace the outline of it, alter it if you want, then reduce or enlarge it to fill the space originally occupied by the pineapples. 

  • Notice there are several different sizes of pineapples, so vary the sizes of the motifs you are substituting. 
  • Where a single pineapple is in the pattern, you can place a cluster of smaller flowers.
  • Put symmetrical motifs on the fold, and put asymmetrical motifs between the folds.
  • Use a mix of motifs. For a full garden put one flower in the corners, a different one on the sides, another smaller one on the diagonal folds under the rainbows, and a fourth one in the center.

It is that easy to customize a pattern to make it exactly what you want.

 

More ideas: Use just the center medallion of this pattern to make a quilt with no border. Or put this border around a different medallion.

 

Rainbow Over Lana'i: Makes a bed-sized quilt from 84" square up to king-size! The pattern is $15.00. Buy it here.

 

Read more about this pattern in our January 2010 e-Newsletter.
 

* TIP: Even if you don't want to design a Hawaiian quilt, you will find plenty of creative design ideas you can apply to other styles of quilts if you just let your imagination go wild with our book and DVD. This month is about creativity. What will you create?  

 
 

 


REMINDER:
 We do need to remind you that when you start with an existing pattern, no amount of variation makes it a unique design that you can copyright. The original copyright stays with the original pattern designer. If you want a design you can copyright, you need to start from scratch and design your own. (And that's when our book/DVD would be perfect for you!)

 

MAUI QUILT SHOP

A gem in KiheiMaui Quilt Shop
 

 
When navigating around any of the Hawaiian Islands it is helpful to be familiar with these two Hawaiian words: mauka and makai. Mauka means mountain, so if something is mauka, it means it is inland, or in the direction of the mountain. If something is located makai, it means it is toward the ocean, or on the ocean side of the street. This is a really convenient way of giving directions on an island,

Maui Quilt Shop - Marilyn
Marilyn, Maui Quilt Shop owner, with a quilt from our Welcome pattern.

where left, right, north, south lose their meaning.

 

Why do we tell you this now? Because when you head out to find the Maui Quilt Shop, you need to know that it is in the makai side of the Azeka Shopping Center, which is separated by the main road through Kihei and has both a mauka and a makai side. And we don't want you to waste one minute of shopping time wandering on the wrong side of the street!

 

Once there, Marilyn and her talented, warm, and caring staff (Cheryl, Tabitha, Marsha and Elyn) will do an amazing job of helping you find the perfect supplies for your quilt projects, and souvenirs of your vacation in paradise. "Our fabric focus is tropicals and batiks with a good mix of Asian prints. We also sell unique gift items made by local crafters, things you won't find in other tourist shops."

 

Whether you live on Maui, or are visiting, you will want to sign-up for a 2-hour class on Fridays with Elyn, who will get you started on your Hawaiian quilt, while she shares her knowledge of Hawaiian quilts. No more than six people in a class assures you will get personal attention. "During the Whale-watching Season (Thanksgiving through Easter) we hold a second Hawaiian quilt session on Saturday, if the Friday class fills up. We also schedule a variety of Make It-Take It sessions, so call ahead to find out what is happening and to reserve your spot."
 

Maui Quilt Shop - Herd quilt display
Herd of Turtles on display at
Maui Quilt Shop

When I told Marilyn that Nancy often receives reports from happy quilters who have picked up stunning fabric kits with our patterns from the Maui Quilt Shop,  Marilyn replied, "We just put together fabrics that we like. The girls on my staff are avid quilters, who love fabric and have a really good sense of color." Then she went on to tell me, "I count my blessings every day for good customers and wonderful staff."


Put the Maui Quilt Shop on your list the next time you visit Maui. And say "Aloha" to Marilyn and her staff from Nancy and Janice while you are there!

 

Maui Quilt Shop, 808-874-8050

 

LANGA LAPU SUN-PRINT FABRIC SPECIAL

Langa Lapu 460We have seven king-size sun-printed fabrics in stock from Langa Lapu. These amazing fabrics are sun-printed, by hand in South Africa.  Sizes are in the 110" x 112" range. Normal price is $125.00.  These seven pieces have been marked down to $100! Get yours before they are all sold.  Click here.

Remember, $2.00 ships any order to the US or Canada.


Read more about Langa Lapu in our December 2011 e-Newsletter.

COMING EVENTS

Nancy's Whereabouts:

 

Things are beginning to wind down in 2012, with more exciting things planned for 2013. Remember to register early!

 

Upcoming Shows, Classes, and Events:

  • Oct 11-13, Oregon Coastal Quilters, Newport, OR
  • Nov 1-4, A Quilters Gathering, Manchester, NH - This is a popular event, register now for Nancy's classes! Some are already full.
  • Nov 10-11, Empire Quilters, New York City
  • Feb 1, Hawaiian Applique class with Nancy at Pahala Quilting on the Big Island of Hawaii
  • Feb 5, Join us at Quilt Passions in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, for a day of free demonstrations.
  • Feb 7, Nancy and Janice will guest-host a bus from Pahala Quilting to the quilt shops in Volcano and Hilo, on the Big Island.
  • Feb 8, Join us at Pahala Quilting in Pahala, on the Big Island, for a day of free demonstrations.
  • Feb 11, 2FAQ class with Nancy at Quilt Passions, Kona, Hawaii
  • Mar 13-14, Nancy will be teaching at the American Quilt Society (AQS) Show in Lancaster, PA
  • Mar 24-31, Cruise and applique with Nancy from New Orleans through the Western Caribbean!
  • April 2-4, Take a Mystery Applique class from Nancy at The Applique Society retreat in Seabeck, WA.
  • April 5, Hawaiian Applique class at Quilted Strait, Port Gamble, WA
Register early for classes.  They can fill quickly, or be canceled if not enough people register in advance.

 

Click CALENDAR for details and contact information.

 

Schedule Nancy now for your show or event in 2013 and 2014. If you would like her to come to your area to teach, let your quilt shop, quilt guild, or show organizer know. Print Nancy's Brochure and pass it along. 

 

QuiltUniversity.com

If you do not live where you can take a class from Nancy in person, then perhaps a class at Quilt University would work for you.

"No tests. No grades. No Pressure. New classes open every weekend from January until the end of October. Students receive a password to an online classroom with a teacher-led Discussion Forum and Student Gallery. A typical class consists of three or four lessons."

 

Registration for all classes that begin in January, 2013, will open the last Friday in November. 


Thank you for spending a little of your precious time with us, we really appreciate it. Remember to send us your stories, pictures, questions, or suggestions. We love to hear from you.

A hui hou,
Until next time,

Nancy & Janice