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Applique - We share your passion!

Issue: #70

January 2016

In This Issue

BREADFRUIT - Hawaiian Quilt Pattern - Creative Abundance

PEACE - 2 Fabric Applique Pattern - Finding Peace Within

CREATIVITY - 6th in our series

NANCY'S ACADEMY of QUILTING CLASSES - Exciting Changes

COMING EVENTS

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CURRENT

INTERNET SPECIAL

Breadfruit

Hawaiian Quilt

Sale Price: $10.00

(Regular Price: $12.00)

purchase here

$2 US postage

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Dog and Daisy

Mark and I have decided we would like to donate a portion of the sales from our Dog and Daisy Pattern to Guide Dogs for the Blind. The model for Dog and Daisy was our Career Change Dog, Butch.

After I raised three puppies for Guide Dogs I thought it was time to have a pet dog again. At this point we applied for what Guide Dogs calls a "Career Change Dogs." These are dogs that do not make it as Guide Dogs for various reasons. Just like people, not everyone is meant for every job. Butch wanted to be a pet and we were the lucky ones to be able to adopt him. It seems appropriate that GDB profit from the pattern.

Dog and Daisy:

Two Fabric Applique Pattern, 24x36. $12.00

Purchase yours here.

STUDENT QUESTIONS

The Truth about Fraying

Question: How do I prevent fraying?

Nancy's Answer: I have been making large Hawaiian quilts since 1978, so I have experience with quilts that take a long time to applique! I have one that I started in 1990, so it has been in-progress for over 25 years, it is nearly 1/3 appliqued. (Obviously I have not worked on it every day, and occasionally not even every year), you may be surprised to know that it is no more frayed today than the first couple of days when I basted it.

In my experience fabric frays (tiny loose threads fall away) only for the first 24-36 hours that you work with it after cutting it. The really interesting thing is that quality fabric frays only a tiny amount. Since I turn under (and teach everyone to turn under) a 3/16" seam allowance, even if a bit of fraying has occurred, that fraying never comes anywhere near the fold I am creating as I turn under my seam allowance.

I don't even give these stray ends a thought because they are just part of what happens when you work with fabric, but they never fray enough that they would interfere with the edge I am sewing or compromise the applique.

Fraying becomes a real problem if you tuck under a very tiny amount of seam allowance (1/8"). So, if you hate fraying, use quality fabrics and make sure you have and use a 3/16" seam allowance then your 'enemy' goes away.

I HAVE A NOTION

Clover Needle Threader

Desk Needle Threader

by Clover. Don't let the price scare you off. You will never regret purchasing this miracle threader. Quickly thread most needles, including quilting betweens with quilting thread! We LOVE this threader, you will too!!

This is absolutely one of my favorite notions. I love to use #11 Straw needles when I applique and they have a small eye. I never have any problems threading my needle with this threader.

Desk Needle Threader: by Clover. Just $16.50. Purchase yours here.

DESIGN YOUR HAWAIIAN QUILT WITH NANCY LEE CHONG!

4-day Event March 21-24 2016.

You don't want to miss this rare opportunity to design and start your personal Hawaiian quilt at this very affordable 4-day retreat in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. Join Nancy at the Treacy Levine Center (TLC) in rural Skagit County, near Arlington, WA, for this intimate retreat experience.

In the first 2 days you will

design your very own Hawaiian quilt in whatever size you want (from wall quilt to bed-sized quilt). In the next 2 days Nancy will get you started making your quilt, demonstrating what you need to know to finish it on your own.

No prerequisites, you only need the desire to design your unique Hawaiian quilt. All skill levels welcome. Drawing skills are not necessary. If you can cut paper you can do this.

Visit the TLC website

for more details and to sign up for this exciting & creative workshop. Hurry, you don't want it to be filled up before you reserve your spot!

Note:

If you live nearby a

commuter option is available for an amazing price! Sleep in your own home at night, but enjoy the class, meals and amenities during the day.

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

While it may not be possible to predict the future, it is with a sense of optimism and hope that we look to 2016. Abundance and Creativity are what I wish for all of you as we begin this new year.

How many of you enjoy getting a fortune cookie? I love getting them and it is with a type of odd ritual that Mark and I take turns opening our cookies and reading them to each other. Most of the time they are quite positive and very uplifting. However, having said that, Mark was cooking a stir-fry for us and decided to purchase a couple of cookies from the bulk bin at our local supermarket. After dinner he brought out a plate with our cookies and here are the fortunes we received... "You will make a change for the better. Try Politics." And the other was "An alien of some sort will be appearing to you shortly." Now, aren't those a bit scary? We had a good laugh over these.

Fortune cookies have a way of making us stop and take a moment to reflect on where we are going.

You will find Mark and I at the Oregon Garden Quilt Show "Stitches in Bloom" in Silverton, OR, January 22-24. We hope many of you will come to visit and shop with us!

We are going to have an awesome and exciting 2016. How about you?

E komo mai,

Welcome,

Connie & Nancy

BREADFRUIT: HAWAIIAN QUILT

Creative Abundance

I would like to share a story about the Breadfruit from our book "Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt" (page 9).

"One story tells of a woman drying sheets on her lawn near a breadfruit tree. The shadow cast on her sheets by the tree caught her attention, and inspired her to cut her first Hawaiian quilt from her sheet, using the breadfruit as her design. Since ancient times, the breadfruit, or 'ulu, has been a symbol of abundance to Hawaiians. So, it is said, if your first quilt is of a breadfruit, you will be blessed with an abundance of creativity and quilts."

This makes the Breadfruit pattern the perfect pattern to begin your 2016.

Breadfruit, Hawaiian Quilt Pattern 42" square. Normally this pattern sells for $12.00. For a limited time it is the Internet Special for just $10.00. Purchase yours here.

For those of you looking for a larger Breadfruit quilt, check out our Na Ulu of Hawaii, Hawaiian Bed Quilt Pattern 84"x84" up to 108"x126". Just $15.00. Purchase yours here.

Hawaiian quilts are visually complex--but very easy to make.

Nancy Lee Chong has been teaching Hawaiian quilting for over 30 years. Now you can learn just how easy it is to make your own Hawaiian quilt from one of the best. With this video you will learn Nancy's stress-free approach to needleturn applique and hand quilting while making your Hawaiian quilt.
Just $35.00. Purchase yours here.

PEACE: TWO FABRIC APPLIQUE PATTERN

Finding Peace Within

With the beginning of the New Year, I am inspired by a quote I saw:

"Don't let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your Peace!" Kimberly Jones

With so much happening in the world around us, I find there are times when I am at a loss as to what to do. I think staying calm, creative and positive is the best way to come into the New Year!

The Peace hexagram in the upper left corner is from the ancient I-Ching; and the Peace glyph in the circle is a modern Chinese character.

What colors will you choose?

Peace,

Two Fabric Applique Pattern. 24x36, $12.00.

Purchase yours here.

Be sure to visit our Gallery of 2 Fabric Applique Quilts to see examples of this quilt done in a variety of colors. Scroll to near the bottom of the page to find them.

CREATIVITY

6th in our series of suggestions for ways to kick-start, or to continue stimulating YOUR creative juices

Creativity can seem elusive at times. If you find yourself struggling, it can be helpful to think of it as a process with specific steps. When you have some steps to follow it helps you navigate through what otherwise seems murky, confusing, or frustrating. Last month we began with the first two steps: 1) Motivation, and 2) Preparation. Let's now take a look at the next steps: 3) Incubation, 4) Illumination and 5) Implementation.

3. Incubation can be thought of as a current that runs silently in the background, just below the surface, from the moment of your first inspiration through the Preparation and beyond. What you may be searching for are more design ideas, or different processes to give form to your vision. You may find that looking at photos, watching how-to videos and practicing a number of different techniques while considering your idea will help to crystallize your thoughts. Ideas surface; you see images, colors or shapes from anywhere that spark new ideas; you imagine different ways of putting things together; consider different materials; play with outlandish or seemingly impossible ideas. All the while learning more and more about what you do and don't like as your vision becomes clearer, leading to the next step.

4. Illumination. This is the moment when you heave a sigh or shout "Aha!" Finally, your scattered thoughts take shape, your vision is not only clear but so too may be the path you will take to accomplish your vision. Now with a clear vision and plan you can move to the fifth step.

5. Implementation. This is the action step you have yearned for. This is when you move what is in your mind to what is in your hands. Now is when your ideas take physical form and you are creating! Yeah!

Remember, these steps are not necessarily sequential, nor are they 'one and done' activities. You may find yourself circling through the steps multiple times; steps may overlap; or you may find yourself doing the first 4 steps nearly all at once in a matter of moments or in just a few days, while at other times each step may take weeks or longer. There is no right or wrong. It is what it will be. If you are stuck review the steps, consider where you are in the process, what have you forgotten to do, what can you do again or more of, what is next?

Next month we'll consider the ambiance of creativity. Hhhmmm, wonder what that is...?

NANCY'S ACADEMY OF QUILTING CLASSES

Exciting Changes to Nancy's Classes

Academy of Quilting

Beginning January 2016, all of Nancy's online classes at Academy of Quilting are going to be "on demand." (Except the Hawaiian Quilting 101, and that will go on demand in February.) That means you can take any of Nancy's classes any time you want. Here's how it works:

Go to www.academyofquilting.com and click the ON-DEMAND button near the top of the page. You will see an alphabetical list of all the classes that are offered all the time. This means you can take any of Nancy's classes any time you want not just twice a year as they used to be scheduled!

Here is a listing of Nancy's classes that are on-demand. Check them out:

BALTIMORE BASICS:

Let Nancy open up for you a new world of possibilities in this class devoted to appliqu�. She shares hints about fabric selection, fabric placement and her stress-free techniques for needleturn appliqu� so you will be able to make whatever your heart desires. Click here for more information.

BEGINNING HAND QUILTING:

Whether you have never quilted at all or need helpful hints to improve your hand quilting, this class is for you. Using a delightful heart pattern or your own quilt top, Nancy will teach you several methods for hand quilting.
Click here for more information.

CELTIC KNOT TABLE RUNNER:

Celtic knotwork designs are captivating because of their intricacy and symmetry. Do not let that frighten you away. Now you can learn Nancy's stress-free methods and discover how easy it is to make this tablerunner.

Click here for more information.

HAWAIIAN QUILTING 101:

(Note: this class has one more traditional class,4 lessons - Next Start Date: 29 January 2016. This class will be available ON-DEMAND after this class is over.)

Hawaiian quilts are visually striking because of their sophistication, symmetry, and strong contrasting colors. They look difficult to make and yet are surprisingly easy.
Click here for more information.

MAKE YOUR OWN HAWAIIAN QUILT:

Even though Hawaiian quilts look difficult, they are surprisingly easy! In this class, Nancy will show you the easy step-by-step techniques to hand sew a Hawaiian quilt, as well as how to design your very own.
Click here for more information.

TWO FABRIC APPLIQUE: If you want a positive applique experience, this is the class for you. Nancy's unique and bold design concept is easier than you can imagine, making these quilts fast, fun and portable.
Click here for more information.

Here are just a few of the advantages to taking these classes ON-DEMAND:

No set dates; classes will be available all year, all the time.
Instead of a Classroom Forum, there is a "comment/question" area found at the bottom of the welcome page and all lessons. These comments and questions are sent to Nancy, and she will respond right away.
Students have the advantage of signing up when they know they can start; they don't have to wait.
Students can work at their own pace.
Comments and questions are posted at the end of each lesson, so everyone can see them with Nancy's responses. When lessons are printed the comments and responses are too.

COMING EVENTS

Connie & Nancy's Whereabouts:

2016 brings many opportunities to meet Connie and Nancy, or take a class from Nancy. Here are places where you can find one or both of us, watch a presentation at a shop or guild, or find us at a quilt show. Most guilds welcome visitors, so don't be shy.

Make your plans now for one or more of these events:

2016 Shows, Classes, and Events:

Jan 22-24, Silverton, OR. "Stitches in Bloom" Quilt Show at the Oregon Garden.
Jan 27-28, Florence, OR. Class and program with Nancy at the Rhododendron Quilt Guild
Feb 29-March 5, Williamsburg, VA. 3 classes with Nancy at Academy of Applique!
Mar 11-13, Monroe, WA. "Quilting in Paradise" Quilt Show.
Mar 21-25, Mount Vernon, WA. Design and start your personal Hawaiian quilt with Nancy at the Treacy Levine Center at the March 2016 Quilting Event.
April 1-2, Kennewick, WA. "Quilts for all Seasons" Quilt Show at the Three Rivers Convention Center
May 14-15, Grants Pass, OR. "Rogue Valley Piecemakers" Quilt Show

Register NOW 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 2016, 2017 and beyond. 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.

Piggy-backing is good!

Nancy is always eager to teach or speak at more than one location when she travels. If she is able to book multiple events, then each group shares in her travel expenses. So it is really an economical and efficient way to book. If you see that Nancy will be anywhere near* you, then contact her to see if additional engagements can be arranged during the same trip. That way EVERYONE WINS!

*Remember, Nancy is traveling from Washington State. So near means that if she will be in Virginia even Florida is near. Think regionally.

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 hearing from you.

A hui hou,
Until next time,

Connie & Nancy

Copyright

Contents of this newsletter copyright January 2016 by Pacific Rim Quilt Company. No part of this newsletter may be used in any form or reproduced in any media without written consent of Pacific Rim Quilt Company (PRQC).

Items made from our patterns and the articles in this newsletter may be used for personal use only. Items made from PRQC patterns may not be sold or used for commercial purposes. Copyrights on individual artworks not made from our patterns are retained by the artists.

Go to our website to read more specifics: Copyrights

Mahalo for your kokua
Thank you for your understanding