Liberty, Purl, Soho

No, not the Statue of Liberty. Liberty of London fabrics. I've seen several bloggers talking about these fabrics, but at $34/yard, I wanted to touch and feel them before making any online purchases. We wandered the streets of Soho and just when I called it quits trying to find The Purl Bee, I looked across the street and saw the big P on the front door of their shop.

What a lovely shop, lots of choices, staff was very friendly and helpful and it was buzzing with activity. Quilters, knitters, crafters, all coming together in one place. I think I would be a regular there if I lived in Manhattan.

Here was my big purchase, enough to make a square scarf and contrast binding. I'm almost finished the hand sewing.
As for living in Manhattan, well, I'm not so sure. I put a lot of miles on my feet, but here are some of my favorite shots while walking around Soho.

Make sure you watch your clock when you park here! As usual, you can click all my photos for a larger view.

Fire escapes which I'm sure become balconies in the hot weather.

OK, we walked into this clothing store and they had 900, yes, 900 sewing machines.  I don't think I looked at one piece of clothing while my girlfriend shopped.

You know I was looking at this,

and this,

and this!

Of course I can't leave without another Red & White post.  The quilting on this one was marvelous.  The maker used dark thread in some parts, she used knots as part of her design on the top of the quilt. 

Here is more detail of the quilting.

A beautiful appliqued piece.

Even the fashion stores got in on the Red & White love! The pattern on the hand bag would make a great block.

There are so many places showing the Red & White show, so if you can't get enough of it, check out Pat Sloan's Red & White blog, Liz over at Quilterie has a list on her sidebar of blogs with Red & White, or, for a photo extravaganza, go here to the Folk Art Museums Flickr site where 100's have posted 1000's of photos.
I ventured out to Fabric-Etc Saturday afternoon and got a yard of creamy white to work with the yard of Rich Red. I liked the look of the naturals rather than stark white. Now I'm ready to start playing with ideas for a two color quilt!
Hope you got to stitch this weekend.
Sharon

NYC Stimulus

Most of my retail therapy was done prior to going to NYC but I knew that a few things would beg to come home with me. My box arrived yesterday. Yes, I had my purhcases shipped. I packed a carry on and really didn't have room for many extras on the return trip, plus it's just easier that way. I think every quilter that went to NYC last week now owns this book.

What an encyclopedia of quilts, the photos are amazing. I have only flipped through once so far, but I know this will bring me hours of enjoyment and inspiration.

I went to the Red and White show on Monday and by then some of the gift items I was going to purchase had sold out, namely the magnet set. Not to worry, there was a lot of other items to purchase. Here are my souvenirs on a yard of Rich Red that I picked up at City Quilter.

I couldn't resist this Stamp pattern as well. They had the sky fabric in stock so a yard of that made it's way into my suitcase as well. They have so many great NYC fabrics so if you haven't checked them out, click here

So I did really well, resisting all the gorgeous fabrics and treasures and trinkets. And then after seeing this post over at Humble Quilts, I went here. One yard of red isn't enough for a two color quilt. Now a package with 10 yards of Rich Red Kona solids is making it's way across the country to my sewing room. It's all Lori's fault, she tempted me with her post!
I see some two colored quilts in my future.
Stitch something today,
Sharon

Folk Art Museums

During my visit to NYC I took some time to visit both Folk Art Museums.  The amount of quilts on display right now is small, but they are amazing.  I have to admit to not having any interest or knowledge of folk art prior to quilting, and now I find it quite interesting.   Since you cannot use any flash, my photos aren't the best.  These museums are definitely worth visiting.
Incredible hand quilting on this piece.

 The polka dot fabric caught my eye.  Lemoyne stars that were about 4 or 5 inches.

Civil War Bride Quilt.  The work and creativity in this piece is amazing.

 I loved the cheddar and green combo.

There's no doubt when this quilt was made. LOVE the date on the front so big and bold.

This was the feature quilt at the Lincoln St location. It was made with two fabrics and it's beautiful.

I just love everything about this piece.  The inner border really adds charm.  Using a printed fabric as your color gives your quilt a lot more interest.  You get a srcappy look while only using one print, it's an excellent design element in quilting.  We can learn a lot by looking at quilts from the past.
Sharon

A Few More Red & White Photos

After looking at so many photos of this show, I've had a "hmmmmm" moment. Look at this first photo. Notice that all the quilts are paired with another quilt that is exactly the same size? I guess when you have 650 to work with, the chances of matching them up with another one the same size is pretty good. What a show!

This on really caught my eye. I have to say it was one of my favorites.  Simple, graphic and interesting quilting. It has a very modern look to it.  Diamonds? Square in a square? Lattice work?  I like it!

Click on the photos to see the beautiful hand quilting.

There's a lot of history in this one.  Looks like enough signatures to be everyone in a small town!

 This was one of my favorites. I like the simplicity of the appliqued border.  Since I don't know any history of this quilt, this is just my take on it.  Notice where the red is missing?  Click to enlarge.  To me it looks like there was a mishap with this quilt and someone repaired red pieces and since they didn't have the exact red, they used cream.

 Here's the close up.  What do you think?  What was so interesting about these quilts is that not only are they two color, they are two fabric.  Today we make so many scrappy quilts that are two color but we don't often have yards and yards of just two pieces. Maybe they didn't have any more red but thought the cream would be an easier match?  It changes the whole look of the quilt, I think it adds charm and gives it a twist!  My kind of quilt.

If you have the technology, you can go here to get the App for this show.  We'll have to wait 18 - 24 months for the printed catalog of this show, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.
Sharon

Red and White Extravaganza - Part 2

NYC is amazing. There is never a lack of things to see and do. While I was there for four days, I figured that since millions of New Yorkers used the subway, I should learn how their system works. After a few minutes of conversation with one of New York's finest, I was ready to tackle my travels. I also put a lot of miles on my feet.
We checked into the Lexington Raddison at Lex and 48th, so we were only a few blocks north of Grand Central Station. What an amazing building! There are lots of fabulous architecture throughout the city, everywhere you look.
Some of the old.....
This one has a quilt painted on it!

And some of the new. Trump Towers at Central Park

I spent several hours with Victoria and B at the Red and White show,

This was the surprise quilt, click on the photo for a closer look. The piecer has managed to add cheddar to this feathered star and it's gorgeous.

My travel mate arrived and we hit the pavement. Our mission was to walk through Central Park and make our way up to MOMA. We took a road that went from east to west through the park. Unfortunately it did exactly that, it went right through. No trails off of it, so we had to back track once we reached the west side. I wanted to see the Carousel and when we got there it was closed for renovations. We can thank Donald Trump. He is funding the restoration of this part of Central Park. The doors were open but gated off.

Workers had tossed their jackets and work gear over the horses that were visible from the gate. I was hoping to get a photo of the carousel, but not while the horses were all covered. Just then, a man arrived and went in through the gate. He looked like a job supervisor, so I politely asked if he could please move some of the workers coats. He made a smart reply and I was hoping he would oblige me. Then he asked if I wanted my picture taken on Bubbles, the lead horse. I squealed with delight and was through the gate like lightening.

OK so the carousel wasn't going round and round, but how delightful to get inside and see the beautiful and ornate horses up close. And to have my photo taken on the lead horse! Thank you, Mr. Trump, for supporting the reno's and hiring such a terrific guy!
The weather was clear and cold every day, but if you watched for the sunny side of the street and kept moving when it got windy, it wasn't too bad.

Central Park was a bit drab, the trees haven't broken out in blooms or leaves, bulbs have poked their heads up but haven't opened up with color.

It is an amazing park, you could spend days walking through and around it.

Some kids had some chalk and wrote on the walkway. "Create your Dream" As quilters, we try to do this every day, and seeing this show was definitely the highlight of my quilting travels and adventures.
Sharon