Quilts in the Vineyard

I just received notice today of the Quilts in the Vineyard event this coming weekend, held annually at Gillis of Belleisle Vineyard in Springfield NB. Info is listed on the sidebar under Quilt Shows and Upcoming Events. If you would like to enter a quilt for show or sale, it can be dropped off this week at Town and Country Quilts in Rothesay. Remember this is an outdoor show, so choose quilts accordingly. New additions this year are a Blueberry Stomp for the little ones and a Blueberry Bake Sale.
 

Update on Slab Quilts for Calgary...

Just thought those of you who made slab blocks for Calgary might like an update - Cheryl has received over 1900 slab blocks! And that doesn't include the finished tops she received! Isn't that great? Quilters are indeed a kind and generous bunch! You can visit Cheryl's blog HERE to see some of the quilt tops that have been put together with the donated blocks. Look closely, you might spy your block there!
EDIT AUG. 28:  You can view another round of Slab quilt tops by clicking here! I think I counted 29 more tops together and ready for quilting. Wow! Isn't this great?!!

Another Show on the List

I am doing my best to keep the list of Quilt Shows and Events on our sidebar up to date. This weekend I received notice of a Show in PEI this fall that might interest you: St. Paul's Anglican Church in Charlottetown proudly presents "Stories in Stitches- Quilts, Hooked Rugs and other Gems" Tuesday Sept. 24 to Saturday Sept. 28th, 2013. A feast for the eyes and soul in one of architect William Critchlow Harris's outstanding 19th century churches. Come and enjoy the colourful artistic creativity of Maritime quilters, rug hookers and embroiderers. Open weekdays from 10a.m. to 4p.m. and Saturday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. The admission fee of $5.00 is in support of church ministries. 
St. Paul's is located at the corner of Grafton and Prince Streets. For more information or to register a submission, call 1-902-892-1691. Deadline for registration is September 6. Sounds like a good reason for a little jaunt to beautiful PEI in September!
We have several other September shows coming up closer to home too: Miramichi QG Show on Sept. 14-15, KVQG Show the next weekend Sept. 19-21 and then the following Saturday Sept. 28 Gorge QG in Grand Falls presents their show. All details are on the sidebar. I hope you'll start making plans now to fill your car with friends for a day trip to support our fellow Guilds and see their work.
Just a reminder, if you were planning to enter a quilt or two in the KV Show in Quispamsis, their deadline is coming up quickly- registrations must be received by this Friday Aug. 23. I have the forms if you need one- contact me and I will email it to you.
Also note the Guilde Acadienne Show in late October in Inkerman - part way between Tracadie-Sheila and Shippegan. This guild has only been going a few years and this is their second show - let's show them our support!
If you know of any other Shows this fall, please let me know and I'll add them to our list.

Thread Talk

Following is the second part in a series of articles on threads, their differences and their uses. This is used with permission by Bob Purcell of www.superiorthreads.com

A generation ago, there were very few thread choices.  It was almost is if one type of thread was used  for every project, whether that was piecing, quilting, clothing construction, upholstery, and so on.  Times have changed and much better quality products are available today.  Thread has become more specialized to enhance and improve our sewing projects.  
There are differences between quilting, embroidery, bobbin, applique, serger, upholstery, and, construction threads.

Bobbin Thread
Some teach that we should always use the same thread in the top and in the bobbin.  I think the reason they recommend this is to keep things simple and also thinking there will be fewer tension problems.  However, it is perfectly fine to use a different thread in the bobbin and, in most cases, it is actually preferred. Here's why:
Quilting
a.  A fine bobbin thread reduces the bulk in the seam.
b.  You can wind more fine wt. thread on the bobbin than a medium wt. thread.
c.  Tension can be easily adjusted to accommodate different threads.
d.  A finer thread blends well.
e.  A finer thread is usually less expensive.
Embroidering
a.  A fine bobbin thread leaves a softer, more pliable embroidered design.
b.  You can wind more fine thread on the bobbin than a medium wt. thread.
c.  A finer thread is usually less expensive.

Whether quilting or embroidering, it is recommended to match the color of the bobbin thread to the top thread just in case a little bobbin thread occasionally shows. The most common bobbin threads are 50 wt. and 60 wt. threads.
Recommended bobbin threads
MasterPiece  #50 extra-long staple Egyptian-grown cotton.  Very little lint.  Iron safe.  75 colors.  600 yd. spools and 2,500 yd. cones are 3-ply.  MasterPiece prewound bobbins are 2-ply.
So Fine #50  #50 smooth, lint-free polyester. Polyester is stronger and less expensive than cotton.  Recommended to set iron to low or medium heat. 134 colors.
Bottom Line  60 wt. smooth, lint-free polyester.  Recommended to set iron to low or medium heat.  55 colors.
MonoPoly   Invisible polyester monofilament thread available in Clear and Smoke colors.  Commonly used as a bobbin thread for quilting and thread painting when using many different colors on top.  Recommended to set iron to low or medium heat.  If you like monofilament thread, make sure you use polyester monofilament and not nylon because nylon tends to go brittle, discolor, and has a lower heat tolerance.  Some brands of monofilament invisible threads are labeled "polyamide" which is the chemical name for nylon. MonoPoly invisible thread is 100% polyester and the preferred type.  

Another Chance to Help...

Hello! How's your summer going? In between the "good" weather, we seem to be having lots of rainy or just dreary days so I hope you are finding some time to enjoy your sewing machines and whatever projects you have on the go. Thanks again to all those who made slab blocks for Calgary. From what I can see on Cheryl's blog, she has received 1630 blocks!! What a great response. I'm sure assembly of said blocks is keeping her very busy.
In case you missed the opportunity to participate in that project, here is another chance to be of help. I received the following email from Bev Rogan of Calgary. Read below and perhaps you can find a way to help or contribute, if you wish to!

Hello,

Quilting for Calgary is a group of caring quilters from throughout North America, dedicated to bringing hope and comfort to the 2013 Flood victims of Southern Alberta.

We are hoping you can help as we embark to spread word of our efforts and set out to gather the 3,600 quilts needed for those affected in our city and those that will be placed here in temporary housing. 

We are hoping you can share our information with your friends, colleagues and fellow bloggers.

While we cannot replace the precious family heirlooms and mementos of these families, we do hope we can help to warm their hearts and homes.

.

Please note:  We are happy to offer free shipping within Canada and are able to offer our friends from the United States the ability to send their donations to us with no customs, duty or brokerage fees (See: “My Donation is Ready” under our “Files” tab.) as well as offering quilters a drop off and mailing address in Houston, Texas with FREE shipping from Houston to Calgary.

We thank you for your time and hope that you will join us in our efforts to warm the hearts and homes of Calgary’s flood victims. 

Please stop by and visit our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingforcalgary/

Bev Rogan

Quilting for Calgary

"Warming Hearts & Homes"

bev.rogan@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingforcalgary/

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank

I take from that, that they would love to receive finished quilts. Perhaps you have one sitting around that you made "just because" and it is not intended for anyone in particular. If you'd like to "move it on".. there's your chance!!

Stay tuned: I'll be posting another Superior Threads newsletter educational component in another day or two....

Happy Quilting...