C&T Publishing Blog

The Thrifty Seamstress

November 19th, 2008 in Interestingness
By Lisa Fulmer Bruce

My grandmother was a wonderful seamstress; she made lots of clothes for my Barbie and me. I was the envy of all my friends on my sixth birthday when I opened her gift to find dozens of new outfits for Barbie—sleepwear, play clothes, work dresses, and a ball gown.

She left me her beautiful wicker sewing basket when she died, which was mostly bursting with thread. Grammy used to save every single piece of thread that was longer than 6 inches; she had dozens of wooden spools in that basket, each with several colors of thread carefully wound by hand next to each other without overlapping. She probably wouldn’t have been too happy if she knew I just UNwound all those cool vintage spools and tossed out all the bits of thread. I’m designing a flip-picture puzzle (sort of like an abacus) using Ready-To-Go! Blank Board Blocks with the spools in between…I’ll post the project here as soon as I’m done!

Smaller version of Lorna’s Vine from Piece O’ Cake

November 19th, 2008 in Inspiration, Projects
By Becky Goldsmith

Many of you are familiar with my quilt, Lorna’s Vine, from our book, Amish-Inspired Quilts. I made the quilt for my daughter-in-law, Lorna. I teach this pattern often and, since the quilt is not mine anymore, I don’t travel with it. Lorna would be happy to loan it back to me, but I worry about it getting lost in my luggage.

I decided that it would be a good idea to make a smaller version of this quilt to travel with. I finished the top yesterday and here it is!

The smaller quilt is 55 1/2″ x 55 1/2″ - perfect for the wall or for a throw. You will need the book to make the quilt, but we’ve posted the yardage and cutting instructions for this smaller quilt on our website. Go to the Amish-Inspired Quilts page and look in the left side column. There is a link to a PDF with the instructions.

Happy stitching!

Becky Goldsmith, 1/2 of Piece O’ Cake

I did it! I sewed again (finally).

November 18th, 2008 in Interestingness
By Gailen Runge

It’s been a long time since I’ve had any real time to start and finish a sewing project. But it’s almost the end of the year and I haven’t taken my vacation days yet. I’ve decided that I’m going to take Mondays off and spend the days in my quilt studio.

When I was at Pacific International Quilt Festival, I stopped by one of my favorite quilt shops’ booth (Honey Run Quilters in Chico, CA) and picked up a pattern that screamed at me from the display. It’s a Jackie Clark pattern called Cute as a Button Baby Jacket.

Kennedy's jacket

Here’s my version. It’s a little blocky and a little short on my daughter, so I think I might add a little peplum in the same fabric and cover up the seam with some of that darling extra-large rickrack that’s out there.

Then again, the jacket was so easy and fast to make, I may just start over and cut the pattern longer instead.

It was a great half-day project and I can’t wait to start something else! I spent the rest of my first Monday off ironing and starching some beautiful taupey, woveny, Japanese fabrics for… for… well I’m not sure what it’s for yet. I guess I’ll get to figure that out next Monday!

YAY!

A Winning Quilt From Down Under

November 18th, 2008 in Industry & News, Inspiration
By Christine Mann

Terry with his winning quilt, "Mediterranean Cosmateque"

This fabulous quilt by Terry Minchinton, co-owner of Patchwork by Sea quilt shop in Brighton, Australia, won first prize in the Traditional Quilts—Amateur division of the 2008 Sydney Quilt Show. Terry’s design was inspired by the Venice Rose quilt in our author Norah McMeeking’s book, Bella Bella Quilts. Congratulations, Terry!

“State of Denial” or “Happy Place”? You decide.

November 17th, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Inspiration
By Sue Astroth

I love giving handmade gifts at the holidays… the sense of satisfaction, the smiles on their faces, the justification for being able to buy new patterns, fabric and yarn all throughout the year with the reasoning that it is for my dear friends Christmas present. Priceless!

It was in college when I discovered that I could make presents for people that they honestly enjoyed receiving. I remember it distinctly. I made a friend a flannel nightgown, complete with inset lace and ruffles. I even had to set in a third sleeve after a major scissors mishap took the life of one sleeve. She was thrilled, in fact, I remember tears of joy, both hers and mine! I learned that day handmade gifts were a very cool thing!

I start collecting ideas for my holiday gift projects early in the year. I check out new patterns, various magazines (past and present), and even make a few trips to the library to see what the many new books have to offer. I sketch out ideas or make notes about what people have said they want, their sock size or their favorite color. This year, I got this crazy idea to really get organized and keep a notebook of all my proposed holiday projects so everything would be in one place. (Maybe this is a carry over from the holiday wishbooks of my childhood!)

I started out with a 1˝-wide binder that I found for all of a 25¢ at a local thrift store. It’s the kind you can slide your own cover inside. It was in great shape all it needed was some personality. I raided my holiday scrapbook papers and came up with a fun cover using a happy mix of some Christmas papers and embellishments, I was well on my way to a well throughout and successful hand made holiday.

Fall Colors

November 17th, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Interestingness
By Lynn Koolish

I live in Berkeley, in an area that is directly across from the Golden Gate. Among other things, the area is known as the fog belt—which is both good and bad. Good because when the inland areas are sweltering in 100° + summer heat, the temperature in Berkeley is often a good 20° cooler—thanks to the fog, our “natural air conditioning” which comes pouring in through the Golden Gate on summer mornings. It’s bad because it makes it hard to grow herbs and vegetables such as tomatoes and basil that need heat and sun. Until recently, growing tomatoes had been terribly disappointing.

Fall colors

When you live near the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, the term fall colors takes on an entirely different meaning. Yes, we do have some deciduous trees whose leaves turn yellow, red, and orange—in their own subtle ways. But for me, fall colors are something entirely different

Jean Wells Starts an Online Club for Quilt Shops

November 14th, 2008 in Announcements, Industry & News
By Christine Mann

Our long-time author Jean Wells is one of those people who accomplish so much that you have to wonder how they find enough hours in the day to cram everything in. In addition to writing more than a dozen books with C&T Publishing, she has founded two successful retail stores (The Stitchin’ Post quilt shop and The Wild Hare gift shop, both in Sisters, Oregon), organized the wildly popular Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, and teaches and lectures all around the world. Whew!

Now Jean has taken on a new challenge—helping quilt shop owners prosper in a very difficult retail environment. Jean’s new online club for shop owners, Jean Wells’ Secrets to Retail Success, distills everything Jean has learned about merchandising, shop management, hosting events, and running classes, into a 12-month club, complete with monthly articles, photo gallery, and question-and-answer forum.

Click here to sign up for a free trial membership.

Fastest Quilt Market Tear Down EVER!

November 14th, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Events
By Gailen Runge

While Quilt Market can be fun and fabulous, it can also be tiring. Particularly the last day. Especially if you’re staying late and tearing down the booth. There’s a lot to pack. And you have to wait for the crate to arrive on the fork lift. I can’t say for sure, but from what I saw around us, I think that this year we were one of the first if not the first booth to get their crate. WHEW! What a difference that makes!

At the end of each show we break down the book racks, carefully tuck away the quilts, eat the leftover Quilter’s Chocolate (I mean, we have to do something with it), tear up and store our cushy floor… everything goes in the crate and we go off to a nice dinner proceeded by a nice adult beverage for those so inclined.

John caught in the crate

Publisher Amy Marson was (and usually is) in charge of packing. It’s like packing the car for a family road trip. One person needs to have a vision and the commitment to following through. Super-tall Sales Rep John Pilcher (left) was in charge of everything high up, including quilts and curtains, as well as anything that looks exceptionally heavy. Editor Lynn Koolish was in charge of boxing books, flyers, folders… anything that can be accomplished sitting down and that her questionable back can handle. I was in charge of collecting our display items from other booths and whatever else I could do without getting in the way… book rack breakdown, floor tear up, chocolate eating, etc.

While it’s hard work, I really enjoy tear down. It’s like doing dishes at the end of a day-long house party: You get a few fun people in the kitchen, washing the wine glasses, nibbling on leftovers, telling jokes, and really enjoying working together. After four or five days of Market meetings when I’ve been dressed nicely and on my best business behavior, it’s just the kind of break I need.

As always, I’m looking forward to next year!

Lynn freeing John from the Crate

We’ve made the November issue of The Quilter!

November 14th, 2008 in Industry & News
By Megan Wisniewski

We were so excited when the editors of The Quilter magazine told us they wanted to write an article celebrating 25 years of C&T Publishing!

The magazine editors interviewed our staff members, asking dozens of questions about the history of C&T. Things like… “What are your biggest accomplishments and high points over the last 25 years?” It was a lot of fun to sit in meetings with long-time staff members (a couple of ‘em go all the way back to the very beginning) and discuss the impact that C&T Publishing has made in this industry. The magazine also asked us to provide them with a dozen quilt images that portray the trends we’ve inspired over the years. The result of this is a beautiful 6-page article. Click here to view it.

Jane & Elin Teach Art Quilting Basics

November 13th, 2008 in Video
By Casey Dukes

You may have noticed a new addition to the sidebar. Yup, we’ve started a flickr account! We’ll be posting photos from our Designer Program, trade shows, books, as well as VIDEO.

Here’s a sneak peak at one of our new “At Home with the Experts” DVDs, Jane Dávila & Elin Waterston Teach You Art Quilting Basics. These women are absolutely amazing (and they also have great blogs…check out Jane’s here and Elin’s here).

C&T Publishing is a group of quilters and crafters dedicated to publishing products tailored to our audience. This blog is where we break away from book schedules and marketing campaigns to focus on what drives us to be creative and how this creativity manifests itself in our every day lives.