Members Featured in The Quilt Pattern Magazine

Several of our members have been working with the folks at The Quilt Pattern Magazine and have submitted articles and patterns for publication. This month, April 2011, members Barbara Chojnacki and Kristi Parker are featured in the magazine. Barbara's pattern is called "Itzo EZ", and the name is perfect! She will have you using up all of your scraps and large scale prints in no time! This quilt lends itself well to Layer Cakes and fat quarter bundles as well. Kristi wrote an article describing how to do a method of applique that uses very fine bridal tulle as a stabilizer. It is quick and easy, and can be accomplished entirely by machine, although the end result looks as if were done by hand. The tulle does not show in the finished product, and remains soft and supple for quilting. Keep an eye out for submissions from other members of the New England Quilt Designers in the future. You can access The Quilt Pattern Magazine by going to www.TheQuiltPatternMagazine.com. It is an "E-zine" that can be downloaded to your computer, allowing you to print any of the articles and pattern templates that you choose.

NEQDC Vending Schedule 2011

We are six very talented quilt designers with more than 50 patterns and books among us to choose from!


SAVE THESE DATES!

We will be selling our patterns, books and other fun stuff at the following quilt shows throughout 2011. Our booths are always full of a variety of quilt samples of many colors and styles, including everything from place mats to full size quilts and patterns to go with each. We hope you will be able to stop by and say hello.



APRIL 16-17: Northeast CT Country Quilters, Plainfield, CT

JUNE 3-4: Thames River Quilters, Ledyard, CT

JUNE 3-5: Genesee Valley Quilt Festival, Rochester, NY

JULY 28-31: Maine Quilts, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine

AUGUST 6-7: Greater Hartford Quilt Guild, Wndsor, CT

OCTOBER 14-16: Ninigret Quilt Guild, Westerly, RI

This schedule will be updated as more shows are added.

Two New Patterns!

We've been busy in Purple Moose country - we have two new patterns out.

The first is Chocolate Truffle Scarf. What could be a more decadent treat than a chocolate truffle? This scarf is a decadent treat for your wardrobe! It couldn't be any easier to make and looks like a million bucks. I get compliments every time I wear mine. Each scarf is an original work of art. Try one today and you will be the envy of all your friends tomorrow!

The second is Fish Frenzy. A super easy quilt that looks much more difficult than it really is. It would be a perfect "guy" quilt or for anyone interested in fish or fishing.

You can find both patterns on our website http://www.PurpleMooseDesigns.com - be sure and visit the gallery to see what others have done with these patterns!

News and New Directions for NEQDC

Greetings and thanks for visiting! You are in exactly the right place to learn more about the New England Quilt Designers' Cooperative and the individual designers who make up this successful group.

The first important bit of news is that we have decided to re-purpose this blog for announcements of new and exciting happenings for each of us as individuals and as a group. And we get to start off with a really awesome announcement!


The Quilter Magazine (due to reach subscribers any day now) has published a fabulous article about NEQDC called "Strength in Numbers". The article focuses on how NEQDC was formed and how we operate as a tight knit and very successful marketing cooperative. It was written by Beth Helfter of EvaPaige Quilt Designs but every member contributed to the piece. There are some great photos representing each of our quilt design styles, and quotes from each of us that give the reader a flavor of how we function as a group and what contributes to our success.

We are pleased and excited that the national media is taking note of what may well be a unique approach to marketing for designers. NEQDC really does have Strength in Numbers and has proved that the concept really works.

Please check out the article in The Quilter Magazine and then visit the websites of each individual member. Each of us is also active on Facebook - please follow and "Like" us there! We truly have something for every quilter!

We would love to get feedback. What did you think of the article? What are your thoughts about the group marketing concept? What kinds of quilting styles or patterns do you like best?

Stay tuned for more exciting news. We will soon be posting the schedule of quilt guild shows where we will be vending throughout the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.

More Moose Challenge Results!

Even though the MooseChallenge didn't get many entries, the ones that were submitted are outstanding!

Below is the entry from Judy Damon. The circles are actually cut out from the quilt. Judy told me that she had lots of fun browsing around in antique shops looking for old keys. The quilting is unique, too. The wallhanging is quilted with sayings that all have to do with "keys".

Notice how Judy incorporated the large and small Churn Dash Blocks through her clever use of color.

Another creative entry is the one pictured above, submitted by Muriel Corcoran. She calls it "The Key of G". Muriel explained to me that when you sing the notes the way Julie Andrews did in "The Sound of Music" (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do...), the note on the quilt is "So", which sounds like "sew". How clever is that??!! I never would have figured that one out on my own!

Thanks for your participation ladies! I love them all!

Moose Challenge Results

Hello readers!

Back in March of this year the Moose Challenge got underway and we had about 20 people express an interest in participating. The design elements were randomly selected, and the deadline was set for August 10th.

Even though e-mail reminders were sent to the challengers, I am disappointed to share that this is the only photo that has been sent in as of today. (The original plan was to post photos of all the quilts on this blog and have the public vote for viewer's choice.)

This whimiscal rendition was designed by Marie Seroskie of Katie Lane Quilts. The design elements to be included were: the colors green and fuschia, a circle, a Shoo-Fly quilt block, and a "key". For those of you who know Marie, she is not only an accomplished quilter, but a talented pianist as well....so it is no surprise that she chose a piano key rather than the type of key that unlocks a door.

Thank you, Marie, for accepting the challenge! You did a great job!

The "Moose Challenge" process of designing can be a good one if you are stuck for an idea and need a jump start when designing your next quilt. Here is the process:

1. Set out 4 or more empty paper bags.

2. Fill the first bag with individual slips of paper that have names of colors on them.

Fill the second bag with slips of paper with shapes on them.

Fill the third bag with names of quilt block designs.

Fill the fourth bag with names of "things" that could be included in your quilt.

Additional bags could include more colors, quilting techniques such as "applique" or "paper piecing", etc. Allow your imagination to run wild!

3. Draw one slip of paper from each bag.

4. Now try to combine some or all of those elements into a quilt design. Even if you never actually make that particular quilt, the design process might just be the jumping off point that gets your mind thinking in new directions.

I know that somewhere out there, other Moose Challenge quilts have been completed. Even though we won't have a viewer's choice vote, please send me your photos so I can post them for all to enjoy. Send them to chickensoupdesigns@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,

Kristi Parker

Chicken Soup Designs

Amherst, NH

http://www.chickensoupdesigns.com/

International Quilt Market Update

I returned recently from my very first International Spsring Quilt market, held this year in Pittsburgh. What an incredible experience and WHAT A BLAST!! I was there at the invitation of Nancy Dill, my publisher at QuiltWoman.com to introduce my new book "Moon Dance" to the professional quilting world.

There is so much to tell about those five jam packed days that I will only mention a few of the highlights. My purpose, in addition to promoting my book, was to network, and network I did! I took a workshop with Jennifer Chiaverini, the authour of so many wonderful Elm Creek Quilt novels, met Mark Lipinski (who gave me a big hug), fabric designer Amy Butler, the president of Kona Bay fabrics Douglas Eagleson, Vicki Dar, editor of Asian Fabrics magazine (a division of Kona Bay and Seattle Bay), The editor of McCalls Quilting magazines, and dozens of designers, distributors, fabric company representatives - the list goes on. The show was so enormous it began to feel pretty overwhelming at times., but the connections I made were wonderful and I could never have made them without being invited to take part in this biannual Market.

Two fabric companies have asked me to make projects for them and have each given me very generous amounts of fabric in return (Kona Bay for Asian Fabrics Magazine and In The Beginning fabrics, using a brand new line: Folklorica); I have an "in" at McCalls and possibly Quilters' Home for submitting future articles or designs; made a number of new friends AND, best of all, my book "Moon Dance" is selling very nicely!

As you can imagine, it was a pretty intense few days but SO worth it! And it was fun to go out after Market closed in the evenings to try out different restaurants with Nancy Dill and her staff and designers. What a great group of women. In spite of being totally exhausted every night I have not giggled like I did with them in a long time. I took a lot of photos at the show and around downtown Pittsburgh and will post some of them soon.

Cary Flanagan, Designer

Something Sew Fine Quilt Design

http://www.somethingsewfine.com/

http://www.quiltwoman.com/