Tag: Quilts

Community, Patches' Pieces

Scraps and Threads Celebrates Another Successful Quilt Show

Sam

Held in conjunction with Rendezvous, Scraps and Threads Quilt Guild annual quilt show was well attended. This year the quilt show’s theme was Montana Silhouettes. The fair barn was decorated with silhouettes mostly representing Montana’s wildlife and included live wildlife (a fat mouse) scuttling in the facilities’ bathrooms. With over 100 quilted items on display, there was a variety of techniques and a lot of talent on display. Mel Casey and Shawnna Casazza tied for best theme quilts.  Delora Gauger won the People’s Choice award and 1st place in the large quilts category.  Delora’s extraordinary star quilt required 8 years to complete.

In the adjacent fair barn was a craft show with a mixture of crafts, art work, antiques, plants, clothing and baked goods. Coffee and seating encouraged shoppers to linger and visit. Based on the empty tables and various shopping bags, much retail therapy occurred. -Patches

a row of quilts
Scraps and Threads 2022 raffle quilt
Uncommon Threads 2022 raffle quilt
Mel Casey’s award winning theme quilt
Christine Wagner’s Award Winning Quilt
Shawnna Casazza’s award winning theme quilt
Washi eggs
Retail Therapy for Quilters
Delora Gauger’s award winning quilt
Sandi Mason’s award winning quilt
award winning miniature quilts
Community, Patches' Pieces

Fiberfest

Sam

There are volumes written on what I don’t know about wool fiber and the process of turning fleece into yarn. Present was fiber from sheep, angora rabbits, and alpacas. Being a crafter that neither knits, crochets, or felts, I was dazzled by all the pretty yarns. There was an array of unprocessed wool fleece to completed wool garments with many examples of batts and yarn in between. Several booths featured someone spinning yarn as well as spinning wheels for sale. Outside the buildings was a petting zoo. In the youth building was a quilt show sponsored by the mini-makers.

  • dyed batts
  • Tracy Marvel of Woolin Rouge, purveyor and designer of wool quilt kits.

Montana State University (MSU) representatives were available to evaluate wool quality.  They used an instrument imported from Australia. Accordingly, management recommendations are made based on the desired market.

The enthusiasm of the fiber crafters was very evident.  They find using the spinning wheel very relaxing. I enjoyed visiting with them. I am not a convert, YET. -Patches

Patches' Pieces

Backroads of Montana films at Tobacco Valley Historical Village

Sam

The filming was for a 15 minute segment of Backroads of Montana that is expected to air in mid-May.  Watch the Historical Village Facebook page for exact information when the PBS segment will air.  A special thanks to Rita Collins for serving as the Village’s media liaison and secretary.

Filming the Hand Quilting

Friday March 12, Ray Ekness of PBS Montana filmed the hand quilters in the old schoolhouse at the Tobacco Valley Historical Village in Eureka.   Ekness is the director of the Broadcast Media Center at the University of Montana.  Ekness spent the day filming, interviewing, and observing the hand quilters.

Quilts

Area quilters rejoice! In other quilting news, Scraps and Threads quilt guild will host their annual quilt show during Rendezvous, April 23-25. The quilt show is at the fairgrounds in Eureka. Other area quilt groups have been invited to participate in the quilt show. Expect to see lots of new and colorful quilts.

The Eureka Outdoor Quilt show is August 7.

The Flathead Quilters’ Guild has announced their annual Quilt Show is a go. The dates are September 18 & 19 at the Flathead Valley Fairgrounds.

-Patches

Community, Patches' Pieces

The Quilters’ Christmas Bazaar Moves Online

Sam

With the cancellation of most rummage sales and bazaars, the Tobacco Valley Board of History quilters have moved their annual Christmas Bazaar online. The offerings are modest compared to previous years but there is an opportunity to purchase rare quilted offerings and hand-made one of a kind items.  This year there are two hand quilted collectable quilts for sale.  The hand quilting is meticulous and the designs divine. 

There is a good selection of tied baby quilts. Plus two lap/twin sized tied flannel quilts are available.  These quilts are very competitively priced. The fabric, piecing, and labor for the quilts is all donated.

The dish towels are embroidered.  These are reminiscent of finds from grandmother’s kitchen. Hand embroidered towels are much less common today but very useful treasures. At the time of this writing there two one of a kind embroidered small table cloths and one dresser scarf.

Other items include homemade dog treats (my dogs love these), catnip mice, round and square scrubbies (I use these all the time), cloth Christmas ornaments (great stocking stuffers), phone pouches, aprons, sewer’s helper, cotton dish clothes, pan holders, pear butter, huckleberry preserves, spicy peach jam, lanyards, needle cases, pot holders, and kitchen towels.

All fund raised by the Christmas bazaar go to support and maintain the historical village.

-Patches