2nd Time Around Quilters' Swap and Sell

The Speckled Hen Quilt Shop, Wilsonville, is having a quilters' swap meet on Saturday, August 20, 9-4 at their new location. Check out her website for address and directions. You will find many bargains at garage sale prices--barter, set your price, haggle, wheel and deal, swap and sell! It's going to be fun...and what a way to spend a glorious summer day in the sunshine. Go to my last post (Downsizing) to see some of the items I will have. I sold a few things this weekend, but will have more on the 20th. Hope to see you there!

Downsizing: Something we all need to do!

Welcome to my virtual garage sale, closet cleaning, summer blowout. If you see anything in these pictures you'd like to own, send me a message or comment. Make an offer if you don't like the price. There are kits, fabric, vintage spools of thread, angelina fibers, stabilizer, books books and more books, patterns, pantographs, needles, charms, yarn, crochet and knitting needles. It's a virtual garage sale. Something for everyone. The Quilted Hill Quilt Shop in Yamhill is having a Swap Meet this weekend, July 29-30. Come on up and shop till you drop. Please note that some items have been sold already. If you are interested, please email or comment asap. I will then let you know if the item you want is still available. Thanks for looking. NOTE: Some things did sell this weekend. I'm sorry if you are disappointed. SOLD items = italics in red.

Cute doggies, paw print minky. Paper Doll panels...
Paper Doll panels, What Do You See panel, Moda Peek A Boo charm packs...
These are satins, and some synthetics suitable for dress/blouse or possibly quilting?
Dear Jane, I'm too busy to finish. Several blocks done in protective sleeves/notebook, book, background fabric, and packet of sweet sixteenths. Angelina fibers, some used. Green fun fur yarn, vintage spools of thread.
Linda V. Taylor paper pantographs, chicken pin cushion pattern, used. Vintage spools of thread, some "invisible" nylon--caution: will melt under high heat.
Helene Knott's Pumpkat, Kitt'ney Bean patterns, used, and an almost finished wool Pumpkat applique with extra wool fabrics. A stack of Maywood fat quarters "Stripey Tiger". Bella Nonna Tantalizing Topiary kit. Roll of Aqua Mesh Wash-Away stabilizer, not used, 11"x10 yards. Several charms, horses, sewing, garden themes. Green fun fur yarn-lion brand.
Books and patterns, some used, some new.
Knitting needles, circular. Crochet hooks, accessories.
Binding Gizmo book and template, Add-a-quarter, Add-an-eighth rulers, pounce block with Miracle chalk, Off the Edge ruler (one corner broken), Machingers, used. Rotary cutter-no blade. Assorted needles, beads, bells, snap pliers, foot massager, Roxanne's chalk pencils, pressing mitt.
Here is the wool Pumpkat unfinished, and you can see some of the charms.
Cross stitch, embroidery, painting, bow making, knitting, Thimbleberries quilt patterns.
Paint a pocket, cross stitch, bow making, Thimbleberries...
Books new and used...
Books new and used...sold Mosaic Picture Quilts
Assorted crafts...sold Cross Stitch Designs

RYBW ~ Red Yellow Black and White

This quilt began in December, 2004 as a mystery quilt from The Cotton Patch in Keiser, Oregon. Judith Locke was the owner then and my daughter was working part time there while her husband was in the Middle East with the Oregon National Guard. I made the journey once a month to the shop to pick up the next clue, and attempted to finish each step as prescribed. By the third month, I was so far behind and so bored with piecing hundreds of tiny bow ties and strips, I gave up and just stashed it away. A couple of years ago, my cousin and I spent a week at her mountain condo and I took this project hoping to maybe stimulate a revival. She helped me by pressing and clipping as I sewed them together. We didn't finish it, but after two more mountain retreats, finally the inner quilt was done. What an accomplishment! This summer, 2011, I managed to add the borders and piece the backing. I took Deb Geissler's Cherry Meander, made it into a non-directional meander and quilted it in Holiday Red thread. I also took the time to hand finish the binding. Now it will hang in Carlton's Walk in the Park, 2011 this weekend, July 23-24. I'm asking $500 because I really don't want to sell it. If someone sees it as a bargain, or falls in love with it, or for whatever reason is willing to pay the price, I will let it go. There is so much labor and memories wrapped in this quilt, you'd think that's a small price to ask. So goes the way of starving artists and quilt makers.

Carlton's Walk in the Park 2011

You just may see these quilts this weekend in Carlton's Walk in the Park. The RYBW is selling for $500, the large Midnight Rainbow is priced at $350, the smaller Confetti Stars is $225, and the little VW Bugs are $125 each. I wrote another post with more background about the RYBW quilt. Email me with questions or comments. bonniesews@gmail.com

Are you shopping for a custom quilt?

Just in case your attention was drawn here, let me tell you a little about my business. All the quilts I make are made from good quality quilters cottons and are not pre-washed. If I do use fabrics from discount stores or other sources the label will tell. I do not pre-wash my fabrics and after quilting them they usually lay flat. Personally I love to wash them and see them bloom into a shrinkled antique look. I use batting from Quilter's Dream Company and sometimes from Warm Company. Since I usually fall in love with all the quilts I make, I have a hard time putting a price on them. I can never pay myself enough! I like to cover the cost of the materials and the wear and tear on my machinery. If I make minimum wage with the rest, I consider that a good thing. However, I never make minimum wage and I usually take a loss. I'd rather see these quilts go to a good home and become loved and cuddled than to sit in my closets getting old. The label on the quilt will tell fabric and batting content, and whether it has been washed or not. None of my quilts have ever been used except to hang in my studio or a show or shop. If there is a story to tell, I will include it with the quilt. I like to store my quilts flat so that fold creases are minimized. Sometimes they hang for a while, but then I rotate them to keep them from sagging. My windows are covered with UV protective plastic, or window blankets to prevent fading. I keep my inventory small and usually sell or give as gifts after two or three years. I have a couple of quilts that I can't let go that are hanging on the wall currently. People have offered to buy them but there's so much history in them, I probably will have to die before I let them go.

I forgot to mention...my studio is smoke free, pet free, and fragrance free. I try to keep lint and dust to a minimum. I maintain my machinery between each quilt to keep it running in good condition and prevent oil and grease exposure. I use a new needle for each new quilt. All thread is 100% cotton unless otherwise requested.

So you see, I take pride in my work, and the quilts I make are top quality. I don't claim to be a perfectionist, but my quilts are meant to last a lifetime or more. It's all in how YOU the consumer use and take care of them. They are meant to be used, not folded and stored in archival boxes in dark closets. If you shop for a custom made quilt, sewn by machine, quilted by machine, you probably expect to pay a little more than slave labor would cost. Quilts made by hand in third world countries can be had for dirt cheap but are very fragile, almost disposable quality. Consider that when you shop for an American made, local economy, local craftsman, made to last a lifetime quilt. The price will shock you. Look at the workmanship and materials and ask yourself which you would rather have. I congratulate you on supporting our cottage businesses and paying the extra for an excellent product. If you walk away with a smile on your face you know you did the right thing. If you have nagging doubts, tell the maker your concerns. We are only human and have feelings too. Bartering is not out of the question. Just be careful to not insult the maker.

Good luck finding the love of your life and I hope to find you knocking on my door someday.

Carlton's Walk in the Park 2011

Here we go again. More quilts to display and sell. From a raffle quilt to various and sundry items to ponder and purchase. Enjoy...questions, email me or comment. CWITP happens next weekend, July 23-24. Hope to see you there.