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Category: Quilting

'Operation Kid Comfort' hosted by Huron River Quilts Nov. 15th

Here's a fun way to use your quilting skills to help others.

"Quilters and crafters looking to use their skills for a good cause can sign up for Huron River Quilts' Nov. 15th "Operation Kid Comfort" by calling the downtown Milford shop at (947) 570-1129.

Two sessions are available: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.

The project is a national program developed by the Armed Services YMCA that works with local quilting groups to make charity quilts for the children of military parents. The quilts completed on Nov. 15 will be sent by Huron River Quilts directly to a child for the holidays.

The lap-size quilts feature the child's name as well as 10 photos of their military parent and family.

A materials fee of $20 is required for one kit, with additional kits for $15. Each contains 10 pictures, all necessary pre-cut fabric, batting, backing and yarn to tie. Participants only need to bring their sewing machine and standard supplies. Each quilt takes approximately 1.5 hours to make and quilters are welcome to stay for one or both sessions.

'We were looking for a charitable quilting project to participate in, and heard about Operation Kid Comfort from a customer. Anything we can do to help our troops and their families is a wonderful thing,' said Kathy Fournier, co-owner of Huron River Quilts.

Participants must sign up by Nov. 7th to attend the Nov. 15th event, but kits can be purchased anytime from the store. Additionally, non-quilters can sponsor a kit to be completed by a Huron River Quilts volunteer.

'We want to make as many as possible for these children to have at the holidays,' Fournier said.

Huron River Quilts is located at 431 N. Main St. in downtown Milford. Hours of operation for the store are: Mon.-Wed. and Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, or to register for, call (947) 570-1129."

Category: Quilting

Flint Festival of Quilts begins today

Stars will be everywhere at The Flint Festival of Quilts which begins today and runs through September 12th at Longway Planetarium. This just in: "The exhibit at the planetaium will feature quilts containing star blocks, star fabrics, star quilting or all three. The Star Quilts at Longway Planetarium is free for visitors, however, other locations of the festival may charge. Quilt displays are throughout Flint and Genesee County area. Marvel at the magnificent artistry of quilters from around the country.

"Each site will hold your interest with its themed quilts, demonstrations, quilt sales, classes, lectures, and more. You can pick up a detailed brochure at the Greater Flint Arts Council." For more information, call (810) 237-3409 or visit GeneseeFun.com.

Category: Quilting

Time to start quilt for 'Festival of Quilts' contest

First United Methodist Church in Dearborn is preparing for its 27th annual "Festival of Quilts" which is set for Oct. 2-3.

The festival will feature a miniature quilt show/contest. "Miniature quilts are defined as scaled down large quilts and the maximum size is 24-inches for the longest side."

Three local judges will decide on the three winning quilts with prizes being $100, $50 and $25. It's absolutely free to enter the contest.

Festival highlights will also include a silent auction, crafts and demonstrations.

Quilt exhibit admission is $3. Show hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Lunch will be available each day from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for $7.

First United Methodist Church is located at 22124 Garrison in Dearborn. More information, entry forms and contest rules are available on their website.

Category: Quilting

Attend lecture on 'women's roles and quilt styles of the Civil War'

I recently received the following information from the Rochester Hills Museum:

The Rochester Hills Museum will host a lecture on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. on Women's Roles and Quilt Styles of the Civil War period. The lecture will be provided by Rita Weitendorf and will be held in the 1927 Dairy Barn at the museum. Admission is free for museum members, $5 for non-members and $3 for students and seniors.

The museum is currently hosting a quilt exhibit, "Timeless Quilts: Patterns of the Past," through March 28. Rita Weitendorf is a quilt instructor and history buff who will talk about some of the "real" women of the Civil War years while looking at quilts of the same period. Her love of history and quilts fueled her passion to learn more about the quilts of the Civil War years and the women who made them. What she discovered was that much of the history of this period was told from the male perspective and it was not easy to learn about women's roles and how they changed during that time.

The Rochester Hills Museum is listed on the National Register of historic places and includes the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse, 1850 Red House, 1927 Dairy Barn and 16 acres of grounds.

Registration is required by calling (248) 656-4663 or email to rhmuseum@rochesterhills.org. The museum is located on Van Hoosen Road, one mile east of Rochester Road off Tienken Road and one mile north of downtown Rochester.

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Category: Quilting

Be part of "The Quilting Arts Book" giveaway

Learn how to turn your quilt-making into a true art form with "The Quilting Arts Book, Techniques and Inspiration for Creating One-of-a-Kind Quilts" (Interweave/$24.95) by Patricia Bolton, founder and editor-in-chief of "Quilting Arts Magazine" and "Cloth Paper Scissors."

The book is filled with numerous techniques to help you advance your quilt-making skills to "art quilting." Among decorative techniques featured are mixed-media, like bead collage, needlefelting, applique, puff painting and adding velvet. You'll no doubt be inspired to try your hand at this type of quilting once you take a look at the lovely intricate work showcased throughout the book.

If you'd like a chance at winning a copy of the book, just email me at jbrown@detnews.com. Please put the word "quilting" in the subject line, and remember to include your name and address.

Good Luck and Happy Quilting!!!

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Category: Quilting

Enter the 'Quilt With Confidence' Book Giveaway

Nancy Zieman shares helpful tips for learning to quilt in her book "Quilt With Confidence" (Krause Publications/$24.99).

Zieman covers tools and basic information for quilting at the beginning of the book, followed by a wide range of easy quilting projects from a "simplified log cabin" to "courthouse steps quilt."

If you're serious about your quilting, then this is a definite must-have for you collection of books on the subject.

If you'd like a chance at winning a copy of the book, just email me at jbrown@detnews.com and tell me a little about your quilting projects. Please put the word "quilt" in the subject line and remember to include your name and address.

Good Luck and Happy Quilting!!!

Category: Quilting

'Rochester Hills Museum exhibits timeless quilts'

I received the following information from the Rochester Hills Museum.

The Rochester Hills Museum is hosting "Timeless Quilts, Patterns of the Past," from December 6-March 28, 2009. The quilts are from the collections of the Museum's Historic Quilters Society and are displayed throughout the 1927 Van Hoosen Dairy Barn and the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse.

Quilts tell stories through their fabrics, and designers, and reflect a skill that dates back centuries.

In addition, visitors can enjoy the museum's permanent exhibit, "Our Lively Town" that features the history of the Rochester Hills Community throuogh artifacts, photographs, archeaological items, an orientation video, model train layout, and museum store.

The museum is open Wednesdays-Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and other times are available for group tours by appointment. Call (248) 656-4663 for more information or visit

href="http://www.rochesterhills.org/">www.rochesterhills.org.

The Rochester Hills Museum complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse, 1850 Red House, 1920 Dairy Barn and 16 acres of grounds bordered by Stoney Creek.)

Category: Quilting

Quilt Guild Meets Next Thursday

The next Cameo Quilt Guild meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 20th at Clawson United Methodist Church, 205 N. Main Street (just north of 14 Mile Road) in Clawson.

Visitors are welcome for a $5 admission fee.

For more information, Call Sarah at (248) 879-0406 or visit http://www.cameoquilting.org/degault.aspx.

Category: Quilting

The Needle Rules! Society Presents Third Annual Outdoor Quilt Show Sept. 20th

Highlighting this year's outdoor quilt show hosted by The Needle Rules! Society will be a raffle for a full-size "Underground Railroad Quilt." Raffle tickets are priced at $5 each or three for $10, and can be purchased "during the show from any society member or by calling (313) 861-6727." The quilt will be on display throughout the entire show, and other quilts will be available for sale.

Highlights will also include food, dancing, live music and more. The theme for this year's show is "Holding Our Heritage High."

The show will be held 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20 (raindate: Sept. 27) at MBAD African Bead Museum as part of its bead festival (please see my Sept. 2 blog entry).

MBAD African Bead Museum is located at 6559 Grand River Ave. at W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. For more information, call (313) 898-3007.

Category: Quilting

See Jazz-Themed African American Quilts At The CHWMAAH

Now through August 31, you have the opportunity to see a large collection of contemporary African American Quilts at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (CHWMAAH) inside the DaimlerChrysler Hall, AT&T Gallery.

"Colorful, exhilarating, dynamic, and exquisite, are words that accurately describe the 64 jazz-themed quilts presented in this contemporary art exhibition.

"Curator, Carolyn Mazloomi, Ph.D., "unite(s) the two most well known and popular artistic forms in African American culture," jazz and quilts. Textural Rhythms, brings together an extraordinary group of artists, renowned for their originality and quilt making skills. They include Michael Cummings, Edjohnetta Miller, Tina Brewer, Jim Smoote, and Detroit native Carole Harris.

"Viewers will experience a multitude of emotions, sentiments and sensations as one does when listening to the syncopated improvisations characterized by jazz. The companion book, 'Textural Rhythms,' is available for sale" in the museum store.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is located at 315 East Warren Ave. in Detroit. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun. For more information, call (313) 494-5800 or visit website.