What Makes New Pieces a Really Special Place for Quilters and Fabric Lovers?
We know about quiltmaking. We know LOTS AND LOTS about quilt making.
We know about techniques, how to start, how to continue, and how to finish a quilt.
We know about COLOR. We KNOW LOTS about color.
We are skilled in assisting you in finding something that works for your project...for your friend, for your family, or for you!
We know the impact color has on us, and we love that.
Come on in and see...it's magic!
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Meet the People of New Pieces...
Sharona Fischrup is a long-time quilter, a long arm quilter, and the owner of New Pieces. She loves people and color. Sharona has a knack for seeing what is good in quilts and in people, and she’s always seeking to join good people together in communities.
Julie Banfield has a sixth sense for color and texture in fabric. She has exhibited at New Pieces, and she has sold many of her quilts. She loves to capture the stories of the quilters who visit New Pieces, and she is the one who brings their stories to the New Pieces email newsletter. Her love of Japanese art and dyeing and shibori make her a great resource to talk to about Asian-influenced quilts and fabrics.
Carol Lee Blangsted knows many in our community from the years she served as President and Program Chair of one of our local guilds, EBHQ. We call her “the black and white guardian.” She has quite a collection of these works. If you’re thinking to work in a black and white palette, be sure to get some tips from Carol Lee. Books are her love and she orders and cares for them lovingly at New Pieces.
Leah Brown is a friendly, long time quilter. We all enjoy working with her. She puts on her analytical hat when presented with a question, and and she is a great resource when you’re planning out quantities and types of fabric for your projects.
Mary Risard Burnett is a traveler. She went to Alaska, where she took a class from Mary Mashuta; she went to Colorado, where she taught special education for several years. She moved to the Bay Area, walked into New Pieces, and never wanted to leave. It is MUTUAL. We never want her to leave either! Curious about quilts? Ask Mary your questions. She’s got an answer for you!
Cindi Cossen loves to experiment with technique. Cindi teaches at New Pieces, including beginning quilting, dyeing and shibori, and fabric-covered folders, boxes, and other gifts. She's been our Saturday Sampler quilt teacher now for several years. Want to learn how to do something new with a patient guide? Look for a class with Cindi.
Karen Dugas’s work can be seen in Mary Mashuta's book. Karen is the heart of our group – a delight to be around. Much of her artwork comes from her inner vision. She is the best quilt binder around. Karen manages all our schedules to make sure someone is always here to work with you.
Heather Jacobsen served as EBHQ librarian for several years and has worked closely with many quilters. She’s the one organizing the New Pieces blog as well as the friendly lady on the floor reassuring new quilters that she remembers her very first quilt too!
Becky Keck is bright, colorful, fun, and loves to scuba dive. She knows a thing or 2 about clothing and seaming as well as tons about quilt making. If you want to have fun and play with lots of color options in a class, look for one of Becky’s classes!
Lissa Miner quilts and paints. She loves color, texture, and pattern as well as playing and mixing colors. Her favorite part of working at New Pieces is helping customers develop their color palettes for their quilt projects, auditioning fabrics, and finding that "just right" fabric. It's here – believe it!
Marcia Stein (www.marciastein.com) loves detail and color and all manner of quilting. She has won many prizes for her work and is a published author. Marcia merges quilting with her photographic skills to produce wonderful images in fabric. If you’re seeking a collectible quilt to add to your collection, check to see if we have any of Marcia’s quilts currently available for sale.
Kathy Ritter is a lover of the outdoors. Kathy has worked at New Pieces longer than anyone else, from the original owner (Carlberg), to Sally D., to Sharona. She is an extraordinary long-arm quilter who creates incredible patterns for your quilts.
Sue Wells brings more than 30 years of experience, teaching, quilting, collaborating. Since Sue's time has freed up, she's choosing to work at New Pieces. We are SO lucky. Sue loves to teach, and she has mastered many quilting techniques. Come in and work with Sue, and you'll see what I mean.
Mary Anne Gayhartt is an all-around wonderful person. Mary Anne is one of our long-arm machine quilters. Mary Anne spends part of her year here in Berkeley and part in her home in Montpelier, France.
Come in and say hi! We'd love to see what you're working on!