Archive for the ‘Friends of New Pieces’ Category

New Pieces for New Pieces Blog

Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
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Good things come in pieces!

The blog is back after a few months away!

A lot is happening at New Pieces * and in the local quilting world. We’d like to use the blog as another way to reinforce the New Pieces Quilt community. I will be looking for items to post about gadgets and techniques, to alternate with  stories about the quilts and quilters in our midst, and other stuff of interest to you all. You are invited to send  your ideas for blog entries to New Pieces, or to write something yourself and send it to me. Pictures are welcome too!

*Many of you will notice that this amazing 360 degree picture of the store is filled with quilts by staff emeritae. We are rebuilding our teaching program as you read this. Please ask about the changes underway, and feel free to suggest great teachers and classes to us!

July 12 x 12″ x 12″ Challenge: Fire!

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

The July Challenge theme was “Fire” and the response from our challengers was delightfully creative and diverse.  Inspiration ran the gamut from phoenix and firebird to fireworks and bonfires, wildfires and forces of nature.

“Ring of Fire”, by Lissa Miner

“Bonfire Night”, by Heather Jacobsen

“Phoenix”, by Gwen Wallace

by Sharona Fischrup

“Fireworks”, by Jane Voytek

“Campfire Fireworks”, by Claire Adams

“Ode to Colorado”, by Mary Risard Burnett

“The Four Elements”, by Kathy Ritter

“Firebird”, by Roxanne Fiscella

This month’s “favorite” (by vote of whoever came into New Pieces in early August) is Roxanne Fiscella’s “Firebird”, about which Roxanne tells us the following: “Firebird: In Slavic folklore a magical glowing bird from a faraway land which is a blessing and a bringer of doom to its captor. The Firebird feather if found provokes the hero onto a quest that entails a difficult journey and lights the way back to the bird.”

Thank you Roxanne, and thank to to everyone who “played” this month. August’s theme is “Night”. Come join us!

 

April Challenge – “Water” – Inspiration Flows!

Saturday, May 5th, 2012

The April Quiltlets are perhaps the most beautiful collection yet!  Every one has its own personality, but they look lovely together, too… almost like pictures in an amazing children’s book.

For additional information on these quiltlets, or the May challenge which has just begun, please check out our designated Facebook page New Pieces 12 x 12″ x 12″ Challenge. There is a new 12″ x 12″ challenge theme every month of 2012 –  you can come play with us any time!

     

Kathy Ritter                                          Mary Risard Burnett

     

Helen Zung                                          Fern Royce

   

Roxanne Fiscella                                   Sharona Fischrup

   

Julie Banfield                                        Jane Voytek

    

Lolly Schiffman                                    Annalisa Tay

       

Lissa Miner                                          Claire Adams

Heather Jacobsen

A Word From Our Sponsor….Nature

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

This has been one of those amazing weeks that featured rain, just when we all thought we were done with all that.

I hope that you all found a way to get beyond soaking wet feet and dubious traction for at least a few moments –  to enjoy some of the beauty of these difficult days. I forget sometimes that it’s the dark grey skies that give the most stunning, saturated colors of green and brown, and bring us the suddenly, wildly overgrown spring flowers. It’s not easy, but it is a joyful part of the cycle — and a great time to be inside sewing, or reading, or just looking out the window at the beauty of it all.

And of course, the view from the windows at Craneway Pavilion/the “Voices in Cloth” (EBHQ) Quilt show is spectacular too.

I don’t have pictures of the Show right now, but it really is wonderful. So many quilts, and such a range of talents and experience. It’s almost overwhelming to think that each one is the product of a unique concept, and a different set of hands. It’s like going to a commencement and realizing that every graduate is someone’s baby. Lovely, and almost overwhelming.

You’re likely to encounter old friends at “Voices in Cloth”,  and you might make some new ones. Go now, if you haven’t been yet – today until 4:00pm. Craneway Pavilion, in Richmond.

12 x 12″ x 12″ Challenge — January

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

 

These are the January 12 x 12s. The theme for the month was “bird”, and the variety and creativity are just plain amazing. The February challenge starts today. Stop by New Pieces to pick up your “kit”. Come soon, and the January quiltlets may still be up on the board! Pictures can’t do them justice. Additional information is available on the New Pieces 12 x 12″ x 12″ Challenge page at Facebook.

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Mary Risard Burnett   Jane Voytek   Gail Shea   Jeanne Bartlett   May Lynne Gill

Roxanne Fiscella   Lissa Miner   Kathy Ritter   Julie Banfield   Sharona Fischrup

Leah Brown   Karen Dugas   Heather Jacobsen    Betsy Livak    Lisa Doyen    Pat Dicker

 

 

PAT DICKER – BINDING BASICS!

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

New Pieces is fortunate to have a friend like Pat Dicker.  We’re even more fortunate that Pat is willing to share with us her mastery of  the techniques that showcase her own wonderful work. On Saturday December 3 (this weekend), Pat is teaching “Binding Basics” at the Store, from 10-1:00pm. In this three hour class Pat covers making a standard binding from start to perfectly joined ends.

There is no more pleasant way to finally subdue those mitered corners. If there is time we will also covered faced bindings and how to finish an edge beautifully with machine satin stitch. This class is open and appropriate for all levels.

No matter how busy your December is, Pat’s class is one that will give you time back, in the long run — Did we mention it will be fun?

Call soon, space is limited and Saturday looms.

Mystery Quilter – Linda Shank

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

 

It’s hard to describe Linda’s energy using a still camera. She displays a special, wonderful brand of off-kilter, scrappiness in both her quilts and her demeanor.

In addition to her quilts on the walls, Linda pulled out a table’s worth of placemats and a runner, all with Christmas batiks on one side, and more summery fabrics on the reverse.

Pauline Stone Pearsall (October Mystery Quilter) was there, and called Linda’s binding method alone, “worth the price of admission” (Pauline’s no slouch at humor, either!). It was a lively and inspiring hour, and we are so glad she could be here! Check the class schedule to see when the next Mystery Quilter will be joining us.

 

The Mystery Quilter is Among Us!

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Portrait of the Mystery Quilter?

Join us at New Pieces on Tuesday October 18th, from 12:30 -1:30 pm

to hear from the latest Mystery Quilter! Bring your lunch and a friend for this free talk.

We’d tell you more if we could, but it’s a secret!

Hope to see you there!

A Ghastly Quilt

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

Today at New Pieces we got to see Jan Nilsen’s just finished “Ghastlies” quilt. As she said, we’ve been cheerfully dispersing this fabric (from an Alexander Henry line), but probably hadn’t yet seen it made up.

She’s made great choices throughout; the result is a beautiful piece she can use for Halloween — but also other times. Well done, Jan, and thanks for coming in to share with us!

  

Important Rules from Singer – circa 1949

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

The following rules for sewing were recently found on the Internet, and posted in the New Pieces bathroom, by Sharona Fishrup:

I apologize for the poor quality of the photo,  taken with a “smart” phone. While it’s true that an organized workspace helps one be creative and work more efficiently — few of us could ever sew if all these requirement were prerequisite.  And no, New Pieces does not carry bags of French chalk for your fingertips.

Imagine how life has changed over the last 62 years — and what future quilters will say about us in another 62 years!