Mimi Dietrich has quilted for over 30 years and has applied her extensive knowledge to write 15 quilt books, teach, and design fabric.   I should further state that she has published 15 quilt books which have sold over 500,000 copies.   Wow. 

Here's her website:  Mimi Dietrich!

And an image of Ms. Dietrich:

I have at least two of her books ("Quilts:  An American Legacy" and "Quilts from the Smithsonian") and I have definitely given these and other books as presents to quilting friends.   Her books are great.  For example, in "Quilts:  An American Legacy" she presents images of beautiful, historic quilts from the Smithsonian along with her own designs.  She then provides quilting instructions on her design.  There are a dozen projects in this book!  There's also a detailed section entitled Quiltmaking Basics for Patchwork and Appliqué.  Great book, great images.  The 1849 Jane Barr Quilt and Mid-1800s Appliquéd Quilt are simply beautiful.   The black-eyed susans in the background of her picture reappear in the quilt "Black-Eyed Susans" which is her designed quilt that goes with the Jane Barr Quilt! 

Her site includes a Quilt Gallery of images from her books.  Here are two images from her site:

"Quilts from the Smithsonian"                                        "Quilts:  An American Legacy"
          
"Chesapeake Rose"                                                      "Wedding Quilt"

I think the "Chesapeake Rose" is absolutely gorgeous.

Ms. Dietrich's site does include an opportunity to buy her in-print and out-of-print (signed!) books along with cds and other items.  So, there is a great way to get signed books!

Without question, she has dedicated herself to the Baltimore Album Quilt.  She is a founder of the Baltimore Appliqué Society.   She's been teaching Baltimore classes for over 20 years.  For anyone interested in these quilts, her book "Baltimore Quilts:  Album Quilts from Start to Finish" is a must-have.  Actually, anyone interested in appliqué would want her books, too, since her appliqué skill is incredible.

There's a link to the Baltimore Appliqué Society and I highly recommend going to their "What's New" section.  In it you will find some wonderful articles and a list of related Baltimore quilts material.

AND, her site includes three free patterns.  As it should be, one is a Baltimore!  Here's the link:  Free Patterns! 

Her site is rounded out by a number of links, notes on lectures and workshops she delivers, and a nice biography.

I hope you visit her site.

Best,

Fiona

The Academy of Quilting has only offered online classes since 2008 but its designer, Ruth Blanchet, has a wealth of quilting experience.

Ruth is a quilter, teacher and designer from New Zealand who has been quilting for over 25 years and teaching classes for a decade.  In fact, she has been teaching online at Quilt University since 2001 and currently has ten classes listed on their site.  Here's a picture of Ruth:



Here's a link to the Academy:  Academy of Quilting!

Currently, the Academy has four classes listed online and offers each twice yearly.   Each class may vary in size and price but most are two to four lessons with a price about $9 US per lesson.  Her longest class extends to six weeks.  Each lesson is scheduled for a week but can be expanded a bit if needed.  Ruth only teaches her own designs.

There is one class available for enrollment at this time:   "Mariner's Compass for Circle of Life" (2 lessons, $20, begins March 28, 2009).  Another one just closed and will be available for registration again in April:  "Getting Started in Quilt Art" (4 lessons, $36, begins May 30, 2009).   What I like about her online classes is Ruth will list the essential information before you sign up in the "More Information" section under each class image.  This way you'll know exactly how the class will develop and what is required.  For example, here's further information regarding Mariner's Compass:   Mariner's Compass!   

And, here are examples images for her "Quilt Art" and "Mariner's Compass" class:

    

There is a Forum where classes can be reviewed and  you can interact with other students.  Since this is all online, students from the US, Canada, New Zealand (of course!), Australia, South Africa, the UK, Germany, Italy and others have been part of classrooms.  What a great way to extend your knowledge of quilting techniques and thoughts!  

Ruth includes pictures and procedures for each lesson.  She also uses video as a class aid.  I think this is brilliant!  You can see and hear each task and replay it as needed.   I really do think students would appreciate video as an online aid.

You can also see a Gallery of student quilts, including some images from her two recent Christmas classes. 

Her class list will expand this year to include technique for appliqué styles, a pieced design, a circular Bargello (I would love to see this one as Ruth has three beautiful Bargello designs at Quilt University), and two more Christmas patterns.  She also expects to introduce these two quilts as classes:  "Freedom" (a Bargello) and "Simply Sunflowers":

    

I like this website and think it's direct and easy to navigate.  Ruth's images are beautiful and obviously she has the designing, teaching and quilting experience necessary for success!   And, I know she cares about her students and these classes.  She logs onto her site throughout the day since she has a number of classes running at any time.

I hope you visit her site.  If you do take a class, please post a comment here for others and include images of your quilts, too!

Best,

Fiona

I found this note on the Old Sturbridge Village site and I thought it applied equally well to students and everyone for this online and onsite village:

"Journey back to the New England of 1790 to 1840 where everyday Americans worked to build a new nation. Explore the rural landscape with historical buildings including mills, shops, homes, meetinghouses, a district school, farms, and nature trails. This was an amazing time in America’s history and your students can be a part of it!"

Old Sturbridge Village is located roughly south of Worcester, Massachusetts.  It's a great place and their online material is great, too.  Here's the website:  Old Sturbridge Village! 

If you'd like to see the village, click here:  Village Tour!  The link will bring you to the village and you can start viewing their grounds.  I clicked on Shoe Shop (imagine!) and was astounded by the amount of information available on the next screen.  There are over a dozen buildings here and you will definitely find yourself clicking around.  I mean, they have a cider mill and a tin shop among others. 

For quilters, though, there's a pretty nice link to their 14 online collections:  Quilts!   I chose the collection site because you might want to look into one of the other 14 areas online areas as well, such as Childhood or Foodways which include:

        
"Toy Lamb"                                                "Tea Kettle"

They have a large selection of textiles in their collection.  Here are a few images from their 90+ images of quilts online:

    

"Appliquéd Quilt - Lily" circa 1850-1870                     "Pieced and Stenciled Quilt - Birds and Flowers" 
                                                                                                    circa 1820-1850

    

"Wholecloth Blue Wool Quilt" circa 1780-1820                         "Pieced Red and White Cradle Quilt - Feathered Star Pattern"
                                                                                                                        circa 1860

This site has so much to offer.  In their "Explore and Learn" section, they have roughly 30 sub-categories in their graphics area, Recipes from the Past (yes, I'm going to try Raspberry Charlotte), Heirloom Gardening and more.  Interested in Washington Cake, Cranberry Sauce, or making candles then try their "Educational Programs".    They also have a Kids Zone with a nice historical FAQ and a bundle of simple (but historic) games.

As great as their site is, I do think this is one of those places that would be lovely to visit.  It's grounds are pretty, there's much to do and you can focus on whatever interests you have.  They do have an amazing number of activities including Discovery Camps, Crafts at Close Range, historical dinners and cooking instruction, Heirloom Gardening activities and more.  It's a truly hands-on, teaching location.  Like I referenced at the beginning of this article - I think kids and adults would both enjoy this setting.

Great site, very user friendly. 

Best,

Fiona

Wow, November was a busy month.  Sorry I didn't have a chance to blog.  I do have quilt images from three shows that I can upload this month, the first of them are from the Vermont Quilt Festival from June, 2008.  I stayed in the dorms and took some classes while wandering around and seeing all the quilts.  Great classes and show.  Truly, a beautiful setting.

The Vermont Quilt Festival is New Enlgand's oldest and largest quilt show, with an attendance over 11,000.  It truly is a wonderful show.  This year there were almost 500 quilts on display with many classes for attendees.  Each year the show also has a competition so there will always be a selection of similarly themed quilts on display.

This Festival abounds in quilting activities.  There's something for everyone best exemplified by a list of their 2008 special exhibits:  Hard Times, Fine Quilts; For the Love of Fabric:  An Ann Bird Quilt Retrospective; A Class Act; Fabled Fibers:  Art Quilt Enchantments; Variety is the Spice of Life; Barbara Olson:  Wild Child; The Legacy of Florence Peto; Teacher's Showcase.  Wow.

Here's the website for the Festival:  Vermont Quilt Festival!

Next year's show will be situated in the same location and about the same dates:  from June 19-21, 2009 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, Vermont. 

Also, next year will be the first-ever juried show for this festival.  2009 is the 400th year since Samuel de Champlain discovered Lake Champlain.  The Festival's website has particulars for those wishing to enter their competition entitled "The Lake We Share:  Lake Champlain in History and Imagination."

Here are some pictures I took at the show of the quilts:
    

C103    "Pineapple Slices" by Jocylene Martel                                 C110    "TGIFF" by Janyce Broude

    

C111  "My Very Best Favorite Quilt!" by Janet-Lee Santeusanio      C119    "Wandering Ways" by Helen Irwin

    

C126    "Remembering Rebecca" by Jill Reid                               C127    "Arisen from the Stashes" by Elizabeth Pappius

    

C207    "Bits of Yesterday" by Linda Gilmartin-Hancock            C302    "Hearts in the Garden" by Wings Fall Quilter's Guild

    

C506    "Shades of Black and White" by Mindy Fitterman          C510  "Grandma's Christmas Quilt" by Lisa Noordergraaf

    

C709    "My Secret Garden" by Paula Higgins                                C803    "Exotica" by Molly Waddell

    

CM7    "By George, It's Amish!" by Sharon Shea Perry                CM14    "Mini New York Moment" by Pat Gaston





T13    "Expanding Star" by Judy Mathieson

The Festival had a selection of quilts on display by notable quilters and instructors such as Judy Mathieson above.  I had some other images by John Flynn, Bobbie Aug and others but the images didn't come out well.  It's unfortunate because I think you would have liked them. 

Also, the Festival has a great link that details all the winners' names and addresses, their quilt title, and the award they won (with images available - just click on the title) at:  2008 Vermont Quilt Festival Awards!

Big Note:  Right nearby is the Shelburne Museum, a wonderful museum dedicated to American Folk Art in a beautiful, bucolic setting.  I'm amazed I haven't blogged about this museum yet.  It's a true gem.  I did blog about a wonderful book entitled "Enduring Grace:  Quilts from the Shelburne Museum Collection" which shows a portion of this museum's collection.  I'll blog about the entire museum in the next month or two.

Best,

Fiona

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has over 100 quilts in their collection but only a portion of their quilts and coverlets online.  I have to warn you that this is the easiest online site to get distracted on. 

Here's a link to one of their quilt sites:  Quilts and Coverlets.

As well as a quilt image and a woven coverlet:

    

"Album Quilt", circa 1860                                        "Woven Coverlet", circa 1825

They have about 20 images available at this site, including an autograph quilt, a presentation quilt and a beautiful chintz quilt.  You can hover over the images or click on them which leads to detailed descriptions and histories of the work. 

In fact, here's another link to their site that includes these images AND a great history of quilting:  Quilts!

It's in these articles that the Met's offers its readers the option to read furhter articles on similar topics.  For example, clicking on "heyday of quilting" in the first paragraph will bring you to an article on the Arts and Crafts Movement in America.  This new article's first paragraph has a link to "textiles imported to Europe from India" which is another great article.  At the bottom of each page there are also links to similar topics.

It's endless, really.

The Met has so much available information available to their online readers that it is easy to happily wander around their site for hours.

Interested in 19th Century European Textile Production:  Click Here!  The Met has it all.  Oh, and here's an image called "Bird" by William Morris.  Wow!



There is another whole section online, the Antonio Ratti Textile Center, that has textile related material many people would find interesting.  Clicking on their "Features and Exhibitions" section will lead you to a 2002 show they had for Candace Wheeler and some images of her 19th century fabrics, such as:


"Hollyhocks", 1876

For fun, there's a Carpet Hunt that includes a Carpet Collage which kids may like to play with.  It's really cutting, pasting and colouring some images to make your own carpet.  Could be quite fun on a rainy day.

The Met is massive and wonderful.  They have so much online that's not just images, it's essays and histories and all the good background information that is so helpful.

Great site.  Overwhelming at times but absolutely a treat.

Hope you visit.

Best,

Fiona

The American Folk Art Museum has an exhibit starting October 21 through March 15, 2009 entitled "Recycling & Resourcefulness:  Quilts of the 1930s".  The exhibit will include twelve quilts from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum and a number of quilts from the American Folk Art Museum's Collection as well as other items representing this theme. 

The quilts include recycled materials - feed and flour sacks and mens ties for example - that quilters used to create their quilts during the depression.  You have to admire ingenuity.  There is also a rug somehow made out of Wonderbread bags, that I would love to see?!  I think this will be a really fun, interesting and informative exhibit, especially for quilters that enjoy the quilts from this period and enjoy carrying on the time honored tradition of making scrap quilts, a personal favorite.  I find that there is nothing more fun than looking at a pile of scraps and thinking "What can I make?"

Here's a link directly to their site:  Recycling & Resourcefulness.

Courtney at the museum was kind enough to send two **exclusive** images of quilts that will be on display for this show.  These images do not appear on the museum's website!  I love these two quilts.  The graphic design of both are truly outstanding.  String quilts and log cabins are both patterns which I love to make as the design possibilities are endless.

    

String Quilt
Artist unidentified
1920 - 1940
Wool with cotton binding
75 1/4 x 65 in.
Place/Region: Possibly Kentucky
Gift of Jolie Kelter and Michael Malce
Collection of the American Folk Art Museum
1988.26.1
Photo by Gavin Ashworth, New York



Log Cabin Quilt: Courthouse Steps Variation
Samuel Steinberger, 1865-
1890 - 1910
Silk
Frame Dimension: 58 x 69 1/2 in.
Place/Region: New York
Gift of Cyril I. Nelson in honor of Robert Bishop,Director(1977-1991), Museum of American Folk Art
1990.17.8
Photo by Gavin Ashworth, New York

Also, I have included two images from the online link.  There are 10 images online in total.  Both of these quilts are from the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska: 

        
"Postage Stamp Quilt", circa 1930, artist unknown              "Britchy Quilt", circa 1940, by Catherine Somerville

I definitely want to mention that this exhibit will be at their branch location at 2 Lincoln Square in New York City.  Of course, if you're in New York you may also want to go to their Museum as well at 45 West 53rd Street.

For anyone that can attend this exhibit, please send back a comment with your thoughts.  Also, I hope you enjoy the exhibit and their online images!

Thank you.

Best,

Fiona

Located in Washington, DC, the Museum for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have one of the most expansive collection of quilts in America.   Since DAR was established over a hundred years ago and many of the quilts were dedicated by their members they also have the provenance of the quilts which makes the DAR collection an invaluable draw to historical-minded quilters.  The Museum is fortunate enough to have well over 300 quilts and almost as many coverlets in the collection. 

Their online museum collection is located at:  DAR Museum.

This seems like a great museum that I would like to visit.  Their online museum does have links showing many of the collections the museum has to offer, such as their American Indian's Collection, the Presidents' Collection, and others.  I do wish, however, that they offered more images for their online guests.  The printed material they present is excellent and interesting but at the end of each article I always wish I could see more of what they have. 

The DAR does have a wonderful exhibit on right now:  Return to Toyland!  From October 3 through February 28, 2009 they will feature late 19th and early 20th century toys from their collection!  I think this would be a fun one to visit.  Here's an image from their online site - "Jumbo" from about 1904:













The DAR does have a few images from their quilt collection, such as at New Threads: Quilts and Costumes and Home and Country: American Quilts and Samplers in the DAR Museum.  Below is an image from this second exhibit, an amazing album quilt called the "The Baltimore Album Quilt Top" from an unknown quilter.



The DAR continues to add to its collection, such as their new 19th century violin and rare and unique manuscript globe.  Another recent acquisition is this beautiful 1853 quilt made by Ms. Mary Macubbin Waters:

Their new acquisition article does provide helpful information about this quilt and the quilter:  Ms. Waters 1823 Quilt.

Normally, I like to write about museums and how they afford us the opportunity to visit in person and online and view their quilts.  The DAR Museum has a unique focus in that I believe they cherish and reflect 18th and 19th century textiles, furniture, toys and many other of their 30,000 objects so many of which come directly from descendants of those involved (in some direct way) with the American Revolution. 

They do seem to care about their objects and understand that visitors do want to interact with these items to appreciate them and learn from them.  The DAR offered a Quilt Camp this summer for two weeks where children could learn about appliqué and hand quilting and then view the quilts at the museum.  What a great concept.  For younger children (ages 5-8), they also have a class on finding shapes in quilts.  They offer many programs for children to let them experience folk arts, colonial history, and other interesting things:  Educational Programs.

If you're in Washington, I do think you'd like their exhibits.  Here's a calendar link in case you're traveling that way:  DAR Calendar.

And, for fun, I want to include another quilt image I found on their site, it's called "Key Counterpaine Quilt".  Imagine the work involved in creating this:

Best,

Fiona

Maybe you don't live near a quilt store that has classes.  Maybe there isn't a quilt show coming up near you.  Maybe you'd like to take a class but just can't find the right one?  Well...there is a great website for anyone who wishes to take an online quilt class:  Quilt University.

Over 20,000 students have taken classes at Quilt University (QU) since 2000 and their website does seem to be very user friendly.  Their site offers over 120 online classes.  Some of these classes are offered twice a year, some once.  The list of their classes beginning in the next few weeks is located Quilt University link above.  Each class is identified by name, instructor, skill level, supply list, cost, dates of lessons, and an image and detail of the class's "quilt" goal.

For example, here's a direct link to a new class they're offering by Daphne Greig of Canada:  Ripless Paper Piecing.  This class begins lessons on October 3, with another lesson on October 10 and then October 17.  The class finally closes on November 8.  Here's an image from the class:



The QU site has a wonderful student orientation section that explains how the classes work (they range in duration from two to six weeks and cost between $18 and $72).  There is a course catalog with lots of helpful information.  What I think is really wonderful is that the site offers a class road map to help you decide which classes and in what order you could take them to best develop your skills.  Really smart idea.

They have the following class categories:  Patchwork & Piecing, Appliqué, Garments & Accessories, Embroidery Modules, Quilting & Surface Embellishment, Dyeing & Painting, Computer-Aided Quilt Design, Pictorial Quilts, Design & Color, Paper & Foundation Piecing, and Other.

AND, they offer you a free, sample class to see if you would like taking an online class.  It's called "Border Crossings" and it's a two lesson class.  Here it is:  Free Online Class!  To me, that's a nice offer. 

They have over 30 faculty members from all parts of the globe.  For example, Helen Marshall of New Zealand teaches three classes, including one entitled "Wheel of Mystery".  I did have a great opportunity to spend some time with Ms. Marshall when her "Wheel of Mystery" book came out.  She's great.  Here's an image of her quilt for this class:

There are so many instructors offering so many classes online at this site.  I think readers of this blog would probably also be interested in a class entitled "Jane Was Nuts" by Carol Miller since the class in an outgrowth of the popular book "Dear Jane" by Brenda Papadakis.  Here's an image of the quilt for that class:

"Jane Was Nuts" opens on October 3, here's a direct link:  Jane.  Ms. Miller teaches 12 classes online and was one of the founders of QU!

There's a Student Commons area where students can connect and discuss books, products and classes.  They even have a link to the winners of their online student contest that shows a dozen quilts.  And there's a whole section of quilt images from students under the Student Gallery section.

This site offers a lot.  I think everyone would also like to look into their Library as well since it offers quality information for reference material.  They also have a nice FAQ section.  And a newsletter!

I think they have a very approachable and very useful website.  I do think they offer a great service.  I also think they have thought out a great process to not just offer quilting classes but also to build a community (classes, forums, library, newsletters, contests, student images online). 

And this is where I think their website truly shines - the community they've built in their Forum sections in the Student Commons.  I think anyone thinking about taking classes at QU should take a look at the Student Lounge, Product Review, Book Reviews, Finishing School (for UFOs), and the Dyeing Forum.  Everyone interacting there is interested, supportive and involved.  The first few threads I read had quilters helping each other from different parts of the world (one thread had a Canadian and an Australian gushing about how great these QU classes were to a quilter in America).  Another thread was a discussion about Pigma pens and another about particular threads.  I can think of no better confirmation of how good these classes must be than the enthusiasm I read there.

Great site.  Great concept.

Best,

Fiona

(Late note:  Anyone taking their classes - please post a note here on your experience and I'll put up your comments for our other readers. 

"Enduring Grace" Quilts from the Shelburne Museum Collection" by Celia Oliver with Froncie Quinn is a wonderful book divided essentially into three sections - historical research, quilts from the museum, and five patterns from the museum collection. 

Here's an image of the book:



The first section of the book concerns the founder of the Shelburne Museum, Ms. Electra Fabemeyer Webb.  Ms. Webb's passion for collecting make the rest of the book possible.  It was her actions that made this museum and its massive collection of quilts, textiles, costumes and so many other decorative items available.

Ms. Oliver continues her book by including so much information in the section "American Quilts in the Home".  This is the section that history and quilting buffs will treasure.  Chapter headings such as "Textiles in Colonial America", "The Emergence of Block Set Patterns in American Quilts" and "The New Century" are among the 13 chapter titles.  This historical perspective is a great read and filled with so many beautiful images of quilts, tables, drawings and other evocative images that help present the subject matter.  Details are never left out. 

I've just realized that for some reason, my book always opens to the Whole Cloth Petticoat Quilt, Serpentine Rose and Vine Pattern, circa 1780-1800.  And this is just one beautiful image among hundreds that appear throughout this book.

Like in it's next section, which I know quilters will love.  There are about four dozen images from the Shelburne Museum's quilt collection.  Each image is in full colour and includes details particular to each piece.  The images are grouped by date and span 1780 to 1950.  So many stunning quilts.

But then there's still more!

Froncie Quinn has created five patterns from quilts in the museum collection.  The patterns include wonderful instructions, supply information, notes, images and details on how to recreate each quilt.  I think this is a great addition to the book and really gets you involved in the collection.

So, a wonderful book stuffed with information and activities.  I really think you'll like this one, I've re-read it many times.

Best,

Fiona

"Calico Mann:  The Manny Kopp Fabric Collection" by Bobbie Aug and Sharon Newman with Paul Kopp is a wonderful find I believe you will enjoy if you enjoy looking at fabric swatches, especially older ones, as much as I do.  Here's an image of the cover:



Mr. Kopp's father, Manny, was a fabric designer, lecturer and collector.  He amassed the amazing collection of swatches that are presented in this book under chapters entitled Stripes, Calicos, Indigoes, Leno Weaves, and Poor Brothers' Salesman Samples among others.

There is a touching and informative foreward by Mr. Paul Kopp and then only a few short pages by Ms. Aug and Ms. Newman which provide important historical information on the Kopp swatches.  But the book really is concerned with presenting hundreds of historic swatches in a direct and beautiful manner.  The book states that there are over 1,300 swatches inside dating from about 1830 to 1925.

There are no projects in this book.  Just stacks of swatches, detailed with dates and some notes.  This collection must be so wonderful to view.

I keep thinking of the care Mr. Kopp must have taken to have emassed such a collection.  It is evident in the notes by his son and so evident in the expansive selection of fabrics in this book.

If you love textile history like I do you will truly appreciate this book.

Best,

Fiona