Another Choice Issue

The latest issue is on the streets! We are particularly proud of Ireland and our quilters in this issue. There’s a huge amount of quilting being seen in the mainstream. We’re so excited as we report about it all.

Bigger still, and more vast than most subject matters, science is partnering with quilting!! We are so excited to work with our Fair City, chosen from so many European cities, and named City of Science for 2012. In celebration of Dublin City of Science 2012, we want to see science in your quilt. Check out our Science in My Quilt competition. It is early days, sponsors are eagerly signing up and offering prizes (more than €3000 in value), so get creative, grab your lab coat, pick your instrument and come out with a really inventive and creative quilt!

That’s just one article out of so many in this issue.

Last issue, our tutorials were a big hit. Who doesn’t want to learn more?

In this issue, we provide a tutorial for some elegant polishing to a quilt. Our feature quilt required this particular feature so it was easy enough to have the makers of the quilt prepare the tutorial. Once the proof reader went through the paces, we had volumes of tips, tricks and guidelines for our scallop border tutorial. Mass is good, but the need for appropriate presentation and structure reminded me of an online tutorial I once read on a blog:

32 Steps To Do Scallop Borders.
Janey Mac! But it only took me 20 steps to make the quilt top!

1. Experiment Always a good start!

2. See Step 20. Do I bother with Steps 3-19?

3. Consider not doing scallops and do an ordinary edging. Grand! Let’s not do it afterall!
4. …

Options. It is all about the options, right?

Behind Behind the Scenes

Hello!
Is there anybody out there? Just nod…ah forget it…
The Boss (Sherry) is away, so I’m here at the computer in the office with Kevin beavering away in the Other Office. I DO hear a keyboard being used, so…
Oh yeah, I’m Dermot and what I know about quilting is about equal with my left boot’s
understanding of Quantum Mechanics. To me, Jacob’s ladder is a very scary movie. Good to meet you! There. I confessed and I feel much the better for doing so. I’m a quilting ignoramus!
Why work at a quilting magazine, then? Well, let me stop you right there. I don’t work at A quilting magazine; I work at THE quilting magazine in these here parts. A small but important point, no? As for writing, filing, processing adverts and subscriptions, proof reading and making a damn fine mug of coffee (if I do say so myself), I LOVE it!
Lately, however, odd things have been happening. Our beloved Lauren has transferred to Dublin, Sherry is more out of office than in and even my wife and son are visiting a sick relative…..I’m keeping a very close eye on Kevin. Abandonment is a terrible thing!

Never mind, minor mental issues aside, the weather here is pretty spectacular for this time of year. Usually by this time, small animals have been kicking at my back door and making with the whinging and wailing but this year? Let’s just say that it’s never good for one’s self esteem to have a hedgehog, four Thrushes and a Robin turn their noses up at the usual scraps and nuts left outside for them. And one would get funny looks if one should chastise said ingrates with a stout stick.
Better leave it at that. Wonder what Sherry will think of me invading her blog like this?
Hmmm!
So, any of you looking for a half-decent, house trained office worker?
Hello……?


Dermot

What I Heard at the Houston and Dublin Show

We've finally returned from two shows back to back. The week before last we exhibited at the International Quilt Festival in Houston and this last week we exhibited at the Knitting and Stitching in Dublin.

What an interesting stretch of days. What a tiring stream of days.
I am very fortunate that we could take part and I'm delighted that we successfully exhibited at both. This week we finalise the latest issue, so it is such a productive month!

My thoughts in this post were to summarise the two shows individually, and of course in comparison.

The Houston show was immense. Naturally it is dedicated to quilting, so everyone shares one love. Apparently the attendance numbers were down, the isles quieter than past years. As a first-time exhibitor, this was not as obvious to myself. Four years I have been traveling to Houston (three as nonexhibitor) and not once have I made it to see the quilts on show. One year, I will find some stolen time and I will check out the quilts on display. If you have been to either Houston Market or Festival, you will understand the overwhelming amount to see and do in a short span of time.

The Knitting and Stitching show in Dublin continues to grow each year. This year it arrived later in November and I wondered if the miss of school break would make a difference in the crowds. School's in session, and yet, the isles were still crowded. In fact, it would appear some schools made the tour so children did not miss out. As a 'knitting and stitching' event, there was a great mixture of craft enthusiasts. Unlike at the Houston event, I did have help in Dublin and I was able to chat with customers and vendors alike. I also saw the incredible display of quilts--many marking the 30th anniversary of the Irish Patchwork Society.

With a great showing of vendors (Oakshott, Van Gogh, multiple Irish quilt shops). The first thing I learned from the vendors was that the mixed crowd (knitting and stitching) was increased work for them. Even at our booth, we realised the impact of non quilters with the many queries for the nonexistent pricing our quilts on display. Several non-stitching visitors were confused as to what product was being sold, whereas quilters were well educated on a quilt booth's wares.

Interested readers were ample at both shows, making our attendance well worth the effort.
As both shows happened one after another, I amused my travel times both in car and plane comparing the two events. Perhaps unfairly.
The Houston show caters to a full blown industry of quilters. The Dublin show is for craft enthusiasts. Both shows had education and workshops and so the biggest difference was in the vending. And, of course economics played a role as well, but in general, I could see finances being a distinct concern for the people of both continents.

There were no beginner quilters in Houston--no one outting themselves to me, anyway. Whereas in Dublin, from the nonquilting crowd, the beginners were out and proud; so many folks wanting to learn patchwork, wanting to find quilting teachers.

The quilters in Houston were finding a new affection for embellishing and creating art quilts like those that European quilters do so regularily.

Finally, other marked differences are simply summed up in two words: customer behavior. For fear of getting into trouble, but for want to share my amusement, I leave it with you to guess which clientele carries which attribute:

In one show among the upbeat and happy, there were some weirdos. The ones that know no personal space, those that ramble on about nothing, those that leave you wondering, "what was that all about?"

In the other show among the upbeat and happy, there were some contrary. The ones with a sour puss, the ones that gripe as if you are forcing them to buy, the ones that leave you wondering, "what was that all about?"

In truth, it doesn't matter which is which, I've come to learn that the same resolution is true for both of them. I listen. Because he/she is my customer. I listen. If I can do something to help them, I will. I listen, because they want to be heard.

Isn't that we all want?

Obedient Yet Perplexed

One of the most important aspects of being an editor is protecting copyright. Funny enough, often this copyright rarely is for me nor Irish Quilting's material.


We promote quilting and we share information. Irish Quilting is a window into the Irish quilt lifestyle, as well as it is a window into the quilting world for those in Ireland.


My expertise is in writing and managing content and a team--not in patchwork nor techniques--this is one of the bigger misconceptions of my job. It is however, correct to say, that my primary focus is to surround myself with expert patchworkers and quilters. And, it is their copyright material that is my top concern.

Can I print it? Is it ok with them? Does the content convey accuracy and relevance?

Whenever quilts are submitted, I find myself repeating..."we CAN ask". Irish quilters, new to the quilt business, frequently say, "it isn't original, it can't be used". As a business focused on promotion of quilting, I urge exploration and compliance. From Eleanor Burns in America to Annie Downs of Australia, we have been permitted to print copyright material other than our own. I like to believe these professionals believe in the same promotion of quilting. However, as proprietors of unique property, it is only correct they be given credit and compensation as they wish. And yet with such righteous entitlement, there has yet to be an owner of copyright material say no.


However, we have had a professional deny permission after the fact. Oye vey. Permission was given in writing--as it should, which makes the encounter sour more. Making matters worse, this copyright is for 'technique'--a gray area in itself.


Before print--we know this particular professional and her views--we sought written permission, despite that many would argue whether technique is even covered under copyright. The professional has since surfaced exclaiming permission extended only to a photo of the quilt. A photo? A photo of a quilt made by a technique that is purportedly covered under her copyright? Now, why would I do that? Only print a photo of quilt that was made with one person's design and another's technique? The quilt design is not hers and lordy, I haven't the heart yet to tell the original designer about the professional's absent mindedness...did I mention, initially, the professional originally denied ever writing to me. I had to send a copy of her own correspondence back to her! Oye vey.

Meanwhile on other places on earth, there are oodles of creators replicating works. The TV is bursting with these 'Ink' reality shows--every episode the artist is inking some Disney or Harley Davidson tat. And just the other day I watched a restoration show where the artist refurbished a Hershey's candy dispensor, logo and all. The artists are accepting payment for these works and, you know, the Discovery channel is writing them a check.

I wonder, who is minding those copyrights?


At the very least, they should mention copyright and how it's handled--it would make those of us, obedient and tortured in compliance, feel better.

Just Imagine

A beautiful Irish quilt on the horizon.

That's the cover of our next issue and it's coming soon!

(don't you just love that chair?)

Designs of Another Time

Has anyone else have preconceived notions about antique Irish quilts?

Much as quilting's history in Ireland has been distinctly without a business angle (as in America's patchwork growth and background), my intrepretation was narrowly constructed of quilts that were created out of need and necessity. Some years ago I viewed quilts made of wools and heavy textiles--100 years old stitching recorded the worn remnants of soldiers' uniforms.

Completely sterotyping a persona without more consideration or creativity, I pictured patchworkers of the Irish 1700s and 1800s with little or no design zest, piecing together remnants for warmth and practicality. Fabulous Ulster quilts with red applique dabbled in creativity but without presence, my mind files the olden Irish quilts as ultimately, a utiltarian need.

Last Monday, a viewing of quilts greatly broadened my notion of long ago Irish quilts and their creators. With special permission and guidance, four 1700-1800's quilts of Dublin's Collin Barrack's Museum lie before us. (Unfortunately there was no photography allowed.)

Two quilts were of hexagon piecing. Among six smaller hexagons circling one, great care and design was obvious as it was a multitude of design within designs. This hexagon piecing was clearly a product of fussy cutting, a kalidescope design. In a conceited effort to validate my earlier intrepretations, I do think the size of hexagons, ie., 2" shapes, were inherently scrap fabric in a time when quilting fabric was indeed remnants. However, the creators of these intricate designs and thoughtful coordination of prints and patterns certainly elevated their 'scraps' into contention with any of today's designers' work.

I had the pleasure of viewing these antique quilts with Cathy from City Quilter and we both were really impressed as several prints within the fabrics stood out with familarity. It was amazing to see how perfectly matched are today's designers' reproduction fabrics. Several prints, I felt, were dead ringers for Jo Morton's designs--or at very most, a great-great-great aunt of Jo's!

The shaped edges of the quilts were tidy hexagons kept together with aged, yet still invisible, whipped stitches. In continuing awe we also saw several 'bed covers' covered in colourful embroidery.
Imagine how this impeccible stitching was done in a time without electric lighting!
Honestly seeing these quilts really changed how I visualised quilters in 1700 Ireland. Really, once upon a time they were doing a necessary task--now I can very nearly hear design details shared among these creative ancestors.
Just imagine a time with no rotary cutters, no fusible web, no lamps. These quilters were amazing, nothing short of magicians!

Fulfilling Quilters' Quest in Ireland

Our industry is small in Ireland, so when I see the quilting forces working together, it is a great thing!

Check out Karen's blog--Karen is a regular contributor for Irish Quilting and for several other publications. Her designs are always colourful, clean and new for inspiring experienced quilters and beginners. Today she blogs about Quilters Quest, an Irish quilt shop in Belfast Northern Ireland.
She's even doing a great giveaway. Be sure to visit her blog and visit Quilter Quest online.

Big Apples in the Fair City

Monday this week myself and Dermot from the office had the pleasure to visit with Dale and Cathy of City Quilter. They had been visiting in Ireland and we were delighted to meet up in Dublin.

(I have previously met them in Houston and have regularly followed their Manhattan adventures such as creating City Collection fabrics and opening the latest and ONLY Art quilt gallery in NYC!)

Though they had mere days of a tour, we were honoured when we could meet up for a few hours at their hotel. Dermot had been forearmed and planned a little stroll and a visit to the Museum at Collins' Barracks.


Cathy Izzo (City Quilter Owner) Alex Ward (Curator) and myself

Now many here in Dublin know this museum is closed on Mondays. So we were really thankful that Dermot was able to organise a private viewing of some very old antique Irish quilts, categorically filed, "decorative textiles". (I am almost scared to report on this, being I don't want to annoy our lovely currator with similar requests... but it is too good not to share).

Dermot really turned on the charm and with special instruction we went on to view five gorgeous incredible quilts dating from 1700s to early 1900s. Museum quiet and closed, our Currator Alex had to unearth the secure textile boxes, schlep them to a vacant room and find space enough to unfold and layout for viewing. She really went above and beyond to share with us and our friends from the Big Apple. It truly was a grand gesture from the Fair City. My two favourite peoples: Dubs and New Yorkers!

These quilts were exquisite. Hands in gloves, Alex reminded us that photography was not allowed, so goes this blind post. We also want to stress that quilts are, indeed, found on show at the Country Life Museum of County Mayo and NOT in Dublin. So if you want to see incredible textiles like these of olden days of Ireland--olden as in hundred years old--do visit the Country Life Museum in Castlebar.

Dermot is here on left with Dale Riehl (City Quilter Owner), Alex Ward (Currator) Cathy Izzo (City Quilter Owner).

Hollywood Fair

This weekend our photo opportunity traveled back in time.

This the Annual Hollywood Fair in County Wicklow--one of the best if you ask me!

Where the dress is pre 1950s and livestock roam the grounds.

Food is on the grill. What's an Irish barbeque without potatoes? Check out the potato-filled crates!



A little story about Hollywood, the one in California and in the Republic of Ireland (FYI, there's also a Hollywood in Northern Ireland.) My maternal grandparents are from Hollywood, California. (In fact, my great grandfather is Harry Davenport, Doctor Meade in Gone with the Wind, and my grandfather was the one-armed soldier turned away by Scarlett O'Hara. There's media trivia for you! )

Acting on Hidden Signs

Recently we posted an image on Facebook asking friends to guess what it was. It was a partial shot of a larger feature that is in production on a quilt. There were a lot of guesses. Can you guess it correctly?
Neither could anyone else! Though, FB friends Patricia did guess 'clover' and Virgina guessed 'birds'. They both deserve a win and will receive a complimentary copy of the upcoming issue that features this quilt. Here is the full shot:
Months ago I spotted this Irish Hex Sign and immediately envisioned it on a lovely quilt. After contacting Jacob Zook et al. (the company who makes these signs), we secured permission and viola! production began.

The end result is a sweet quilt, king size. Talented Karen in County Kerry pieced this large applique quilt with Hex signs set in an Irish Chain. Now Romi of Creative Quilting is quilting it on her long arm machine.

People who know me know I'm a writer first and a quilter second.
(That's because my schooling happened to be as such. Trust me, had I attended four years of quilt school and could quilt for a living, I would! Heck! it is hard enough writing for a living--but I'll have a go at it anyway.)

Who am I fooling? My own stitching is never straight. My patience can't compare to the sharpest point of any star block. I stick to writing, but with my business, I know to surround myself with the best quilters.

So, here I am chuffed with each step of progress on this Irish Hex Sign quilt-- seeing my idea with the inspiration of the Zook signs come to life. I use the term 'designed by' lightly--but it is not to discount our ideas. Your ideas. You all have ideas and inspirations--they usually begin as simple as, "ooh, that would make a great quilt".

Most the time, it simply involves one call or email to get permission and the sewing can begin. Despite my inadequate sewing, had I more time, I would have loved to do the piecing myself. But then, with my sewing, who knows if the quilt would made it in the issue!

I Did Yudu

For some time now, I've had an ongoing email thread with reader Angy from Texas. Thanks to Angy, I'm a much smarter person today.

Angy is a subscriber who receives our magazine digitally. There has been intermittant problems with this service and following her most recent email, I became determined to find the source of the frustration. I wasn't going to stop until I did.

The only natural thing to do was to reinact what she was doing and hopefully these problems would surface. And they did. When printed, the magazine appears disjointed and content views obstructed. Yudu is our service provider for the digital magazines and having been informed of another issue (excessive spamming once becoming a Yudu registered user), I went to battle.

Surfed to Yudu, registered with Yudu and bought my digital version of Irish Quilting. (Note to other business owners: never wait to buy your own product! Be your first customer, it tests processes and you know firsthand the quality product is the result!)
Of course within a second or two of getting my digital version, I had questions. I am the MOST skeptic customer, in every part of my life, personal and business. The customer help at Yudu probably thought I was insane. I was saying, Why can't I get this? Why not? He actually said, this is your business, do you really want it given away like that? Oh. Right, put my business cap back on.

(We had been discussing why a simple downloaded PDF file didn't fulfill my purchase. Rather Yudu makes you download an application that runs the magazine on an offline utilty. This app confirms your registered name. His point was a PDF would mean one reader could forward it to one, two or 52,000 other readers. Not good for business.)
I reread Angy's latest email. The inability to have a PDF did not bother her.

Remembering customer feedback and realising I'd just registered, I envisioned spam emails filling my inbox. I had the customer helper direct me to my profile and options within where I could un-opt for special offers. Done. It is a bit hidden and not in the registeration process, so word up on the anti spam process. Check your profile settings.
I reread Angy's email. She said nothing about spam--she was probably smarter than the average (me) and un-opted in the beginning.

Finally I went to print as Angy had. My printer behaved just the same and printed disjointed and obstructed content. Back with customer help, we determined it was the original design settings on the source file. Customer help was kind enough to fix the back issues. Our designer is going to ensure going forward we avoid this problem.

Whew! I actually think we solved the problem presented for Angy and more!

Also, I now have a digital subscription to a fabulous magazine!

Reward Offered for Most Wanted Readers

Update: FOUND One Reader
Our unsung winner of the Janome blocks has been identified as Vicky Parsons. Now, Vicky, you winner, where are you?

We've lost two readers. Have you ever heard of anything sillier? It's not.
You see, it's happened and well, we're hoping you can help us find them.

One reader was lucky winner Robena Tyndall of County Antrim in our last issue. She won the book Charmed Beginnings by Jo Baddeley. Somewhere between the name draw and the packaging of her winning, her address was misplaced. Anyone who knows her and can put us in touch with Robena,will be rewarded with a year's subscription to Irish Quilting.

Worse, but funnier, is how we came to lose our next reader.

This reader sent in the block below, a winning block! Somehow, there was the wrong name credited to this block in our Janome competition. We were so delighted to receive 70+ blocks for judging; I actually thought, for a moment, that we should photograph each one with a name placard as they arrived in the post. Oh! but I didn't. (People, always follow your gut!)I suppose it is most upsetting because the winning block is in the magazine mis-identified and oh, how I wish this reader would phone us.

If you know someone who knows this block, please put us in touch and we'll reward you with a two year's subscription to Irish Quilting.

Time to network friends. We always want to find readers, but I'm particularly attached to these two.
Thanks!

Spotted: Craft Challenge

Are You Interested?

Inspired by the sea and the underwater world? Show your maritime colour, texture, pattern and force. This exhibition is calling for contemporary designs in any textile media and technique. Literal or abstract interpretations accepted.

Coming to an exhibition in Dublin!

For more info, visit here.

Irish Quilting in New Jersey

The Ireland Show Secaucus, New Jersey U.S. A.

Roisin O'Coineen, harpist

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Did you all hear?

February is for match making. In February, we were matched. Our partnering is with Kilcullen Kapital and Partner Enda O’Coineen, businessman/entrepreneur--he's the man who brought the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/09(and again, 2011/12 as Finish Port!) to Galway, Ireland.

O’Coineen, founder and publisher of Irish titles Afloat and Security in the 1980s, announced the partnership with Irish Quilting as an insightful investment and adventure into the growth of the Irish Quilting magazine and into a sustainable textiles/publishing market open to employment opportunities and regional expansion abroad, both areas being a promising pursuit for Irish businesses.

“We’re taking a strong product and brand and making it stronger. Within our
organisation, Irish Quilting will have the means for promotion and expansion it needs to become a leading Irish brand in the existing $3.58 billion yearly quilting industry of America.”

We are enthusiastic about our new opportunities and the support of Enda O’Coineen and Kilcullen Kapital. We believe we have found the right people to take our business to the next level because they have the expertise and the resources, including a commitment to serving our readers while promoting the best of Ireland.

How can you not be excited about that?


(Quilt by Naomh Muire Quilters,in April 2009)

When Picking Favourites is Fun

Thank you to everyone who sent in Janome Jackpot competition blocks.

The blocks are officially with the first set of judges. Though I'm not a contestant nor a judge, I snuck a box of chocolates into the box when handing over the entry blocks.

In fact, knowing for these two judges it is a weekend of patchwork lectures and courses, well, might they be judging this very moment?

Personally, I like the odd red wine with my chocolates, but it's bad enough I'm influencing (for no reason) with chocolates, but to impair them with vino, well no hard-working contestant wants that! And don't ask who the judges are just yet, I'll take no chances of anyone else plying them liquor!


As editor, I've reserved a special 13th winner slot, beyond the fantastic 12 wins so generously awarded by Janome. While I'm so very thankful not to be a judge, I am going to select an Editor's Favourite: a favourite hand-picked block which spoke to me. Working in a small office, I personally opened each and every block. I know the one who spoke to me, she quietly whispered, "Love me." And I did.

The next time I see her, I'll be honoured to announce her as my favourite. Who knows, she might take home more than one title? But for everyone's sake, I hope not!

Spread the love!

Party Like a Quilter

Our friends at Janome have been fabulous to sponsor our Janome Jackpot where we'll be awarding 12 lucky quilters big prizes--at the top of the list is the Horizon Memory Craft!

In fact, I bet there are a few good men, who upon hearing "Win a Horizon Memory Craft"--well, they just might get behind you thinking they might win a luxory ship! I've only just now, realised the name Horizon Memory Craft rings just a bit like a luxory computerised nautical ride into the great sunset, of course without the seasickness and sand in your shoes!

For months now, entry forms have come in. There were several that came in past the December deadline, but most importantly is the 31 January deadline for the actual blocks! Depending where you live, this may be your last full week to create your stunner entry.

While none of us at Irish Quilting can compete in the contest, there is nothing against us having some fun alongside. I'm personally hosting a sewing weekend where I hope to see a few entry blocks come to life.

I'm a gal who likes themes. and sewing. and food. What about a quilting party for sewing and eating, where everything is layered as in a quilt? Can you imagine the fun with pastry layering? Sandwich fillers? Stackable appetisers? A bartender in my former life, heck, I can even layer a few beverages.

While everyone's creating blocks, I have my own sewing UFOs that need attention, so the Food and Drink quilts will just have to wait out another soire.

Looking for more themes, I read up on the date of our quilt block party: 22 January. Turns out, on that date in 1927 was the first live radio commentary of a football match anywhere in the world, between Arsenal F.C. and Sheffield United in England. I thought we could honor it and our party by listening to football nonstop as we quilt. Then I thought again.

Sometimes you just have to go with what you know. I love nothing more than to do up oldies but goodies that I miss and love from America. Warm chocolate chip cookies, refreshing tart lemonade, tantalising 7-layer chip and dip and standby Lipton Onion dip. Sooooo American. There you have it. Saturday we will be sewing all day and eating American treats. Sew American.

What sewing session party themes would you RSVP yes too?

That said, if you're in Ireland this coming Saturday, in County Wicklow vicinity, drop a line and come sew Irish-like and eat American-like!

make, do, and a pint, please?

At half-past six and armed with handbags bulging of textiles, car filling of chatter and giggles, we with oodles of inspiration bounced along the potholes and back lanes to converge together in one famous Irish pub for a "make and do" session.

Twice a month, the O'Toole family extends the pub's conservatory room to a gang of creative minds to knit, quilt, sew, paint--well anything you wish to "make and do". The pub is the Harbor Bar in Bray--recently voted the best pub in the world in the Lonely Planet survey.

A newcomer, I brought some handwork sewing and quickly felt at ease.

Pull up a stool and read more about this creative gathering in an upcoming issue...

Find the Rainbow

in the latest Quiltposium and you'll find our very own Nikki Foley!


A regular contributor to our magazine, patchwork teacher and owner of The Sewing Shed, Nikki is the centerfold in the Winter 2010 issue of Quiltposium. Learn more about Nikki from this playful and fun profile. I read it each quarter and am amazed with what golden nuggets, trival and otherwise, are "found out". I guess that's what makes its centerfolds so interesting!



Check it out! Also, once upon a time you needed a password--not so anymore, so hurry, click away.