Sunday, August 13, 2006

Seattle Quilt Show

The Pacific Northwest Quiltfest in Seattle was as fabulous as expected. Every quilt was more incredible than the one before it. 223 quilts were juried into this show. There was also a display of antique quilts, a display of quilts made for both silent and live auction to benefit the Quiltfest, and a couple of other unusual collections. There were hundreds of people there, as well as 52 vendors. What a surprise to find that Norma had discovered me in the middle of all those people, though I didn't notice her until she stuck her name tag in my face. How fun to meet an Internet quilty friend! In reading her blog this morning I learned I can't post pictures of the quilts - rats! I can show you a picture of the best of show quilt here, because it won a big award at this years' IMQA show and there is a picture of it on their website. This artist lives just across the river from me in Lake Oswego, Oregon so I've been privileged to see many her quilts in person. Three members of our Clark County Quilters had quilts in the show, and two of them were ribbon winners.

I've been going through the pictures I took and unfortunately there are many didn't turn out well. I tried a new setting on my camera that made it unnecessary to use flash - this preserving the colors of the quilts better - but I didn't hold the camera steady enough a lot of the time. Pictures that looked just fine in the viewing screen on the camera turned out to be blurry when downloaded to the computer. A learning experience, but what a disappointment!

I should know myself better by now, and should never make a "no buy" pledge. I can go a long time without buying fabric - months and months! - I really can when I have to! But it just seems so silly to do so when I find something unusual that is very hard to get and is perfect for a project I'm doing. I wasn't even slightly tempted in most of the booths, because I'm not into batiks, orientals, brights, hand dyeds, and most of the other fabrics carried by the vendors. Only one booth was tempting, and I succumbed. Reproduction fabrics - a website I've visited many times - had a booth there. I love this website because they have their fabric sorted according to historical category. I've never ordered from them because much of their fabric is imported, available no where else, and more expensive than most. I don't like to order that sight unseen. Well, yesterday I got to examine all of it close up. The incredible reproduction chintzes important from the Netherlands made from 17th and 18th century designs. Real indigo prints imported from South Africa that feel like cardboard but soften to a beautiful hand when washed. Fabrics you just don't see anywhere in this country. Fabrics that are absolutely perfect for the pre-1830's medallion that I'm making in the year-long class I'm taking. Once I saw them in person I knew I wanted them for my reproduction quilt. It just seemed silly to wait until September to order them when I'd have to pay shipping on the purchase, so I bought them yesterday. And I'm not at all sorry!

As far as my other spending goes, here is the scoop. I joined the Appliqué Society, which I've always wanted to do. If you joined at the show you got copies of the last year's newsletters for free. I also fell in love with two Gund turkeys at the booth of a shop from Montana - the little one gobbles - which will be great for Thanksgiving, especially when grandchildren arrive. I love the striped stocks on the larger one - I'd love a pair like that for myself! I found paperback copies of the first two Emilie Richards quilt-related novels, about which I've heard so many positive comments. I've read two chapters of the first one and I'm really enjoying it. Of course I had to have a purple t-shirt with the show logo on the back, and a pair of purple socks also with the logo, and the show pin. That's the full report of my spending, other than Starbucks and meals.

It was a long day - we left at 6:00 a.m. and got back about 9:00 p.m. - but a wonderful day with quilty friends. As soon as pictures of all the winning quilts are up on their website I'll post the links. Now I need to spend today catching up!


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

sounds like you had a full day - we ended up going in the late afternoon but only stayed about an hour - dh's back still won't let him be up and out for too long and I was tired too - the quilts were really beautiful and I am glad we went

Anonymous said...

You got some great fabrics there! I love the turkeys :) I am wanting to read the books but they never have them at the libary in the right order LOL I am little OCD about reading series' books. xoxo melzie

Anonymous said...

I would have bought the fabric also so beautiful. Love the pictures.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day! And meeting Norma was icing on the cake! Love those fabrics you found. And, you'll thoroughly enjoy Emilie Richards' books - I've read those two you purchased and have been trying to keep myself from purchasing the newest Lover's Knot in hardback. ;-)

Anonymous said...

It looks like you made some serious purchases! Well done! It was great to meet in person!

Anonymous said...

OOOOOOOH! Can you see me drooling in Ireland? I have started collecting the indigos, and have been eyeing those Dutch chintzes, but like you, the prices keep me from getting them! Would you consider doing a trade with me for a 6 inch square of your indigos?? I have about 8 ones here that are different to yours. I will be doing a seven sisters wallhanging as my next hand pieced project (after DJ!!) and am collecting... Pretty please???

Anonymous said...

I like the Emile Richards books and I've ordered the 3rd one in this series.

I'm disappointed that my trip to Seattle is after this show too - sounds like I missed a good time.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day you had!

Anonymous said...

Reproduction Fabrics often has a booth at a couple of shows I go to in CA. I love their fabrics and stand there for ever trying to narrow down what I can buy -- I want it ALL! Glad you found fabrics that fit what you are looking for. They look great in the photo.

Anonymous said...

Ooh quilty books! I'm reading Elm Creek Quilter books. :)

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, love the reproduction fabrics! I had the good luck to actually visit the shop while on vacation a couple of years ago. So neat!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a ball. My Mom and I loved the wedding Ring. How cool is that that you met someone from the quilt ring...I think I could have written your paragrapgh of dislikes, I'm not an oriental fabric person, nor the batiks. Have a good Moanday catching up...
Melanie

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful time for you- and Norma as well-great buy for you-and this fabric already has a home for it-so I think you did terrific on buying it!

Anonymous said...

Well of course you had to buy them there. No other choice! Those are just spectacular prints. When you get the Virginia book you will see all the old chintz used in "brioderie purse" (SP)quilts. Can't spell that sorry.

Sounds like a wonderful day at the quilt show!!

Anonymous said...

It sounds wonderful Patti, and I'm sooo glad you had a good time!

How neat to meet Norma like that..LOL

And thanks for sharing all the goodies you found..some real treasures..*VBS* Hugs, Finn

Anonymous said...

Oh how fun you met Norma, and what fun fabrics you got. You will LOVE the 2 books! I enjoyed them so much! I"m starting some of her books now that are not quilt related, she is a fun writer. Wish I could go to a show, I'm in the mood!

Anonymous said...

I love your Reproduction Fabric selections. I can see them all in one big quilt!
Sandy