Perfect Timing

Every once in a while you do better than good when it comes to giving the perfect gift; you hit a grand slam.

That's what happened in my family this Christmas. I gave a Janome AQS-2009 25th Anniversary sewing machine to my 20-year old nephew. I just had a feeling that this creative, artistic kid would take to it like a duck to water, and he did! I was counting on his interests in air brush painting (art), welding (using his hands) and cooking (following directions but with flexibility) to give him a "Try anything! Try everything!" approach, and boy-oh-boy, was I spot on.

I wrapped all the family gifts in fabric secured with straight pins and bundled the leftovers for a "starter stash." He was fondling fabric all day! (And the rest of the gang enjoyed the fabric, too.) I also gave him a craft organizer; a rotary cutting mat, cutter and ruler; neutral thread; and pins. Told him to buy his own scissors as these are highly personal tools people are fussy about.

We spent a couple of hours getting him acquainted with the machine, which is a nifty little gem, lightweight enough for classes and retreats, if he goes that route. He's got enough to get started playing around with the machine, making a sampler of stitches he likes and seeing what that baby can do.

He may never make a quilt or use the machine in typical ways - whatever those are - and that will be fine. He will have a blast using yet another set of tools and techniques to learn new skills to unleash even more creativity and imagination.

I may never again find as perfect a gift as this one, and that's OK; it really was the highlight of the holiday for me. I imagine all of us have some wonderful "first" memories related to quilting. Feel free to share those here!

Keeping Secrets and Great Gift Ideas

If this is the season for sharing, as noted in the most recent post, it's also a doozy for keeping secrets -- or trying to! Just as you can be thrilled to have finished a quilted gift and can't wait to see someone receive it, we are delighted about what's ahead for AQS book releases.

But I can't give the details!! Except to say that in January and February (and through the Spring) we will have wonderful new books available you are sure to love. And we're working now on books for next Fall. This is such an exciting time of year -- if you can stand the wait!

Throughout the year we are happy to receive book proposals (and American Quilter and The Quilt Life, respectively, are happy to receive article proposals). Look under the "Authors" tab at www.americanquilter.com for proposal guidelines. If you have any questions, as always, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Now is absolutely the best time to give or request a book from AQS. Our list of titles contains a wonderful array from hand work and history to machine work and contemporary. AQS merchandise is perfect for showing off how you really feel about quilting. And what about giving someone a multi-day admission to an AQS show! Not sure what the quilter on your list would like? You can purchase a gift certificate in any amount online or by calling Karen at 1-800-626-5420.

Whatever you do, enjoy the sharing of the season, try to keep your secrets (!), and give a gift from AQS to a quilter you love.

Sharing Season

No matter who you are or where you come from, it's hard not to celebrate something or other this time of year. For many of us, part of the festivities include making and sharing quilt-related gifts. Here at AQS we are lucky enough to see some of the best quilts in the world on a regular basis. You get to see them, too, if you come to one of our four shows (Lancaster, Paducah, Knoxville and Des Moines). We also love to see projects made from our books or American Quilter magazine. Perpetuate the season of giving by sharing photos of your work with us! Email good quality, high resolution jpeg files to andi@aqsquilt.com along with a sentence or two about the quilt/project.

Patchwork, Gardens and Thanks!

Look what came in while we were having a great show in Des Moines! Kathleen Hulett's Patchwork 4 Ways is perfect for piecers. Using four blocks -- Star, Log Cabin, Stripe and Snow Goose -- she shows how to create one-, two-, three-, or four-block quilts. This book is perfect for beginners and classes and would be great inspiration for a round robin project. (AQS # 8027)

The designs in Garden Nouveau Quilts were inspired by the nature surrounding Vicky Lawrence's farmhouse, but she used her artistic flair to tweak them into elegant designs reminiscent of the Art Nouveau era. Appliquers will love the way these flowers can be changed and re-arranged. A special treat for experienced quilters is the miniature version of the Nouveau Fleur quilt, Little Vicky. (AQS # 8031)

Many of us are short on time but long on gratitude for the others in our lives. When you want to say thanks for a special occasion or good deed, use Small Quilts, Big Events from Julia LaBauve and Tammy Silvers. Their no-fuss piecing and fused applique patterns combine batiks and wool for a big impact with a minimal time investment in these 15" x 16" beauties. Show how you feel! Make someone a small quilt for a big event. (AQS # 8030)

Congratulations to The Quilt Patch

Congratulations to Leslie Pfeifer, owner of The Quilt Patch in Fairfax, VA, who won this beautiful raffle quilt displayed at the AQS Quilt Market booth.

Quilt: Seaworld Magic
The quilt blocks are from two AQS books:
Beyond the Block by Linda K. Johnson & Jane K. Wells and Square Magic Quilts by Michele J. Linder. Pieced by Linda Baxter Lasco; quilted by Pam Heavrin.

International Quilt Market Update

Oh what fun we had at Quilt Market! This is the fall wholesale trade show where we get to show our new AQS publications to the retail shops...and see what is new for the coming season from fabric companies to notions. The colors are yummy and can't wait to make something fun with them.
That's me, Marge Boyle - Director of Sales, arriving the first day of the show and the booth looks great decorated with quilts from many of our books.

This is Jan Magee, the editor of The Quilt Life, with Meredith Schroeder the first day of the show. AQS was proud to introduce our new magazine with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson at Quilt Market. The Quilt Life is scheduled to premiere in April 2010 with six issues per year.












This is the morning of the first day of the show and shops were eager to see what was new.

Chrystal Abhalter, our copy editor, is busy taking an order. Chrystal can hardly wait to buy some of the fabric she saw at the show. She's already planning several projects.





Nadine Ruggules was on hand to show her Inchie Quilts and the shops loved them!






We were delighted to have Alex Anderson in our booth talking to the shops about the magazine.

Ricky Tims was also there during the show but I didn't have my camera out...next time.








An advertiser in the American Quilter magazine stopped to see Gloria Bolden, our Advertising Manager. Her smile lights up the show.

Next week the whole gang will be in Des Moines! Come on over and check out the new products!!

Quilting in a Slow Economy

A recent article on Yahoo! Finance pointed out what most of us already know -- we're staying closer to home for fun and creativity these days. Quilting may have a reputation as being the original "make it with leftovers" art, craft and hobby, but here's something to consider: it's not a $3 billion business per year for nothing.

The fabric companies, especially, drive the rest of the quilt industry, so if you're quilting only from your stash, you might be putting the squeeze on your local quilt shops and online vendors during this recession.

To keep fresh ideas and products flowing among manufacturers and retailers, there has to be demand. If your budget allows, spend something -- anything -- on your quilting and make product and class requests. Your quilting needs have translated into some of the most astonishing developments since the mid-1970s, and now's not the time to quit!

Hope to see you all at the upcoming Des Moines show, shopping up a storm!