More Quilts for my Collection!

I am now the proud owner of the Redwork and the Applique quilts that I wrote about earlier this week. You can see pictures of these quilts, made in the 1920s, in my posts of August 15 and 16 . My husband bought them for me for an anniversary gift!

Redwork Quilt

The same family that had the hand-embroidered and appliqued quilt that I wrote about yesterday also have this hand-quilted Redwork quilt for sale. Again the condition and workmanship are excellent. The size is approximately 72" x 77". Does anyone have any ideas for pricing this quilt? It must be sold soon, so there is no time for a formal appraisal.

Appliqued and Embroidered Coverlet ca 1920

Today I was shown this wonderful hand-appliqued and embroidered coverlet. It is completely finished on the edges and is in excellent condition. The size is approximately 72" x 88". The owners would like to sell this coverlet but have no idea what price to put on it. I have no experience in appraising quilts, so I don't know about pricing either. Can anyone help me?

Here are some more pictures of this amazing work.

Maryna, the Newest Quilter in Belarus

Tomorrow, Maryna is leaving for home in Belarus. She has been here in Brockville for the past 6 weeks as one of the interpreters for the 20 children from Chernobyl who have been staying with local families. I met Maryna about 4 weeks ago and although she had not done any sewing since her school days, she expressed an interest in learning to quilt. Maryna has been the most amazing quilting student! I just showed her a technique once and she could do it.

She has now completed 2 of my Little Picture Quilt patterns and a tote bag. While I was away last week, she sewed the background for Christine Baker's "Home Sweet Home" pattern and this morning I showed her how to do fusible applique and finish the edges with a blanket stitch. She also had a pattern for a table runner, which is a little complicated for a beginner, but we started on that as well. Before she left my place today, she chose a selection of fat quarters from my stash to go with all the other equipment she has gathered up in the past month - rotary cutter, board, rulers and, of course, more fabric.

Maryna's husband called from Belarus while she was here, but like any true quilter, she continued choosing her fat quarters while talking to him!

My fellow pattern designer, Nellie Holmes, gave her an extra machine she had, but Maryna will have to wait until March to actually receive it. That is when the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl Foundation ships their containers of goods to Chernobyl.

Here is Maryna with her bag of fat quarters and her latest table runner project. She thought she might have to leave her summer clothes here so all the quilting supplies could go in her suitcase!

You can read more about Maryna and our sewing adventures by clicking on the "Canadian Aid for Chernobyl" label at the bottom of this post.

Have a good trip home, Maryna. It has been a real pleasure getting to know you. I am really looking forward to seeing pictures of all your quilt projects. Next year we will start quilting as soon as you arrive in Brockville!

Back Home Again!

I have been at the Sherway Gardens Antique Show in Toronto for the last week. Although I had internet access at the hotel, I could not access my Blog or my daily pictures server. My only post of last week, about my free pattern promotion, was done very quickly at the Apple store in the mall. I am sure they would rather have sold me a new computer, but the store was so busy, I don't think they noticed that I was putting a post on my Blog!

You can see all the daily pictures from last week here.

More Free Patterns!

Because of the great response I received from my July summertime special, I am continuing it until August 31. For every pattern you order, you will receive one free pattern (my choice). Check out my website to see all the available patterns.

After you have placed an order on the web site, just e-mail me (patterns@ripnet.com) and quote this special new code: SSFP02

Canadian Aid for Chernobyl

On July 30 a fund raising dinner and auction were held at the Brockville Country Club. This very successful event attracted almost 200 people and the donations were given to the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl Foundation. You can read more about this important organization at the following links: Canadian Aid for Chernobyl and Eric McKenzie's Blog.

Eric McKenzie is on the board of directors for CAC and has travelled to Chernobyl 3 times to help deliver humanitarian aid. This past year, his 18 year old son, Alex, also joined the delegation. Eric and his wife, Peggy, (a fellow quilter) have hosted a child from Chernobyl for a six-week summer vacation for the past 6 years. This year, the McKenzie family are also hosting Maryna, one of the interpreters for the children. I have written about Maryna in previous posts. She is learning to quilt and has already completed 2 of my Little Picture Quilt patterns.

Interpreters, Olya and Maryna, in traditional dress with one of the children, are greeting the guests as they arrive.

Table decorations at the fund-raising dinner. These are traditional Russian wooden dolls, each holding several smaller dolls inside.

Some of the children waiting to sing for us after the dinner.