Elsie Vredenburg's "28 Years of Hoffman Challenge Quilts" Trunk Show

At our March Pieces and Patches Quilt Guild Meeting we were treated to an amazing trunk show of the creative quilts of Elsie Vredenburg.  Many of the quilts were from her involvement with the Hoffman Quilt Challenge.  

  In addition to the Hoffman Challenge Quilts, Elsie also brought other quilts from her collection of work.  These two were the front and back of one quilt representing the loss of a loved one on  one side and the hope of being reunited in heaven on the other side of the quilt.

 

   

Elsie also taught a workshop during her time with us sharing her technique for paper piecing featuring designs from her Lighthouse Series.

The following photos are from Elsie's involvement with the Hoffman Quilt Challenge.

                 

"Hearts All Around Revisited" with Barb Markowski

Who doesn't enjoy a love story!  Especially when we know the characters.  Barb Markowski, former quilt shop owner, pattern designer and retreat/workshop presenter - took quilters who have lived and shopped in the Jackson area over the last 30+  years on a trip down memory lane at our monthly quilt guild meeting on February 27, 2017.  From seeing her dream come true by opening a quilt shop "Hearts All Around", even if it was in her garage and then moving twice in Jackson, each time to a larger location, Barb told us the story of her love for quilting and her love in sharing and educating others the art of quilting, as well as the ups  (becoming an award winning Pfaff dealership) and downs (making the difficult decision to sell her business) involved in quilt shop ownership. She has been a workshop and retreat presenter over the years as well, publishing several pattern books. She gave the workshop "Embracing Your Curves" for a group of quilters on Monday & Tuesday.

Anyone who knows Barb, or just met her at our meeting, undoubtedly sensed her amazing creativity, her genuine loving spirit and her determination to make the world a better place - partly by adding beauty wherever she goes.  We were treated to a show and tell of many of Barb's quilts.  It was an evening to remember !

Adventures in String Quilting with Mary Hogan

At our January meeting of the Pieces and Patches Quilt Guild, we were inspired by learning the quilting journey of Mary Hogan of Ann Arbor.  Author of String Quilt Style, Mary shared  how she has gotten to be an expert in using "strings" or narrow strips of fabric, to make very interest quilt tops.

Starting our with simple strings, Mary moved on to experiment with various widths, angles, circles, triangles and many other variations of the paper foundation blocks that were then joined to make dramatic quilt tops. 

ĵ

              

  Mary also taught a workshop called " String Quilting FUNdamentals:  Squares and Circles" which guild members attended.  Many more people wished they had been there as well. Chris, Alice and Cheri (along with others) showed the projects they worked on during the day. Taking a workshop is a great experiences and if you haven't done it in awhile, check out the upcoming workshops available through our guild!!  

"Sister's Choice: A Musical Trunk Show"

On November 28, 2016 we were treated to the delightful music of Ann Marie Rowland.  Ann Marie's toe tapping music was all quilt themed and was accompanied by a backdrop of quilts, some made by family members,  illustrating family life surrounded by quilts.

An Inspirational Evening With Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi

On Monday, October 24, 2016 Pieces and Patches members were honored to spend the evening with Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, aerospace engineer and quilter. Dr. Mazloom presented a lecture entitled "Quilting - The Collective History".  
Her presentation was inspiring in many ways - creatively, culturally as well as personally.  She is among the most influential African American quilt historians and quilt artists of the 21st century and was recently inducted into The Quilters Hall of Fame.  

 Carolyn now uses only black and white in her quilts - having given away !!! all her stash 

of many colors!

 No only were the themes of her quilts thought-provoking and heartwarming, but her workmanship was exemplary!!

 Each of her quilt told a story of the importance of celebrating life, family, heritage and culture.