Creative Customers

Phew, it's been a full month. Our fall catalog came out, we held an Open House, Mary Fons came to talk, and then there was the Northwest Quilt Expo -- all in September. It would have been great to blog about these things, but we got too busy! But speaking of busy, our customers have been busy too. Please join us in putting up our feet, grabbing a nice cuppa, and looking back at the beautiful quilts our creative customers have brought into the shop lately to share with us.

If this delightful photo of Betty bringing in her armload of charity quilts doesn't epitomize the generosity of our customers, we don;t know what would. Thanks to everyone who donates to CARES NW.

Barbara proudly shows off her beautiful Sequoia quilt.

Cheryl used a fun panel fabric to make a fun and easy quilt for a grandchild.

Can you believe that Evelyn used all Australian Aboriginal prints in these fantastic wheels? It's a great combination of traditional and unexpected.

Nancy's Melbourne quilt is also made using dynamic aboriginal prints.

Here's another surprise from Evelyn. She mis-cut triangles for her Spinner table runner, so she used them in another arrangement to make this "Plan B" runner.

Joie wouldn't let us photograph her face so here's her feet. We love her happy quilt made with dog-themed fabrics. Even the quilting includes a dog bone motif!

Kathy's Dancing Churndash made with the Quick Curve Ruler is stunning! We're a big fan of her grey and yellow (grellow) color scheme.

Dawn's Seeing Stars class produced stunning results. Here's Maxine's stellar blue version.

Our Pinecones are pretty creative too. Kristin made good use of the Quick Curve Ruler and our Awesome Odds stash to  create this glowing quilt for a friend's birthday.

We'll be back to posting more regularly as we re-stock the shop and get ready for cooler months and more indoor quilting weather! Be sure to also check us out on Facebook and Instagram for quick posts about new fabrics, show and tell, and more.

Westside Modern Quilt Club August 2016

Kristin here. Please accept my apologies for posting this so long after our August meeting and delicious pot luck. We've been busy at The Pine Needle getting ready for, and enjoying, our Open House, a visit from Mary Fons (just a few days away!), and Northwest Quilt Expo at the end of September! Phew, there's a lot going on!

Northwest Quilt Expo is a perfect segue into our August meeting wrap-up as the main focus of the meeting was the reveal of our Tribal Winds challenge quilts. Not everyone who has entered a quilt was present, and I did not get super photos, nor take good enough notes to credit each quilt accurately. So... I'll present an enticing peek at a handful of the challenge quilts, but encourage everyone who can to go to Expo on September 22, 23 or 24 to see ALL the Westside Modern Quilt Club's Tribal Winds challenge quilts in the cloth.

The quilts presented were exciting in their variety of subject matter and aesthetic. Everyone had a meaningful story behind their work, and there was a broad range of skill from first quilts or first time trying a technique, to old pros pushing their comfort zones. Several club members thanked Geri for challenging the group each year as it has really helped them (and all of us, really) to expand our horizons and to delve deeper into our quilt making. There is no doubt, the challenge quilts this year will be as wonderful and well received at Expo as the Pearl and Bridges exhibits of the last two years.

First, we needed sustenance for our quilt reveal. The pot luck spread was delicious!

Carol's abstract quilt is based on Tlingit baskets.

I think this one is by Janet. It represents canoes and Longhouses and many other little elements she remembers from visits to a reservation as a teen.

I don't have good notes for this one, but I think it's her first quilt! Or the first one she designed herself.

This quilt by Linda is inspired by petroglyphs in the Columbia River Gorge.

Lori's poignant inspiration was a not yet federally recognized tribe also from the Columbia River Gorge area.

Mallory's Raven and salmon quilt has interesting details like buttons and tiny symbols.

Mary Pat's quilt is inspired by a basket weaving design which represents eagles in flight -- a fine metaphor for the native american spirit.

Susan actually made two beautiful quilts. I particularly liked the graphic simplicity of this one which so plainly represents an elk tooth dress.

Again, we encourage everyone to come see the entirely of this special exhibit at Northwest Quilt Expo, along with all of the other spectacular quilts which will be on display. Be sure to stop by The Pine Needle's booths and say hi too -- we've got half the team at the notions booth and half at the fabric one so you know there's going to be some healthy competition going on between the two! See you there.