Quilters! Take a Moment!

There is something very cool to happen during national sewing month!

The observance of September as National Sewing Month began with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan. In 1982, he declared this special month-long celebration “In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation.”

Subsequent Proclamations declared that “Tens of millions of Americans sew at home. Their efforts demonstrate the industry, the skill and the self-reliance which are so characteristic of this Nation.”

National Sewing Month is the recognition of a creative form of self-expression that we celebrate in September, but enjoy all year.

Every other year, The Quilt Alliance holds a fundraising party to support our mission to document, preserve, and share our American quilt heritage.

Pre-COVID, the party was called Quilters Take Manhattan and all who attended enjoyed a glamorous, quilt-filled weekend in New York City. As you might imagine, QTM tickets practically sold themselves.

This year, we’re bringing the party online and calling it Quilters Take a Moment. While QTMo promises to be equally as marvelous as QTM, we’re having to work a little harder to get the word out. 

So that is why I am making this post today!

On September 25th and 26th, we’ll be featuring a series of live presentations via Zoom, beginning with “The Incubation of a Quilt” with Anna Maria Horner, followed by the debut of Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi’s Quilters S.O.S.-- Save Our Stories interview with the legendary Dindga McCannon.

Saturday kicks off with “The Quilt Keepers,” a panel discussion featuring Merikay Waldvogel, Emily Bode, Julie Silber and other luminaries. Laura McDowell Hopper will lead us on a virtual tour of the online exhibit, “Known and Unknown: Revealing Quilt Stories,” which includes quilts from Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Jacquie Gering, Chawne Kimber as well as antique and vintage quilts which have never before been shown. Tucked in between our major live events will be music by Ricky Tims, a little bit of quilt comedy, and yes, even some dancing!



What’s exceptional about Quilters Take a Moment is that it’s more than just a two-day event. Pass holders will have access to the event’s website whenever they want—for years to come!  

“Known and Unknown” will always be available, as will recordings of the live events, other videos, virtual guild visits and how-to guides to Quilt Alliance projects. The website will be a place for quilters to get away whenever they need inspiration, information or just want to look at some amazing quilts.

And guess what!  I get to offer up ONE FREE PASS to this fabulous event!  I have already sent in my info to attend virtually.  Who would like to join me?


We will draw for our winner on Thursday, September 10th!  Good luck, everyone!

Of course you can register right away by clicking the image above!

(Or direct link HERE.)

The price for this event is $45/members or $65/non members
Event Pass includes:

• All access pass to virtual event with both live and recorded sessions presented on September 25 & 26, 2020
• Known & Unknown Virtual Quilt Exhibition and virtual gallery tour by Curator Laura McDowell Hopper
• Chance to win door prizes from our sponsors
• Breaks to lift your spirits with dance, music and laughs
• Quilt Alliance project demonstrations and how-to resources

I know you are going to have a ball!

My yesterday included some of this -

Evidently Lola thought the orange strips needed watching over so they wouldn’t slink off to who knows where.  LOL!

Much of this is together, but needs a bit more before I can reveal it!

And….sigh.

The border I have planned for Traveling Stars just won’t turn the corners right unless I add another row of stars to the bottom.  That means 3 more blocks need to be made, and appliqued to string foundations.  But it will be worth it!

Some English Paper Piecing of the stars has now become my evening sewing project.  I was so tired last night I only got 2/3 of one star done.

Good thing it’s not a race.

To celebrate Labor Day weekend – this just went live!

For the next 4 days, through Labor Day weekend all orders $39.00 and above from The Quiltville Store receive free shipping using code FREE39 at purchase!

Code must be used at time of purchase to receive discount. No refunds if you forget, okay?

Sale ends Monday at midnight Eastern time.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

I am directing this quote toward my sons and those who have been of extreme help to us over the past weeks -

This also includes our plumber Shari (Yay for female plumbers!) Who came in a hurry to help us reconfigure the connection to the pressure tank at the retreat house so there is finally decent water pressure! Hallelujah!

This also includes my housekeeper Susan who continues to do a fantastic job and I love that I have also found a friend in her!

These folks have gone over, above and beyond and we are so appreciative.

Pattern for Tropical Twist from my book Addicted to Scraps available in the Quiltville Store at Quiltville.com/shop.html

Remember code FREE39 for free shipping on orders $39.00 and above!

Zoey and I are off to Grayson Highlands to hike with the ponies before the long weekend tourists show up in droves. 

What’s up for your Friday?