To pay homage to the iconic movie star James Dean, The Quilters Hall of Fame (TQHF) is calling for mini-quilts that reflect James Dean and/or the car culture of the 1950s. Entries will be juried, those chosen will be showcased in an exhibit at The Quilters Hall of Fame in Marion, Indiana or in the James Dean Museum in Fairmount, Indiana. Participating quilts will be eligible to win a cash award. Cash awards will be awarded at a Meet the Artists reception on October 19. Awards for artists that are not able to attend will be mailed after that date. The quilts will be judged by Hoosier artist Barbara Triscari.

Timeline:

• August 31: Entries must be submitted on TQHF website.
• September 3: Entries chosen for the exhibit will be notified by email.
• September 20: Quilts must arrive at TQHF.
• September 24: Exhibit opens.
• September 27-29 James Dean Festival in Fairmount, IN.
• October 19: Meet the Artists Reception, 2:00 – 4:00
• December 14: Exhibit closes.
• January 17: Quilts will be returned by January 17.

• Entries must fit the definition of an art quilt as defined by SAQA: “a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.” Any embellishments must not be fragile, must be securely attached, and must be unable to penetrate the mailing envelope, or to damage other quilts when stacked. No glitter.
• Size of quilt must be 18” x 18”.
• Entry fee: Up to two quilts may be submitted for $45. $40 for members of TQHF (enter coupon code MEMBER)
• Required for each entry please upload a pdf file containing: the title, artist’s name, contact information, an insurance value, an artist’s statement (up to  1,000 characters) Your artist’s statement could include techniques, materials and/or inspiration. Your work will be insured for value of materials unless you have a professional appraisal.
• Also required for each entry please upload photo(s) of your entry. Make sure photos are high quality and represent your work well.  By submitting an entry, you give permission for TQHF to publish your photos for promotions. Up to four photos may be submitted. If you would like to submit more than four photos email us at [email protected].
• If chosen for the exhibit, your quilt must have a 4” hanging sleeve and a label bearing the title, maker’s name and contact information.  TQHF will pay the return shipping fee. In person drop offs will be accepted during museum hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm at 926 S Washington Street, Marion, IN.

Saturday, July 20, 2024 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Gethsemane Episcopal Church, with Alice Ridge

In this class Alice will teach you the techniques for sewing accurate curves when piecing quilt blocks. Learning to properly piece curved seams is an essential skill for quiltmakers. This class is suitable for beginners and more advanced quilters looking to improve their curve piecing skills. You will make traditional Drunkard’s Path blocks and play with different arrangements/layouts with them. After traditional curves you will move on to improvisational curves. By the end of the class, there won’t be a curve in the world that will intimidate you!

Space is limited so register today!

Supplies and Pre-Class Cutting Instructions:

Main Fabric for Background      2 yd

•    Please Cut fabric into 16  10” squares.  You can also use a 10” Layer Cake pack for this if you want your background to be “Scrappy”

Fabric for Circles       1/2 yd

•   Please Cut Fabric into 16  6” squares.  This fabric should have a clear contrast to the Background Fabric.  If you choose a Layer Cake for your background, you may want to keep the same fabric for all the Circle pieces.

• Wonder Tape
• Creative Grids, Non-Slip Circle Savvy Ruler      (I will bring a couple for sale)
• Thread for Piecing
• ¼” Foot for sewing
• Cutting Mat, 28mm Rotary Cutter, ruler
• Small scissors, and any other general supplies you like for quilting
• Sewing Machine in good working order, clean, oiled, new needle.

Alice’s biography:

I learned how to sew and embroider by hand when I was in second grade, taught by my grandmother and my great aunt.  I got my first sewing machine when I was in 5^th grade and have been sewing ever since. I have been quilting on and off for over 35 years.  Quilting “obsessively” (as my husband says) for the last 15+ years.   I have been a Traveling Quilt Teacher and Speaker for about ten years.

Just about all quilting styles appeal to me.  Handwork and machine, traditional to art quilts. I love to try new techniques and ‘tweak’ old ones to make them new and fresh! I have a small rigid heddle loom to weave my own fabric to incorporate into some of my art quilts. I love playing with the different textures that you can get from different fibers!  I also crochet and knit, and am learning how to tat lace.  Never a dull moment!

I am married to a career Army man ( just retired after 35 yrs Active Duty !!)  and have traveled all over the world.  We have lived on 3 continents….I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve packed and moved ! 3 children –  2 daughters and 1 son.   The girls are in Indiana, my son is in the Army and his location changes as often as ours has over the last 35 years! 4 grandchildren  – 2 girls and 2 boys, all of them in Indiana.  A big Fat Grey cat, crazy and stupid, but lovable anyway.

Thursday, July 18, 2024, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Gethsemane Episcopal Church with Vivian Lemmon.

Join us for an informative workshop all about caring for and maintaining your beloved Singer Featherweight sewing machine! Often referred to as the “Perfect Portable” for its lightweight design and ease of use, the Featherweight model revolutionized home sewing when it was introduced in the 1930s. Today, quilters love this machine for its portability and ease of use. This three-hour workshop will provide hands-on instruction for keeping your Featherweight running smoothly for years to come. You’ll leave the workshop confident in your abilities to care for this cherished sewing machine.

Space is limited, so register today!

Topics covered will include:

• Basic cleaning and oiling techniques
• Identifying and resolving common issues like tension problems, skipped stitches, motor problems
• Adjusting pressure feet, needle plates, bobbin cases
• Safety best practices

Bring your Featherweight machine and the following supplies:

• Screwdriver that came with your machine
• Sewing machine oil
• Sewing machine grease, if you have it
• An old bath towel to cushion your machine
• Two colors of thread that are the same weight and from the same manufacturer
• Scrap fabric
• Scissors
• Ear swabs
• Toothpicks
• Apron (optional)
• Rubber gloves (optional)
• Any other tools you use on your machine

This workshop will be taught by Vivian Lemmon. Vivian’s Featherweight journey started in 2015 when she saw one and thought it would be fun to have one to take to retreats. That led to learning how to maintain them. In 2018 she flew to Idaho to take two classes from The Featherweight Shop. She has since serviced a number of machines as well as gained more skill and a greater love for the precision of these little machines. If you have questions for Vivian, her email is [email protected].

Saturday, July 20, 2024, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Gethsemane Episcopal Church with Theresa Doyle.

In this class you will learn how to make a delicious-looking, calorie-free cupcake pin cushion using felt, fiberfill, and embroidery floss. You will be able to add beads, leaves, flowers, cream puffs or even a cherry on top to embellish your cupcake. Yumm!

Along with registration fee, there will also be a kit fee of $10 payable to Theresa in class. Your kit includes felt, beads, embroidery floss, fiber fill, a beading needle and pattern to use in class and a pattern to take home with instructions.

Supplies you will need to bring to the workshop: Scissors, embroidery needle, 5 or 6 small straight pins, and a thimble, if you use one. Everything else will be provided in a kit.

Space is limited so register today!

About Theresa:

My first sewing experience was in 7th grade Home Economics class. I still remember making a pillow case and an apron!! I loved sewing and continued to make clothes for me and for my kids through their toddler years. I also made a lot of things for our home.

A friend invited me to a quilt guild meeting in the early 1990’s and eventually to a National Quilting Day workshop the next year. After seeing all of the beautiful quilts I was hooked. I’ve made many quilts and especially like making applique quilts, both by machine and hand!! Besides quilting I enjoy all manner of crafts. I have been a member of The Quilters Hall of Fame and the Marie Webster Quilt Guild for over 20 years.

Friday July 19, 2024 9:00am – 11:30 am, Gethsemane Episcopal Church, with Carol E. Marlin

This workshop is an overview of the basics for sewing beads onto quilts and having them stay there. It is for those who want to add some bling, texture, and/or an additional design element to their quilts. Also for those who have tried to add beads and have not been pleased with the results for any number of reasons. It will provide you with an understanding of the materials involved and will give you a short time to work on a sample during the workshop.

$20 kit fee payable to Carol in class. Kit will include beading needles, thread samples, beads, a small bead pad and a small quilt sandwich to work on in class.

Sign up today!

Carol’s biography:

I have lived in seven states, two of them twice, and Germany. I have a BS in Educations from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. My current home is in Indianapolis with my husband and ginger cat. I have had some sort of needle and thread in my hands since I can remember.

I am a process person, so the mechanics of producing the work are very important to me. The dying, stitching, knotting and cutting are the parts I love. The finished work is the reward. I strive to be the best crafts person I can be. My art gives me wonderful and irreplaceable friendships. It gives me joy. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. I hope others enjoy looking at my work, using it and wearing it as much as I enjoy making it.