Well the delay was longer than planned. BUT, I have some wonderful sharing of a quilt, a quilt show and a dear friend.

First the quilt. The hexie tessellations I was working on a few weeks ago is now a table runner. the BVHQ challenge this year was to use Japanese fabrics and make something you have not done before. I worked on making the tessellations from my Hex Jr. template for 2 1/2″ strips. I used three fabrics, a very tiny ginkgo leaf print Oriental fabric, a red and gold silk-ish fabric I purchased in Vietnam a few years ago. I love how it turned out and I’m looking forward to writing the pattern (it will be ready this Fall!). My finished top is below. Thanks Suzanne for holding it for me when I was explaining my inspiration and fabrics during the guild meeting. I think I’ll call it Tessellating Half Hexies.

Next…a quilt show and a dear friend!

My dear friend Patricia Cox (Pat) is the artist behind Patricia Cox One of a Kind Designs. Pat is 97 years young!!! She and our friend Barbara Chainey got me interested in starting my quilt business. Pat was honored at the Minnesota Quilters show last week. They had a display of 33 of her quilts. Pat did a learning stage presentation about her quilting career and adventures. She taught quilting, mainly applique for 50+ years and still has her weekly meetings with her applique groups! Pat shared her quilting adventures and 40+ more of her quilts during the presentation.

I attended the show and got to spend a few hours with Pat and her granddaughter, Carolyn and Pat’s successor, Judy Gavin . We reminisced about our times at the Houston Int. Quilt Show and all Pat’s years of quilting and teaching all over the world. The photo below is Pat and I in front of her Mary Brown Quilt.

One of Pat’s students, Jody Gavin will be bringing Pat’s designs forward under the name “Pencil to Needle – Applique Designs by Patricia Cox” Jody and Pat have worked closely to see that Pat’s designs will continue to be available! I am thrilled for both of them! Here is Jody and Pat in Jody’s booth at the MN Show. The phrase “pencil to needle” is one of Pat’s favorites explaining her work. I love the cute little pattern collections. Each packet has a pin!

The next photo is our foursome for the day. Pat’s granddaughter, Carolyn and Jody in the back. Pat and myself in the front.

Here are a couple of my favorite quilts that Pat made. WOW, oh wow! I have seen these in her booth over the years and it was a pleasure to re-visit them! Pat loves flowers, especially Orchids!!!

Pat is known for her beautiful Hawaiian Applique! They are beautiful! Yes! These are ALL her designs.

You can find more of Pat’s designs/patterns/work at PatriciaCox.net. Jody’s website, penciltoneedle.com will be coming in July!!

My best takeaway…..and #1 tip – Keep in touch with your quilting friends!

At the show, I actually took an all day quilting class with Bethanne Nemesh. It was her “Quilted Texture A to Zen“. I had a great table mate and new quilting friend, Sandy. Bethanne is a wonderful teacher, highly recommended!! It was practice for me quilting on a domestic machine. And because I do most of my quilting on my longarm, I’m not sharing my practice piece. Now, in saying this the key here is PRACTICE. We all have to do it and we all are beginners at some point. Take a look at Bethanne’s website HERE.

So, tip #2 – Practice and practice and practice some more. Your muscle memory and playing with designs are how you improve!

A great couple weeks for me with more quilting adventures and making quilting memories. I hope you can take some time to do the same!

in quilting,

Debbie