Often people think that quilts are simply for throwing on beds and staying warm. Now, this is not a bad idea for quilts but there are other great uses for completed quilting projects. Quilting is not limited to simply making bed quilts.

During the Fall, quilting projects can take on a new flair. One fun project that you can do with your quilting is Thanksgiving placemats or even a Thanksgiving runner for the table. You can cover these with a clear plastic. Everyone can enjoy the projects without taking the chance of ruining the placemats or runners.

Gather up all your scrap pieces of fabric that are in Fall colors. You can make some very beautiful and eye catching fireplace mantle runners to display during the cooler months. Take down all the knick-knacks and place a small candle with a Fall wreath around it for your fireplace center piece and to draw attention to the quilted runner.

Another fun Fall project for quilting is an attractive mouse pad. You can quilt a medium sized mouse pad with virtually any theme. Place the finished project on your desktop. Cover with a piece of cut, clear plexi-glass. You now can enjoy your new mouse pad all through the Fall and Winter without getting the quilting piece dirty.

There are many fun uses for quilting projects that you can enjoy all around your home. Fall is a great time to use scrap pieces for smaller projects that can be done in one or two evenings. Some of these also make great gift items for the holidays for family and friends.

Fall festivals are great fun to attend and view as summer comes to a close. It is a time to gather with friends for various quilting exhibits and gatherings. Families spend time out on the deck or in the yard as the evenings become cooler. As the colors change and the weather cools down, it seems that outdoor activities come to life at the beginning of Fall.

Fall festivals are a terrific way to show off your quilting treasures. Now is the time to check your local area for upcoming events if you haven’t already done so. Not only are there some terrific festivals, many communities are in high gear for local fairs.

Not only are Fall festivals and fairs fun they are a great way to harvest new ideas for your future quilting projects. Take a camera with you to events so that you can photograph other quilts. You will be amazed at how many new ideas you can get just from viewing the quilt work at the Fall festivals and events.

Another fun thing about Fall festivals is the chance to meet other quilters. This is a great chance to enjoy the great outdoors, try out some festival food and make new friends. Take the time to find out about festivals and fairs in your area to really enjoy some Fall family fun as the summer unwinds and comes to a close.

I love to quilt so much and it’s my passion. It started me thinking about just how long has quilting been around? I did some digging around and found a wonderful book by Schnuppe Von Gwinner called The History of the Patchwork Quilt: Origins, Traditions and Symbols of Textile Art. From it I learned some fascinating trivia about quilts.

According to Gwinner, the first known quilt was used by an Egyptian Queen and was made from gazelle leather that had been dyed. This quilt dates back to 980 B.C. !

Then in 5 BC there is documentation that Central Asia had saddle blanket quilts that were used in graves. According to Gwinner these quilts were made from leathers and furs and the permafrost preserved them to later be found by archeologists.

I found this interesting because if I had to guess, I would have placed the first quilts to the Colonial or Pioneer days. Perhaps I would have placed it a little earlier than that time period but not as far back as the B.C. period. So if anyone is curious about quilt, you now have a fun piece of trivia that you can share with them.

If you have been to the Smithsonian Institute you cannot help but to notice the Bible Quilts. They are absolutely stunning and have a very fascinating history. To this day there is still speculation and discussion as to the true meaning behind the Bible Quilts and the stories that are being told. It is a prime example of how quilts really do have a history and are a piece of art work that has come to life.

Harriet Powers is the quilter of the Bible quilts. She sewed them with appliqué and piecework to create squares of pictures for story telling. Some say that the stories represent religious influences. Others say that because the slave was illiterate that she used the quilts as a teaching tool. Still others speculate the stories are about a secret fraternal organization of her time. No-one will really know for sure. Read the rest of this entry »

Pressing the seams in your quilt is one of the most important tasks for the completed work. A good press will mean that the quilt is assured a smooth flow from piece to piece both visually and to the touch. Most quilters will find that they have a style of pressing that suits them best, but before you find that style it is important to realize what pressing is not.

What Pressing is Not

Pressing the seams in your quilt is not the same as ironing. Although you will be using an iron and an ironing board, it is absolutely critical to remember that you are not ironing (that is, running the appliance over the seam with gentle pressure) but just coaxing the seam down in order to seal it and make it less visible. Read the rest of this entry »