The Grape Escape by Alex Anderson

When Alex showed us this quilt and asked if we would be interested in patterning it, we immediately said, YES! It’s not only beautiful, but after taking a close look at it,  we realized even those of us who are not skillful appliquers could actually make this quilt because the pieces are fused (or glued for those of you who prefer that route) and then everything is machine appliqued. Alex used a small buttonhole stitch to finish off her edges. Now those who prefer hand applique can prepare by adding seam allowances to their pieces.

Here’s a close-up view of the grape wreath:

We are happy to tell you that both the grape wreath and the border grape vine are placed in our pattern at full size, so all you have to do is trace the pieces. There’s no enlarging or trying to tape multiple pieces of paper together.  Below you can see one section of the border vine design. The pattern is very straight forward and filled with lots of information and hints.  The quilt is 50″ x 50″.

Shop Owners: We think The Grape Escape will make an excellent class.  Look forward to an online lesson plan for this quilt very soon. If you want the lesson plan before it is placed online, contact Joen at jwolfrom@jwdpublishing.com.  This quilt is not yet listed in our main pattern page.

Please note: We are heading for Quilt Market in midweek. Our office will be closed until we return. You may order via email, telephone message, or fax. Our expected beginning shipping day is Monday, November 7.

Quilters: For those of you who do not live near a quilt/fabric  store, The Grape Escape is not yet available online. It’s estimated online date is November 12.

Unfortunately, Alex does not have a cherry tree, but we do. However, our cherry tree has been taken over by the neighborhood birds. They feast during cherry season and don’t even have the courtesy to share with us. They just fly in for a quick lunch or supper before we can get our ladder in position. So, these last few years we have been buying cherries at our favorite food store, Harbor Greens, which carries the most delicious cherries. We can’t walk passed the cherries without the urge to purchase yet another handful or two….or three.

Alex has taken her love of cherries one more step passed buying and eating them—-she actually has designed and made a super quilt celebrating them.  This quilt is aptly named Cherry Delight.. It is made with a combination of nine-patch blocks (sooooooooo easy), a cute little pieced basket block, and red work—-which quite literally means the cherries are embroidered onto their blocks with two strands of embroidery floss.  Isn’t this quilt cute?

We know you are interested in seeing detail pictures, so here they are:

We have made Alex’s pattern into three sizes: a small wall quilt (26″ x 26″), a large wall quilt (51″ x 51″), and a twin quilt/double coverlet (68″ x 85″). The quilt images you are viewing (above) are from the large wall quilt.  Here is an example of the bed quilt (below):

We hope you love this quilt as much as we do. It  seems to be flying out the door from one quilting shop to another.  If you are a shop owner, you can purchase this quilt pattern from your distributor or from us. If you order from us, you may borrow this quilt for your shop. For more information about this quilt, see the Cherry Delight pattern page. To book a trunk show, please contact us.

If you are a quilter, please purchase Cherry Delight from your local quilt shop.If you do not have a local quilt shop, this pattern may be purchased online. For more information, see the Cherry Delight pattern page.

Happy cherry-eating!

If you are just now getting your head wrapped around the idea that Christmas is around the corner, it’s time for that special Christmas project―If you have always wanted to make a Christmas wall quilt, consider Holiday Lights, Alex Anderson’s popular Christmas classic.  It is one of our best selling patterns.  What can be cuter than these adorable Christmas trees surrounded by old-fashioned tree lights (with plug!)? 

If you’re a quilt shop owner, you can purchase Holiday Lights through your distributor or directly from us. If you are a quilter, please contact your local quilt store. They, too, can order it for you.  The suggested retail price is $10.96. (Directions include twin-bed size too.)

Cindy Walter

You can see the video at http://www.quilterstv.com/channel/video/134?video=1530.

JWD Publishing is extremely proud to publish patterns by both Alex Anderson and Cindy Walter—two  very talented quiltmakers!

JWD Publishing is sending nearly a dozen of Alex’s quilts to this event, so that you can see Alex’s fun-filled quilts up close and personal. This showing will include Welcome Home, Cherry Delight, Holiday Lights, Popsicle Treat, Honey Bears,  Star Celebration, Star Flowers, Baskets & Blossoms, Spring Fling, and Bubblegum Dreams. Patterns will be available for all of her trunk-show quilts.

This event is sponsored by Bernina, Sew Original, Lee Sewing, and Sew Much Fun.

Embassy Suites
4800 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28217
Dates & Times:
November 7 Saturday 9-2
Class Fee: $ 25.00. Space is Limited.

Honey Bears

We never know what great idea Alex Anderson will come up with for a new quilt from one year to the next.  The genesis of Honey Bears came from a childhood memory of pouring honey from a “bear” container. It’s hard to believe that a sudden glimpse into the nostalgic past can result into an adorable quilt that is perfect for children of all ages.

To find more information on this pattern, please go to the Honey Bears page on our website.  We will post on this blog when lesson plans are available.

Skill Level: Confident beginner (someone who has quilting experience and who enjoys learning new skills.)

George R. Brown Convention Center

Today we find Houston in the rain. Coming from sunny Seattle area, we were amazed to find ourselves settle into a dreary weather day. However, inside the George Brown Convention Center was filled with positive, hopeful thoughts. Hundreds of vendors were working hard to prepare their booths for Quilt Market. A few dozen vendors made presentations at Schoolhouse, an activity that gives quilt shop owners the opportunity to meet with vendors and see the products they have to offer. Our late afternoon Schoolhouse session gave us the opportunity to show our newest patterns, which we love: Honey Bears by Alex Anderson, Summer Breeze by Christine Porter, In a Pickle by Larisa Key, and Snap, Grab & Go Tote and Quilt Ensemble by Teresa Fields (aka Quickie Chicks). We also introduced Ricky Tims’s Arabian Nights and Cindy Walter’s Poinsettia Christmas ensemble of beautiful painted table runner, placemat, coaster, and wallhanging. Ricky, Christine, Charlotte Warr Andersen, and Teresa Fields introduced their quilts, answered questions, Tomorrow is the first day of Quilt Market. When I left the convention floor just before 7pm tonight, vendors were still working hard to finish putting their booths together.

Tomorrow is a day of hope and excitement. We hope everyone has a great day tomorrow―both the creative vendors who sell their products and the shop owners who select products for their quilting clients. Here’s to three great days of great surprises and findings.

This show also includes two other exhibits: The Evolution of Natural Fibers; Vibrations: Color Resonance in Antique Quilts, 1860-1940. Movies and demonstrations are available for viewing.  Best of all admission is free!

Here are the details for the show:

Full-Spectrum: Natural Fibers, Quilts & the Textile Arts
Quilt Exhibit  September 10 – December 5, 2009
Full-Spectrum:  Natural Fibers, Quilts and the Textile Arts 

Binghamton University Art Museum
4400 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, New York

Tuesday, Wed, Fri, Sat  12 – 4pm;  Thursday  12 – 7 pm
You may listen to the free quilt audio tour with your cell phone.  Jack Braunstein is the curator. For more information, visit http://artmuseum.binghamton.edu.