I have another tip for you that was passed on to me. A woman told me that whenever she buys fabric as soon as she comes in the door she goes straight to the laundry and washes her fabric. She said that way she does not have to wonder if it has been washed when she goes to use it. Pretty good! Thanks for the tip. I got to go so be safe and keep quilting!

January has arrived, and rumor has it that Mickey Depre is home enjoying a quiet respite before she revs up for another whirlwind tour of teaching, traveling, and designing. While in the midst of a hectic schedule last fall, I asked Mickey to jot down thoughts about her life as a successful quilt artist, teacher, and designer. She graciously complied. So now that we all have time to pour a cup of coffee, sit down, and relax for a few minutes, here’s a slice of life from Mickey when the fast pace of fall was upon her. There’s a good chance Mickey’s having her cup of coffee right now― along with the rest of us in this quiet time in January. Enjoy!

Ten Weeks…Two and Half Months… Seven Engagements…makes for one tired quilter. Since the first week in September I have been “on the road” nonstop.    And when I have been home it has been a whirlwind of activity.   Our twins (age 18) are off to college now and my dear husband has decided now is the time to get the entire “honey do” list that has accumulated over the last few years done in the same time period I am off  lecturing/teaching.  Thus when I did return home it was to… well…. house project chaos.

I often tell my students that most of my quilts are designed “on the road” in hotel rooms across America, because it is truly the quietest place on earth for me.  That and on airplanes…especially long trips.  I just put in my ipod earbuds and draw, draw, draw.   In fact The Ninepatchers  were born on a plane ride.   I spent the entire trip feverishly drawing these little characters in a whole slew of activities.   And when I heard the “ding” of the captain announcing it was time to land, I only then glanced over to catch the awkward sideways glance of my row mate on the flight.  I can only imagine the thoughts in his head as he watched me smile wildly to myself the last two hours of designing.

But now I am home for two months…and while the kids will be back and forth on various breaks/visits, I have made my dear husband promise that all “house projects” will be suspended until late January.   I need the quiet so I can begin to make my own chaos in the studio.   

JWD Publishing is proud to have Mickey Depre as one of its talented designers. Besides the hilariously cute pattern, The Ninepatchers―A Family Reunion, Mickey has designed the adorable wall quilt Friends in High Places.  Also, she has two charm patterns: Wild Flowers and Bee Charmers.  To view her patterns, click on Patterns > Mickey Depre. If you are a shop owner, you may purchase Mickey’s patterns through your distributor or directly from us. If you are a quilter, please order from your local store.

November 14th I had the pleasure of teaching a class on my new tote from the “Snap, Grab and Go” pattern. Now check this out.

Two gals named Kathy and Sally Wilcox are sisters but they also married brothers. How cool is that! They own a soon to be quilt shop called “Little Scrap Quilt Shop”. I say soon to be because they have been vending for the last year and 2010 they will be opening a quilt shop in Kokomo, IN. Maris, Judy and Ruth that are in the photos had a great time making the bag. When I teach this I like for you to leave with a finished bag. We don’t need anymore UFOs. The fabrics were all different. Maris picked a fabric for a diaper bag, Judy a cute fabric with flamingos, and Ruth a everyday bag. The bag is so versatile! Kathy and Sally had all their products set up for sale and their guild could stop by and shop during the class. They also had a “snack table” set up for us with lots of goodies. They know how to do it! We sewed, shopped, ate, talked, laughed and walked out with a finished bag. What more could you ask for?

I just received two cans of Marking Magic spray. I will be testing these in the next few days and will give you my results. Until then keep quilting!

Are you hankering to make a charming traditional Christmas quilt this season? I think you’ll love this small 43” square wall quilt from Chris Porter’s pattern Deck the Halls with Nine-patch & Holly.  This small quilt has 9 nine-patch blocks, 4 holly leaf blocks, and a holly leaf and berry border.  It’s cute, cute, cute!  (Sorry, no photo of this little quilt yet.)  This quilt is fairly quick to make and beautiful in traditional Christmas fabrics. We used red buttons for the berries to great effect.

Chris’s pattern features a much larger cover quilt (61” x 84”), which is pictured here. We have also designed a Christmas table runner. Our favorite quilt, the small wall quilt, has not been photographed, as it is being exhibited in a trunk show.            

Shop Owners:  Deck the Halls in Nine-patch & Holly  is a great quilt to kit. You may purchase this pattern from your distributor or directly from us. Suggested retail price is $ 9.98. 

Quilters:  You may purchase this pattern from your local quilt shop. Please contact us if you are unable to locate this pattern.  

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.)

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.

Hands down, Larisa’s quilt has taken Quilt Market by storm.

If you are interested in a trunk show, we have two quilts available from our quilt collection. One is hand appliquéd; the other is machine appliquéd.

Skill Level: Intermediate

In a Pickle

Larisa Key designed In a Pickle specifically for experienced quilters who want to make a quilt that will be stunning in any setting.   This beautifully elegant quilt will surely be a treasure for generations to come, and we believe every traditional quilter will want to make this quilt.

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

Skill Level: Experienced intermediate to advanced quilters

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.)