Patchwork By Paula- Specializing in T-shirt/Memory Quilts.

This past weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival  in Hampton, VA, our roving reporter, Jackie O'Brien was hard at work in the Studio 180 Design Booth. If you were there, most likely you couldn't miss her bubbly personality and infectious laugh!  While there, Jackie was able to catch up with a friend. In this blog, she shares her friendship with Paula Harr and some of her quilting accomplishments. 

 I met Paula Harr about 5 years ago through the Tidewater Quilt Guild in Virginia Beach, VA.  I liked her immediately. She has a wicked sense of humor and a sparkle in her eyes that can light up a room.  Paula was raised by her grandmother and as a child played under the quilt frame as quilts were made by hand.  Paula has been quilting since the 1980’s. She owned a quilt shop in Fairmont, West Virginia called “Uncle Bertie’s”!  I asked questioningly “Uncle Bertie’s”????  Paula replied that for some unknown reason her children called their Great Grandmother “Uncle Bertie” and there you have it!

Paula was a Psychiatric Nurse for 47 years; I think that explains the twinkle in her eyes!  She retired on a Friday the 13^thin 2014 just for luck!  Several years ago, Paula was approached by the Neptune Festival Committee in Virginia Beach, and asked if she would make them a T-shirt quilt to raffle as a fund raiser in exchange for a free booth at the fair. She said yes and a new business was born.  Below is the gorgeous quilt she made for the festival.

The Neptune quilt was fabulous, and Paula enjoyed making it.  I say that because for anyone who has made a T-Shirt quilt and you ask if they will make another, usually the answer is a resounding “NO”!  But, Paula began answering “yes” to those who wanted a T-Shirt quilt made for them.  Paula only uses Quilters Dream Batting when making her quilts. Her favorite is the Select Loft (Mid-loft) for all its versatility.

Paula says “every quilt tells a story”, and she so enjoys meeting the people, hearing their story, creating a T-Shirt Quilt that captures their story and their most cherished memories.  She has made so many that she now has one hour quilt guild presentation on making T-shirt and Memory quilts.

If you would like to have a T-Shirt or Memory quilt made for especially for you or if you would like Paula to visit your guild and share her informative presentation please contact her at:

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/PatchworkByPaula

Email:

patchworkbypaula@gmail.com

Phone:

757-572-1919

How to make a tote bag using fusible batting.

Dream Fusion Tote Bag Tutorial 

Our January #Battgirl , Jackie O'Brien shares her technique on how to make a tote bag using our fusible batting, Dream Fusion. 

Complimentary Fusion samples are available upon request. 

Enjoy!

Featured Quilt Shop: Sew Nice in Norwich, NY

Located in Norwich, NY, sits a fabulous quilt shop owned by Diane Marvin which she opened in June 2005. Jackie O'Brien, a former Quilters Dream employee (we miss you) recently moved to New York. She was sweet enough to stop by Sew Nice and ask Diane a few questions for us. We're pretty sure she got her shop on while she was there too- who wouldn't?

Diane’s career was in education. Her mother was a career woman that made her own stylish suits to wear to work.  Diane had no interest in sewing until she made her first quilt around 2000 – it was love at first stitch!

 Diane holding up her almost finished quilt top “Northern Neighbors”.

The quilters that gather at Sew Nice refer to it as their “Quilting Playhouse” and as a “Cheers” for quilters. Quilters lovingly refer to Diane as “The Pusher”, (quilt pusher that is). You go to see Diane at Sew Nice to get your quilt fix!  Diane gently pushes you to always keep learning and try new quilting techniques.

Diane is a Studio 180 Design certified instructor. As is Donna Hanley who also teaches there. 

Sew Nice is a “Certified Bernina Classroom Shop”.  They carry fabric lines from Moda, P&B, Marcus, Benartex, Timeless treasures, Kona, the list goes on.  I love that they have a whole aisle devoted to polka dot fabric.

Sew Nice offers a 24 seat classroom.  And if that is not enough, they also offer general sewing machine repair and maintenance.

Sew Nice only sells Quilters Dream Batting (QDB). When I asked why, Diane said:

     * It’s made in the USA

     * NO other batting can compare with QDB quality.

     *There is no minimum order.

     *Diane’s favorite is Dream Wool!

     *And last but not least “QDB Customer Service!" Diane could not    praise their customer service enough. She feels QDB is one of the    best companies she has dealt with. 

If you live in the area and are looking for a quilt home you will be so welcomed at “Sew Nice” because they are so nice!

Sew Nice 

6142 State Hwy 12 

Norwich, NY 13815

(607) 334-2477

 www.sewnicenorwich.com

Like Sew Nice on Facebook, Click HERE!

Thank you again Jackie for thinking of us and supporting your local quilt shop! 

Stay tuned for more about Jackie O'Brien in our upcoming Featured #battgirls January blog!  

Jackie's Blog: www.ifthesethreadscouldtalk.com

"The Quilt Ninja"

Hello Quilters Dream extended "Dream Team" family members! We are always thrilled when someone uses and promotes our batting AND even better, includes tutorials for your (okay, our) enjoyment. Well, today is a bonus day for all of us!

Jackie O'Brien, affectionately known as "The Quilt Ninja" to those of us in the Virginia Beach, VA area, is a master quilter. Her specialty is the "One Block Wonder" quilt and her classes on this quilt sell out locally. We were fortunate to have Jackie as part of our working "Dream Team" at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA a few weeks ago.

Jackie has her own blog titled; "If These Threads Could Talk" and we are sharing a link to her blog below. Why? Well, two reasons. Jackie has created mini You Tube videos of the process of making a One Block Wonder. (CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUTUBE TURTORIALS)

 If that isn’t fabulous on its own – Jackie’s latest One Block Wonder she is currently working on (pictured below) will be graciously donated to the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS!

OBW “Soho Sunflowers”.

We are way beyond thrilled to receive this beauty and equally thrilled that Jackie is a friend of Quilters Dream Batting. You might want to become a follower of Jackie's blog as she always surprises us with happiness. THANKS, JACKIE!

Happy Quilting!

~The Dream Team