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Walla Walla Valley Quilt Festival, P. O. Box 1471, Walla Walla, WA 99362
April, 2008
OK, one month ago the calendar told us that it was now “Spring”. Many of us are wondering if the definition of that season has been changed without our knowledge. Snow and cold weather…. C’mon…. I need to get my tomatoes in the ground!
But…it’s still great quilting weather. Hope you all are creating treasures. Personally, I am on a crusade to finish up a few UFO’s. That has been an ongoing mission for about the last 10 years…oh well.
Mark Your Calendars
The Festival is a little earlier this year. We will have the quilts hung in the downtown area by September 16, and will stay up until September 21. The formal show opens on the 19th. We will be at the Community Building, Walla Walla Fairgrounds, 360 Orchard Street through the 21st. Hours daily are 10 am to 5 pm.
Walla Walla Lodging
Best Western Walla Walla Suites Inn is offering a group discount to those of you who need lodging while visiting the show. Just mention the Festival when making reservations to receive your discount. It’s not too early to make those reservations. Walla Walla hotels/motels are booked way in advance these days due to the number of wineries in the area. Give them a call at 509-525-4700.
Festival Challenge
The theme for the Festival Challenge this year is “Lunar Madness”. You can see the rules for the Challenge at this link: http://wallawallaquiltfestival.org/2008%20Quilt%20Festival%20Challenge%20explanation.htm You too may be rewarded for your creativity and workmanship with “CASH”. The prizes are also listed on the website. We are excited to see what you can create with this crazy challenge!
Vendors
More room means more vendors for your shopping pleasure. So far we have the following signed up.
Glitz & Glamour -
Seminole Patchwork (Lassie Wittman)
The Crazy Quilter , Deary, ID
Quilts by Elizabeth, Moses Lake, WA – (Quilt Appraiser)
Quiltmania, Richland, WA
Dee’s Country Accents, Leavenworth, WA
Pacific Rim Quilt Company, Snohomish, WA
The Sewing Basket, Prosser, WA
Sandra Smart, College Place, WA
There may be more yet to come, but there is a very nice assortment shopping opportunities
Block Challenge
For those who would like a simpler challenge or don't have enough time to make an entire challenge quilt, we have an option: The Block Challenge! To enter, all you need do is design and make a quilt block that is 12 1/2" (so it will finish at 12"), using the challenge fabric. You may use any type of sewing you like, whether it is appliqué, piecing, embroidery, or any combination, but you must include a recognizable patch of the challenge fabric within your block.
The fabric for this year's block challenge is a beautiful blue with whimsical moon and planets. To get a fat 1/8th, send $1.00 plus a SASE to Pam Murray, PO Box 1996, Walla Walla WA 99362.
Please always remember and don’t every forget
We want to show your quilts. Help us make this Festival the best yet by sharing your quilts with all of us. Check out the Web Site listed below for a registration form, or call Cathy and she will get one to you.
Other Happenings:
Fort Walla Walla Museum will display part of its collection of more than 90 heritage quilts and coverlets from September 11 -25, 2008. In addition to the quilt show, the Museum will hold its 17th annual Fall Harvest Festival/German Heritage Day, Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21. The festival includes demonstrations of pioneer crafts, classic trucks, a “Sisters in Art” show, Living History, food and vendors with handiwork for sale to help recreate an old-time harvest get-together atmosphere. On Sunday, music, dancing, story-telling and food tell the saga of the Germans from Russia who immigrated to the Walla Walla Valley. Museum admission: $7 adults; $6 senior and students; $3 children 6-12; free to Museum members and children under 6. For more information call 509-525-7703 or email info@fortwallawallamuseum.org.
The Kirkman House Museum will introduce its Cover to Coverlet exhibit beginning on August 27, 2008. Eight coverlets, in whole and fragments, will be displayed within the Kirkman Family home, located at 214 N. Colville Street, Walla, WA. In correlation to the display of coverlets, the Museum will offer lectures on weaving and history of coverlets presented by nationally recognized weaver Peggy Hoyt, a member of Complex Weavers. The exhibit will remain open through October 5, 2008. For more information on this exhibit, please call 509-529-4373 or see the website at www.kirkmanhousemuseum.org
And last but not least….a hint
One of the reasons that I insist on washing all my fabric before using it in a quilt, is if it is going to bleed or shrink, I want it to do it before I use it rather than after I have spent many hours putting together a “masterpiece”. But if you do have a fabric that bleeds in the wash, don’t despair. There are a couple of simple home remedies that may solve the problem. Add ¼ cup salt to the rinse water and let the solution and fabric soak for 15 minutes. Or treat quilting fabric to a final warm water soak with Epsom salt or vinegar to set the colors.
Always remember to test the fabric again in hot water before you use it. Fill a clear glass with the hottest water you have and put a snippet of fabric in. If the water remains clear – all systems go! If not, you might try a Shout “Color Catcher” sheet and rewash a couple of times.
If that doesn’t work, - well the decision is yours. I think I would be finding another fabric.
Till next time – Keep healthy, Keep safe, Keep Quilting!
Web Site: www.wallawallaquiltfestival.org
E-mail: information@wallawallaquiltfestival.org
Phone: Cathy, 541-938-6130