Diane has found a great way to “quilt as you go”! Park your recreational vehicle near the beautiful California coast and have a sewing machine and supplies at hand. If you run out of fabric, maybe there’s a quilt shop in the area!
“Sitting here in Pismo Beach CA. Weather was rainy and windy so I started sewing. Managed to get 6 QAYG (quilt as you go) blocks done but now the sun is out; it’s 2 pm; time to get dressed and go for a walk.” – Diane
Diane has been exploring Paris, and, of course, exploring the fabric scene there as well. Here’s a taste of what a quilter can find in France’s City of Lights …
My husband thought we were going to Sacre-Coeur for the afternoon. We did walk around, and I did a sketch — but my main goal was to hit the fabric stores that are right near the bottom of the steps.
“I was in Sisters, Oregon, for the Outdoor Quilt Show July 14. It was very hot but worth the two hours walking around. My husband even walked with me.
There were quilts from Campbell River and Comox on display. They also did fabric postcards. Special ones were auctioned and others sold for a set price.”
The Sugar Pine Company can be found in the scenic Rocky Mountain town of Canmore, Alberta, just a short drive from Banff. Alcoves, shelves and walls are packed with material, quilts, fabric packs and all manner of quilting inspiration, beautifully displayed. There was lots to explore around every corner. It is a sewing and knitting shop as well. Continue reading “More Quilt Stories from the Road”→
Diane sends us this message from Chula Vista, California.
“Just sending photos of some outdoor quilting I’ve been working on. Two lazy days work produced 4 qayg (quilt as you go) quilt squares. Looking forward to going to Rosie’s Quilt Shop next week in San Diego. I met another quilter in the park who belongs to Willow Woods Quilt Guild. She said the place is amazing.”
We started off our quilting year with a presentation by three of our members.
Bev D, Ilse and Isabelle J went to Morocco last fall on a textile tour. We were taken into another world. Their photos, videos, stories and souvenirs introduced us to the crafts and fabrics of Morocco, as well as its culture and landscapes. We saw images of silk thread from the agave plant, the pouring ritual of mint tea, craft cooperatives and marketplaces, the street life, and the exotic architecture of this North African country.
Thanks to these three adventurous travellers for their presentation and to Bev D for sharing the beautiful photographs below and the text to go with them in this post.
(music: Olodum by Jesse Cook)
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. It is the second largest in the world.
The Riad Salam where we stayed in Fez.
One of the narrow walkways in the Fez Medina. The donkey is used to transport hides to the tannery inside the Medina.
Our camel ride to our night on the desert.
The Assalam Cooperative where the women make rugs, embroider and do many crafts to support themselves.
A quilter’s dream, wall to wall fabrics – silk and cotton.
Lunch at the home of our hosts at the Cooperative.
Ait Ben Haddou is a very old village perched on a large hill. Originally inhabited by Jews and Berbers. Now only ten families left.
One of the many looms we saw making beautiful carpets, bed coverings, pillow covers, etc.
Walking through the Essaquira medina. Beautiful silk items which were hard to resist.
Diane sends us this quilty note from Whakatane on the North Island of New Zealand, where she is presumably soaking up some sunshine. For Vancouverites currently dealing with the grey skies and rainy deluges of this fall season, yes, there is still sunlight somewhere.
“Whakatane Quilt Shop – Pins to Patches
“I was so excited to see this store on our walk late Saturday night. On Sunday morning we went there and of course being a small town it was closed on Sundays. Looked in the window and saw the price for name brand material and figured it was just as well it was closed.”
“I attended the 
FibreWorks Studio & Gallery is located on B.C.’s beautiful Sunshine Coast just north of Madeira Park.
We started off our quilting year with a presentation by three of our members.
Seymour Quilters Guild 