Dear Quilting Friends,

It’s finally April! Quilt It! The Longarm Quilting Show on QNNtv.commad its debut on April 6th. Now that’s cause for excitement.

Our guest for the premier episode is Kimmy Brunner. Kim is a seriously talented professional and a seriously fun and funny person to boot. When I asked her for a quilt photo for this newsletter she sent the one above and wrote:

“A couple of years ago, at the very beginning of the pink and green craze, I bought a really pretty spring purse that was light green on the outside and a silky petal pink on the inside. I loved it. My friend Carol on the other hand, loathed it utterly and completely. She said it looked like a purse that Ruth Buzzy would have carried on 'Laugh-In.' She teased me mercilessly, both in private and on the Internet. So, to get her to pipe down, I challenged her to a Quilt Duel and told her that I was willing to bet that I could make a pink and green quilt that looked good, but she could not.

She accepted my challenge and when we worked out the Rules of the Duel, we said that the quilts could have some black and white in them to spark things up a bit, but they had to be mostly pink and green in honor of my heartbreakingly lovely purse. The whole thing spiraled out of control and we ended up making our quilts, which were supposed to be funny little joke quilts, into show quilts and they both went out into the world and won ribbons. Unfortunately, Carol's quilt won one more ribbon than mine did, which has caused me endless aggravation and has caused Carol endless glee, but I don't want to talk about that.”

Read more about Kim’s episodes below, and be sure to watch her show and learn to make your own Twirly Whirly Feathers!

This week I’m at MQX, the Machine Quilter’s Exposition in Providence, Rhode Island. Yes, I will be promoting the new show with our major sponsor Handi Quilter, but my original reason for going is to conduct some interviews for the Alliance for American Quilts “Quilters Save Our Stories” project, affectionately known as Q.S.O.S. I have interviewed both well-known quilters and everyday quilters to document their lives as quilters, in true oral history fashion. Once transcribed (thanks to Handi Quilter’s sponsorship) the profiles will be available for you to see free of charge on the QCA web site. To date there are over 1,000 oral histories there waiting for you to enjoy!

Happy quilting,
Jodie

Quilt Out Loud! April Episode

Segment 1: What’s Up?

Inspiration is everywhere, but what better place to find it than through the eyes of a child. The Center for Puppetry Arts is the place for puppetry. None other than Jim Henson cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony! Jodie and her guest host Rob Appell introduce the show from the atrium, both having brought their own side kicks. Jodie’s is, of course her rubber duckie. She is hoping to find Ernie the puppet at the Center. Rob is accompanied by the puppet he has had sine his childhood.

Segment 2: Lights Action, Puppets!

Jodie heads off on a tour of the exhibits at the Center with curator Jeremy Underwood. From historical puppets to new age “This is a puppet?” puppets, Jodie learns the definition of what a puppet is, and has her eyes opened to the incredible imagination of puppet makers and puppeteers. At their last stop, Jeremy and Jodie find out where AWOL Rob has been during the tour—and it is off limits to the general public!

Segment 3: Kids and Quilting

Maria Peagler joins Rob in the classroom to, appropriately enough, get some wisdom on teaching kids to quilt. Maria throws quilt teas for mothers and daughters and runs Quilt Camps for kids, plus she has taught her own boys to quilts, so she knows of that she speaks!

Segment 4: Curtain Call!

Jodie and Rob hand their tickets to the usher and sit down in the theater for pleasant surprise. Rainforest Adventures is performed by puppeteers dressed in black so they don’t show as the puppets take stage. There’s no dialogue in this show, just music and enchantment and a lot of laughter!

Quilt It! The Long Arm Quilting Show

Introducing, our new made-for-QNNtv.com series, “Quilt It! The Longarm Quilting Show.” Each month host Jodie Davis is joined in the Handi Quilter studio by a guest who teaches you how to choose and execute just the right quilting designs for your quilts.

Our guest for the premier episode is Kimmy Brunner, an expert at distilling what appears to be complex into “I can do that” pieces.

April’s Episode: Kim Brunner’s “Twirly Whirly Feathers”

Segment One
Learn a basic easy stitching technique to sew free-form feathers like a pro. In this opening segment Kim, provides her knowledge and skills to create those gorgeous feathers that are a hallmark of excuisite quilting. Broken down, the technique is very simple. Kim shows viewers how to make the individual shapes that make up a feather design.

Segment Two
Building upon the basics of the first segment, Kim demonstrates how to vary the size of feathers, add branches, and increase complexity. Also, she fills in spaces to add interest—with no marking!

Learn how to use rulers in your long arm machine quilting in the Short Takes on Long Arm Quilting segment. Vicki Hoth gives tips and demonstrations to show you how templates can give your quilting accuracy while keeping you safe.

How to Find Quilt Out Loud! and Quilt It! The Longarm Quilting Show

It’s easy! Simply login to QNNtv.com. You will be taken to you dashboard page. Look for the big show logos in the center of the page and click on it. Under “Series” click on “Episode List.” There you will find all of the episodes available to date. Click on whichever you wish to watch.

To find out more about any episodes, click on “Visit QuiltOutLoud.com” or “Visit LongarmQuiltingShow.com” on the left side of the page. There you can click on “Episode Notes” on the left side of the page and find notes for each episode.

Special offer from Amazing Designs!

Save on software. For example, keep your embroidery designs organized with Catalogit!, personalize your embroidery with Personalize ‘n Stitch 2.0, or more. Each for under $200! For more information, visit Amazing Designs.

Special offer from Baby Lock!

Purchase the Ellisimo sewing machine and receive your choice of an Eclipse DX Serger ($1,999 value) or Masterworks II Embroidery Digitizing Software ($2,499 value) free! Visit your dealer for details.

Quilters Club of America is a Great Value: Get Quilt Out Loud!, Quilt it! The Long Arm Quilting Show, and QNNtv.com, and much, much more!

QNNtv.com is a great deal at only $24 a year. But did you know that you can get a membership in QNNtv.com and watch Quilt Out Loud! and Quilt It! The Longarm Quilting Show all year, plus have access to over 1,000 other videos and a whole lot more when you become a member of Quilters Club of America?

Join QCA and you will receive all of these great benefits:

Click here to get started today!

Thick or "fat" batting is best for what generic type of quilt?