Quilt Retreat on Vashon Island 2013

The flowering tree that I have 'adopted' and take images of every year!

I always look forward to our yearly quilt retreats to Camp Burton on Vashon Island, Washington. Vashon Island is closer to mainland US and Seattle than we are, but the town has not lost is funk the way our  island seems to have over the years  
Some years we enjoy some sun, but this year it was it was mostly cold, windy and rainy and so there were not many opportunities for walks along the beach which I had thoroughly intended to enjoy, along with some sketching on the deck that overlooks this lovely inlet. Hopefully next year!
This quilt, which was hanging in the front of Island Quilter, was made by Luke Haynes of Seattle. It's comprised of what looks like shirts and jeans. I was fascinated at the power of the piece.
Island Quilter, which is one of the most wonderful quilt shops imaginable is on Vashon Island. It carries the most complete line of Kaffe Fassett fabrics of anywhere (other than Westminster Fabrics I suspect!) They also produce quilt shows in the front of the shop. While we were there they had an exhibit of 'men quilters' that was excellent. Several people remarked that this exhibit of men's quilts was better than the show that had been held at the LaConner Quilt Museum last year.

A close up of the quilting detail
 Most unfortunately, there exhibit was hung without a lot of names on or near the quilts themselves and I was unable to locate the names of the creators of most of the quilts. Mr. Haynes was the exception - the name was taped to a chair near the quilt and was more easy to locate.
This group of quilts, made by some wonderful person whose name I don'tknow, really peaked my imagination. I love the way he used the 'traditional' log cabin block as a background for the thoroughly modern aspect of his figures. So well done!


Below is a detail shot of another "man made" quilt that I thought was quite interesting. There was an image of Abe Lincoln in the group that was done, very well done, by a young man that understand was only 16 years old (sorry - I did get a photo of it)

The beautiful quilt above was made by Kathie Passorini. She works at a quilt shop called Quilt Expressions. I will be doing some ordering from them because they have a very large selection of aboriginal prints which I love and I have found to be difficult to find. If you are interested, go to the site and enter 'aboriginal prints' in their search function. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

We had another delightful representative from another great shop in California that has a great online shop. It's called Quilter's Paradise and has been in business for 35+ years!

This is the pattern that I was working on. It's called "Many Blessings" and was designed by Darlene Zimmerman. I love my reproduction prints, and I love sleeping under these understated, comforting quilts. I began making this quilt in 2009 and just keep making those darn 25 patch squares. It seems endless, and I have to stop and switch to another project when boredom sets in. I actually got about 40 squares made. I need more than 90 for a Queen sized quilt. My version is much scrappier than this cover image on the pattern - that was far too restrained for me! I should have the quilt top finished in another year or so of retreats!

My alternate project was making a sewing machine cover that will fit my Bernina 153 with it's small extension area attached. I don't like using patterns much, but I did find a pattern that provides a formula for making coves - so I can make them for any machine - as well as for any kitchen appliances that may require a spiffy cover in the future. This little project was done improvisationally, and it felt so good to just play and stitch away! I only have the machine quilting to do and it will be done - so I'll add photos of it soon. I've been meaning to make a cover for it for this machine for a long time because it sits on my work table and usually gets 'covered' by whatever stray piece of cloth is nearby when I end my day of stitching.

Ah! This was the view from the ferry on the way home. I wish we had some sun while we were away, but it made 'serious' sewing' easy and guilt free to do. I love the breaks that retreats provide but getting home is always the best! The comfort of home is always the best thing about going away!

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