I found that quote online and thought it was a hilarious way to start off this post!

Several weekends ago, I was a like a kid in a candy store at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA. I found out about the event back in January and promptly marked it down in my datebook. Back then, it wouldn’t take place until months later, but I (and Mama) was jumping out of my skin and didn’t want to forget to go.

So, what happens at a quilt festival?

-    There’s usually a gallery of beautiful quilts that showcase the very best handiwork in the country. The ones I saw made me swoon.

-    There’s a fairly large vendor section that should make any craftster keel over. Bits and baubles for all the sewing projects in your head, fabric of every imaginable kind—even vintage ones!

-    There are usually classes as well, to teach you everything from cutting techniques to sewing perfect mitered corners and all that. I would’ve taken some, except I’m quite insecure about my sewing abilities. And I had nightmares about sewing my finger in public. (Don’t laugh, it’s possible, just ask my friend Via!)

Would you like to spy my stash from that crafty weekend?

FAB FABRIC
I found some with the prettiest prints from Japan (which made me think of Caryn) at a bargain bin—most were $1/half yard. I was like a maniac digging through the piles, shoving little old ladies out of the way (Well, not really, but close! They shoved first and they had CANES!) And the fat-quarter* set on the right made my heart flutter—I love those colors. I had the BIGGEST grin after I decided to get those, it was such a high. Cheaper than therapy, I tell you!

* In the quilting lexicon, “fat quarters” are ¼ of a yard, but cut into a square-ish shape that measures 18”x22”. This is a more usable shape for craftsters (especially quilters) than the standard long-ish 9”x44” piece. (Just in case you were wondering, because I would, ha!) Diagram below by Janet Wickell.

BANGIN’ BUTTONS
Ok, so these three tiny things cost more than all my fabric. Before you balk or freak, hear me out. I spent about half an hour at the Susan Clarke button stall. These babies were not the cheapest things because most were one-of-a-kind. In fact, the domed one with the clock image uses an actual print from a vintage postcard. I stared at those buttons and sighed, and stared and sighed some more. I told myself that if I were still thinking of them three stalls over, I would get them. Otherwise, I’d lose sleep and have reverse buyer’s remorse. (Is there such a thing? You know, when you regret not getting something you really wanted?) So, yeah, three stalls over, I had to go back. I think these would be great statement pieces on some purses!

You know what’s one thing you DON’T usually find at a quilt fest? People my age. Ok, so I may not the springiest of chickens, and I AM old enough to remember the heyday of Hall and Oates, Aquanet and Tretorns, but still, the crowd at the show was…how do I put this delicately…further in their years. I’ve been to other quilt shows before and this is always the case. My mom says it’s probably because these ladies have all the time in the world to dedicate to quilt-making.

I’d like to think that in this DIY age, quilting shouldn’t be such an, er, old craft! Many young craftsters out there take to clothes construction, sewing, jewelry, paper crafts and needlework (modern embroidery and knitting) but not a lot are working to keep quilting young and hip. Quilting IS a long-held tradition, but maybe, with modern fabric and designs, it can become a craft that’s loved by all.

Ah, this post was long! The weekend’s coming up, and I can’t wait to get started on a quilt of my own, hopefully something fun and hmm, less octogenarian . I hope your own weekends are happily busy!