Events for September 2014

Ninth biennial Japanese quilt exhibit. Guest Curator, Miwako Kimura, states, “Quiltmaking is converting our wishes into tangible form through the use of our hands. It starts with pouring our wish and mind in the quilt for someone we care, for our own dreams, or for serving our society. We have learned the countless patterns and techniques for quilt making from your country, and at the same time, we are thrilled to practice the ‘heartfelt gift in every stitch’ tradition of quilt making.”

For nearly forty-five years, Junko Maeda has been working with natural Japanese fiber textiles such as silk, linen and cotton. They are used not only in quilts but in piece works, clothing, Sashiko works, etc. For the past several years, she has been inspired by handicraft called “Pojagi.” Pojagi is Korean women’s traditional patchwork handed down from mother to daughter in the family. Junko has interpreted the construction, color and the beauty of Pojagi to her own style, creating new art works.
 

On the first floor this quarter, we feature selections from our permanent collection, quilts and comforters pieced by Josie Teeter Schlotterback (1882-1974). Josie, a professional seamstress, left behind many wonderful examples of her work. Her legacy includes utility comforters made of suiting samples in dark colors suitable for everyday use, crazy quilts, and colorful cotton quilts. However, Josie also left behind eighteen unfinished quilt tops, some clearly intended for utility use but others with intricate piecing and tiny bits of cloth sewn into vibrant works of art.
 
The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum has undertaken a project to finish twelve of these quilt tops. The project includes adding batting and backing to the unfinished top and then either finishing the piece by hand tying or hand quilting. The Schlotterback project is funded in part by the Quilter’s Guild of Dallas, Helena Hibbs Endowment Fund. The exhibit also includes Josie’s sewing trunk and sewing aids, including quilt blocks, patterns and other memorabilia.
 

The museum has recently been gifted with a rare treasure; an 1898 Franklin Motorcycle!
Built by Franklin Iron Works of Mount Vernon, this is believed to be one of the first motorcycles ever built.

Look for specials all month long to celebrate our 20th anniversary!

Our courses are well known for their creative, contemporary approach to embroidery through basic design and color. This course serves as a basic introduction to the vast world of embroidery. Techniques and stitches will be imaginatively worked using the elements of design. Using your own hand-painted fabric and threads, you will create a variety of small, embroidered samples. You will learn about the following: Dyeing fabric and threads A wide variety of techniques and stitches: including couched threads, chain, buttonhole, feather, fly stitch, knotted stitches, straight stitches as well as edging stitches Color study Needles and threads Stitching on paper Effective Presentation

The Museum is hosting the Silk & Indigo challenge entries, requiring the use of a vintage orange silk with a Kona Bay indigo. Even though artists are using the same fabrics, they are encouraged to use any creative means to make their work. We look forward to work that ranges from quilts to wearables, soft sculpture, and more. While many of the pieces are for sale, they will remain on display through our Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival, Oct 3-5. Come and see the work and vote for your favorite!
 

The NPSAR Charity Golf Tournament Is Back!  Charity event benefiting Skagit Habitat for Humanity & Friendship House Friday, September 5th, 2014 Skagit Golf and Country Club Please register your foursome, or as a single and join us for this fun and worthwhile event!  Prizes at every hole! Win a car with a Hole-In-One!   $110 per golfer includes: Shared Golf Cart Registration and Brunch at noon Steak Buffet Dinner All level of golfers are welcome! Fax your Player Registration today! Fax#: (360) 416-4904

Join Certified Arborist and Consultant, Christina Pfeiffer as she explains different mulch materials and how they perform in the garden for weed suppression, aesthetics, and maintaining soil condition.  She will also explain how to use leaves and the different compost products to their best advantage and why weed barriers are a dead end.  Valuable information especially for all those folks who are compelled to scrape every last leaf out of their garden and leave the ground bare in the fall.

How do our ways of making impact the environment? Regional artists and cultural producers respond within a presentation format of 20 slides for 20 seconds, for a lively and thought-provoking evening.

Dr. Susan Kallal, MD from Rosario Skin Clinic will be presenting.
Appetizers and wine served after.

Although the focus on fall gardening is often preparing for winter, there are still plenty of lovely perennial blooms around to be enjoyed. Join Ani Gurni of Aulos Designs as she talks about great perennials that keep performing until frost.
 

Temari balls are exquisitely wound and embroidered gems that are given in Japan as a very special gift to a loved one on an auspicious occasion. Beginner’s level, the intrigued student can follow the craft up many layers of complexity, and never become bored with this craft. It has achieved the proud level of an art form. Cost includes a required kit. La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum members receive a discount on Workshops.

This is a great opportunity to meet this world renowned artist and to create a custom piece your family will enjoy for generations!

Join Suzanne Butler as she demonstrates creative ideas for putting pumpkin on the plate. Suzanne was “Galloping Gourmet” Graham Kerr’s cooking assistant for many years and is a Culinary Arts instructor at Skagit Valley College.
 

Join Certified Low Impact Development Specialist, Zsofia Pazstor to learn about garden care and practices for fall and winter. A garden can keep producing all winter if the right steps are taken at the right time. And more than anything, gardens will be able to feed wildlife as well as people during winter if we allow it remain a habitat.

Brought to you by the Conner Waterfront Park Project
Hear Capt. Schrader's story...

Got bats? If you want a healthy ecosystem, then the answer is “yes!” Back by popular demand, Kathleen Bander, founder of Bats Northwest, joins the fun of our Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival to talk about the 15 species of bats native to Washington. Learn about night-blooming plants attractive to the insects that Northwest bats eat. Get plans to build a bat house to put out next spring. Kids can get up close and personal with real mounted specimens