explorations--do I have enough fabric?

Some of us are very lucky. My favorite fabric store--The Textile Company in Greenfield, Massachusetts--is still in business. Indeed it has been selling fabric for three generations in an old baby carriage factory. (The wooden floors are themselves worth the trip.) Of course I have a secret fantasy--what if I could just set up my sewing machine and cut bits of fabric as I need it to get just the right color combinations.

Of course I know that is totally impractical. Can you imagine running up and down the aisles comparing fabrics just to get that one snippet? There actually is a phenomena of too much fabric. Seriously. Even for me. It can take too long to sort and compare. Sure I could purchase lots of fat quarters but my theory is that if I like the fabric enough to use it I want to learn to know it. What are its interesting undertones and stories? How does it work when cut into strips? What are the hints of stories within it? How can I combine the different fabrics to make a quilt that represents my artistic vision.

So I purchase my fabric a yard at a time. Then when I am working on a new quilt I often sketch out the colors by sorting through and creating the sweep of color that I think might work.

explorations--quilt--ann brauer 2018

Plum is such a complex color. Red and blue, purple with a touch of grey and brown. The manufacturers never make a lot of it in any given year. Instead I know I will be searching for snippets of fabric. Plunging deep into my fabric drawers for just the right color. Still this arrangement gives me a start. A reference point.

I begin cutting. I always tell myself to start with what I know. Just like with the fabric selection, I could cut too much fabric and spend too much time searching through the pile to find what I want and test it as I sew. So I make a small pile of wedges.

explorations--quilt--ann brauer 2018

And start to stitch each to the quilt. One strip at a time. Stopping frequently to ponder what comes next.

explorations--quilt--ann brauer--2018

How do you start a quilt? Do you ever have too much fabric? Have you ever worked with the color plum? And do you know any great fabric stores?

the quilts of Ann Brauer--February news

As I sit typing this letter, we are just starting to get the snow storm that is sweeping across the country. Did I tell you that I am already tired of snow? Yes, I know it is beautiful--I have had some great snow shoes through the woods--so magical. I have watched the moonlight twinkle on the snow--now that is truly gorgeous. But right now I am getting a bit tired of it.  There are only 46 days, 10 hours and 28 minutes but who's counting.

When I can get in to the studio I am busy preparing for the Baltimore Craft Show February 24-27. I love this show. It is the largest quality indoor craft show in the country. There is so much to see here--long rows of artists--some with very practical work and some whose imagination and skill will stun you. To get more information and purchase advance tickets you can go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1046115961?ref=ebtn1 . My booth is 1122. I have just finished a wonderful new large quilt--I can't wait until I can get an image taken of it to show you--though you can read about it on my blog: http://www.annbrauer.blogspot.com

Meanwhile my quilt daybreak is in the No Holds Barred Show at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA. It is lovely show with work from the Studio Art Quilt Association members throughout the New England region. For further information you can go to: http://www.nequiltmuseum.org And my quilt rivers of autumn is showing at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY--http://www.quiltmuseum.org.

And when I am not snow bound, you can usually find me working in my studio--though call first just to check on it.

Here is a picture of my quilt: colors of my garden to warm you up on this wintery day.

What do you think? How much snow have you had?

the quilts of Ann Brauer--January news

Ah the new year.  The last few days of 2010 have been unusually warm here--much of the snow is gone--and New Year's Day held the promise of spring.  There is still light in the sky when I leave the studio.  But now the wind is rushing in from the North with a reminder that winter has only just begun. There is an energy and purpose there.  So many good things have happened to me in 2010--I redid my website, started a blog,   and became active on Facebook and Twitter. There is so much to learn about the new social media and of course it keeps changing. Oh well, I do love a challenge. And speaking of my web site, I just went through the studio and posted my first ever January sale. Most of these are the quilts that I find that I no longer bring to shows since they are from older series that no longer fit in with current work. Do check it out here.

This month I will have quilts in two shows. I am honored that my quilt rivers of autumn is included in  River Quilts at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY. Meanwhile my quilt daybreak will be in the No Holds Barred Show at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA. The show runs from January 20-April 9 with the opening planned for January 29 at 1 pm. I  hope to make it to that opening and will have several of my smaller items in the gift shop at the Museum during that show.

Meanwhile I am working in the studio most days finishing several orders and getting ready for the Baltimore Craft Show in February--but more of that next month. As usual I welcome visitors although do call first to make sure I am there.  And of course you can follow my progress more closely on Facebook and my blog.