NEW FABRIC - Moda - Nature's Chorus

We just got in the beautiful new line from April Cornell by Moda called Nature's Chorus. We will post pictures by Friday. Bright spring colors to lift you out of your winter doldrums.

Moda University -- Customer Show & Tell

Show and Tell from tonight's Moda University.



Tina's 2007 Moda U Quilt


Teresa's strip quilt from the book 'Strip Delight'.



Sue's 2008 Moda U Quilt




Janet's tote from the Fall Quilts & More





Sharon's XBag

Upcoming fabrics from Andover & Hoffman

We sat with our fabric rep for Hoffman & Andover yesterday. I thought I'd let you know what we have ordered so you know where you can find certain lines when they come available!!


As usual, I will post them here when they are in the shop!



The Hoffman Challenge 2009 is very subtle. It is based on the pale greens and rich browns that we are starting to see in the home dec industry. This should be here in December sometime.




Brown Bear from Andover, just like the children's books, will be here in January. We are getting the full line.

Critter Jamboree by Clothworks

New from Clothworks.

This fun line has bears, foxes, and crocodiles singing and marching through the swamp. Perfectly accented with frogs and red mushrooms for your next whimsical project!!

Cuter than a cupcake... and more Jelly Rolls

Cuter than cute cupcake pincusions from Moda. What a great gift for a quilter or that young lady on your list.

Jellyrolls for your next project are here. There will be more strippy classes durning the next class term (newsletter will be out in late December).

We look forward to seeing you!!
More fabric coming almost every week.

New Fabrics - Moda & Red Rooster

Prairie Paisley by Terry Atkinson for Red Rooster is here! What a bright and cheerful line!!















Moda brings Sleepytime to your little one with this soft, sweet line. Great for when you don't know what the baby will be... except wonderful!

New McKenna Ryan Patterns

Brand new from McKenna Ryan,
Once Upon A Star.
McKenna has created Christmas at the poles and highlights the wonderful creatures that live there. Each pattern is sold separately, but we have all 8 of them in stock.
Get yours today!!

Louisa May Alcott by Moda

Louisa May Alcott by Moda is here. We picked up 15bolts of this historically inspired line. I would share a picture... but my camera died this weekend! Check out Moda's site to see the complete line, or come in and add these fabrics to your stash of reproductions!

Hoffman Batiks

These impressive Hoffman Batiks are ready for you to make up into the perfect personalized gift this holiday season.

Cupcakes are here!!

We just love this new cupcake fabric from Timeless Treasures. Partner it with little chocolate band and a lemon yellow for an adorable pillowcase. Or it would be great in an apron for the holiday baking season!

Black & Whites from Mark Lipinski

Love black & whites? Here's the latest from Northcott by Mark Lipinski. We just love the way he's blended contemporary and soft curves. It will breathe new life into your latest black & white project. Come in and get yours today!!

Subscribing to our Blog

I think I have added the option for you to subscribe to our blog. That way whenever we post something you will be sent an email to let you know something is happening or when new items are in stock. We hope you become one of our 'followers' and subscribe today!! Call and talk to Kay if you have questions. 540-886-7728

Wharf Quilt Show & Quilters the Musical & QPPF

Our Wharf Quilt Show is just one part of our area wide celebration of quilting: Quilts: Past, Present, Future. The shows are all hung in the galleries and quilts are showcased throughout the area. We hope you will get out and see all the beautiful pieces... historic, traditional, and art quilts are just about everywhere you can look.

Quilter's the Musical will be presented at Stage 4 in Verona this weekend and we hope you will all come out and see it. It's a wonderful story of pioneer women and the art of quilting. Get your tickets today by calling ShenanArts at 540-248-1868.

Fabulous Fall from Moda

Just in Fabulous Fall by Deb Strain for Moda came in today. We got all the tone on tones and 3 of the main pieces. This would be a great collection to use for Moda University. The next year of Moda U starts September 17th and we are happy to say that the block of the month format is back and better than ever. Sign up soon. Limit of 20 on this club.

FALL NEWSLETTER IS READY!

The Fall/Winter Newsletter is available online now. Go to our website rachelsquiltpatch.com to download your copy today. Pictures of classes will be uploaded this week as we have the samples available. We look forward to having you in class!!

300th Anniversary Quilt - Church of the Brethren

“Connecting 300: formed by the Water, the Word, and the Wonder”

Reflections from the Artist

I have always found quilting to be a metaphor for living in community. In this specific project, this quilt reflects what I imagine Jesus had hoped for his church. Not just the Church of the Brethren—but the church everywhere, from cathedral tall, to a small group sequestered in worship, hidden from persecuting authority. This project is no exception to that notion. At every step of the way, I found myself wondering how grand the church of Jesus Christ could be if we would begin to treat each other as pieces in a quilt.

This is how “Connecting 300” unfolded for me. The call came: would I create a quilt piece for the 300th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren? As “Quilt Lady” for Annual Conference and AACB the past 20 years, I could not refuse the call. I then extended the call to all the congregations of the denomination: send me a piece of fabric to be used in the quilt. This way all have an opportunity to be part of the whole. I suggested guidelines: 100% good cotton fabric. When the fabric began to arrive, I changed my idea of what it means to be part of the whole, especially if you didn’t follow the specific directions. My goal was to use every fabric that was sent in. And I did.

As I worked with the fabrics, I grumbled. Loosely woven fabrics raveled. Some thin fabrics shrank with the heat of the iron. I complained. Then I had an epiphany. This was to be a celebration piece. My grumbling and complaining was not very celebratory. I had to adjust my attitude, and shift how I perceived this project. And I did. Spray starch helped stabilize soft loose fabrics. If I thought a fabric needed support, I made sure that the fabric I paired it with would help to hold it in place. I reduced the heat of my iron I tried to pay attention to each fabric as I worked with it. Most of all, I stopped complaining and did all I could do to lovingly connect all 223 fabrics.

As you look at the piece, think about the church. Each block is connected, sometimes by color, sometimes by similar patterns or by need of support. If a block seems out of place, think about the people in your community that might feel out of place in your church. I believe we are all connected as pieces in quilt. The church needs to be the model for a world unraveling.

“Water” is quilted into the first section. The “Wonder” in the form of Spirit’s flame is quilted into the third section. “The Word” is quilted into the center section. Scriptures stitched in the fabric are from John 1:1 Psalm 51:10 Isaiah 40:31 Micah 6:8 John 3:16-17 Isaiah 9:6-7 Matthew 22:37 & 39 Matthew 5:43-44 Matthew 5:13, 14 Matthew 28:19 Hebrews 13:2 and John 14:27


3 sections (3 centuries) 120 inches wide 112 inches long 223 different fabrics
4,779 two inch squares set on point with 150 setting triangles
More hours of work than I can begin to count. Created in an attitude of reflection and prayer.
And all is well, Rachel W. N. Brown

Here are the pictures of the quilt that Rachel described in her reflections. She was commisioned to create in honor of the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren.

What's Rachel been working on?

This is the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren and Rachel was commissioned to create a celebration piece. 244 different fabrics from churches accross the denomination were used in the piece. Using a 9 patch watercolor technique she blended the different fabrics into a beautiful piece that reflects how we are all different yet connected.

Shenandoah Valley Quilt Guild Show

One of our customers, Dianne Reasons, won the Viewers Choice Award - Accessories in the Shenandoah Valley Quilt Guild Show that was held this past Saturday, June 28th at Turner Ashby High School. The table runner project was the product of a class she took here at Rachel's Quilt Patch.

Great Job Dianne! We are proud of you!!!

Emilie Richards Book Signing Event

Emilie Richards was here signing books on Saturday, June 28 and it was a joy to get to know her better. We still have copies of her latest addition to the Shenandoah Series, Sister's Choice, available for sale.

We also have Touching Stars, available for the first time in paperback... all signed of course.

Come in and get your copy today!!

Patches enjoyed the roses... but she wishes she could read!!

How can you go green as a quilter? Help keep plastic bottles out of the landfills by using this new product from Quilters Dream. Use the link to find out more about how they do it, and how many bottles are being kept out of the landfills by using this product! Mother Earth will thank you!

http://www.quiltersdreambatting.com/dream-green.htm

Sewline Marking System

Introducing Sewline Products. Marking pencils in a variety of water soluble dyes, specially formulated for fabrics. Water soluble glue pen for a quick way to hold fabrics together for sewing.

Isn't Christmas Jolly by Moda

Christmas with Mary Engelbreit is just jolly with this cheerful Santa line of fabric. There is a panel, jelly rolls, charm packs, layer cakes, and kits. Come by today and get a jump on a happy holiday project!

Peace On Earth by 3 Sisters for Moda

We may not be able to have true Peace On Earth right now, but maybe this fabric will help calm your soul. Find some peace by doing what you love and use this beautiful line by 3 Sisters in your next quilt.

Christmas Fabrics

We know it is early for many of you to start thinking about Christmas, but the fabric companies are in the spirit already! We have collections from Hoffman, Moda, & Red Rooster already in and ready for you to get a jump on those Christmas and winter projects. More will be coming in May and June from Moda, Clothworks, and RJR (Thimbleberries). We also have a great selection of boxed Christmas cards coming in from Pumpernickel Press in August (they are gorgeous!)

With the influx of new Christmas fabric, we have put last year's Christmas fabrics on sale!! Get it while the gettin's good!

Thimbleberries Cover Story from RJR

Little Sweetheart & Kite Flying Cover Story panels are here and ready to be the center of attention on your next quilt. These go fast. Get yours today!

Count My Blessings by Salina Yoon

This captivating line from RJR is perfect for any little one's room.

Traditions from Moda

Classic Christmas as only Moda can do... Four crisp designs in Red&White or Black&White. You have to see this one for yourself. Pictures just don't do it justice.

Elm Creek Quilts: The New Year's Quilt

The first of our Christmas/Wintertime fabrics are here and waiting for your to put them into your latest project.

Elm Creek Quilts: The New Year's Quilt by Red Rooster came in yesterday. Free pattern available to download from Red Rooster Fabrics website.

Embossed Greeting Cards

Embossed greeting cards from Pumpernickel Press in Berryville, VA! These beautiful cards are made here in VA and offer sweet greetings and beautiful pictures to make anyone's day!

New Gingher Rotary Cutter

The Gingher rotary cutter is here! The newest thing in precise cutting from the best in the business! It's ergonomic, feels good in your hand, and cuts like a dream!

Bloom by Timeless Treasures

This beautiful line from Timeless Treasures combines gold, navy, burgundy, and green.

Salina Yoon Kids by RJR

Just in!! New Salina Yoon farm panel from RJR. So cute!!

Hungry Caterpillar BACK IN!!

The Hungry Caterpillar Fabric by Andover IS BACK!

We have created a quilt and kits using the pattern in the latest issue of Fons & Porter's quilting magazine.