Quilting at the DeYoung

Children's Quilt Project Quilt
Children's Quilt Project Quilt

I volunteered to go and help demonstrate quilting at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco last Friday with the East Bay Heritage Quilters. I took the Chocolate Box with me so I could show how quilts are finished. I had done this “stunt quilting” at the museum before – when the Esprit collection was being displayed at the museum. That experience was wonderful. This experience was MUCH better.

BackStage Pass
BackStage Pass

Renee and her staff treated us like glitterati. I was greeted at the door and immediately given the above pass. There was a performer’s area away from the hubbub of the event where we could rest, partake of food and drink, and chat.

Children's Quilt Project Quilt detail
Children's Quilt Project Quilt detail

One of the things some of the ladies did was work on the CQP quilts. This one was tied with the help of some interested visitors. CQP is project where the guild makes quilts to donate to children in need.

Sewing CQP Blocks
Sewing CQP Blocks

A couple of the ladies worked with visitors to lay out blocks and then sew them. Some of the children were very interested in this aspect of the work and helped quite a bit.

Cutting
Cutting

We demonstrated all aspects of the quilting process, including cutting. Many, many people had never seen a rotary cutter and were quite fascinated.

Hand quilting
Hand quilting

Two ladies brought their hand quilting projects. Jean, working on the attic window quilt, brought several of her quilts. Many of them were a lovely combination of purples, blues and greens.

Tie quilt
Tie quilt

This is another of Jean’s quilts in a lovely group of purples, blues and greens. She made this quilt from ties. I think it is one of the best uses of tie fabric I have ever seen. I like the combination of colors and patterns. I also like the block layout.

Godzilla &  Mothra
Godzilla & Mothra

Edi does gorgeous applique’. She had several in progress pieces with animals, which intrigued the children. The Godzilla quilt was a birthday gift for her husband, Jay (we were both a bit confused when we met!). He designed the quilt, Edi appliqued and then it was quilted with different Tokyo motifs by Laura Lee Fritz. This quilt drew in a lot of people in. Edi and Jay told the story of the quilt dozens of times. It was definitely a lot more interesting than my binding!

Hand quilting
Hand quilting

This evening was one of the most fun experiences I have had in a long time. My mouth hurt from smiling when I got home. Two readers/friends stopped by: Kathy from Everyday Bliss and Lisa from LisaLizaLou. Some people who talked with me wanted to buy quilts, others wanted to commission quilts. Some were genuinely interested in the process. I even told someone my process for washing a quilt (toss in washer with Dreft and then toss in dryer on very low setting). There were a few people who were really interested in my quilt and the binding. Chocolate Box was, actually, a good quilt to bring with me. It is a pretty modern looking quilt and lots of young people were interested in the fabric and the design.

Author: Jaye

Quiltmaker who enjoys writing and frozen chocolate covered bananas.

11 thoughts on “Quilting at the DeYoung”

  1. What fun!
    I love the De Young…
    I always go when I visit my little sis!
    I love love love the quilt with the olive and purples… it is amazing!
    The Godzalla quilt must be a hoot to talk about….

    1. Hi Lutra,
      Thanks for reading! I am thinking about becoming a member. I have been a few times in the last few months and really enjoy it. I agree with you on the olive and purples!

    1. Thanks for reading, Kathleen. I am sorry I didn’t see you there. The museum has this even every Friday, apparently. I told the organizer that I wanted to come again, so perhaps she will invite us.

  2. What what a wonderful thing to be able to participate in! The tie wuilt is the best tie quilt I have ever seen. I have bags and bags of ties – and this sure has given me a new thought on possibilities!

    1. I agree, Marie, I love that tie quilt. It is the best design for ties I have ever seen. I think that the colors really have a lot to do with it, as well.

      I really enjoyed the deYoung event and hope to be able to do it again.

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