Back to the Future in 2017

Vintage Dresden fragments combined
with new fabrics.

Stash busting, repurposing, upcycling and UFO redemption… the Choo Choo Quilters will get creative in 2017 by delving into the theme “Back to the Future.”

Whether they are ours, something we’ve inherited, something that was gifted to us or something that we’ve rescued from a yard sale, most quilters have a medley of patchwork leftovers, UFOs (unfinished objects), orphaned blocks, and vintage quilt pieces that didn’t make it into the “Finished” column. The plan is to take these unfinished pieces—ours and/or someone else's—and mix them with today's fabrics and threads to give them a second life and a new purpose.

With a focus on blending the old with the new, the “Back to the Future” theme invites investigation into topics such as:

• how to redeem and reinvigorate UFOs
• working with vintage textiles and salvaging usable parts from old quilts
• creating new quilts inspired by antique quilts
• creating time-span and memory quilts
• repurposing old linens
• dating fabrics
• documenting and preserving antique patchwork during its metamorphosis into a new quilt
• reconciling variations and limitations that arise with non-uniform patchwork pieces
• working improvisationally to combine new and antique fabrics, and
• how to combine old and new fabrics into a cohesive new quilt design.

Dig through your stash and scraps and let’s renew, repurpose and elevate those once-forgotten patchwork bits into wonderful new quilts.

Coming in April 2017
Corresponding with the "Back to the Future" theme, the Choo Choo Quilters are excited to host author, award-winning quilter, curator, and quilt appraiser, Mary Kerr, for a quilting workshop on Friday, April 7 called A Wonky Star: Improv with a Vintage Twist.

Mary W. Kerr (left) and the cover of her latest book, Twisted: Modern Quilts with a Vintage Twist.

This half-day workshop will be packed with tips for working with vintage fragments and ways to showcase these treasured pieces in new quilts. Following Mary’s unique approach, workshop attendees will use vintage textiles to create a wonky star with plenty of space to incorporate favorite quilting designs. This workshop is about embracing the magic of combining the love of vintage with a 21st century aesthetic. Attendees will also enjoy quilts from Mary’s latest book and exhibit, Twisted: Modern Quilts with a Vintage Twist.