Thursday, December 13, 2018

RED

The best thing about moving to the San Francisco Bay Area has been coming in contact with quilters, authors, historians and collectors all at the same time.
 
Back in 2015 when I still lived in PA, we were invited to the wedding in San Francisco. My book had just been released in December 2014 and just couple of months before that, one of my favorite books was also released - Unconventional and Unexpected Quilts by Roderick Kiracofe

As soon as I got my copy of the book, I realized there was not a single quilt I disliked. I really wanted to meet this guy who collected old, unconventional quilts as art! So when the tickets were booked, I sent Roderick Kiracofe  an email wondering if we could meet for coffee. I was honored that he carved some time out of his schedule.

I took my book with me to get it autographed. When we met and I asked him for his autograph, he said humbly, "I am a quilt collector but people are treating me like some kind of celebrity!"

He is a celebrity to me. He has an eye for collecting quilts that have inspired us all. Wouldn't you agree?

So that brings me to this exciting news!

Last month I attended his exhibit RED in Berkeley. Common theme - In each quilt, color red used in unique way. It was wonderful to see some of his quilts in person for the first time and hear him talk about each one of them.
Clock on the link to view some of those quilts.

http://www.roderickkiracofe.com/newsarchive/2018/11/13/0w6d5o89ep71a0nc30obh1fkjtg2we

I had always wanted to try my hand at using his quilts as inspiration and make quilts of my own. In fact when I flipped through the pages of his book when it was released, Couple of quilts in the book reminded me of my quilts from - Cultural Fusion Quilts. I posted about it here.

Image Courtesy: Roderick Kiracofe




Here comes the best part! After seeing RED I got excited all over again to make quilts. Kind of quilts that have nothing to do with my book. I have been teaching for past four years and another year is booked with fantastic places to go and things to do. I have had an exciting times these but I am also craving to make new quilts.

As soon as I thought of making quilts inspired from U&U, I thought to involve my blogging friends.

I do want to emphasize, I have no other interest than just to make some quilts from this book and inspire quilters out there. 

Are you interested? There is only one rule for this quilt-along.

All you need to have is the book. You can find a signed copy here. It would make a great Christmas gift to yourself. I kid you not!

Here are some  "No Rules" of this U&U Quilt-Along

  • They do not need to be wonky if  you like to stitch in the straight line. 
  • There are no deadlines.
  • I will be sharing some loose directions but you Do Not need to follow my guidelines. You are more than encouraged to go your own way. 
  • Remember that possibilities are endless and you Do Not need to repeat the colors or pattern exactly like it is in the book.  
  • When you post the progress pictures as well as finished quilts on Instagram, use #U&UQA  
The U&U quilt along will begin 7 January 2019.

What do you say?
Leave a comment and let me know if you are interested.
I will invite you to join Basket Full of Scraps blog.

Mean while I am going to figure out how to make the blog button for U&UQA

Leaving you with some images of quilts from RED







 This last picture seems like vintage now. It was only four years ago!



Come Join Me!

Sujata



71 comments:

  1. Count me in Sujata!! I do have his book and it's a little while since I have joined a QAL so I'm ready! Looks like it's going to be an exciting 2019.

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  2. I love that book so much. Can totally see the connection between your quilts and Roderick's collection! Count me in for the quiltalong. I've started three different quilts inspired from U & U. Somehow my quilts turn out a lot less wonky than the original inspiration, but I love them nevertheless.:)

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  3. I don't have the book, but I will get it. If you think I can add something, I will give it a try. Red is my favorite color, but I have not used it much in my quilts. Most of the people you know and will join are a lot more talented than I am.

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  4. I've had that book for several years. Can't recall how I heard about it since I'm on the east coast now. I would love to move back to Calif. and the Bay Area where I was born and grew up. There are always so many wonderful interesting things happening there. I'll try to keep up with your U&U but I fear that I have already over-committed myself for 2019. PS I took your workshops here in Baltimore a few years ago. Finished one of the quilts but not the other - yet.

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  5. I've had that book for several years. Can't recall how I heard about it since I'm on the east coast now. I would love to move back to Calif. and the Bay Area where I was born and grew up. There are always so many wonderful interesting things happening there. I'll try to keep up with your U&U but I fear that I have already over-committed myself for 2019. PS I took your workshops here in Baltimore a few years ago. Finished one of the quilts but not the other - yet.

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  6. Google apparently wants me to write my note again-not going do it. But I will try to keep up with your U&U but think I might be over-committing again.

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  7. This is a great idea! I'm not sure what I'll make next year, but I can post the quilt I made from his book on the blog and IG.

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  8. I have his book and I love your idea -- wish I could see the RED exhibit in person. YES -- I am definitely interested in your Quilt Along idea!

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  9. I already have the book, so why not? Sounds like fun,so count me in.

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  10. I own the book, Sujata, and I’m interested.

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  11. I want to give this a try. I have both his book and yours. Little secret- he lives in my neighborhood. Sounds like a fun challenge.

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  12. I have the book since it was published and also his previous 2 books. I will try to take part in this interesting quiltalong!
    Myrto

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  13. Wish I'd been able to see the exhibition, but at least I've got the book and I love it. I've often thought of using the quilts in the book as a jumping-off point, so this will be the perfect opportunity. I'm not a blogger though, just Instagram @semichaotic

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  14. This sounds like just the thing for me to do next year. I'm planning a graduation quilt for my son and looking for something "different". I asked him to look at some quilt pictures online and tell me what he things. He seems to like a somewhat regular pattern but with a bit of chaos. This book seems to have so many ideas. Sujata, I'm looking through your book as well. Love your unique style.

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  15. Me, too! I want to do the quilt along. I am in love with this style of quilting. It is old fashioned, unmatchy, full of integrity and character. I would love to have a copy of this book and will put it on my wish list. I love your book as well, Sujata, and have made some of my own quilts based on your ideas as a starting point. Inspiring.

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  16. Yes, I am interested in your invitation! I just got the book for this Christmas and had the same reaction as you - every quilt was fascinating and I just loved them! I am nuts about RED. I have been deconstructing/reconstructing quilt tops made in a similar fashion by my sister's mother-in-law (now many years deceased)from the Louisiana bayous who had improvisationally hand pieced tops from whatever she had on hand - and it has been an adventure unsurpassed.

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  17. OH I am so going to give this a try! I love everything you do! This looks like fun

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  18. Sounds like fun, I’d like to try! I own the book, it’s a personal favorite. I’ve never met Rod Kiracofe, but I’ve admired him for years.

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  19. I am so excited! My book is on the way and this will be a wonderful way to start the new quilt year!

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  20. I'm interested in participating but I don't do Instagram. Wish it were a link-up on your blog....

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  21. I’m in, Sujata. Rod has a wonderful eye and conveys his reasoning so well.

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  22. Yes, I want to play. Thanks for starting this.

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  23. Hello, Sujata!
    Those red quilts are excellent! Yes, the last one looks like a vintage I always love.
    Have a good weekend and new week!

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  24. This sounds fun. I love your quilts and am a fan of Roderick's collecting. I'll give myself his book for Christmas. Count me in.

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  25. I’m awaiting book’s arrival and your leadership. Looks like I will need to become active on IG. Thanks for kicking us off.

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  26. Love both books and find so much inspiration from your techniques and his collection. I’m in!

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  27. I am interested and have the book on the way. I have no idea on how to use Instagram so you might have to post a tutorial on that! LOL!!!

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  28. Hello, Hello! Hi...it's me, Monica, @buttoncounter on Instagram. I'm in. I will now go purchase a book (that I very likely already have, but that's how I do things, apparently). This will be a quilt along that I will actually keep up with and finish, because unlike the others that I have tried, this one is my style quilting and resonates with me. I am looking forward to it!

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  29. Rod is a great guy and has a wonderful eye for sure. I love the book too. I don't want to promise one more thing in the coming year, but I just may find myself posting a new quilt or two inspired by you and Rod! I don't quite understand Instagram so my communications will have to be in the Blogging world. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

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  30. I've been needing something to inspire me to get back into my quilting again, I already have the book and this quiltalong sounds nice and casual with no deadlines. Looking forward to it.

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  31. Yes yes, count me in too! I've put the book on my Christmas wish list... here's hoping santa helps me out!

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  32. Your sew along sounds like fun! I know that book is around here somewhere! Probably at my studio, so I'll have to wait until morning---darn. I'm excited to find a quilt to inspire me. Oh, and I did love the quilts in your book. I spent hours just playing with fabric and your ideas.

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  33. Sounds like fun. I have a quilt in mind already and I love using Red in quilts!

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  34. I'd like to play too, I have a lot of scraps! my book is on the way.

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  35. What is the next step? I would like to participate but I am not on Instagram. Thanks! Happy new year, Sujata!

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  36. I have your book but not his. I will get it and would love to join in!

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  37. I'm keen to join in too. Santa just delivered the book, so excited!

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  38. Love that book and think it would be fun to participate. Looking forward to it.

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  39. I'm in!! Anything based on RED has to be great. Thanks for the great opportunity.

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  40. I've never done anything like this before but I am excited to give it a try Sujata! I have ordered the book and it is on the way. I can't wait to start. I am really missing the energy and the fabric available in the Bay Area ... not to mention the sunshine!

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  41. Hmm. I replied two days ago but don't see my comment here (in fact, all these are from before Christmas). Hoping I'm on your radar. Have the book, love red, want to play !

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  42. Time to go dig that book back off the shelf and take another peek! What fun!!

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  43. I've ordered the book.... and am interested in the "quilting stretch" this path would take me on! Not sure where I will end up but I'm definitely interested in following to see where this takes everyone! Thanks.

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  44. Gave myself your Cultural Fusion book for Christmas and can't wait to get home to start something new. Then I saw your quiltalong post and ordered Rod's book too. It'll be fun and a stretch to play with everyone.

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  45. I already have Kiracofe's book and had marked several of the quilts to use sometime for inspiration. Well the time is now, count me in.

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  46. I like Roderick's curated quilts in his book too, inspiring.
    Yes, I'm up for the challenge, I've got ideas already simmering.
    Good way to start the new year.

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  47. Hi Sujata I would love to join you in this project.
    I love Roderick Kiracofe's books and his instagram feed. I have had this book on my wish list for years, and have now ordered it. Yay Thank you xo
    I think you have my email address , but let me know if you don't through instagram.

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  48. I am talking my sister into this adventure with me while waiting for the book to arrive! Very excited as this will be quite a stretch for me...

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  49. I am thinking I would like to do this. I am ordering the book.

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  50. I'm interested in your quilt-a-long. I asked my daughter for the book for an early birthday present, and I should be getting it soon. Thanks for doing this!

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  51. U&U has been my favorite quilt book. I never tire of looking at the quilts. Count me in too and thank you,Sujata, for this idea and for all your inspiration.

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  52. I am VERY interested. What a great way to start my Quilting year. If necessary, my email is: lelandburnham at gmail dot com

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  53. I have the book and have been looking at the wonderful quilts. I'm ready to have a go at your quilt along!

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  54. Hi Sujata! I would love to join, please count me in. Thank you!

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  55. I have a quilt in progress that needs finishing. Probably not directly inspired by the book, but I DO have the book. The quilt in progress has got red for sure! More straight lines than wonky, but I will post on Instagram. What a wonderful idea!!!

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  56. Sujata, this looks great! whoop whoop!

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  57. I have the book, and yours, and love them! I think the QAL sounds fun and inspiring and I'd like to join in! Thanks!

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  58. This book is so inspiring - your quilt along will be the kick in the pants I need to finally make some of the quilts that I love in the book. Great idea thanks!

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  59. ME ME ME please! I just saw this and initially thought it was your book for the QAL and thought 'OK I have that...' and then I read the post and thought 'YEAH! I have that one too! I was just looking at it last night!

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  60. I also have the book. After reading about it on one of the blogs-might have been yours-I ordered it and wondered how I had missed it and also ordered The American Quilt. I can't imagine how I missed this book. I started quilting in 1979 and thought I'd read everything! So happy to have found both of them. I'd love to join your Red group. My favorite color.

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  61. Yes, yes, sign me up!! I just learned of this U and U quilt along but I am eager to participate.

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  62. Yes - please count me in! I will be using scraps galore - what fun. : )

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  63. Hello ! I'm a little late arriving to this party....I had a very distracting December & just discovered your post about the U&U quiltalong. I hope it's not too late to join in, since I'm really fascinated by the quilt you've chosen as inspiration. I'll have to get hold of the book and spend a little time pondering potential color arrangements....so many possibilities. Do I need to wait for a formal "ok" from you to join in ? Thanks !

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  64. Hello ! I've arrived a little late to the party.....I had a distracting December & just discovered your U&U quiltalong. I'm fascinated by the quilt you've chosen as inspiration.
    i'll need to get hold of the book. Is it too late to join in ? Do I need to wait for a formal "ok" from you to begin ? Thanks !

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