Bonnie Dwyer

Bonnie Dwyer

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Deconstructing a 100+ year old quilt

                  One of my quilt activities involves repairing damaged quilts. This is one of two “tied comforters” brought to me in well-used and worn condition. A tied comforter is distinguished from a quilt in that its three layers are tied together with heavy cotton thread at intervals across the entire comforter. …Read More…

Discovery! After 3 years of using my Handi-Quilter Sweet Sixteen

  I discovered during a recent webinar that the hand-guided stitch regulator is meant to be operated WITHOUT the cord, i.e. wirelessly. Who knew? The cord often got hung up, or in the way, and I worried about stitching through it. Now, after watching a HandiQuilter webinar last week, I realized the cord is just …Read More…

Modern Quilting: On the road again

  Traveling to Searsport, Maine this weekend where I will present my “Roots of Modern Quilting” talk and trunk show Saturday at 1:00. This is a drop-in program open to all who pay admission to Fiber College at Searsport Shores Campground. Admission entitles you to view demos, shop at fiber vendors, and see displays of what students …Read More…

Practice, practice, practice

As with most skills, practice does improve results. I’ve owned the quilt design software Electric Quilt in various versions over the years. Owning it and being proficient at using it are two different things! Last month I went to the Mancuso Quilt Show in Manchester, NH and enrolled in a beginner’s class for EQ7 with Pat Harrison. …Read More…

Making it work

Have you ever had a project explode in your face and eat up much of your day? Yes, I know. We all have. Yesterday was like that. It’s about curtains. Not a very interesting topic, but  an example of how time can evaporate in the blink of an eye.  Let’s just say it was curtain …Read More…

It’s really all about the fabric

My love of fabric is what set me on the quilting path, so I really enjoyed today’s Art Quilts Maine workshop. Amelia Poole of Ecouture Textiles, Brooksville, Maine, presented a demo of her method of imprinting fabric with leaves and flowers. We got to play with pre-prepared fabrics that had been treated, rolled, and steamed …Read More…

Quilt improv by Claire

My 8 year-old granddaughter has found her quilt making niche! She loves bright colors, running the sewing machine, and instant gratification! So, together we realized this stitching style would make her happy. Yesterday afternoon she was eager to get sewing, so while I was helping her older sister with another sewing project, I suggested she …Read More…

Does this ever happen to you?

You’re driving down the road and suddenly you spot what could be a QUILT! It might be in the back of a truck or trailer, draped over something to protect it from the elements and securely tied down. The temptation is to follow and flag down the driver – just out of curiosity, really. Or, …Read More…

Darla’s Sunrise: In the beginning

So, I signed up for a challenge. The quilt is meant to hang in the Maine Quilt Show in late July, but I really should have it finished 9 days from now so I can show it to my guild. I’m not sure it will be ready, but I DO work best under a deadline. …Read More…

Creativity is messy

I admit that clutter is my downfall, as well as being an obstacle to getting things done in the studio. However, THIS kind of clutter (fabric on the design wall) makes me smile. Auditioning fabrics for a new piece is my favorite part of quilt making. Completing my projects? Not so much. I need a deadline …Read More…

Modern Quilting – Taking the show on the road

      I’m so excited to be packing the car for tonight’s trunk show in Burlington, MA. The Burlington Quilters’ Guild wants to know what ‘modern’ quilting is all about. I LOVE sharing these quilts with those who are interested in this 21st Century quilting revival! There’s a new generation of quilt makers driving this movement …Read More…

What is a lecture/trunk show, anyway?

One of my favorite things is to share my quilt passion with people who are interested in quilts, quilt history, or just want to see some eye candy. Most quilt groups realize what a ‘trunk show’ is, but I find others don’t.  The term ‘trunk show’ originated when vendors brought merchandise (in a trunk, of …Read More…

“Less is More.” Really.

If this is true (I keep telling myself it is), and if practicing this strategy in daily living would bring peace and tranquility (I believe it would), then WHY can I not stay true to this mantra?  I confess. I have a packrat mentality. I’ve been like this since childhood, having been raised by a mother who …Read More…

Vermont Quilt Festival first-time entry

“Cursor” is the pattern name, found in the September 2014 American Quilter magazine. My 14-year old granddaughter chose this design to make for her entry into the Vermont Quilt Festival She wanted a bed quilt, but the rules for the youth category limit the size to a maximum of 40 inches x 40 inches. So, now …Read More…

What do I do with this old quilt?

I get this question often. Really a lot more lately. People inherit textiles and eventually wonder what to do with them. Maybe they are downsizing. Or, they simply realize it’s time to pass them on. Often their family members are not interested. Maybe it’s a family piece and they know the quilt’s history. Or, maybe …Read More…

This is more like it!

Creating this quilt top was a welcome diversion from computer trouble-shooting yesterday. I heard about an acquaintance’s wife who will be undergoing cancer treatments soon. He wanted a quilt for her and said she liked pink. The materials are all from my never-ending fabric stash. I think it will cheer, as well as warm her …Read More…

I’d rather be quilting

I recently decided to increase my social media sharing. After a wonderful website redesign by Holly Knott, I wanted to share my blog posts from the website automatically to my business Facebook page: Bonnie Dwyer Quilt Passion. One and a-half days later, I am still working on it. I have downloaded and installed two different …Read More…