DAY ONE
The Welcome Center here in Warrenton, Virginia was filled with passionate quilters anxiously waiting to meet Dawn Ronningen "Collector with a Needle".
Dawn flew in from Colorado to provide us with what became an amazing Quilt Study lecture!
She shared with us vintage quilts from her personal collection many dating from the early to mid 1800's. It was fascinating to hear/learn about these quilts, fabric dying and inking processes that took place in this early time period and of course, seeing up close the amazing stitch work that went into these (mostly applique') quilts.
There was a synchronized GASP heard aloud when the original Noah & Matilda quilt (of 1851) was revealed!
The picture below is of Dawn with a group of our Noah & Matilda Quilt Study Students; standing behind the original Boyce Family Album quilt a.k.a. Noah & Matilda! We are all beaming with excitement, admiration and pride!
After her lecture, Dawn visited the Quilt Shop to autograph her beautiful patterns and visit with our local quilters.
DAY TWO
Thursday was our Bus Trip to the Virginia Quilt Museum.
On the bus... Dawn provided a short lecture & tips on how to store your vintage (and newly made) quilts.
Our bus group at the museum:
I provided a lecture on Jane Stickle and had the opportunity to share stories of my students and their special Dear Jane quilts that hung in the exhibit. (sorry, no pictures allowed inside the museum) After a visit in the Gift Shop - we headed outside for a picnic lunch.
Here is a shot of our BIG bus and some of our happy group:
And of course ALL of this was made possible by our Sponsor and local shop owner - Kelly Ann of Kelly Ann's Quilting!
Kelly Ann is seen left in photo below sharing a giggle moment with our quilt friend Susie. A fun way to end this great 2 day adventure!
I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the VA Quilt Museum for a wonderful day and the Home Baked Cookies your volunteers provided to our 35 attendee's!
THANK YOU very much Dawn for coming to Warrenton Virginia - it was an honor to have you! (we miss you already)
Also, a "Shout Out" to Karen - Log Cabin Quilter.
Thank you for making that beautiful WOOL Radical Rose & Reel block for Dawn.
She brought it for show & tell and the crowd went crazy with excitement over it!
And also a Thank You to fellow blogger Maureen - Pursuit of Quilts for driving out to attend. It was a great pleasure meeting you in person!
If your local Quilt Guild is looking for a great Program and Speaker, I highly recommend Dawn - Collector with a Needle.
every quilt tells a story....
