Stop by the Studio

We all had a relaxing and productive weekend at my “Special” Fall Get-Away in October. There were lots of demos for holiday gifts and projects getting finished. Kits were available to purchase for making holiday gifts such as purses, placemats, tote bags, a table runner, jewelry, wine bags, and embellished tea towels. We learned tricks for working with cork fabric and oil cloth.

Gifts & Kits at the Studio

If you missed the retreat and are looking for some holiday gift ideas to make, I have more kits available for purchase at the studio. Or perhaps you would rather just purchase those items already made. And I have a huge assortment other handmade gift items for sale. Plus you will find oil cloth, cork fabrics, blank tea towels ready for embellishments and lots of new 100% cotton fabrics which have arrived over the last few months. I now carry some Robert Blake fabrics and Paintbrush Studio fabrics in addition to Free Spirit and Art Gallery fabrics.

Special Holiday Hours at the Studio

Stop by the studio to shop for a unique handmade gift for a friend or yourself. Get some great gift-making ideas, purchase a kit or pattern, check out the new fabrics and say hi. I will be open for the following holiday hours and by appointment many afternoons between now and Christmas. No need to worry about stranded shipping containers at sea when you shop local and buy gifts handmade by local artists right here in Rochester. Not only will you be helping small businesses and the local economy, you will be buying a one-of-a-kind handmade gift. The Hungerford is full of local artisans who spent the pandemic creating. Stop by for a unique shopping experience. Masks are required at Quilting with Margaret, so we will all have a safe and happy holiday.

Special 2021 Holiday Hours at Quilting with Margaret, Studio #309:

Second Saturdays, November 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Small Business Saturday, November 27, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
First Friday, December 3, 5 - 9 p.m.
Holiday Saturdays, December 4, 11 & 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Holidays at the Hungerford, Thursday, December 16, 5 - 9 p.m. (with the Public Market)

Got Oilcloth?

I love oilcloth! So easy to use, even if you don’t sew. I love to cover my picnic table with a fresh new oilcloth each summer. Just cut a little larger than your tabletop, pull to the bottom of the tabletop and staple in place. It revives an old dingy wood picnic table with a cheerful cover that is easy to wipe clean. If you have ever been in a Mexican restaurant in Texas, this is what you find covering many of the tables.

But oilcloth can be more than just a cover for your picnic table. For a retro kitchen look, use a piece of oilcloth as a tablecloth on a kitchen table. Maybe your mom or grandma did this in the 1950’s. The fun and bright florals, fruit prints, checks and stripes all make nice choices.

Or how about some colorful oilcloth as shelf paper on some open shelving in your kitchen? No sewing involved, just cut to size and place on shelf. Oilcloth is easy to care for, simply wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.

But you can also sew fun kitschy items with oilcloth. Like colorful tote bags, a wipe-clean kitchen apron, an outdoor chair cushion or pillow. Just be sure to remember to use a longer stitch length and avoid stitch over the same place multiple times, as stitching oilcloth perforates the fabric. For this same reason, use tape or binding clips instead of pins to hold pieces together while sewing. No need to hem oilcloth, it doesn’t ravel.

Want to learn more tips of sewing with oilcloth? Check out one of Kelly McCants’s books “Sewing with Oilcloth” or “At Home with Modern June.” Or better yet, sign up for my Special 2021 Fall Get-Away Weekend where we will be making holiday gifts, some made from oilcloth. Get a signup brochure here.

2021 Get-Away Weekend a Success

Twenty makers (quilters, needleworkers, Zentanglers, painters, crocheters and sewists) descended on Beaver Hollow Conference Center for a rejuvenating weekend of creativity, April 22 -25, 2021. Quilts were made, art was created, projects were finished, gourmet food and drinks were consumed, and lots of fun was had. So much so, that we are looking into a repeat event the first weekend in October. Stay tuned for details.

This was our 15th Get-Away Weekend which was originally scheduled for 2020. Beaver Hollow was especially beautiful this year. The snow came as we arrived, but the remainder of the weekend was clear and inviting. Lots of participants enjoyed a few hikes and walks in the woods surrounding the lovely lake. The geese had pretty much made themselves at home. We enjoyed cocktails overlooking the grounds and lake.

Everyone had a full 6-foot or 8-foot table to themselves, so lots of room for creating. I think everyone would agree this was a long-awaited gathering and we all came home revitalized and renewed.

I have been organizing and leading weekend Get-Away retreats for the past 15 years, starting at Bristol Harbour Resort on Canandaigua Lake. For the last five years we have been returning to Beaver Hollow Conference Center in Java, New York. We have had participants come from all over western New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Colorado and Rhode Island join us. It started out as a quilt retreat, but has evolved to include makers from many various fiber arts and visual arts. What everyone seems to love most about these retreats is the creative energy that abounds.

Karen Schiely, a quilter and professional photographer, has been attending these retreats for the past ten years. She put together a video celebrating the past 15 years of this event. It highlights an original song written and performed by Connie Deming, who attend our fifth anniversary retreat and performed “Quilt Song” live for us. Thanks to everyone who attends each year and has helped to grow the retreat into a really special gathering of friends and artists.

I look forward to seeing everyone again soon (maybe in October of 2021) and keeping the creative spirit alive. Creativity and art is what got me through the past year of uncertainties and makes me hopeful for the future.

Get-Away Is On For 2021

My annual Get-Away Weekend was postponed from last year to this year April 23 -25. Beaver Hollow has assured me that it is following all CDC and NYS guidelines. It has upgraded its air filtration system. No buffet meals as in the past. We will be served plated and covered meals at tables where we will be social distanced. We will still have snacks and a cash bar each night, but food and drinks will be ordered and served at our work stations. Masks will be required at all times when you are up and walking around.

And after some negotiations with Beaver Hollow, everyone attending this year will be have a single room for the price of a double (Just $599, all inclusive +$110 for optional extra night Thursday 5/22).

Of course, both Beaver Hollow and I are closely monitoring any changes to the CDC or NYS guidelines.

You don't have to be a quilter to attend. We've been joined by artisans who knit, cross-stitch, sketch, paint, make jewelry and create scrapbooks. It's all about creating an arts community. Everyone will have their own work table and the tables will be spaced for social distancing.

Beaver Hollow has many hiking trails and outdoor activities. The end of April should be starting to warm up and should be great for outdoor bonfires.

Doesn't this sound like a great way to kick off the spring? If you are interested or have any questions, email me or give me a call. You can also find more information and a sign-up brochure in the Get-Away Section of this website.