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Image: Tree of Life by Barbara W. Barber (detail). Photo by Lisa Bisson |
Current Exhibition Contemporary Broderie Perse:
An Elegant Revival July 15 - October 17, 2010
Combining collage, fine appliqué, and fine quilting, broderie perse, also known as cut-out chintz appliqué, presents a high point in the art of quilting and deserves the admiration and attention of all who appreciate fine needlework. The technique emerged in the late eighteenth century when chintz fabrics were very expensive and only the very wealthy could afford whole cloth bed coverings made from large pieces of chintz. By cutting motifs out of a small amount of fabric, the quilter could rearrange them onto a large field of inexpensive plain cotton to imitate the designs on larger fabrics. Plain cream or white fields filled by fine quilting surround the trees, floral sprays, wreaths, urns, birds, and baskets appliquéd with tiny whip, buttonhole, or reverse buttonhole stitches.
More on Contemporary Broderie Perse...
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September 25, 9:00 - 2:00
On Saturday, September 25, between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, the New England Quilt Museum will be having the Text and Textile Extravaganza, a FUNdraiser featuring books and magazines, fabrics, and quilting notions. For a donation of $35.00, participants will receive a shopping bag (16” x 12” x 6”) to fill with the books, magazines, fabrics etc of their choice. Additional shopping bags will be available for a $25.00 donation.
Merchandise collected to date includes more than 1500 books and magazines as well as current and collectable fabrics ranging in size from samples to fat quarters to yardage for borders and backing. Fabric designs include batiks, florals, holiday and novelty prints, reproductions, and solids.
The proceeds from the event help to support the museum's Outreach and Educational programs and partnerships both in-house and in the community.
During June and July, Rhonda and the Community Quilting volunteers worked with members of the Light of Cambodian Children, Inc. to design and assemble a quilted panel of photographs in conjunction with their exhibition, More Than a Number, at the American Textile History Museum. To help in the making of this quilt, join us at Community Quilting. For more information on More Than A Number, visit www.athm.org and www.reaksmey.org/MoreThanANumber

On display in the shop: A unique work of quilt art and sports memorabilia created for the museum. The Red Sox raffle quilt contains a center panel signed by 24 members of the 2009 Red Sox--23 players from the 2009 Red Sox team, including Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, and Josh Beckett, as well as President and CEO Larry Lucchino.

Summer is the perfect time to create a cool blue and white quilt. This pattern, based on a classic Burgoyne Surrounded quilt in the Museum's permanent collection that will be part of a special exhibition of blue and white quilts at the Lowell Quilt Festival, is free to download by clicking here. Interested in the kit? Email us to pre-order.

Burgoyne Surrounded Variation , c.1880. 1991.28. Unknown maker. Gift of The Binney Family
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Limited edition signed print by internationally-renowned artist |
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Whimsical Quilted Animal Decorations |
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New England Quilt Museum Totebag |
Hours & DirectionsTuesday through Saturday, 10-4 From May through October, we are also open Sunday, 12-4. CLOSED MONDAYS For directions to the museum, visit our directions page. |

Image: Tree of Life by Barbara W. Barber. Photo: Lisa Bisson
A trunk show showcasing the work to date of noted quilt artist Barbara W. Barber, author of Broderie Perse: The Elegant Quilt.
Says Barber of her multifaceted work: “I am drawn to many quilt
techniques. My theory is; apply whatever technique is available to
produce, in fabric, the idea, picture, dream, that I have within. Thus my quilts run the gamut from exquisite broderie perse and time
consuming productions to the instant gratification of fusible web.
Of late, I have added painted quilts to my repertoire. My quilts are large, small, humorous, reverent, irreverent, and reveal
much more about me than I'd like to admit. As I share the quilts, so
also will I share their stories; every quilt has one! Come and see for yourself.”
Got some UFOs you'd like to finish? Need some help or peer pressure to finish them?
The New England Quilt Museum is featuring a new all-day workshop for members and friends to inspire you to complete your unfinished quilt projects. The Education Room has table space suitable for layering and basting quilts as well as table and wall space for arranging quilt blocks and fabrics. The workshop’s facilitators, Rhonda Galpern or Debbie Janes, will review the basics of quiltmaking and share their helpful hints. Learn valuable tips about use of color, a variety of
options for block layouts and adding an array of fabrics, and possibilities for hand and machine quilting. The museum’s library has helpful resources to illustrate the effects of color, block layouts and quilting patterns, too.
Workshops will be held the third Saturday of the month from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM with a minimum of four participants. Workshop Fee: $35.00, members; $45.00, non-members. Registration required. (In addition to their project, participants are responsible for bringing their sewing machine and basic quilting supplies.)
Workshop Dates:
September 18
October16
November 20
December 18
To register, please contact shop@nequiltmuseum.org or call 978-452-4207.
Sunday, September 26, 1:00 PM
Join us on Sunday, September 26 at 1:00pm for a lecture and exclusive trunk show of unique clothing made from textiles from around the world presented by Ellen London, founder and creative director of Firefly Designs Africa Asia (www.fireflyafricaasia.com). We’ll be serving mimosas and delicious brunch treats, so bring a friend and make it a girls’ day out!
Ellen, who has traveled to and lived in cultures around the globe, will talk about global textiles at the show, bringing with her samples of the fabrics. She tells us: “Personally, I've always been intrigued by the possibilities of mixing and joining textures, fabrics and patterns into ‘wearable art.’” Starting out by making jackets for herself, she got so many compliments that she founded Firefly Designs. Her designs are available through her website, at trunk sales such as the one at NEQM, and a very limited number of retail shops in the U.S. Firefly Designs is especially sensitive to women who are difficult to "fit" and/or impress! If you don’t find that perfect piece, custom orders can be placed at the show.
Not only will a percentage of proceeds from the show benefit NEQM, but you also will be supporting the cottage industry of Firefly, which provides work for single women at a fair wage in a decent work environment. Many of the workers are older women who are caring for grandchildren. Firefly provides childcare and schooling for these children.
Admission is $15 for one or bring a friend for a special two for $20 rate; pre-registration is required by phoning 978-452-4207, ext. 16.
