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Textile experiences rich in the French tradition abound in this tour. From visits to specialty shops to attendance at Quiltmania’s Pour l’Amour du Fil show, you are surrounded by vibrant fibers, fabric printing history, and French culture. cart
The trip begins with a visit to Claude Monet’s amazing garden and home in Giverny, then, it’s on to a half-day walking tour with a local textile artist to discover textile shops that are hidden treasures.
In Avignon, there is ample time to explore the captivating villages and towns of the beautiful region of Provence with outings to beloved markets and the opportunity to tour The Quilt House La Maison du Boutisuse, (a quilt and costume museum in the charming village of Calvisson). In Lyon, visit the Textile Museum and become immersed in 2,000 years of textile history. cart
The trip concludes with the Quiltmania’s Pour l’Amour du Fil quilt show in Nantes, one of Europe’s most prestigious fiber events, with an impressive gallery of artwork and international vendors offering the latest wares. Following the show, we return to Paris for a farewell dinner before departing for home.
Land tour price per person based on twin occupancy $5485, single supplement $1370 cart
I decided recently that it had been too long since I made something for myself and that I would make a quilted garment. Ever since the show MQS ended, I’ve had trouble motivating myself.
I’m a person who really needs deadlines, and MQS provided that. They were one of the few shows that let you enter an unfinished quilt. Now by unfinished I’m sure they meant mostly done, but the rules didn’t actually specify this.
I’m not admitting anything here, but they may or may not have received entries over the years that included a picture of a pile of fabric and a note that said “I think it’s going to look like this.”
The entry deadline was always the middle of March. Quilts due at the show the beginning of May. This gave me roughly six weeks to get my act in gear. I miss this.
There aren’t any quilt shows that let me get a way with this now, but there is a garment challenge. You enter the challenge and get your “challenge” fabric at time of entry.
They don’t expect you to have even started at this point. This works well for me.
This year’s fabric was a pretty blue/turquoise batik. I’d been thinking about a Stevie Nicks/Flower Power inspired coat for a while and this would work perfectly. Most of the time when I make garments I start with a commercial pattern.
Next, I alter to fit because I’m vertically challenged. This time I couldn’t find one that looked like the image in my head, so I improvised. I Frankensteined a pattern out of multiple other patterns creating additional pieces as needed.
The first step was compiling all the fabric and trims I would need. Fortunately I have a moderate (read copious) stash of these things. Needing to use a recognizable amount of the challenge fabric on the garment, I decided to make the sleeves, and the sides of the upper bodice from the challenge fabric.
I don’t like to quilt the sleeves as I feel it makes the garment to stiff and as any quilting I did was not going to show on this fabric this worked out perfectly. This should do it.
