What's New

What's New
& News in Quilting Around the World

By Lois Marilyn Verma

News Notes

...Pioneers exhibit opens at NEQM...

Twenty-seven quilts representing the work of today's leading quiltmakers and teachers will be on display in the exhibit Pioneers: Teaching the World to Quilt, June 19 to September 7, at the New England Quilt Museum. Nancy Halpern, curator of the show, collected the quilts from quiltmakers who began sharing their talents and skills with other quiltmakers 20 to 30 years ago and helped to spur the quilting revival. The quilts are those shown in Nancy's articles by the same title in the June and July/August 2002 issues of QNM. For more information, contact NEQM, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell, MA 01852; 978-452-4207; fax 978-452-5405; website www. nequiltmuseum.org.

...Merger announced...

As a means to broaden their partnering opportunities, Benartex, Inc., of New York, and Bernina of America, Aurora, Illinois, have announced a merger with Bernina taking "a strong financial position" in Benartex. Although Benartex will continue to operate as an independent supplier of quilting fabrics, both companies expressed their belief that the partnership will have reciprocal benefits while allowing for individual growth strategies.

...Kasuri hits the open road...

Those with an affinity for Japanese fabrics are probably familiar with Kasuri Dyeworks, a staple of fabric lovers in the Bay Area of California for 30 years. In an ironic twist of fate, Kasuri closed its doors this year during what it says was its best business year ever because of the dwindling sources of supply. According to Kasuri, the economic slump and the availability of less expensive Western wares in Japan have destroyed the traditional kimono fabric manufacturing industries there. Although the Berkeley store is closed, Kasuri says it will continue to offer private lectures and trunk shows, will be a vendor at quilt shows across the U.S., and will offer DVDs showing its newest fabric selections. For more information, phone 888-841-6997, or see the website www.kasuridyeworks.com.

...Mennonite-made quilts...

Two floral quilts, one appliqued and one hand-stitched broderie perse, will go on the block at the second Black Swamp Benefit Bazaar, June 20-21, at the Fulton Fairgrounds in Wauseon, Ohio. Both were hand quilted by Mennonite women as a means to raise funds for Sunshine, a Maumee-based provider of services for people with disabilities, and for Mennonite Central Committee, an international disaster- relief and humanitarian-aid agency headquartered in Akron, Pennsylvania. For more information about the auction, phone 419-335-3763; email info@blackswampbenefit.org; website www.blackswampbenefit.org.