Hand sew a cockatoo mola in a workshop led by Phyllis Twigg Hatcher at the Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey, March 3-6 at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset.

You will learn to create a mola in the easy style of the San Blas Island women. The Galah in the image is a pink and gray cockatoo, but you can make your cockatoo in any colors you like. You will learn to layer fabrics for easy access in a relaxed reverse appliqué island technique. While the class stitches, Phyllis will tell you about the island women she met who make these hand sewn mola treasures off the coast of Panama and tell their way of life secrets.

The Galah Cockatoo Mola workshop will be held on Thursday, March 3 from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Please click here for complete details.

Phyllis Twigg Hatcher has been an American Quilters Society Certified Appraiser of both new and antique quilts since 1999. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Quilters Hall of Fame. Phyllis currently works with the Baltimore Appliqué Society to document all the quilts in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society.

The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey is generously sponsored by Brother/Rock, Paper, Scissors; BERNINA of America/Olde City Quilts, ABM Innova/Olde City Quilts, BabyLock/Pocono Sew & Vac, Elna/Pocono Sew & Vac, Handi Quilter, Pocono Sew & Vac, Pfaff/Above & BeyondCreative Sewing; and Sew Batik.

Liza Prior Lucy is the featured instructor at the Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey, March 3-6, 2016, held at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ. However, in addition teaching her business, Glorious Color, will be vending in the event’s Merchants Mall.

Since 1999, GloriousColor.com has specialized in the quilt fabric and books created by Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy. They carry all of Kaffe’s quilt fabrics. In addition, they make fabric packs for many of the quilts featured in Kaffe Fassett`s Heritage Quilts, Quilt Grandeur, Kaffe Quilts Again, Kaffe Fassett’s Simple Shapes, and other sources.

Glorious Color also carries all the fabrics from Philip Jacobs and Brandon Mably and selections from Marcia Derse, Martha Negley and Keiko Goke, plus appliqué patterns by Kim McLean and Susan Powell.

Liza says the best part of her job is collaborating with the fabric artists – Kaffe Fassett, Philip Jacobs and Brandon Mably – as well as working with the team that put Kaffe and her books together. She added, “It’s a joy to be surrounded by creative energy and generous people.”

Meet Liza at the Quiltfest! Sign up for a full day workshop or shop at the Glorious Color booth in the Merchants Mall. Liza is teaching Glorious Hexagons on Friday, March 4, and Bright Squares on Saturday, the 5^th.

The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey is generously sponsored by Brother/Rock, Paper, Scissors; BERNINA of America/Olde City Quilts, ABM Innova/Olde City Quilts, BabyLock/Pocono Sew & Vac, Elna/Pocono Sew & Vac, Handi Quilter, Pocono Sew & Vac, Pfaff/Above & BeyondCreative Sewing; and Sew Batik.

Long-time Quiltfest sponsor Brother has stepped up at the Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey to support youth sewing workshops. Youth from ages 11-16 will benefit from this sponsorship as they work on projects using the machines Brother will provide.

The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey is also excited to announce that Janneke Van der Ree of Pennington, New Jersey will teach these workshops that are designed for this age group. The quilt festival takes place March 3-6, 2016 at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ.

Janneke Van der Ree is a Dutch quilter who moved to the United States 20 years ago. Always a craftsy sewer, she took up quilting to get to know people and fell in love with this fabric art. Janneke has been quilting and teaching in Europe and the USA and tries to combine the art and craftsmanship learned in the USA with her Dutch whimsical craft sense.

On Saturday, March 5 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Janneke will help those in her class create a charming Puppy Pet Pillow. Students will practice both machine and hand sewing, but must have some prior experience using a sewing machine.

Janneke will present her most popular youth workshop on Sunday, March 6 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm – Fabric Notebook Cover. Those in attendance will turn their ugly, plain composition books into cool, colorful notebooks with fantastic, fabric covers. After sewing the covers by machine, the students can decorate their covers with quilting and embellishments. Again, prior experience using a sewing machine is necessary.

Act now – each workshop is limited to just 15 students from the ages of 11 to 16! Click here for complete details and to download a printable, registration form. Online registration is not available for these workshops

Sewing machines and accessories for the youth workshops at the Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey are generously provided by Brother/Rock-Paper-Scissors.

A Magnificent Duo to Present Workshops and Lectures at The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey 2016

If you want inspiration, entertainment, and to learn new skills look no further than the amazing roster of workshops and lectures to be presented at the 2016 Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey. Headliners Meg Cox and Liza Prior Lucy (pictured) along with our other exceptional faculty members will motivate any beginner or expert quilt and textile artist. This spectacular event, held at the Garden State Exhibit Center, in Somerset, March 3 – 6, 2016 is easily accessible from central New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York metropolitan and southern New England areas. In addition to the fantastic faculty, The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey will display a unique collection of quilt and textile art, along with a fabulous Merchants Mall featuring merchandise for all your quilt making and sewing needs!

The quilt show features the juried and judged “Tri-State Quilt Competition” with an array of quilts created by residents of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Over $8,000 in awards and prizes as well as ribbons will be presented to winners in a number of categories including Best of Show and Viewer’s Choice. In addition to the competition quilts, attendees to this event will not want to miss the spectacular special exhibitions such as the beautiful award winning quilts of the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival and the Hoffman Challenge. Pictured 2015 Best of Show:  My Version of a Persian by Christine Wickert.

The workshops offered at The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey range from modern design with traditional piecing to appliqué and fabric dying. Quilt enthusiasts looking to explore new techniques or sharpen their talent will not be disappointed. Also during the event Phyllis Twigg Hatcher will be available to provide quilt appraisals. Quilt and textile artists interested in stocking up on fabrics, tools, and sewing notions can shop the Merchants Mall.

Pre-registration and other information is available on the show’s website, www.quiltfest.com.

Major Annual Sponsor – Brother: Rock, Paper, Scissors; and Sponsors – ABM/Innova and Handi Quilter generously support The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey.