In this time of environmental awareness and recycling, it is interesting to note how early quilters were masters of artful recycling.  Less worn sections of clothing were salvaged to create scrap quilts that were more than just serviceable.   The masterpiece of these early quilts was the Civil War creation of a poor farmer’s wife, Jane Sickles.  Its 169 blocks, measuring 4-1/2” square, and 52 border triangles has inspired an avid group of “Janiacs” creating their own “Baby Janes”.  Windham Fabrics had Brenda Papadakis develop a line of “Dear Jane” fabrics. Judie Rothermel from Marcus, Jo Morton from Andover and Barbara Brackman from Moda have contributed to the wealth of 1800’s reproduction fabrics available today.  Quilting has evolved from these early, warm scrap quilts to the vibrant, contemporary quilts. The following fabrics for all these interests are due to arrive in Sept. and Oct.:

• Avlyn - Vroom
• Benartex -  Cider Mill Road by Nancy Halvorson, Baby Genius Grows Up & London Cats
• Blank – Barnyard & Coverlet
• Clothworks – Jumpin Java,  Critter Jamboree & Loveletters
• Exclusive Quilters – Panda Collection & 30’s III
• Fabri-Quilt – Etosha ,  sophisticated African prints in flat cotton and pre-quilted
• Hoffman – Bali Handpaints
• Marcus – Quaker Quilts, Inkwell based on an embroidery pattern from Crabapple Hill, Love & Harmony, Bonnie Blue Quilts, Metro Blue Goes Green & Sachet Flannel II
• Moda – Butterfly Fling, Portabello, Civil War Crossing, Louisa, American Primer & Bistro
• P & B – Granny’s Treasures from Nancy Mahone
• RJR – Charlotte, Afternoon Tea, Cover Story Bubbles, Cover Story Pumpkin Party, Cover Story Snow Fun, Cover Story Here, Chick Chick & Farmer’s Market
• Red Rooster – Amma’s Garden & Tiny Tots
• Spectrix -  Garden Kitty & Friends of a Feather
• Timeless Treasures – many new novelties, including swimming
• Troy – Pigtails and Pixie Dust
• Westminster – Amy Butler
• Wilmington Prints –Natural Splendor, Bottled Pottery, Stitching in the Woods & Weekend Getaway
• Windham –Willamsbury Delft, Williamsburg Heritage & Dear Jane

TO EASE THE HASSLE OF TURNING LEFT ONTO RTE. 23 A NEW CONNECTOR ROAD HAS BEEN BUILT TO CONNECT WITH THE i176 INTERSECTION