White House Quilting Bee on Larry King Set

Enjoy! Now over 7,000 views!!

White House Quilting Bee - Hillary Arrives video

Have you ever seen those cute animated videos and wondered how it's done? I recently read about Xtranormal, a service that enables you to create a one or two character animated "movie" by simply typing in a script! So, I signed up and gave it a try. Here is the debut screening of "White House Quilting Bee - Hillary Arrives" video. It is my first Xtranormal video. Enjoy!

Ohh! Sneak Peak - Journey of Hope Quilt Book!

So exciting! You can now see a sneak peak at some of the pages in the soon-to-be released Journey of Hope: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama. Congratulations to the 90 artists with quilts featured in the book. Have a look at the Look Inside feature - Enjoy!

The Journey of Hope in America: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama

Opening December 18, 2009 is the exhibit "The Journey of Hope in America: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama" at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio. Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi is the curator who has organized the quilts of 95 artists! The 208-page color catalog is available for pre-order for $16.50. The book ships in April 2010. Congratulations to all the quilters with pieces in the show! Enjoy!

Dr. Joan Gaither's Journey to the White House Quilt

If you are in the Baltimore, Maryland area, take a moment to visit the Banneker-Douglass Museum and see the quilt Journey to the White House by Sistah Quilter Dr. Joan M. E. Gaither.
The quilt is on exhibit through June 29, 2009.

You can see a fantastic slide show with photos by Paul W. Gillespie about this Obama story quilt in the Annapolis Capital newspaper. Enjoy!

New Faith Ringgold Quilt - The Declaration of Freedom and Independence Quilt

Enjoy this 3:27 min. video featuring a new quilt by Faith Ringgold - The Declaration of Freedom and Independence Quilt... blocks illustrate key people and events, including President Obama's election. Enjoy!

VIP Cranston Fabrics - four Barack Obama designs

Gotta give a shout out to VIP Cranston Fabrics for introducing these four Barack Obama 100% cotton fabrics - 44" wide. My fingers are itching to make a quilt now! Thanks to Millie for sharing this link to Bear Paw Quilt Co, who is taking pre-orders for the fabric, which is due out in May 2009. Enjoy!

President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts - new book!

In case you weren't able to visit the President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts exhibit in person, you can now purchase the 120-page exhibit catalog for $24.95. Sue Whalen and the 60-member strong ObamaQuilters have collaborated on this just available book via Blurb.com.

Now, in case you're not familiar, Blurb.com is a website that allows one to create your own book and have the book printed on demand when it is purchased. Great for the environment - the book only comes into existence once it is purchased. In my experience, it is a safe website. I've purchased a half-dozen books from Blurb. Congratulations to each of the ObamaQuilters! Enjoy!

Mrs. Michelle Obama's Gowns - Quilt blocks

Many thanks to Christine at the Winnowings blog for letting me know she's stitched several potential inaugural ball gowns (in quilt block format, of course!) for Michelle Obama. Here's one golden off-the-shoulder formal (cotton) gown. Move over Sunbonnet Sue!

Susan Walen curates Feb 2009 President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts

Susan Walen is organizing a grass-roots, multi-ethnic exhibition of quilts celebrating the election of President Barack Obama. The show is called "President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts" and will take place February 9 - March 5, 2009 at the Cafritz Art Center, 150 King Street, Silver Spring, Maryland (just outside Washington, DC). Today, the show is up to 60 different artist! You can read Susan's December 2008 interview about the show and her own "Dear Mr. Obama... " quilt on the Quilter's Save Our Stories site.

Debra Gabel, a fiber artist and designer for Zebra Patterns, will be in the show. To the left is her quilt-in-progress. She has a fascinating post about creating this piece on her blog. Enjoy!

Busy Fingers Quilt Club - 60th anniversary

All the best to the Busy Fingers Quilt Club of Alton, IL for recently celebrating its 60th anniversary! In the photo by The Telegraph photographer Margie M. Barnes are from the left:
Mattie Jean Miller, Esther Jackson, Georgia Bratton and Viola Bradshaw holding the Busy Fingers quilting club's new presidential quilt. Other guild members are: Nancy Beacoat, Josephine Beckwith, Wanda Jacques, Viola Bradshaw, Esther Jackson, Edna Cannon, Heather Stewart, Vivian Williams, Rose Pitts, Rose Rhetta and Jane Rhetta.

The Club decided to commemorate it's anniversary and historic Presidential election by creating a special quilt with images of each party's Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates.

The guild does not yet know where the quilt will be displayed. I hope that a local historical society or local museum will document this guild's extraordinary 60 years of quilting! Click here to read a recent Telegraph newspaper article on the guild. Enjoy!

Quilts for Obama: Celebrating the Inauguration of our 44th President

If you are coming to Washington, DC in January, be sure to stop by the Historical Society of Washington, DC for the exhibit "Quilts for Obama: Celebrating the Inauguration of our 44th President." This exhibit will be on display January 11, 2009 - February 1, 2009 and is organized by Roland Freeman and Carolyn Mazloomi.

Artists included in the show (just a partial list) include: Edna Patterson-Petty, Dr. Denise Campbell, Cookie Washington, Peggy Hartwell, Catherine Lamkin, Marlene O’Bryant, Charlene Hughes of Honolulu, Laura Gadson, Trish Williams, Sew Chick Elle, and others. Enjoy!

Obama Fabric Design from Skinny LaMinx

I'm on the hunt - It took nearly 10 years to locate fabric with Nelson Mandela .... where is the fabric with President-Elect Obama? Heather Moore, an illustrator and designer from Cape Town, South Africa featured this Obama "fabric swatch" on her blog, Skinny laMinx. I wonder if she'll upload the design into Spoonflower.com, the custom fabric on demand site? Would you buy this print for your stash?! Enjoy!

Barack Obama Quilt by Dindga McCannon - YouTube

Wanted to share with you this 42 second video of a quilted wallhanging created by sistah quilter Dindga McCannon titled "The New Rainbow Coalition - Obama '08." Enjoy!

Obama Quilt on eBay - Fundraiser

This double bed-size jeans-based Obama logo quilt is now on eBay. There's 21 current bidders. Auction ends on Oct 16 around noon PST. I have no idea who the quilter is, but thought you'd like to see this quilt (item # 230299439798). Enjoy!

Only Patches That Make a Quilt - Obama Song

Just had to share this YouTube posted video titled "Only Patches That Make a Quilt." It's a nice tune! It's a song that encourages all people to work together - and support Senator Obama's bid for the Presidency. The singer's name is unknown. October Update! Hollis Sumo, the singer in this video contacted me. She's from Oklahoma. Do listen to the video - there's +400 views! Enjoy!

Obama Logo Block - Grandmother's Flower Garden

Pam at Crafting for Obama has created a pretty neat quilt block - reminiscent of Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern - based on the Obama for President logo. You can order completed blocks from the site - your purchase goes to the campaign. For more information contact CraftingForObama@gmail.com. Happy Sewing!

Obama Paper Doll

Thanks to a quilting sistah for passing along the link to the Obama Paper Dolls booklet, which comes complete with a "wardrobe of authentic outfits worn by the couple on the campaign trail." Just $7.99. Yes, there's a McCain Paper Dolls set, too. Enjoy!

John McCain Redwork Block Pattern

If you are a regular to the Black Threads blog, you know that I've shared free Redwork block patterns this Presidential Election season. One was of Senator Hillary Clinton and the other of Senator Barack Obama. I've been surprised by the feedback. One quilting guild will have a retreat in September. One of their retreat activities is a themed "Campaign Rally!" Guild member Linda C asked if I would create a Senator John McCain redwork block so that each major political party can be represented. Hope you enjoy this free redwork block pattern featuring Senator John McCain - Click here to download. Happy Sewing!

Fiber Artists for Obama & Cherryl Floyd-Miller's Obama Quilting Story

Fabric CAN capture our times, thoughts, and feelings. The online group - Fiber Artists for Obama - are in the process of making a FIERCE quilt about their favorite candidate. Many members have designed a special block for the collective quilt being made, thanks to Diana Bracy's leadership in organizing the actual quilt. In the photo here is the block by Lisa Shepard Stewart. Do visit Cherryl FLoyd-Miller's blog for more photos of the quilt blocks.

And, if you have five minutes, you MUST read Cherryl's personal blog post about the Obama-themed quilt she's making - the blocks include significant events in the 2008 Democratic Nomination process... Oprah's endorsement, Caroline Kennedy's support, Hillary Clinton as the Queen of Hearts... and, of course, Michelle Obama's loving support. Personally, I'm eager to see Cherryl's final masterpiece! Enjoy!