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QuiltBug Quilt Shop

169 Main St, Box 273
Esperance NY  12066

We are on the border of Schoharie and Schenectady County
Ph: (888) 817-6577
or (518) 875-9400
Fax: (518) 875-9401

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Visit Duanesburg!

Store Hours
Mon - 10 - 8
Tues - Sat: 10 - 5
(classes may run later)


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Karens Four Seasons

 

Sue-Anns Exuberance

 

Pipe Dreams

 

Ginnys No Whining table-runner

Erins Years-to-Come Tablerunner

Would you like to learn more about your antique quilt?  Kris Driessen is a quilt historian and teacher who offers lectures and workshops on vintage quilts as well as classes and workshops on new quilts.  Lectures on quilt history include quilt dating; appraising for value; cleaning and care of antique and vintage quilts; using vintage blocks, quilt restoration and more.  Classes focus on easy and creative sewing methods.  

Kris's lectures and workshops on our quilting heritage feature antique and vintage quilts from her own collection. No white gloves needed for this collection! Everything she brings can be touched and examined closely. Kris encourages student participation and discussion, and welcomes quilts for show and tell at all classes. Her quilt knowledge is extensive and she is able to adapt a class to meet almost any need or situation.

Quilt appraisal services available on request.  Call or E-mail for details.

Kris Driessen of Albany NY is an accomplished quiltmaker, quilt historian, quilting teacher, author, researcher, and lecturer. Her articles on dating, cleaning and just plain appreciating antique and vintage quilts have appeared in many publications including American Quilter, Traditional Quiltworks, Quilting Today, Web Threads, Lady's Circle Patchwork Quilts, Vintage Quilts, Sew What's New, McCall's Quilting, Country Home, Quilt History, Planet Patchwork, Quilt Guilds, the Collectors Journal 11th Annual Repair & Restoration Register, Country Living, Material Facts (Australia), the Cypress Creek Newsletter,  The Collectors Journal and others.

Kris has been on the faculty of several major events, including NY Quilts!, Quilts at the Crossroads, the Virginia Quilt Consortium, and DSQDS.  Her antique quilts have been exhibited at numerous quilt shows including NY Quilts in Troy NY, Common Threads in Vestal NY and Pens & Needles: 19th and 20th Century Signature Quilts at AQS in Paducah KY. 

Kris has also judged at several shows, including the Green Mountain Quilt Show in Bethel VT and the London Quilt Show in London KY. 

In addition to her regular lecture schedule, Kris has designed a line of patterns published as Quiltbug. 

Classes and Workshops Available

No Whining Quilt
 We are going to show you a variety of ideas to use up those those annoying fat quarters you have been collecting. You will be making a number of different blocks, then mixing and matching to make a unique quilt. No matter how you make it, it is correct.  You CAN'T make a mistake when constructing this quilt.   The can be taught as a full day class, but it is also an excellent workshop for retreats.  The more time and the more students, the better. This is more of a process oriented than a product oriented class.  Students will NOT be making a quilt top. They will be making a variety of blocks in different sizes, any one of which can be the inspiration for a full quilt.  Perfect for beginners as well as intermediate quilters.  Click here for the supply list.  Need pictures - click here.

Mystery Date  
A mystery quilt event - a different one every time. Learn new and interesting techniques while creating a fun quilt.  We have three different mysteries - one can be done in three hours, one takes five and one is all day.  All are good for confident beginners to intermediate. Click here for the supply list.

 

Stripper Club  
What do you do with those leftover strips? Bring some to class and we will show you how to make a spool puzzle, paddlewheel blocks, double HST's, braids, braided table runner, Amish bars, trip around the world, bargello, bias beauty stars, and as many more blocks as we can fit in class time. This is more of a process oriented than a product oriented class.  Students will NOT be making a quilt top.  They will be making a variety of blocks in different sizes, any one of which can be the inspiration for a full quilt.   Perfect for beginners as well as intermediate quilters.  Can be done as full day or half day.  Click here for the supply list

 Demo Round-up
We call this the Demo Round-up because we keep showing the same tips and techniques over and over.  This is a good program if something else is going on at the same time or if you have a large group as everyone will have at least one opportunity to see the demo. Watch while we offer tips and techniques to make quiltmaking easier.  You are bound to learn at least ONE new thing!  Bring your notebook and/or a camera.  About an hour.

 

 A Gaggle of Geese
How many different ways of making Flying Geese are there?  We've counted eleven and will explore the possibilities in class.  Good for very confident beginners as well as intermediate quilters.  As a one day class, this is more of a process oriented than a product oriented class.  In a two day or retreat class, students will actually complete a quilt top. Click here for the supply list.  $9 workbook fee.

 

Elementary Star
This class is for confident beginners, or intermediates who just want to refresh their skills.  We will be making a small wall hanging using fabric that inspires you. Topics we cover will include: straight of grain/bias, accurate cutting, how to get an accurate 1/4" seam, how to make a half square triangle, how to make a quarter square triangle, twirling the seams to reduce bulk, chain piecing, easing a block component to make sure the block is square, squaring up your top, setting a block (or quilt) on point, adding a mitered border, measuring a border so the quilt lays flat and finishing options.  $7 pattern fee.  Click here for the supply list.

 

HSTmeans Half Square Triumphs
This is a class to learn different ways to make half square triangle blocks. You will be using TaDa Triangles, Triangles on a Roll, Thangles, and Triangle Papers as well as trying out several different rulers.  You will have the option which project you would like to complete.  Click here for the supply list and some project ideas. 

 

 

Lectures Available

The Dating Game
How can you tell when a quilt was made? This class will help you learn the guidelines to dating quilts by their design, fabrics, colors, construction and patterns. Learn by hands-on experience with actual textiles. Bring items from your own collection for class discussion.  About an hour.

The Newlywed Game
Using those wonderful vintage blocks in a new quilt. We'll examine various ways to use those blocks in settings authentic to the period. We'll talk about each periods favorite colors, patterns, fabrics and techniques and what makes a quilt an example of its decade. Bring your neglected blocks for analysis and suggestions by the class.  About an hour.

This is Your Life
The life and times of our foremothers was reflected by the textiles they used in their daily lives. We will discuss how fabrics, economics, politics, and other factors influenced our quilt heritage and discuss the tools and methods that might have been used.  About an hour and a half.  

The Price is Right
But is it the right quilt for your collection? Learn where you can look for quilts to buy and how do you determine a fair price. We will also discuss how you can you repair or otherwise treat an old, worn, tattered quilt that has won your heart. You are welcome to bring a quilt for analysis by the class. About an hour.

Treasure Hunt
Once a indication of poverty, feedsacks are now gold to whoever owns them.  What was a feedsack and how was it used?  Learn about these wonderful reflections of America's rural past.  Expect to see and touch great examples of quilts, clothing, dolls and other items made from feedsacks.  About 1/2 hour

Repair, Restore, Conserve
What to do with a damaged quilt and tips on how to do it.  Bring your quilts to this lecture for suggestions.  About an hour depending on participation.

Putting it in Perspective; The Symbolism of Underground Railroad quilts. Explore the possibility of quilts having been used as a code to help slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad by examining the social and political context in which a quilt code would have been necessary.  Recommended for historical societies/museums only as this has very little to do with quilts.  About 1/2 hour.

Quilt Appraisal Services available on request.  Call or E-mail for details.