Introducing Grandma's newest-in-store Quilt Club, Grandma's Victory Garden. Led by Grandma Rachel, this club current meets online, available nation wide.

With husbands, sons, and fathers at war in the 1940s, American women were not only faced with maintaining their homes and families, they were also expected to keep the nation's economy running through either working outside the home or by conserving much needed food and household goods. Often, it was both. So, the nation's women planted victory gardens, sewed and knitted clothing, quilted by the radio, and waited for their husbands, sons, and fathers to return.

In our new club, you can explore the lives of women in this fascinating time period. You'll receive a kit to make a fabulous quilt, with four different colorways from which to choose. You'll also receive 5" squares of fruit and veggie fabric each month, along with a colorful booklet filled with economizing tips and techniques, plus stories from the time period. Join us as we look at women's efforts, as well as sacrifices, on the home front as our nation united to support each other during World War II.

Quilt block kits are available in four color schemes: Americana Batiks; Purple & Teal Batiks, 1930s Blue & Yellow, and Blue & Purple solids. Participation is $10 per month per colorway. There is a $10 membership fee which helps offset the cost of class materials.

Grandma's Quilt Clubs are like no others that we know about. They are a fun way to learn about history that affects women today and discover new products. Clubs are currently held virtually with

Dates of the 2020 club are: September 3/4/5; October 1/2/3; November 5/6/7; December 3/4/5; 2021: January 7/8/9; February 4/5/6; March 4/5/6; April 1/2/3; May 6/7/8; June 3/4/5; July 1/2/3; August 5/6/7.

You can register for the class online by clicking here.

Temporary Change of Hours

Temporary Change of Hours

Monday through Saturday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm; Sunday Noon - 3:00 pm

Based on new guidelines issued by Oregon Governor Kate Brown regarding the Covid-19 corona virus pandemic, we are, once again, making changes to our store hours and how we conduct business at Grandma's Attic.

During this difficult time, our brick and mortar store will be open from 10 am to 3 pm Monday-Friday, and Noon to 3 pm on Sunday. This reduction in hours allows us to limit the number of employees working, as well as keep our shop as clean as humanly possible. 

Based on the Governor's recommendation of groups of 10 or fewer people, we are suspending our quilt clubs until further notice. Instead, we will have class materials ready by the scheduled time for club. You can either pick them up any time after that, or make arrangements to have them mailed to you. In addition, our class schedule will be seriously curtailed. If you are registered in a class that has been cancelled, you will be notified by phone. 

We understand if you do not feel comfortable visiting us here at the shop for the time being. You can always call us (503-623-0451) or visit us online at https://grandmasatticquilting.com. We mail packages every day. Whether you live two miles away or two thousand, we are always happy to hear from you!

We will continue to communicate with you via social media, as well as make every effort to ensure that everyone who visits with us feels safe and comfortable. We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops. Be sure to follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandmasatticquiltshop/ to keep abreast of the latest news, especially as things develop.

Remember, needlework is a stress reliever!

Introducing Grandma's newest-in-store Quilt Club, Hoppin' and Shoppin'. Led by Grandma Rachel, this club meets once per month with
six sessions available.

Aunt Sally is shopping her way across the USA! With her friend Travis, and her little dog Sampson, she's traveling from Maryland to California, hopping from quilt shop to quilt shop enjoying a hobby she loves so much. 

Participants follow her as she uncovers fascinating facts about 12 United States, collections quilt patterns, learns new tips and techniques, all while having a load of fun! Each month, club member receive the pattern and fabric to create a 15" quilt block in one of four colorways, a colorful information booklet, and more.

Quilt block kits are available in four color schemes: 19th Century Reproductions, Americana Batiks, Assorted Batiks and Blender Brights. Class participation is $10 per month per colorway. There is a $10 membership fee which helps offset the cost of class materials.

Grandma's Quilt Clubs are like no others that we know about. They are a fun way to learn about history that affects women today and discover new products. There are door prize drawings, an opportunity to be with friends, and quilt blocks to collect.

Dates of the club are:   September 5/6/7; October 3/4/5; November 7/8/9; December 5/6/7; 2020: January 2/3/4; February 6/7/8; March 5/6/7; April 2/3/4; May 7/8/9; June 4/5/6; July 9/10/11; August 6/7/8.

You can register for the class online by clicking here.

The Color of Forever Quilt Challenge

The Color of Forever Quilt Challenge

Our new Quilt Challenge is here! Grandma's Attic is hosting a Quilt challenge to support Sable House, our local domestic violence shelter. Our theme for the past few years has revolved around "The Color of" concept. So far, we've hosted the Color of Happiness, Kindness, Joy, Peace,  Love, Courage, Healing, Hope, Compassion, Wonder and Dreams. This year we're hosting The Color of Forever. Doesn't that sound inspiring?

Entry packets for this year's theme include five theme fabrics, challenge rules, and an entry form. All proceeds from the sale of the packets go directly to Sable House. The maximum quilt size for quilts entered into the challenge should not exceed 180 total inches when all sides are added together; however, there is no minimum size requirement. Each quilt must incorporate all theme fabrics, although the amount used is up to you. The remainder of the fabric used can be quilter's choice.

Quilts are due in to Grandma's Attic by July 24, 2019 where they will be displayed from July 27-28, 2019. The general public will be invited to vote for their favorites. Winners will be selected by customer ballot (one vote per viewer) based on Best Interpretation of Theme and Best Use of Color. (Remember, this is the general public, not professional quilt judges, so don't be afraid to enter!) First Place prize is a $100 gift certificate to Grandma's Attic; Second Place prize is a $50 gift certificate; Third Place is a $25 gift certificate. In addition, both the Best Interpretation of Theme and Best Use of Color will receive a five yard fabric bundle.

 Quilts will also be displayed at the Polk County Fair in Rickreall, Oregon held in August, and on display at other locations as well. All quilts will be returned to their owners by the end of August, 2019. If you'd like to participate in this quilt challenge, you can purchase a packet either at the shop or on the web. We can't wait to see what you've dreamed up!

The Color of Happiness Quilt Challange

Crow Gathering

Here are the winning quilts from the Color of Happiness quilt challenge held at Grandma's Attic this year. This challenge is a charitable event designed to raise awareness and funds for Sable House, a local agency assisting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in Polk County, Oregon.

Gramma's Snapdragons

You Are My Sunshine

Earlier this year, Grandma's Attic provided applicants with entry packets consisting of five different orange fabrics. Entrants were challenged to creatively incorporate these fabrics into a final quilt design. Proceeds benefited Sable House.

Voting began July 28th and ended August 5th. The general public was invited to vote for their favorite quilt, plus two categories: Best Use of Color and Best Interpretation of Theme. Votes were tallied and winners selected.

Winners are as follows:  

First Place:  "Crow Gathering" by Cindy Graff, who won a $100 gift certificate.

Second Place: "Gramma's Snapdragons by Brenda Lopez, who won a $50 gift certificate. 

Third Place: (Tie)  "You are My Sunshine" by Debbie Garvin, who won a $25 gift certificate and "The Color of Happiness" by Mara Johns, who won a $25 gift certificate.

The Color of Happiness

Best Use of Color:  "Over the Rainbow" by  Linda Sharples, who won a fabric bundle.

Best Interpretation of Theme: (Tie)  "Door to Hope" by Bettirae Willis, who won a fabric bundle  and "Bunny Happiness is Carrots Galore" by Mary Lindstrom, who won a fabric bundle.

Bunny Happiness is Carrots Galore

Door to Hope

Over the Rainbow

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Grandma's Attic, a Polk County business, is strongly committed to the health and safety of women and children in Polk County. The business fully supports the various local resources who share these goals and are dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault issues through the arts and crafts. 

Snips and Snails....

Snips and Snails Block of the Month Club

Our newest block of the month club, Snips and Snails, is filled with classic quilt blocks created from beautiful contemporary batiks. It's a combination that promises to be fun and festive, while allowing you to make quilt blocks that have been quilters' favorites for decades.

Quilt blocks include such classics as Propeller, Windmill, Snail’s Trail, and Rail Fence. The batik fabrics are in shades of purple, green, blue, and violet. Each block is easy-to-complete and incredibly fun to put together. Each month, you receive the fabric and patterns needed to create one quilt block. A Finishing Kit to complete the quilt top is sent in the 13th month. When completed, this quilt measures 59" x 73" To join this club, click here.

Esther Howland's Valentine Cards

Esther Howland (1828-1904) is credited with creating the first Valentine's Day cards in the 1840s. Today, it is estimated that nearly one billion Valentine's cards are sent each year worldwide, and the Greeting Card Association honors her by hosting the annual Esther Howland Award.

Esther's family owned a large book and stationery store in Worcester, Massachusetts. When she was young, they sent her to the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary where she graduated in the class of 1847, as a contemporary of Emily Dickenson. While at the Seminary, she participated in annual Valentine festivities. Upon graduation, one of her father's business associates sent her an elaborate English Valentine. Made with perforated and embossed lace paper, these cards were popular in England.

Realizing that she could make these beautiful cards herself, she convinced her father to order supplies from England and New York City. She then made samples which she sent out with her brother on his sales trips. Secretly hoping for $200 in sales, she discovered upon her brother's return that he had garnered over $5,000 in advance sales. She asked her friends and family to help make them assembly line fashion, and her $100,000/year business was born.

Esther Howland Valentine

Esther is credited with introducing many innovations in Valentine design, including placing a brightly colored wafer of paper underneath the embossed lace to create more contrast. She also created the built-in shadow box that became popular in the latter part of her career.

In business for over 30 years, Esther established herself and earned a good living at a time when many women were marginalized. She never married, and during the last 15 years of her career, a knee injury forced her into a wheelchair.

Esther Howland Valentine

In 1881, Esther sold her valentine business to George Whitney, a valentine manufacturing company in business from 1866 to 1942. Whitney installed the machinery necessary to make paper lace domestically. By the time of her death in 1904, Esther had earned the accolade of "Mother of the American Valentine."

The Pantone Color Institute has announced that the color for the year 2018 is 18-3838 Ultra Violet. Pantone's website indicates that Ultra Violet is suggestive of the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.


Pantone's top 10 colors for Spring 2018 were created to encourage a sense of fun and playful release--a sanctuary of color ideal for unique and dramatic color mixing. They will be seen in Runway Fashions, quilts and sewing projects. For more information about these colors, click here.

Winners of the Color of Kindness Challenge

 

Aren't they gorgeous? These are the winning quilts from the Color of Kindness quilt challenge held at Grandma's Attic this year. This challenge is a charitable event designed to raise awareness and funds for Sable House, a local agency assisting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in Polk County, Oregon.

Earlier this year, Grandma's Attic provided applicants with entry packets consisting of five different yellow fabrics. Entrants were challenged to creatively incorporate these fabrics into a final quilt design. Proceeds benefited Sable House.

Voting began July 27th and ended August 6th. The general public was invited to vote for their favorite quilt, plus two categories: Best Use of Color and Best Interpretation of Theme. Votes were tallied and winners selected. The quilts were then displayed at the Polk County Fair held August 10-12. 

Winners are as follows:  

First Place:  "Be Kind and Shine," by Mara Johns, who won a $100 gift certificate.

Second Place: "Color of Kindness" by Cindy Graff, who won a $50 gift certificate. 

Third Place:  "Bee Kind," by Sharon Espersen, who won a $25 gift certificate.

Best Use of Color:  "Sunlight Rays of Hope," by Cheryl Winblad who won a fabric bundle

Best Interpretation of Theme: "Color of Kindness" by Cindy Graff, who won a fabric bundle.

Grandma's Attic, a Polk County business, is strongly committed to the health and safety of women and children in Polk County. The business fully supports the various local resources who share these goals and are dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault issues through the arts and crafts. 

Color of the Year 2017 - Greenery

The Pantone Color Institute has announced that the color for the year 2017 is 15-0343 Greenery. Pantone's website indicates that that Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings. Its fresh yellow-green shade evokes the first days of spring when nature's greens revive, restore and renew. Calling it illustrative of the  flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, its fortifying attributes invite us to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.The color is nature's neutral and symbolic of vitality.

Pantone's top 10 colors for Spring 2017 are a mixture of vitality, relaxation and the Great Outdoors. They will be seen in Runway Fashions, quilts and sewing projects. For more information about these colors, click here.

Grandpa's Farm Block of the Month

Grandpa's Farm

Grandpa's Farm continues to be one of our most popular block of the month programs! First created in 1981 by Roxy Burgard of Calico Hills Farm, we've revamped and retooled the program with color photographs of each block, plus crisp, clear copies of each pattern and current fabrics.

Roxy says she was inspired to create this quilt after visiting her husband's Grandpa in Kansas. Grandpa Miller farmed his entire life in Yates Center, Kansas. Dave (Roxy's husband) fondly recalled boyhood summers spent on the farm, and reminisced about the activities he did while there. Intrigued, Roxy created this quilt as a tribute to Grandpa Miller.

We've broken the quilt down into 16 monthly installments so that you can construct the quilt over time so it's not so difficult to work up all at once. The block of the month program includes fourteen 12" quilt blocks,  a center panel, and border kit. It can be created using either fusible web or traditional applique. Details on many of the blocks include simple embroidery work. Club participants receive the pattern and fabric to make each of the fourteen blocks. The center panel pattern and fabric is sent in the 15th month and the Border pattern and fabrics in the final month.

We believe you will enjoy creating your own Grandpa's Farm quilt. Finished size of the quilt is approximately 72" x 90". Join the fun by clicking this link.

Patchwork Party 2016

Secret Garden

As Patchwork Party enters its ninth year, participating shops are each presenting a unique quilt exclusive to their shop. Instead of having to purchase blocks from 12 different stores, this year all that is required is that you view the quilts available at Patchwork Party website and determine which one you wish to create.

To entice you to visit each shop's website, you can collect free patterns--one each from the seven participating shop. Instead of purchasing sampler blocks, you can pick your favorite quilt, then purchase a full quilt kit to make it.

Each shop is using prints from the Poppies fabric line designed by Rachel Shelburn for Maywood Studios. Some shops used the pink and black colorway. Other shops used the blue and green colorway.

The "secret" behind our Secret Garden quilt is that you can put it together several different ways using the same quilt block over and over again. Created by Cheryl Libby exclusively for Grandma's Attic, our quilt uses the blue, green and yellow coloration. to make it easy to participate, you can choose the option that best suits you: purchase a a complete kit, or in four month or seven month installments. You choose the option that suits you best! The finished quilt is approximately 90" x 102" which means it will fit a Queen sized bed. To see additional ways the quilt blocks can be placed, click here to view the quilt, then follow the link for additional images. Shown below are the fabrics that we used in our quilt.

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Fancy Pansies

Fancy Pansies

Fancy Pansies is a delightful, easy-to-make pattern filled with colorful garden flowers. It was created by Terri Massee for Grandma's Attic.

The pansies, with their wide range of colors and pretty “faces,” appear to be floating across the fabric in a three-dimensional setting. Created from a a gorgeous pansy panel, you’ll definitely want to create this sunshine-filled charmer. 

The pansy panel and pansy fabric are also available for purchase; however, you can also make this pattern using any panel with 7" squares.  Instructions for making two matching pillows are also included.

Wild Roses: Grandma's Newest Quilt Club!

Introducing Grandma's newest in-store Quilt Club, Wild Roses: Women of Strength and Honor. Led by Grandma Rachel, this club meets once per month with six sessions available.

Wild Roses takes a look at some extraordinary people who just happen to be women. These women have excelled even when personal, economic, or societal obstacles got in their way. With lives brimming with adventure, romance, loss and triumph, each unique woman's story serves as a model of inspiration for current and future generations.

Wild Roses Quilt Club

During this class you will learn about women who have paved the way for women of today. Club members  have an opportunity to socialize with friends, share stories and collect quilt blocks to make a commemorative quilt. Packed with history and adventure, you won't want to miss this exciting new club.

Quilt Block kits are available in four color schemes: 1930s, 19th Century Reproductions, Amish style colors and Batiks. Class participation is $10 per month per colorway. There is also a $10 membership fee which helps offset the cost of class materials.

Grandma's Quilt Clubs are like no others that we know about. They are a fun way to learn about history that affects women today and discover new products and ideas. There are door prize drawings, an opportunity to be with like-minded quilt enthusiasts, and quilt blocks to collect.

Dates of the Club are:  September 1/2/3; October 6/7/8; November 3/4/5; December 1/2/3; January 5/6/7; February 2/3/4; March 2/3/4; April 6/7/8; May 4/5/6; June 1/2/3; July 6/7/8; August 3/4/5.

Register for this class by clicking here.

Brand New Website

Grandma's Attic has a brand new website! Designed by Gail Bean of Gail Bean Design, the format is suited to all types of devices, from cell phones to tablets to desk top computers.

We've been on the web for 19 years, ever since 1997 when we were one of the very first quilt sites. Since that time we've added lots of new products and information, including pages like yummy recipes, redwork patterns, links to various sites, and fun things such as quotes for quilters.

We'd love to hear your comments. To view our new website, click here.

Honeybee Quilt Block

Honeybee Quilt Block

According to Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman, the Honeybee quilt block dates back to at least the 1840s. The block was pieced with a solid square for the center; then "bee wings" were appliqued in place.

Sometime in the 20th century (1920s or so), quilt designers of the time began to use a nine patch for the center square. Ruby McKim created a Honeybee pattern showing a nine patch center for the Kansas City Star in 1929.

More recently, Roxy Burgard of Calico Hills Farm, published her version of the Honeybee quilt block as part of her traditional quilt pattern, Honey Bees, in the 1990s. She used a traditional nine patch layout to create her pattern, with five Honeybee blocks and four Bee Skeps. Popular for the past 25 years, the pattern continues to be available at Grandma's Attic by clicking here. If you would like to read a more in-depth history of the Honeybee quilt block, you will want to read Barbara Brackman's Material Culture post by clicking here.

Honey Bees Quilt Pattern

Sweet Laundry Bag

Do you remember Grandma's old-fashioned outdoor clothesline? Laundry bags such as this one were filled with clothespins and hung on the line so they would be in a convenient position when you began to hang up clothes to dry. 

This adorably cute little Doggie Laundry Bag is not from those days gone by, but straight out of 2016! Our classroom instlructor, Cheryl Libby, made it using a brand new book called Vintage Stitching. Filled with more than 400 authentic embroidery designs, this is a treasure chest of patterns you will want to make! There are projects to complete, plus hundreds of retro-cool art embroidery patterns from classic catalogs and magazines.

Vintage Stitching Treasury

There are also projects for making quilts, aprons, tea towels, and potholders. How-to pages and tips are also included, as well as a color gallery where you can see many different embroidery projects from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Each of the popular embroidery stitches are illustrated so you can remind yourself how to create those stitches you may have learned long ago. You'll find a page on tinting with crayons and another on caring for vintage linens.

If you love embroidery, you will love this book!