A reader sent these two photos of us teaching at Buggy Barn – what a fun trip that was!
1998 – 99 were huge years for us. We took my Aunt Amy’s antique sampler quilt dated 1898 to Quilt Market for display and Martingale loved it. They asked us to do a new book of 12-15 quilts inspired by blocks in the old sampler.
The Bullseye Quilt is probably our most popular quilt – it’s been copied, published, marketed, taught by everyone and their brother – without our permission. I can’t lose any sleep over it. God knows we are the original designers – everyone else has just copied us or changed it slightly. It still started during a lunch break in the back room at Country Threads. I knew exactly what I was going to do – and it had never been made before 1998. And frankly we have too much integrity to copy someone.
Whew! That’s a lot to write and then read – continued in tomorrow’s post.
Somehow I need to print all of this so I’ll never have to do it again.
You should be able to print from the admin panel of your blog. Otherwise try a site called printfriendly.com . Simply enter the page address and then you get a pdf preview, you can delete extra lines or stuff you don’t want to include, and then save to pdf. For a hard copy, then go into your files, open in your default viewer, and send to your printer.
What a treat you have given to all of us that never had the pleasure to shop at Country Threads. Your efforts to put this history together for the delight of your blog readers is nothing less than heroic Mary. It is Monday night and I’m just finished reading all the comments from last nights posts. Thank you again for this great adventure!
Mary,
Great post! I am enjoying reading about your history and loving the photos! 🌻
all wonderful pictures, you must have had some wonderful times
Loving all the Country Threads history!
I have been searching for a patriotic type quilt to make for America’s special birthday coming up and when I saw the picture of the Slashed Album quilt, I knew I had found it! This may be the one that several ladies were asking about. Its red, white and blue with a tan background. The Slashed Album is in Quilts from Aunt Amy and its been one I’ve always planned to make. The design is so unique, I love it!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ this is all wonderful !
Mary I think your printing of country threads history is the best idea you’ve had since blogging! I lived in mason city for the lions share of your history and as I read the daily blogs I’m wondering where my life has gone! I am going to save these pages and read them over again slowly so I can process all the memories. Thank you thank you for this!
I so enjoyed reading your life story. The pictures were wonderful. You two are amazing ladies.
Thank you very sharing. I hope you both have many years of quilting ahead of you.
Mary, I love all the pictures. One picture labeled 1993 there, are geese and small flying geese in pattern. Do you have that pattern?
Chere – yes, it’s called Giggle of Geese – it’s $5 and a SASE. Cash or check only
Love the trip down memory lane – wish I had known of Country Threads then! I have one of your books and when I saw you were in Iowa got excited because my granddaughters were in college there. But I was a few years too late – that’s how I found your blog. You brighten my day!
Mary, a real love for my memories shopping at Country Threads. So many books and fabric purchases. I would come from Dubuque to visit my friend, Judy, in Mason City. We would hustle over to Garner for the afternoon of shopping. Thanks for the memories ♥️
Wonderful post! I love all the pictures. Both you and Connie look so pretty, full of joy and energy.
I am really enjoying your memories/history!
I have loved reading the wonderful chapters of your life. So many memories. I didn’t get to start quilting until the 2000’s . To busy with kids, husband and elderly mother. Now I try to sew every day. Love all the quilts and animals.
Hi Mary,
I am enjoying Country Threads history tremendously!!!! I started quilting in 2000. I don’t remember who introduced me to your patterns and books, but it was love at first sight!! I finally visited in 2013 or 2014. You closed soon after and I was so sorry I wouldn’t be able to visit again. I met you, Mary and bought many wonderful items – even a little Hens and Chicks in a tiny t-pot!! I’ll have to look for the t-pot and plant something in it!!! I am so happy that you are online and all of us still have a connections with you – all very special!! Jan P
In a book is where this all needs to be. What a ride! I had no idea! I admire and respect you two! You two did it together as partners and admire that tenacity. By your dress and demeanor, I see you as a very classy and intelligent lady. And so caring. I am enjoying seeing the photos and reading about your memories. You write so well also. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am enjoying reading every bit of it and looking at the pictures of you both, yes the clothes as others have said and mostly the quilts. Wow. What a wonderful success story of two women that worked so very hard.
I love reading about you and Connie and your business adventures, and the pictures are great!
Can’t wait for the next chapter.
Mary and Connie, I am so loving this trip down memory lane. I always wanted to visit your shop, but never got to. God bless you both.
Mary what great memories and I was there buying all your books, many, many patterns. I still have them all including the Quilt Sampler with you and Connie on the cover. I’ve been quilting since 1989 and make more quilts than I ever did while working. I nearly always make bed quilts and now I make them bigger as some of my grandchildren are over 6 ft tall and need more length. 😂🥰
As Bob Hope would say,” Thank you for the memories “
What a wonderful trip down memory lane! So many beautiful quilts and so much hard work. Thanks for sharing this adventure with us.
The trip down memory lane has been so fun to read, especially since I came to your blog a little late. Aren’t you glad you took so many pictures? Your antique sampler quilt is fabulous!
Thank you for sharing the history of your business and quilting life.
I am amazed at the amount and variety of Country Threads quilts. I can see why Connie was up in the wee hours of the morning in your hotel room! Did you sew your own sample quilts? Most of your designs are still very popular today. You definitely made a mark on the quilting world.
Connie – we gave our staff that money making opportunity – they made so many sample quilts and we sold every single one!
I’m drawn to the same quilt as Diana—what a terrific pattern! Would love to know if it’s in a book or available. Also love, love Aunt Amy’s sampler- wow!
Roxanne – can you describe the
Roxanne – so much to read I don’t remember what quilt we’re talking about.
Hi Mary, Roxanne was talking about the red, white and blue quilt in the picture above your paragraph that started “1998-99 were huge years for us”.
I loved this post Mary, such an amazing history. Jan in MA
Jan – well, I still don’t understand – take a screen shot or something
I remember when you said you sold so many quilts after you closed your shop and I thought to myself, “ really how many could there be.” Well now I see why you had to as there were so many quilt samples made through the years. As beautiful are the homespuns, the wool applique and meaningful wall hangings, Bulleyes remains my one I love the most.
Thanks for such interesting history of quilting, fashion and the days of face to face advertising by attending trade shows.
Kathy – hundreds and hundreds of quilts but really, what were we going to do with them all? Wish I could find the pictures of the hordes of women crowding around the table piled high with quilts.
Loved, loved, loved this, plus, what an interesting review of which clothes were in style back then!
Wonderful memories of an abundant life. I had a quilt in a show in Iowa years ago and I remember visiting your booth. I bought one of your kits and unfortunately it is still a kit but it still holds a special place in my heart. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
Wow! Just WOW! You and Connie are absolutely amazingly talented, motivated and not sure what else I can add, you really put your styles in quilting on the map for sure! One could say it isn’t far to Garner because you had all kinds of events besides your store and even got away to trade shows! I wish I could have visited your store, but a farmer’s wife with kids, cattle and hogs so we did not get away. I am loving your story. I love that you have your adventurous journey documented with dated photos as well! Soon your 30 years will be cheers for 30 years for you and Rick as well!
Loved this little trip into memories. You both look just the same except you have different glasses now!
Charlotte – different glasses and about 35 pounds!!
Looking back at all the pictures and it reminds me how much I miss jumpers! Oh, those were the days of comfortable style. Thanks for today”s installment and can’t wait until the next episode.
Oh I was thinking about the same thing in regard to jumpers. I was teaching during that time and those jumpers were so comfortable.
Mary, I enjoyed all of it so much! Can’t wait for more! So fun reading about your success! Man some of it makes me tired! Thinking back, I bet you wonder how in the world did we get that all accomplished! 😳
I have that Quilt Sampler magazine and bought it because of your quilt on the front.
Thank you for taking us down memory lane. I am really enjoying it.
Shirley from central Oregon
In the picture above the 1989 sampler, what is the name of the red, white, and blue quilt with the tan background?
Thank you so much for the walk down memory lane, sharing the creativity and the stories! Cannot wait for the next chapter! Hope you are doing well.