Posted on by agilejack

Me and the Swedish Quilt Guild

Last spring I received an email from Britt-Inger Jönsson who introduced herself as the chair of the board of the Swedish National Quilting Guild, 2,000 members strong.

That’s Britt-Inger in a top she made with KFC fabrics. She said that quilting is not a large traditional craft in Sweden, but they have a very active guild. In Swedish, the guild is called Rikstäcket, which translates to National Quilt. It started way back in 1983.

They have a print magazine that is published four times a year and is distributed to their members. They also have a website: https://www.rikstacket.se, which Britt-Inger also manages. They have a Facebook group with quilters from Sweden, Norway and Denmark. As part of their Facebook group, they also do quilt alongs. And last spring, my Frankenbag was one of the suggested projects.

A good number of the bags made by members of the guild have appeared here on my blog.

After a couple of emails back and forth, Britt-Inger asked me if I would be interested in doing an interview with her and asked if I would be ok with her translating my tutorial into Swedish. Of course I said yes! My interview and tutorial would be included in an upcoming guild magazine. So we scheduled some time to talk over zoom and had a wonderful conversation, and a couple months later I received a copy of the magazine in my mail box.

I sat right down and went through the magazine. There are a lot of patterns and projects and other really wonderful stuff in there, and I really wish I could read Swedish!

And then I came to the part Britt-Inger had written up from our conversation. It’s pretty amazing! There was a full two-page spread with a lot of photos.

I used Google Translate on that headline and I think it’s essentially “small scraps become colorful quilt tops.” Maybe someone from the guild will provide a better translation.

Here’s a closer look at those pages.

And a closer look at my colorful projects!

And there were two more full pages for the Frankenbag tutorial.

Experiences like this really illustrate how wonderful the Internet can be! Throughout the pandemic I’ve met (virtually) and heard from so many amazing people who, like me, are finding inspiration with beautiful fabrics and the work of others. Being connected with so many people through my blog has helped me deal with the isolation and boredom that is a part of our lives now.

I’ve been saving this Frankenbag to share with you because it was submitted by one of the Swedish Quilt Guild members. It was made by Wendy Jansson from Östhammar, Sweden. I love her bright and bold colors are graphic piecing. The wavy quilting is pretty cool too!

I just want to thank you for the fantastic turtorial for making frankenbags. I saw you first on Pinterest and then our quilt guild here in Sweden did an article about making these bags. I had such fun making this and I am sure I will be making more. The turtorial is informative, clear and very fun. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Wendy wrote, “I just want to thank you for the fantastic tutorial for making Frankenbags. I saw you first on Pinterest and then our quilt guild here in Sweden did an article about making these bags. I had such fun making this and I am sure I will be making more. The tutorial is informative, clear and very fun. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.”

And Birthe Aust sent me photos of another bag she made. Birthe is from Denmark. I wonder if she’s familiar with the Swedish Quilting Guild.

She has made a good number of Frankenbags! And I love all of them. I love that photo in the center. The reds she’s used are so fantastic! Another nice one from Birthe!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends yesterday. We were all vaccinated and boosted. We’ve had Thanksgiving together for quite a few years now. My friend who hosts makes the turkey and stuffing, and the rest of us bring all the other side dishes. I’m always responsible for the mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and the gravy. I make really good gravy!

Of course we skipped last year. I think the meal we came up with yesterday was one of the best Thanksgiving meals I’ve ever had! It was so nice to be with friends again!

It was such a beautiful day too. My friend who hosted purchased a 15 acre piece of property down near Salem, Oregon, a few months ago. This was the first time I had seen her place. We had a nice walk around her property while our many dogs ran an played and took a dip in the creek. We always have dinner, then take the dogs out for a run while we digest. And then we’re ready for pie when we get back!

I had today off of work and I made a last minute decision to make the drive up to Olympia, Washington, to take a sheep herding lesson and it was a good decision! The weather was perfect and it felt really good to spend a few hours outside with dogs and sheep.

Take a look at this beauty!

Rico did a really good job at his lesson and I’m pretty sure his brain hurt a little by the time we were done. He really had to do a lot of thinking out there.

And before we jumped in the car for the nearly 2.5 hour drive home we got a good field run in. Look how gorgeous it was!

I am so fortunate to live in such a gorgeous part of the world!

Happy weekend everyone!

46 Replies to “Me and the Swedish Quilt Guild”

  2. So glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Your invitation for your Frankenbag tutorial in the Swedish Quilt magazine is so cool 💖. Purchased some Kaffe on a Black Friday internet deal that I couldn’t pass up, will be making some more bags and gonna try a wallet pattern also.

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  3. Congratulations on your Swedish Guild publication! I just finished Jenny Doan’s Book “How to Stitch an American Dream” last night. Great read! Congratulations, again to you!

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  6. Wow…you’re famous!!! I always knew you were so inspiring with your quilts, bags and very entertaining posts! Now the world is finding out! But we had you first! Keep it up, Ann! ; )

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  8. Spectacular and congratulations, you are a world super star! Happy Thanksgiving – grateful to have family and friends to celebrate with. I sure miss the great Northwest, I grew up in Washington. Thank you for sharing the Swedish Guild magazine article. Always a joy to see your posts💕

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    1. Oh my. the landscape here in the northwest is certainly different than Texas! when I moved here from Salt Lake all the green and water everywhere was a little overwhelming!

      Thanks for readin!

      Anne

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  10. You are living proof that generosity is repaid ten times You have given us your delightful Frankenbag and other patterns and here you are featured in a beautiful magazine in Sweden! With Rico and Bender! What a gift! What a treat. Thank you for sharing the joy, it’s contagious

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    1. Thank you Lynne! It’s so much fun for me to share what I’m working on. Writing it all down also helps me noodle through challenges and come up with even more ideas. Win/win!!!

      Anne

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    1. You’re right Wanda. I probably wouldn’t have ever found you without the internet. You’ve provided so much inspiration to me over the years and you have such a generous spirit.

      it’s just amazing!

      anne

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  13. A very good read today! Congratulations on making it in the Swedish Guild Magazine, and well deserved ! You are just all over the place!! I am greatfull I happened on to your blog, never a dull moment! You are very generous and inspirational with tips, ideas, links, and of course the Frankenbag tutorial, not to mention adventures with the the two handsome dogs , Ricco and Bender ! I enjoy the scenery from Oregon, and Washington State as well . Niki

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    1. Thanks Niki! It’s been a blast to get to meet people from all over the world through this little bog that started as a way for me to keep track of stuff that I was making. I never had any intent that it would become what it is.

      thanks for reading!

      Anne

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  14. I’m so impressed that you’re an international quilt star 💫. I love seeing your part of the world as I’m on the East Coast. Your Frankenbag on Pinterest is what caught my eye, but everything else you do is phenomenal as well. I also love reading about your beautiful fur babies. Till your next post😘😘

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    1. A lot of my readers have found me through Pinterest. Around 1,000 people a day read my blog and the biggest majority of get here from Pinterest. I know I’m a bit obsessed about it!

      I do live in a beautiful part of the world. It’s especially pretty this time of year when it’s wet and everything is vivid green!

      Anne

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    1. If it was digital I could pop it into Google Translate. I think I’ll just have to be curious.

      It was a fun experience to talk to Britt-Inger. And the spread in the magazine is pretty amazing. It’s all helping me get through the pandemic!

      Anne

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  16. Hi Anne
    I’m familiar with the Swedish Quilting Guild.
    In Denmark we also have a Quilting Guild with around 5500 members. And a magazine for members 4 times a year. I was board member for 5 years from 2000 -2005.
    Congratulations on making it with the Swedish magazine. You are a star 🤩🤩🤩

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  17. Anne, I always look forward to your daily blogs. It’s wonderful you connect with so many people around the world with your quilting. You are truly amazing.

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  18. Congratulations! Isn’t it wonderful to make friends all over the place thanks to quilting/zoom/internet? I agree that it’s made such a difficult time for all of us much more bearable. And dogs! Can’t thank them enough….they get us outdoors every day and meeting up with other dog people, at a distance, of course. Thanks for sharing this news and it’s a beautiful magazine.

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  19. What a treat to read all about your Swedish connection. Bet it made you smile to receive that magazine with a large article dedicated to all you do. I do love that you shared your process of making the Frankenbags with them (and us!) also. Nice photo of you with friends sharing a Thanksgiving meal. Of course it’s always good to see at least one photo of the dogs …. although I always want to reach out and lift Rico’s ear straight up. Ha!

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  23. Congratulations!! The photos look splendid in the magazine spread, they have the colours just perfect, what a pity there is no translation available for you, and your readers, to have on hand. Well, you definitely all look to be enjoying your Thanksgiving meal together and what better way than to let the meal settle by a good run with doggy friends. Hope you enjoyed the dessert!

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