Quilting

Patterns, patchworks and projects

Mini documentary on City Quilter and ArtQuilt Gallery

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storefront city quilter NY

The public television series “New York Originals” did a 6 minute documentary on The City Quilter & The ArtQuilt Gallery NYC. The owners are husband and wife team Dale Riehl and Cathy Izzo.

owners City Quilter

Here they are in the video where Dale explains – of the 400 or so art galleries in NYC – theirs is the only one solely focused on quilts. Cathy, a former television producer turned quilter, says she loves hand stitching, saying ‘it’s a Zen activity’ adding ‘hand quilting is yoga for the lazy’. I’m still chuckling over that one. They are a delightful couple who have a ton of knowledge about quilt-making. I’m thankful they got tired of their day jobs back in 1997, the year they opened their quilt shop in the Chelsea district in Manhattan.

Art quilt at cityquilter NY The gallery came later – opened April 5, 2011, but I’m so happy it did. Here’s an art quilt by Noriko Endo that was part of an exhibit back in 2011.

Don’t miss this mini documentary. Go HERE to view the video.

Images credit: New York Originals

Have you read?

Woodland Whimsy Fabric Collection by Jennifer Pugh

There is something especially lovely about a winter fabric collection that feels seasonal without immediately shouting Christmas. Woodland Whimsy by Jennifer Pugh for Wilmington Prints is filled with forest animals, mushrooms, classic plaids, dots and softly textured coordinating prints.

The colours have a warm, storybook quality, making the collection perfect for quilts that can stay out long after the Christmas decorations have been packed away.

What Is Included in the Woodland Whimsy Bundle?

The Woodland Whimsy Fat Quarter Bundle includes:

  • 15 coordinating fat quarters
  • One 23-inch scenic fabric panel
  • 100% quilting cotton
  • Fabrics designed by Jennifer Pugh
  • Prints manufactured by Wilmington Prints

Each fat quarter measures approximately 18 x 21 inches.

I particularly like that the scenic panel is included with the bundle. Fabric panels are wonderful when you want an impressive focal point without spending several evenings piecing tiny blocks while wondering why you chose such a complicated pattern in the first place.

The panel could become the centre of a lap quilt, wall hanging or child’s quilt, with the coordinating fat quarters used to create simple patchwork borders.

What Could You Make With Woodland Whimsy Fabric?

This collection would work beautifully for:

  • A woodland animal lap quilt
  • A cosy winter wall hanging
  • A child’s storybook quilt
  • Patchwork cushions
  • Quilted reading mats
  • Fabric storage baskets
  • Winter table runners
  • Handmade gifts for nature lovers

You could also separate the smaller prints and use them in scrap-friendly projects. Our collection of eight fat-quarter-friendly quilt patterns offers plenty of ideas for putting coordinated fabric bundles to work.

For something smaller, the gentle woodland prints would be lovely in a seasonal mini quilt. This free mini snowflake quilt pattern could easily be adapted using the collection’s winter colours.

Is the Woodland Whimsy Bundle Worth Buying?

The bundle gives you a ready-made colour palette, a useful assortment of coordinating prints and a feature panel in one package. That takes much of the guesswork out of planning a quilt, particularly if choosing coordinating fabrics is the part that usually sends you wandering around the fabric shop for an hour.

The prints are playful enough for children but not so juvenile that they cannot be used for adult quilts and winter home décor. That versatility is probably the collection’s strongest feature.

The bundle was listed at US$62.98 when checked and is expected to ship in October 2026. Prices, availability and shipping dates may change, particularly with a new fabric release.

If you love woodland animals, gentle winter colours and fabric that feels as though it belongs in an illustrated storybook, this is a charming collection to add to your sewing list.

See the Woodland Whimsy Fat Quarter Bundle at Fat Quarter Shop.