Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 12-20-2005, 01:16 PM (1 of 21)
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HGTV is going to cancel Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson. If you want to help save Simply Quilts, send an email to <email address removed for privacy>. I haven't seen a new show in ages. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: trini
Date: 12-20-2005, 09:49 PM (2 of 21)
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This information is very distressing to me. Simply Quilts is one of my favourite shows on HGTV. I do hope that this decision will not be made for I get my instructions and tips there. I have sent in my comments, and would keep my fingers crossed. |
User: trini
Member since: 09-17-2005 Total posts: 74 |
From: trini
Date: 12-20-2005, 10:20 PM (3 of 21)
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I wish a Happy Season and a New Year filled with promise to everyone. Leila. 
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User: trini
Member since: 09-17-2005 Total posts: 74 |
From: toadusew
Date: 12-20-2005, 11:13 PM (4 of 21)
I'm sorry to hear that Simply Quilts has been cancelled. I used to watch HGTV all the time, but when they cancelled Sandra Betzina's shows and ignored the letters and e-mails sent to them, I lost a lot of respect for HGTV. My husband applied for a job with them and had a question, so he e-mailed--they totally ignored him. From my experience HGTV doesn't listen to its viewing audience, or much of anybody. Hopefully, they will pay attention to e-mails regarding saving Simply Quilts, but I wouldn't hold my breath! 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Catalina
Date: 12-21-2005, 02:32 AM (5 of 21)
What, this really ticks me off. Its their best show. How many home dec shows do they need on that station, everything is home dec and remodeling. 
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User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: Sancin
Date: 12-21-2005, 04:41 AM (6 of 21)
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Probably not entirely legal but here is another comment from another discussion list "Sandy Fraser posts regarding: All quilters Thanks for the heads up. Due to the overwhelming number of emails and calls we have received here at Quilt in a Day concerning the cancellation of Simply Quilts, I called Alex Anderson Monday afternoon to verify. Alex confirmed that the information is true. HGTV has elected not to purchase new episodes of Simply Quilts from the production company, Weller Grossman. This is not Alex's decision, her desire, if possible, is to continue the promotion, development, and education of the quilting industry through her show. Beginning February, 2006 all programs on Simply Quilts with be reruns of previous shows. You can help save the most popular quilt show on network television. Please write to HGTV at the following address. In addition, there is currently an "on-line" petition being circulated but this could be ineffective without hard mail (do sign the petition). Let your voice be heard! Fight to keep quality quilt programs in the network schedules. Do it today and please email this letter to all your quilting guilds and friends. HGTV Viewer Services 9721 Sherrill Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37932 http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/simplyquilts Orion Burns Quilt in a Day WE AS QUILTERS KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE OUR SHOWS. I WOULD BE DOING THE SAME FOR KAYE WOODS,MS BURNS, AND ALL THE OTHER SEWING PEOPLE. PLEASE HELP ALEX STAY ON THE AIR. tHANK YOU sANDY " *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 12-21-2005, 06:49 PM (7 of 21)
She will still be on the DIY channel, though.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Bama
Date: 01-02-2006, 03:27 PM (8 of 21)
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From Alex Anderson's Web site: Monday Chit Chat with Alex (Jan 2 edition) As loyal viewers and quilting friends, I feel it is important that you have an honest understanding of the situation regarding Simply Quilts. There has been a lot of discussion, speculation and rumors. I would like to take this opportunity to answer questions as well as I know them, at this point and time. Is Simply Quilts going off the air? HGTV has decided not to order any new shows. The current programs are expected to be shown on both HGTV and DIY through 2006. Why? HGTV has changed its programming style from, How To to Inspirational. HGTV is owned by Scripps Howard and they have several networks which have distinct character and nature. As the different networks are evolving, they are becoming more defined. Was this my idea? No Is this the end of Simply Quilts? At this point it seems to be, but things can always change. However, if it is the end, this leaves a huge hole in the growth and development of quilting. It would be my hope that a network would see the value, fervor and marketing response our community provides. One of the many joys of hosting Simply Quilts was the privilege to present the diverse work of quilters and quilting ideas to people all over the world. Also, I continue to be thrilled by the many people I meet who started quilting because of the show. This has been a very interesting process and I have been overwhelmed by the support of the quilters. I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and encouragement. My mission statement is to Educate, Inspire and Grow the Quilting Community. Your passion concerning this situation has only strengthened my purpose. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 01-02-2006, 08:12 PM (9 of 21)
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As Mary W indicated our letters mean a lot. Stations show what the ratings say well sell. This is especially true with your local PBS stations. If you want your shows to stay on you must let them know you're watching.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 01-03-2006, 10:07 AM (10 of 21)
| As each sewing, quilting, one craft program or anything that helps people learn I have called & written to the stations letting them know how important these programs are. Needless to say, the answer is all the same. It's all about money. They claim that these programs don't pay enough. At least that has been the pat answer I've been given over time. Everyone can't afford to take lessons or have anyone to help teach them. They have taken sewing out of the schools to save money also. With all the interest in sewing ,quilting & nice crafts some are simply losing out as there's no place to learn except through trial & error. Too many give up. Even PBS has cut out most all of them. Doesn't make sense to me. Sewing & quilting isn't just a hobby for little ole ladies. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 01-03-2006, 11:56 PM (11 of 21)
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I don't understand HGTV at all. The refuse to keep programs that are beneficial to everyday living, i.e., quilting and sewing, and add another half hour of programs like Carol Duval. She's on for an hour every morning when I'm getting ready for work with people that make clay jewelry, garden pots that look like animals, picture frames that are covered in clay, christmas cards that are individually hand-stamped, etc. Are all those clay, etc., craft programs really that beneficial vs. quilting and sewing? Or, maybe there are a number of you ladies out there that have $30,000 or so to invest in having an interior designer redo your kitchen, bedroom, etc. Is it just me or is something wrong with the HGTV programming picture?? Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-04-2006, 12:47 AM (12 of 21)
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Rats!!!! that stinks. Our PBS station here in New Orleans use to have a four hour block of nothing but sewing programs on Saturday mornings now they are down to 1 hour of programing. Now this. I say we protest. The squeeky wheel gets the oil. What can we do? By the way I haven't seen any Sandra Betzina shows is she still on somewhere? I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: toadusew
Date: 01-04-2006, 09:42 AM (13 of 21)
HGTV cancelled Sandra Betzina's show "Sew Perfect" several years ago. At that time, she had been on 5 days a week and then they cut her down to 3 days a week, but 2 showings per day. And then, the show was cancelled! At that time, many wrote letters of protest but to no avail. On Sandra's website, she asked her fans to write letters and provided an e-mail address and regular address for HGTV. My experience with HGTV is that they do not listen. That is unfortunate because I used to watch them all the time when they had sewing shows on. Now that there aren't any sewing,quilting, crafting shows on, I don't watch. Maybe a boycott of the station might be more effective than protesting--low ratings they might pay attention to!  PBS here has a couple of sewing shows on very early Saturday mornings, but they don't seem to be consistent--sometimes they're on and sometimes they're not. I agree with Patsy--there are enough home decorating/remodeling type shows and not enough sewing and quilting shows. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 01-04-2006, 02:30 PM (14 of 21)
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I wrote to HGTV Canada when they cancelled Carol Duval and again when they cancelled Simply quilts. They simply don't care what the people want. I seldom ever watch HGTV anymore, it's just decorating and renovating, over and over and over. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-05-2006, 12:18 PM (15 of 21)
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Ami Simms has a great idea too! This is what she had to say about the whole thing. SIMPLY QUILTSIt is true, there will not be any more new episodes of Simply Quilts, unless There are petitions and email addrresses circulating, but a good old-fashioned paper letter that arrives by mail will make the most impact. Before the postage rates to up on January 8, address your letter of protest to:Simply Quilts-HGTVViewer Services9721 Sherrill Blvd.Knoxville, TN 37932It doesn't have to be long; a few sentences will do it. Speak from your heart. Ask them to reconsider. Can't find the right words? Try: "I watch Simply Quilts. I want YOU to know and I want ALEX to know. Keep her on the air. Please send her this piece of fabric from me."Include a 3" square of quilting fabric for Alex. Sign the patch with your name, city, and state with a permanent pen. Ink in a message to Alex if you like. ASK VIEWER SERVICES TO FORWARD IT TO ALEX ANDERSON.By all means send emails and sign the online petitions, but if we all write a letter (or two) we might turn the tables. Either way, Alex will have enough patches for the biggest friendship quilt on the planet! Don't wait. Do it right now. (I'll hang on while you get out the paper...)We can do this. We can make a difference. Together. Right now. Power to the QUILTERS! Pass it on! MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Bama
Date: 01-05-2006, 02:20 PM (16 of 21)
| I'm going to do that. Come on everybody. The more that write, the better chance SQ will continue. Maybe we should all send a letter each day for a week. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: contentedquilte
Date: 01-09-2006, 12:32 PM (17 of 21)
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Hi, about Simply Quilts....I suggest contacting your local PBS station. They have often said that they like to hear from viewers and right now they need a good quilting show....America Quilts is o.k., but they took off Fons and Porter (which I really miss). They have a needleworking show, Sewing with Nancy (which sometimes covers quilting), a scrapbooking show and another sewing show with Martha Pullen on now - sharing the same time slot. This is PBS Spokane. I also watch PBS Detroit, but they don't have the same variety. PBS Spokane used to have more quilting shows and might just be open to a fine show like Simply Quilts. I suggest we all contact PBS...why not send them a quilting square with your request and info on it. Maybe Mary could post the address of the production company for us to send on to PBS. They often say that the number of people that phone in supporting the quilting shows during the membership drive shows them how much support is for that particular type of show. |
User: contentedquilte
Member since: 02-17-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-09-2006, 12:50 PM (18 of 21)
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Hi contentedquilte and welcome to Sew Whats New.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: beachgirl
Date: 01-09-2006, 03:41 PM (19 of 21)
| I agree there is strength in numbers. If I had a # or address I'll write to the big guns. Our local cable plus the college that has any control or feed back about PBS here is sick of hearing from me. No kidding. Our parks centers will only loan a room for a few hours for a sewing or quilting class but the people have to supply a teacher for free. Those are hard to find. Please don't suggest me doing it as I want to learn more. I could help people & have but I'm not a teacher. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: Bunny9244
Date: 01-21-2006, 02:16 PM (20 of 21)
| I happen to be surfing today and came across this. I had no idea! It is the best show around for quilting. I did go and sign the petition and will write a letter to the station. I hope that even if HGTV doesn't pick her up again, that another station will see the value and pick her up. I so enjoy watching her in the afternoon and will miss her very much if the station isn't smart enough to bring her back. It will be a great loss for sure! |
User: Bunny9244
Member since: 06-29-2003 Total posts: 1
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From: carman
Date: 01-21-2006, 03:46 PM (21 of 21)
Glad you found us Bunny9244 
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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