Patchwork Fundamentals

Classes

2012-02-03T07:45:00.001+11:00

Two different projects by two different people but don't they look good together.

Here's a close-up of that groovy elephant.

Some of the work done at Hobbysew Belconnen last weekend. A bit confusing with my quilt as the background but you get the idea. Lots of fun and interesting fabric choices.

A beautiful William Morris compass.

The rogues gallery! Well done everyone.

These two pics were sent to me by Annemarie who started them in a class with me at Berrima.

Both look fantastic and will be on display at the Southern Highlands quilt show at Mittagong RSL on 18/19 February.

I have been working on this for approx. 2 years - my Tuesday night handwork. Finally quilted it over the xmas break. It is my version of the Garfield-Arthur Bandanna quilt @ 1880 and it was a real scrap-buster. Looks a bit wonky in the pic but it's ok in the flesh.

Entry forms arrived today for the Sydney Quilt Show in June. Yikes!! Better get myself organised and enter something.
I guess you've noticed I have an on-line shop at etsy.com. Sellers often make a treasury of things they like on the site - a collection with a theme and two sellers have used my patterns recently in their treasury. Have a look here and here - how cool is that. Thanks guys for the exposure.

Back into it

2012-01-26T11:13:00.000+11:00

The new teaching year has started with a bang. Two weeks of summer school at Hobbysew and these are some of the amazing mariners compasses as a result. Let's hope they turn into something even more spectacular.

This was my part of "booth" at the Meet-the-teacher day at Hobbysew on Saturday. I met lots of happy quilters all keen to check out the tutors and sign up for a new class.

We had two days on two different blocks from the Lots of Dots quilt - how good are these.

Debi sent me this pic of her NYB quilt in yellows and greys. It was quite a while in the making but well worth the effort don't you think.

Our raffle quilt for the Springwood Quilt Show is out and about now with tickets on sale in various Blue Mountains quilt shops. Check out the show blog for more pics and news on the show.

Only 92 days till it kicks off!

Have you seen latest issue of Quilters Companion magazine number 53?

In it you'll find the pattern for my quilt The Gift - foundation piecing (how unusual) and featuring a large embroidery in the centre. Great wall-hanging size or add borders for a larger quilt.

I'm off to Hobbysew Belconnen this weekend for another Mariners workshop so there'll be more wonderful pics next time.

Foundation papers...

2012-01-19T16:10:00.001+11:00

are now available in my etsy shop. Beautiful thin paper that tears away easily and goes through most printers and copiers. I use it for all my foundation piecing and can highly recommend it.

$7 for 50 sheets but I can only post within Australia on this one.

This lovely pic was sent to me by Marianne from Canberra, She made it using my Peony Circle pattern featured in a recent issue of Country Craft and Decorating.

I made this quilt for Jason for Xmas - right out of my comfort zone I can tell you!

It has big rigs and "man" stuff all over it. Click on the pic and get a closer look at all the fun fabric I managed to find.

On the back is his favourite footy team - the Parramatta Eels and isn't the quilting great. That's Robyn from Hobbysew Kings Park.

Did I mention that Jason is 30 years old and drives a huge B-double with "dog" and is a mad Parra fan!!

He's also my lovely son-in-law and he just loved his surpise present.

These pics are from Summer School at Hobbysew this week. Part one of a Lots of Dots class in progress with part two next week.

I will be at Hobbysew Kings Park this Saturday for their Meet-the-teachers day 11-3pm.

All the teachers for 1st term will be there with their projects to entice you so come along and say hi.

New year and then some

2012-01-03T14:25:00.001+11:00

Happy New Year to everyone who visits my blog. May it be a good one for you all!

I spent the break at the beach - oh so good! and with lots of family - even better.

And I've had time to sew - clothes and quilts and read several good books.

What a shame the idyl will end soon.

Even had time to put some new patterns in my etsy shop.

Check them out.

This is DEAUVILLE - lovely appliqued dresden plates and oak leaf reel blocks.
Makes up to a double bed size with that lovely large print border.

DEVILS CLAW - large blocks that go together quickly to make a big quilt.
A good one for those reproduction prints.

FAUX WEDDING RING - get the look of that old favourite without the curved piecing!
Appliqued curves and foundation pieced sashing - too easy.

And this is NOUGHTS AND CROSSES - what a great scrap buster.

I hope you have a look at the shop - you might even find your new project for 2012.

On another note check out the latest edition of Australian Patchwork and Quilting Vol 21, No 1.

On page 54 there's a lovely article about my Lots of Dots quilt which is being released end of January as a Block-of-the-month through Hobbysew stores in Sydney.

You can buy the program over 12 months with fabric (chosen by me) through the stores or the whole 12 months of patterns through my etsy store.

Keep your eye on this blog for more dsetails soon!

Round up

2011-12-19T10:49:00.001+11:00

A selection of pics for my last post of the year.Pretty much examples of what happens in my classes.

Lots of "points" and graphic designs all go together to make stunning quilts.
(My apologies to Lesley's sister - I've forgotten her name).

Well done to all my students and I look forward to seeing some of you again next year.

I'll be at Material Obsession for a couple of dates early next year which is really exciting for me. Ring the shop if you're interested in a class where you'll have a lot of fun attacking a technique you might have been avoiding unnecessarily. It's quite easy when it's broken down into bits and your friends will think you are so clever - even tho it's just about "sewing on the line".

Merry xmas to you all and I hope santa bring lots of surprises!

Lesley

Kathy

Lesley's sister

Lesley's sister again

Rosemary

Judy

Pam

Sue's quilt - Suzanne as the prop!

Margaret

We have a winner!

2011-12-17T15:24:00.000+11:00

First of all thank you to the 73 people who left a comment on my blog - amazing and thanks for all the kind words.

There can only be one winner and that's Michelle who doesn't have a blog.

Please email me your address Michelle so I can send you your prize.

Don't forget you can buy the pattern (along with lots of others) in my etsy store and the foundation papers will be listed there soon - I've run out of the first lot already and can't get any more til after xmas!

Thanks again everyone and I hope you keep visiting.

Giveaway Day

2011-12-13T08:36:00.000+11:00

It's Giveaway Day over at SewMamaSew and I'm joining in.

You can win a pattern for my Emperors Wheel quilt and a pack of my new foundation piecing papers.

The quilt features foundation pieced New York Beauty blocks and a fabulous flying geese centre circle.

The pattern makes up to a quilt measuring 50" x 60" - just add another border to make it bigger.

The papers are 50gsm - nice and thin so they'll come out easily and are A4 size to fit all printers.

50 in a pack and soon to appear in my etsy shop.

All you need to do to win the pattern and papers (not the quilt though!) is leave me a comment on this post.

It's open til 16th December and I'll draw the winner randomly. Very happy to post overseas so what are you waiting for.

Check out SewMamaSew and leave comments for heaps of other Giveaways.

Good luck!

Nearly xmas!

2011-12-05T10:40:00.001+11:00

Judy who lives near The Rock in southern NSW sent me this pic of her version of my Pretty in Purple pattern. Looks great in Japanese reds and navys doesn't it. I love it when you send me pics and especially when you've made the quilt your own by varying the fabric/layout or whatever.

Two NYB quilts in the making from Bathurst on Saturday. The one on the left is batiks - soft and almost pretty while the one on the right has lots of oomph - purple and black.

Barbara has finished her Lots of Dots that was started early in the year at Jukejema in Nowra. She has quilted it herself - can you see the circles around each block? And her label below is from leftover bits of other blocks - very clever. Love that ric rac!

This beauty is the first block in a Noodle Box version from my Hobbysew class. That fish fabric is just perfect.

Finally added a border to my Buzz saw quilt which I think complements the centre. I bought the border fabric before I made the centre and then went to the stash looking for something and there it was! Just waiting for this project. Goes to show if you buy fabric you like when you see it, it will come in handy down the track. That's my theory anyway.

Sent my Chocolate Stars off to Homespun magazine today - won't come out in the mag til Xmas-in-July issue next year - sorry.

Xmas get-togethers are happening all this week and the teaching year is winding down. It's been a very busy one for me and next year looks even busier with lots of away gigs - all fun! After a beachy break over xmas it's back to the sewing machine and computer and I'm hoping to get a head start on what's coming up next year. Hope you have a rest too!

Class quilts

2011-11-21T17:20:00.001+11:00

Not bad for a foundation-piecing newbie is it!

Moyra's done a beautiful job.

Mr Pelican looks right at home here in Kay's version of my Emperor's Wheel. Love those marching crabs too.

Lorraine's finally finished her Lots of Dots and it's on the way to the quilter. Looks great!

This is also Lorraine's - a Xmas runner using the Supernova block from quilt camp and a really cute Santa with tree.

Pam's made this for her granddaughter - lucky girl. Pity you can't see the quilting - it was beautiful.

Another from Pam - love those leaves and yes, less is more.

We have finally finished the raffle quilt for our Springwood Quilt Show for 2012. Go on over and have a look - blue and white always looks great and Susie will do a wonderful job on the quilting.

Various

2011-11-14T11:26:00.002+11:00

These two quilts share the same border fabric and the same blocks with a slightly different layout.

How different they look with the individual owner's fabric choices. Both stunning.

These foundations are a lot fun to do and allow for lots of colour combos - really only limited by your imagination.

Show and tell at Figtree yesterday.

Such a different approach and such bold fabrics. Quilting was pretty good too.

The day was a riot - someone said because it's a full moon. Things just went awry all day.

Lucky we can laugh!

This was a fantastic group class with the Birdhouse Quilters.

2 days of frantic sewing produced a couple of finishes and lots of WIP's.

Great venue at Narelle's beautiful house and we were fed and watered constantly.

Thanks Maggie for accommodating me and say hi to Tiger!

My stepson sent me this from a store in Santa Monica - he thinks it was a clothing store.

Too cool!

These two pics are from Lynne who was in my class at Toowoomba. Here's what she wrote:

"Have finally finished quilting my Mariners Compass, in the border I used the William Morris fabric

Now it's back to Lots of Dots & pickled Lillies, but still have my Deauville to quilt. Nothing like a few more challenges! I love foundation piecing, it takes all the hassle out of piecing."

She's a girl after my own heart. Well done Lynne and keep on piecing.

Various classes

2011-11-06T14:19:00.001+11:00

Lorraine's machine-pieced hexagons

Lorraine again - a Sue Ross class in Toowoomba.
(I really love this quilt).

Pam's camp project nearly finished - what a woman!

Sue's Lots of Dots - yummo.

Vicki's Mariners Compass from Summer School at Hobbysew - now a lovely cushion

Now this one!! A big blooper turned out beautifully. Well done Sandra.

How's this for graphic - Roxanne's done a great job and used lots of scraps in the process.

Pat's oh-so-gentle Mariners!

Love this use of memorabilia. Roxanne's dad's shirts and jeans and some family pics as well. It was so soft to touch.

I never tire of these NYB's. Val's all ready to be quilted.

I'm off to Bomaderry for two days teaching - see you soon.

Out and about

2011-10-31T09:44:00.001+11:00

I had the pleasure of visiting the Waratah Quilters from Telopea at their retreat in Wentworth Falls last week.
There were several projects happening and we had a fun day. Thanks again Hannah for my lovely present!

Lee who has been in a class with me years ago!! brought this along for show and tell. Her version of my Noodle Box quilt - what a beauty and so big. Below is a close-up of one of the blocks - just great.

Then it was a weekend in Canberra at Hobbysew Belconnen for a NYB class followed by a Mariners Compass class.
Great work from all the girls and such enthusiasm. I'm back in January for the same thing if you're interested.

Some girls sewed faster than others and despite a few hiccups the results were beautiful as you can see.

I have lots more pics but blogger is being difficult today so more next time.

AQC!!!

2011-10-16T12:05:00.000+11:00

The program is finally released for next year's AQC in Melbourne in April - details here. The event is billed as Australia's largest event dedicated specifically to quilting.

And I will be one of the tutors! How amazing is that - finally playing with the big kids. There are 13 different tutors - 3 from the US, 1 from the UK and 1 from Japan as well as lots of famous Australian quilters. Hope I can keep up!

I will be doing 2 x 2-day classes on this quilt - Jacobean Star and two blocks from my Lots of Dots quilt.

Lots of Dots has been chosen as one of five by the NSW Quilters Guild to represent the Best of the Best from our state. I am so pleased to be part of this event.

The quilt has also been featured in the latest issue of Quilt Mania - pics were taken when they were at Darling Harbour this year. There is a write up on the Castlemaine Applique Group and Linda from Quilts in the Barn. It is a lovely issue and shows that Australia is keeping up or even surpassing the rest of the quilting world. Well done.

Recipe for a quilt

2011-10-10T10:45:00.001+11:00

Take some of this.....

Mix in fabric to get this.....

Add some of this....

and voila! you have a quilt top.

Couldn't help showing you this from my garden.

Finishes

2011-10-04T10:33:00.001+11:00

When the weather's as bad as it was over the weekend what's there to do but get in and sew!

I had a lot of UFO's (still do) sitting around so I got stuck in and finished these.

This was started at camp 3? years ago and didn't take long at all to make up.

Very graphic design isn't it.

Playing around with my favourite doilies again.

I also spent a bit of time on ebay looking at and bidding on feedsacks and feedsack fabric - didn't win one item!

This is the centre block from the doily quilt with lovely little hexagons surrounding the basket.

I have a collection of completed circle blocks and this was one of them.

Didn't take long to complete the design and all the fabric was in the stash.

It feels so good to use up fabric that's been sitting there for too long.

Just needs a centre circle.

2011-09-30T11:37:00.001+10:00

Lots of pics today from recent classes.....

Bronwyn's lovely Mariners

Bonnie's very patriotic NYB's

We had a special guest last Saturday class - Alice's grandson Brayden joined us and made a start on this beautiful tablecloth for his mum. Well done Brayden you're a keeper!

Margaret has been busy with two versions of Emperors Wheel - what a great eye-spy quilt.

Jenny's camp project all done.

Marrianne's Mariners quilted and bound - beautiful.

QAYG Noodle box blocks

This is Bev's from Toowoomba - love the different approach to the outside scallops and the quilting is amazing.
Bev was one of the tutors at Quilting on the Downs.

Linda sent me this You tube link about sewing machine needles - take the time to look, it is very interesting.

http://youtu.be/4U48srIlnWg
On the 3rd Thursday of each month I have a class at the new Hobbysew store at Top Ryde shopping centre. It's a great venue with tons of fabric and a cafe in store. If you're in the mood for a fun class come along. You can do any of my quilts - ring the store for details.
On the Hobbysew front I also have 2 days of workshops at Hobbysew Belconnen on 29-30 October.
Come and make a basic mariners compass block or some New York Beauty blocks - both are an introduction to foundation piecing which I'm sure you'd enjoy.

2011-09-23T14:25:00.000+10:00

Looks like someone's watching over Fiona! We are in the church hall afterall.

This was the scene Tuesday and Wednesday in our classroom at Quilting on the Downs in Toowoomba.

I shared the teaching space (and a B&B) with the lovely Margaret Sampson-George and we had a ball.

Marg was teaching her new quilt Fly away with me - on the table in front - and an antique crib quilt.

I was teaching Lots of dots, Repro NYB's and Mariners Madness.

Here are some block in progress from Dots - don't you love the design wall!

Lynne did some great fussy-cutting for this block

Lynne's NYB's from same class last year.

Patrina looks deep in thought doesn't she.

And this is what she was contemplating - yum!

Lynne again with the top she made in class with Bev McClune - an easy way to make Cathedral Windows

The next two make up part of Leanne's Dots quilt

Judy sent me this pic of her new cushion yesterday - the class was on Wednesday and she's finished it already!

I had a great time teaching in Toowoomba - thank you Lisa for inviting me back.

Have a look here for more pics from the week-long classes. Maybe you can come along next year.

It's run at the same time as the flower festival and the local gardens and houses are just beautiful.

2011-09-16T18:11:00.001+10:00

I'm off to Toowoomba on Monday for a 2 day workshop at Precious Time, a beautiful shop in a beautiful town. Lisa has organised lots of different tutors over 2 weeks of classes and I'm lucky enough to be one of them. Thanks Lisa. I'll have some pics when I return.

In the mean time some pics from recent classes - lots of different projects just to keep me on my toes!

Bev's NYB's

Barbara is starting on Prickly Pines

Helen's Deauville is just beautiful

Rosemary was my guinea pig for this Jacobean Star class
but isn't it fabulous! Just needs one more setting triangle.

Judy is working her way thru 36 NYB blocks

Mariners Medley from a Figtree class

One day workshop on a basic mariners compass - they always look great!

Lorraine's on the "Dots" journey - love it

This is on my wall at the moment - I'm having a ton of fun
working with 30-ish fabrics and lots of doilies.

Have you seen the latest issue of Quilt Mania, the French patchwork mag? My Lots of Dots quilt is in it!! A full page pic from the Sydney Quilt Show - I'm excited! It's not in the shops yet but I've seen a subscription copy and the pic is fantastic. Did I mention it will be a BOM thru Hobbysew stores? Hopefully January 2012.
I received this email from Catherine Sanchez the editor of Australian Homespun magazine recently:

It is with great excitement that I announce that Australian Homespun magazine and all subsequent issues are now available as a digital subscription through www.zinio.com (the direct link is http://au.zinio.com/browse/publications/index.jsp%20prnt=cat1960032&productId=500634623&categoryId=cat2250032).
This is a fantastic opportunity to present Homespun, a publication at the forefront of the industry, to a new world of readers, locally and internationally. For those who wish to take out a digital subscription, all you need to do is simply download the Zinio application from iTunes to your iPad, or log on to the website above.

Just click on the link check it out - it's a great mag.
Have a great weekend - isn't the weather perfect and don't miss the Wentworth Quilters quilt show tomorrow at Lynwood House, Guildford.

This and that

2011-09-04T14:11:00.001+10:00

Not much happening at the moment so here are some pics from previous classes and a cute one of good friend Pam

She'll love it!

Recent camp projects from Helen

Lesley's batik beauties

On my design wall at the moment.

Isn't she preeety!

Lorraine's camp blocks made into a tablerunner - too good.

The inspiration for camp - pattern soon to appear in Down Under Quilts magazine.

Out and about again

2011-08-24T09:10:00.000+10:00

Have you seen the latest issue of Australian Country Craft and Decorating?

My quilt Peony Circle is a project in the mag and is featured on the front cover!

I've recently been to Hobbysew Belconnen (a suburb of Canberra)

for a 2-day workshop on Basic mariners Compass and Basic New York Beauty blocks.

Here are a few pics - lovely shop and we all had a great time playing.

Now to Bathurst and Janette's NYB quilt finished and bound.

She quilted it herself and has done a fine job as you can see.

Figtree now and Susanne's Mariners Medley is done. All from her stash too.

I go to Blackheath once a fortnight to sew with a lovely group in the church hall.

This is on the wall and watching over us - isn't it beautiful.

Keeps the conversation polite as you never know who's watching do you!

I have combined with the Hobbysew group to make my Lots of Dots quilt into a Block-of-the-month project. I'm busy re-writing the patterns to suit (big job with 26 blocks!) and it should be released early 2012. I'll keep you posted but I am VERY excited.

2011-08-16T14:19:00.000+10:00

We've just been to camp! 30 happy campers all busy sewing and having tons of fun.

Two workshops on Saturday kept everyone on their toes......

...and some even finished both projects by Sunday afternoon.

(Love the magnolia)

Pick the donkey - ha, ha! We always stop and give Tom-ass some fruit on the way back from picking up our yummy lunch platters. This time we discovered he's actually Tom-assina. I had to wind up the window to get her out of the car.

We even found a patchwork horse.

Zoom in for a closer look - maybe he's having an allergy test? It was on both sides.

Two of the loveliest girls I know trying to look natural!

Tracey has drawn this design from a piece of fabric and taken it to the next level with free-motion quilting. She's a fantastic folk artist - this time she's painting with thread.

Some show-and-tell from Saturday night. Clever girls these campers.

Always good fun to get away with like-minded friends.

Can't wait til next May.

More and more dots

2011-08-05T09:52:00.000+10:00

Today is a collection of pics from recent Lots of Dots classes.

No matter what fabrics are used the results look amazing.

Zoom in for a closer look and check out the fussy-cut geishas - too good!

A ring-in from Susan - well done that girl!.

And this is the stunner. Fine job Rachael, I love it.

Excitement is building with only seven more sleeps til camp!!

New patterns!

2011-07-29T11:33:00.002+10:00

These patterns are finally available in my etsy shop

Patchwork Fun.

Ancient Dahlia - Makes a double bed sized quilt 68" square.

Stunning foundation pieced dahlia centre machine appliqued to the background.

Features a small dresden plate centre and is surrounded by 16 6" circular sample blocks which are bound and appliqued to the background. Rated for the intermediate sewer .

Faux Wedding Ring - Makes up to a queen sized quilt 74" square.

No curved seams for the blocks but easy hand or machine applique.

Foundation pieced sashing that uses up lots and lots of scraps. Rated easy .

Jacobean Star - Makes up to a sofa sized quilt 55" square.

Striking foundation pieced centre circle appliqued in the middle of a machine pieced eight-point star.

Surrounded by machine pieced setting squares and triangles and finished off with appliqued diamonds.

Rated for the intermediate sewer .

All patterns can be purchased using Paypal or credit cards - go have a look!

Out and about

2011-07-25T10:09:00.000+10:00

These pics are from my Figtree class and Quilt Escape at Warriewood

Same centre compass but the result is entirely different because of fabric choices. I really like them both.

This is amazing isn't it! The outside of each block is actually printed fabric and we had fun fussy-cutting it to get that look. Who would have thought?

These belong to four different girls but they could be from the one project.

They worked really hard over the two days at Cottage Quiltwork's Quilt Escape and let's hope they continue the good work.

Two doily fans chose this class instead.As you can see the blocks are coming along nicely - a bit of ric rac here and there and the more embellishing the better the result. Zoom in for a closer look.

Who would have thought to collect doilies with Mexicans on them - I always pass them by but in this project they looked great. Add the right fabric and it all comes together - what fun!

On the subject of all things doily an amazing shop called Peppergreen in Berrima is sadly closing down.

Anyone who has been there knows it's a treasure-trove of linen, fabric, books, china - you name it they've probably got it. All stock is 50% off and I did some damage recently but got some fantastic tablecloths and other embroideries for future projects.

Happy escapees!

Have a look here at the EQ quilt gallery. I sent in the file for my Faux wedding ring quilt and it's on this months list. Scroll down to number 215 and look at all the other fabulous designs while you're there.

There has been a lot of interest in this design and the plan is to write up the pattern this week.

I'm off to Hobbysew Belconnen this weekend for 2 days of classes. Wish me luck as it was - 4deg overnight there yesterday!

2011-07-19T15:53:00.001+10:00

It seems like ages since I've posted here but I have been really busy travelling all over with a swag of 2-day classes here and there. It's great to be home I can tell you.
One thing that happened before I went away was the swap-over of my Tuesday night group's mini border-go-round.
We have been working on these for the last six months with everyone providing their centre block and maybe some fabric. It was boxed up and passed around the group in secret with various borders added each round. A maximum of 4" border size was chosen but the quilts are really not mini.
They are absolutely stunning and each one is a reflection of the owner - how well we all know each other after sewing together for @ 15 years.
Zoom in and check out the details.

Lisa - sorry about the blurry pic in all the excitement!

Anni - interesting there were 3 blue and white quilts in the swap.

Bev - she now has to repaint the wall it was being made for.

Marilyn - it was such fun to choose fabrics and a design for each designated border

Robyn - says it all

Lyn - love that doily

And this is mine! Just perfect. Thanks guys.

If you've never done something like this in your group give it a go. Not too many rules and it's a lot of fun and stretches one's capabilities too.

Did you see this book at the Quiilt Mania stand at the show - it's to die for if you're into antique quilts.

Lots of words and pictures to keep you drooling for hours.

I've even had a go at drawing this centre in EQ7.

WOW factor!

2011-07-08T11:52:00.001+10:00

At my Hobbysew class yesterday the girls were really on fire! Lots of finishes and great show-and-tell.

This is Jenny's Oriental Journey and it sure has been a long one. Jenny traced 37 foundations onto interfacing to save removing paper at the end - that's a chore but she was happy to do it that way.

Zoom in on the quilt to see some great fussy-cutting close up.

The fabrics she chose are just so sumptuous it makes you want to dive into the quilt!

Last month we saw Laurel's quilt centre finished and this month it's the whole deal - mitred borders and everything. "I'm so thrilled" was her quote for the day. It's really beautiful.

Check out Barbara's NYB top with partial borders. What a riot of colour and perfect piecing too.

These are all 6" finished size blocks and quite fiddly.

One of the pleasures of white-gloving at the Sydney Quilt Show is meeting so many friends and students.

I had the pleasure of also meeting the lovely Jenny Scott from Always Quilting, the Australian distributor of Aurifil Threads.

We had a lovely chat about Aurifil - Mako 50 is my preferred thread for applique, piecing and quilting - and about quilting in general.

Hop over to Jenny's blog and see a selection of quilts from the show whose makers all use this beautiful thread. She also has lots of useful information about which thread is best for which project.

Out and about

2011-07-04T09:39:00.002+10:00

Last Thursday I went to the Epping Quilters for a one-day workshop. They meet in a wonderful space in the Epping Community Centre - huge room, great lighting - lucky girls they are.
There were eight different projects happening on the day and I had a really busy day crossing from one side of the room to the other - incidental exercise I think they call it. Anyway it was all good and here a just a few pics from the day.

This was from the scrap basket and came together really well and with great excitement from a newbie to foundation piecing.

Several students were doing NYB blocks and some were doing Birds in Paradise

So excited to finish a basic Mariners compass!

Saturday was my Bathurst class and their NYB quilts are coming together beautifully. Isn't this black-and- white-plus just a stunner!

More muted colours but just as graphic.

What a variety of blocks

Sunday at Hobbysew and Janelle's batik NYB's is getting closer to a finish. Hard for girls who are working full-time to do any homework!

This has been a work-in-progress for quite some time now but Marrianne really got her skates on and this is the result.

I am hosting the unveiling of our group's mini border-go-round tomorrow night so there will be some amazing pics to show from that.

Don't forget that Cottage Quiltworks is having a Quilt Escape with lots of tutors starting next Monday. Love to see you there.

On the road

2011-06-29T14:36:00.000+10:00

I've just come back from a weekend workshop in Wagga at Simply Stitches. What a great shop.

It's in part of the old David Jones building and is two stories high. The bottom of the shop is classroom with plenty of room for students. I had 14 over the two days and there were no problems at all - just what the teacher likes! Upstairs is all the fabric, heaps of knitting wool and a longarm machine tucked in one corner.

The girls worked really hard on their large Mariners centres with one busy student getting to the sewing-together stage. Faye looked after us wonderfully and a good time was had by all I think.

I got to do a bit of op-shopping in Cowra and Beechworth and picked up heaps of doilies - more on them later.

This is Judy's from Tuesday class - yum!

Sonia's beautiful embroidered centre

This year at the quilt show there was a break from tradition and we all got to pin our rosettes on our own quilts. Nice idea I thought.

Who's a lucky girl

2011-06-23T08:04:00.000+10:00

Guess what? I won a 1st prize today at the Sydney quilt show!! Can you believe it - I was nearly in tears going to receive my award for the category New Traditions from Old Favourites with my Lots of Dots quilt.
It is so exciting to even have a quilt noticed at this show let alone win a prize. I am so pleased and thank the sponsors Matilda's Own wadding for my great prize.
Check out all the winning quilts here - the standard this year is very impressive. Try and get there - it's on til Sunday and you won't be disappointed I guarantee.
Not to mention all the retail therapy!

Prize winning Lots of Dots

My 2nd entry in the show was this Ancient Dahlia quilt. It didn't win a prize but looks great hanging with all the others at the show. It was quilted for me by Belinda Betts from Orange and she did a fantastic job.

Belinda's son Harry took out a prize in the Junior category at the show. Must be in the genes!!

I'm off to Wagga tomorrow for a 2-day workshop at Simply Stitches so should have lots of pics when I get home.

Show and tell and more

2011-06-20T14:51:00.001+10:00

Last Saturday's class at home was a real hoot - way too much fun and laughter for any serious sewing!

But there was some lovelly show-and-tell.

A cot quilt for Bronwyn's grandson

A beauty for Pam's granddaughter

Another stunner from Bronwyn

This NYB quilt is Pam's and she has just won viewer's choice with it at the previously-mentioned
Coonamble Quilt Show. Well done Pam.

This was sent to me recently by Lynne who started it last September in my class at Quilting on the Downs in Toowoomba. She has done a lovely job of all those NYB blocks and I just love the border fabric.

I am off to Toowoomba again for this year's event put on by Precious Time Quilt Shop.

Lisa has arranged 2 weeks of classes with 8 different tutors teaching all sorts of quilty things.

Check it out here.

All credit to Lisa for biting the bullet and holding such a big event in these uncertain times.

Girls come from around Queensland and Interstate to attend these classes so give it some thought - you'll have a ball.

Last but not least I have a project in the latest issue of Australian Country Craft and Decorating

Vol 22/10. It's a table runner made from a layer cake of beautiful French General fabric.

You can see it in the flesh from Wednesday on display at the mag"s stand at the Sydney Quilt Show at Darling Harbour.

More exciting news from the show later in the week!

I won a prize!

2011-06-16T10:35:00.001+10:00

Guess what - I won a prize in Sarah Fielke's Naked Bed challenge (scroll down to June 14 post). Can you believe it! I don't often enter bloggy contests but this one was so easy - just submit a pic for the challenge, then sit back and look at all the beautiful entries.
I won a $50 gift voucher and the opportunity to submit my design as a project for Down Under Quilts magazine - how exciting.

This was my entry which is a foundation pieced block drawn up in EQ7. I used lots a oriental and large print scraps and it went together really well. The blocks are 14".

Thanks Sarah for hosting the challenge and thanks to all the sponsors for such wonderful prizes.

Lovely weather....

2011-06-13T10:37:00.002+10:00

for sewing that is. How nice it is to be inside with the fire going and the whole day ahead to do whatever I fancy.
Yesterday I went to the Glenbrook Cocktail Quilters quilt show with my friend Rachael. She took some pics at the show and you can see them on her blog. Morning tea was pretty good too and we ran into lots of familiar quilty faces.

When I came home I had a chance to finish this. It's a really scrappy number that I call a "faux" wedding ring. There's no curved piecing but you get that look and it used up quite a bit from the repro scrap bag.

The borders are on and I'll wait for a better day to take a finished pic.

Lorraine's William in Paradise quilt just needs some applique to finish it off. The colour choices are beautiful and she has designed a final border repeating the centre NYB block. Can't wait to see the result.

Vicki has combined two quilts here and resized the diamond border to fit.

Fancy cutting of the stripe border was just perfect for the project tho can you see the top border was sewn on in reverse! Always happens when you're in a hurry doesn't it.

Aahhh Laurel's quilt! This has gone on for I don't know how long but finally came together last week.

It's a testament to never give up on a project - it looks fantastic and I know she is very proud of her efforts.

Two from Warriewood class - lots of room in this Mariners for "special" quilting

and the Pickled Lillies below just needs some more applique to assume finished status.

Cottage Quiltworks at Warriewood are having their annual Quilt Escape next month with nine teachers offering classes over five days from the 11th of July. There are a few spots left in my 2 day class on Monday and Tuesday where you can choose between this Summer Baskets doily quilt or make a start on my Reproduction NYB quilt. Ring the shop for details - I'd love to see you there.

Summer Baskets Doily Quilt

Reproduction Beauties

On the road 3

2011-06-06T09:59:00.000+10:00

Show-and-tell from Susanne

Last Thursday hubby and I set out for the city of Orange way west of Sydney.

I was there for a 2-day class at Bella Patchwork owned by the lovely Delma.

We were expecting freezing temps but it was really mild and the town looks beautiful with all the tree-lined streets and magnificent old houses and public buildings.

These are pics from the class with the girls making a start on Lots of Dots.

They worked really hard and I will be back in November for another round.

From Orange we continued to Bathurst on Saturday morning for my class at The Home Patch.

These beautiful blocks are from Nicki's NYB quilt. Some of the "coloured" fabrics are satin-type and give a lovely sheen to parts of the blocks.

Home on Saturday for my SIL's 30th birthday bash then off to Hobbysew Kings Park on Sunday.

This is Debi's amazing Reproduction Beauties top being pieced together.

It has taken a while but looks stunning don't you think.

Coral is up to the borders on her Emperors Wheel where she has combined a Summer School block in the centre with a great collection of oriental fabrics and very precise piecing.

This is a ring-in from my Berrima class. It's Leah's Lots of Dots and it's the 1st one I've seen finished.

Her work is beautiful and she should be so proud of the result.

More show-and-tell from Susanne in Orange.

She started this in my class last year and i was really pleased she brought it along. Precise piecing and great quilting go together for a quilt with that wow factor.

Further to the exhibition at the University of Nebraska featuring mosaic quilts you can view the exhibition and buy the catalogue here.

It was certainly good to get home and maybe there'll be some sewing time for me today!

Happy campers!

2011-05-30T11:38:00.000+10:00

Once again our quilt camp has come and gone in such a short time. Lots of planning culminated in a great weekend for all and it was the biggest roll-up we've ever had.
The weather was kind but cool - just right for sewing til 2am for some of us!
Here a just a few pics from my phone which is why they are so bad. It might have been the wines I had before our show-and-tell on Saturday night do you think.

Lyn's Gilly's coverlet

Lorraine's Dahlia - the 1st one I've seen finished!

See the ribbon? Alice won Best in Show at the recent Camden Show - what a star!

Pam's quilt for her daughter

Marrianne's HUGE top with the most amazing broderie purse flowers

These are only a few of the fantastic quilts shown on Saturday night. The variety and workmanship was truly inspiring. Quilt camp is a fun time to get away and do what we love the most with good company and lovely surroundings.

I stole this quote from Kathy Doughty's blog - I'm sure she won't mind as she put into words exactly what I was thinking of our weekend.

"It is fun to have someone show us how to do things. It is fun to sew in a group. It is fun to share the joy of creating in a group of like minded individuals."

How true!

More various

2011-05-23T12:10:00.001+10:00

I teach at The Home Patch in Bathurst on a monthly basis and Anni and the staff are such lovely girls. (Pete too).
I saw recently that Anni's blog has been rated among the best 5 quilting blogs and not only does she have a new book out but she also has a new fabric range (scroll down in the post to see it).
The Home Patch was one of the traders at our recent Springwood Community Quilt Show and Anni has been a regular at the show since it's inception.

Anni and Pete have just come back from Salt Lake City Quilt Market and it's pleasure to see a couple who work so hard and who are such a lovely people do so well. Congratulations to you both.

Only four more sleeps til our quilt camp this weekend! I can hardly wait to have some solid sewing time and the chance to chill out with good friends.The nights will be chilly indeed at our venue out in the wilds of Mulgoa but a few hot toddies will help to ward off the cold!

Be sure to have a look at my friend Rachel's blog over at Blue Mountain Daisy - she's joined the Sew mama sew giveaway day and has some great prizes on offer. Rachel's one of our happy campers too.

Now for some pics

Lots of dots happening here!

The start of Elizabeth's Pickled Lillies

Emperors wheel finished

More dots from Berrima

Dianne has been busy finishing - redwork Noodle box

Dianne's Mariners centre

Are you signed up to the International Quilt Study Centre quilt-of-the-month emails? You should be. Every month you'll be sent a link to a quilt from their collection at the University of Nebraska.

Check out this month's quilt - hexagons to die for! There is an exhibition on that I'd kill to see - here's a blurb about it:

"May 28 will mark the opening of the next major international quilt exhibition in the IQSCM galleries. Elegant Geometry: American and British Mosaic Patchwork will feature beautiful mosaic patchwork, technical marvels from "both sides of the pond." It is curated by Bridget Long, quilt historian from the United Kingdom, who studied the pieces during her IQSCM Fellowship in 2009 and initiated the research that informs this exhibition. She contributed the primary essay for the accompanying catalog of the same title."

Let's hope the catalogue becomes available outside the exhibition.

Various

2011-05-14T17:21:00.004+10:00

After our quilt show debrief the other day I am so pleased to announce that we made a profit of $9300 from the three days. We had more visitors thru the door this year and more activity from the cafe.

See the quilt show blog for more details.

Now for some pics from recent classes

Janette's Deauville quilt

Roxanne's NYB's

A combination of three different quilts. Love the flow.

Jeffrey's Mariners with some applique

Susan's Mariners. Looks stunning.

Sandra's Friendship Ring

I received an email this week from Amanda in Coonamble with a pic of her group's raffle quilt. A variation on my Noughts and Crosses quilt and it's beautiful. Interesting write up too.

"The Material Girls patchwork group is currently represented by 9 ladies from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, whose mutual love of all things patchwork and quilting binds us together. The group has been meeting for 13 years, with an ebb and flow of members over that time.

For the previous 5 years, coinciding with the busy June long weekend Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft, the Material Girls conduct an exhibition of quilts and patchwork items in the local library, showcasing our own work as well as quilts made by the many other keen and clever stitchers in our Shire. A lot of people have come to look forward to our show as a welcome additional attraction to the Rodeo weekend of activities, held in a warm cozy haven.
We are proud to be able to say that all the work in our display has not been previously shown, and that there are regularly upwards of 60 fully sized quilts on exhibit, which transforms our venue into a most colourful maze. The workmanship and talent is easily equal to any of the big city shows. There are prizes to be won here too, with the “Viewers’ Choice” a highly sought after award. There will also be patchwork fabrics, kits, books and decorator items from “Zelly’s” for purchase. Money raised over this weekend goes to local organisations and charities that assist country people. While our raison d’être may be to encourage quilting and patchwork crafts in particular, our support of one another through thick and thin, droughts and floods, good times and bad, creates strong bonds of friendship that can help us withstand whatever life throws our way.
The Sixth Annual Material Girls’ Patchwork and Quilts Exhibition, Coonamble library, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June, 10am to 4pm."

Here's the raffle quilt - stunning!

I'm sorry

2011-05-05T10:15:00.000+10:00

I'm sorry I don't have any pics from the Springwood Quilt Show held on the weekend. I forgot every day to take my camera with me! Vicki was better prepared than me and has some good pics on the show blog including raffle winner information and viewer's choice winners. (I was one of them!).

It was a fantastic three days with excellent attendance each day. The cafe did a roaring trade and ran out of coffee on Saturday. Food was top class and we received lovely feed-back from lots of visitors.

After a debrief next week I should have some figures to share.

Instead of show pics have a look at these:

Sue has been powering away at her Lots of Dots and the blocks she has done are looking fabulous.

A few of Robyn's Dots on the wall with a quilt Lurley (seated) is working on made from a Japanese panel.

She almost matches the blocks doesn't she!

These are Toni's Reproduction Beauty blocks made from Michelle Marvig's latest range called Michelle's Backyard - fabulous colours and the designs are so beautiful. Ask for it at your local patchwork shop.

On the road 2

2011-04-23T16:13:00.000+10:00

From a class at Jukejema Quilting Barn in Nowra

More Lots of dots from Berrima - only one more class to go

Hobbysew in Canberra - such enthusiastic students!

Pippa's hexagons! She obviously has way too much spare time!

Sue from Canberra's Featherweight machine. It sewed like a dream all day and is so beautiful.

Something I've been working on lately. A real scrap-buster.

Have you seen the latest issue of Aust Patchwork and Quilting? My son's quilt is a project in it.
He's still complaining about not having it to sleep under! Won't be long now Stu.

I been days sorting "stuff" for my stall at the Springwood Quilt Show. Fabric, patterns, bric-a-brac and all things quilty. Please call by and say hello next Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

On the road 1

2011-04-19T12:43:00.001+10:00

Emperors wheel from Warriewood

I've been travelling a lot lately even after coming back from Toowoomba so these pics are quite varied.

Summer baskets from Warriewood
A gorgeous version of Summer Baskets using a heap of lovely doilies, ric rac and yummy fabrics

Friendship Ring - this has had three different backgrounds so far!

Kris' beautiful Hexagon Magic. After major quilting dramas it looks so beautiful. Her sister will love it.

Now this is Sue's Friendship Ring, a project started at last year's teaching camp.

The fabrics go together so well and the quilting done by Carol Ikin from Lawson is fantastic.

Here is a close-up and one of the back. Great choice of fabrics and great quilting to match.

You can see this in the flesh at the Springwood Quilt Show coming up the weekend after Easter.

Talking of quilting I received my dahlia quilt back from Belinda Betts in Orange today.

What a fantastic job she has done to highlight the design. No pics yet until I do the binding but it will also be on display at the quilt show. She's does really top-class quilting and is off the the US early May for a "study tour" of machine quilting to further her knowledge.

More pics from my travels soon.

Lots to tell

2011-04-08T09:15:00.001+10:00

I've just come back from a flying visit to the beautiful shop Precious Time in Toowoomba. We did a two day class on Lots of Dots and boy was it flat out for the girls. This is the shop in a lovely old house in a suburban street of this spread out city at the top of "the range" as the locals call it.

There is still evidence all around of the disastrous floods earlier this year and the effects of it all will be felt in the community for years.

Here's a sample of the work the class produced over two really full-on days of sewing. We had newcomers to foundation piecing and some old hands, young sewers and the lovely Janette who is 83 and still powering on. Apart from the moment when I cut her block in half!!!!! all went well and I can only hope they continue with the project at home.

Fellow quilter Sue Ross and I were guests of Bev and her mum Pat who made us feel right at home and fed and watered us as only country people do. Bev is a machine quilting teacher in her other life and we were treated to a show and tell of her magnificent prize-winning work. It made me want to get to the machine there and then. Thanks girls and hope to see you all again in September.

These pics are from Bathurst recently and show Val's free-motion quilting skills to perfection.

It is a real sampler of techniques and was very inspiring.

An altered version of my Easy Medallion - love the diamond border!

Roxanne's cushion cover - don't you just want one?

Time is ticking away for the Springwood Quilt Show in less than three weeks time. We have over 150 quilts this year and the room will be chock full of wonderful work from local quilters.

The hard part starts in 16 days time when we begin building the stands and hanging the quilts.

Have a look at the blog for the show - Vicki has written a great post on what actually goes into this great community event.

One more thing - have a look at my quilt in the EQ Gallery here and scroll down to number 198. You send in your project file then a pic of the completed quilt - how exciting to have it displayed in their gallery!

Round and round

2011-03-28T10:00:00.015+11:00

Some blocks from Saturday's class - Lots of dots and Alice's Dahlia centre

These Beauties are Sue's from my Hobbysew class.

She's quilted it herself but my photos don't do it justice.

Lots of custom designs in each block - fantastic job.

There's lots of talk in blogland at the moment about the exhibition in NY of

650 red and white quilts at the Museum of Folk Art.

Wouldn't you love to be there! Here's a link to Martha Stewart's blog with lots of pics instead.

I'm off to Toowoomba on Sunday for two days of classes at Precious Time

teaching Lots of Dots. Rumour has it that one of my students will be Sue Ross!!

My-oh-my the pressure will be on now.

An interesting link I just found on buying vintage sewing machines is here.

Eye candy

2011-03-21T14:24:00.000+11:00

Have you seen this book? It's by the great Japanese quilter Chuck Nohara and it is full of her reconfigured drawings of well-known quilt blocks. What a wonderful book! I purchased it thru Quiltmania magazine.

This is the sort of image you get on every one of the 230-plus pages. I'm excited!

And this is the image you get in the latest issue of Quilters Companion - my Deauville quilt.

It's a great issue with a write up about our Springwood High School quilt show as well.

On that subject only 38 days til the show opens. Are we nervous yet?

These dahlias continue to grow and it's really interesting how different placement of fabrics

gives a different look. Compare these two.

Leah's NYB quilt is amazing isn't it. Great contrast in fabrics really makes each block sing and the dark border is a perfect frame.

Lots of dots happening at Berrima yesterday. Don't those flying geese look like a caterpillar?

And this is a little hand job I've been working on lately. Very satisfying work in front of the telly and it uses up quite a lot of scraps into the bargain.

Various

2011-03-14T12:16:00.001+11:00

A few recent class pics - Kris' Easy Medallion

Sue's dahlia is growing!

Lots of different things happening at Warriewood

Two more from Warriewood

A new take on Mariners Madness - love it!

The next four are from Glenys in NZ who has made two versions of Fancy Dancing.

Has she any scraps left! The quilting is beautiful.

New shop on the block

2011-03-07T10:39:00.001+11:00

Mine that is! I have opened a new shop on Etsy to sell my patterns. It's called PatchworkFUN so go on over and check it out - they take Paypal and cards for purchases. I hope you like the selection. There is a button on my sidebar as well.
Now for the funnest bit. Have you seen pics of this quilt from the V&A exhibiton last year?

Isn't it amazing! Well Marta from http://cartulinas.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/el-rey-jorge-pasando-revista-a-las-tropas has begun a Sew Along to make the 16 different blocks surrounding the centre panel of King George III reviewing the troops.

She has drafted the blocks from the original which was made in 1803. The rosettes are @ 6" in diameter but you could make them any size you like. She will be releasing one block each month starting January so there are three already. Her blog is in Spanish and sometimes the Google translation can be quite amusing. However her PDF patterns are in English

Sue Prichard the curator of the exhibition has a few interesting things to say about the quilt here and Janet Bottomley has posted some more pics on her blog here.

There is even a Flickr group here.

SALE!

2011-02-28T16:13:00.000+11:00

Have you seen the button on my sidebar for Kimoyes - gorgeous Japanese fabric? Jill is having a sale til midnight this Friday and it's HUGE with lots of vintage kimono fabric and more. I ordered some this morning and it's already on its way to me. How's that for service! If you're into oriental check it out.

We've been Dahlia mad around here lately.

Alice's Friendship ring

Lorraine's Deauville

Bronwyn's extra large Friendship ring

2011-02-09T17:00:00.000+11:00

This is the plan ....

and this is the start!
I made a blue when cutting the border squares but I'm sure it will all work in the end.
It's a reproduction of a quilt made in the 1850's.

You might have seen a previous post with this quilt half done - now it's all done and looks pretty groovy doesn't it. I'm really happy with the result - all planned in EQ.
In April this year I'll be doing two days of classes at Hobbysew in Belconnen, a Canberra suburb. They have been promoting the classes already here. A nice wrap for me I thought - thanks Hobbysew.
If you are a member of the NSW Quilters Guild you will have received the latest issue of The Template. Check out the article on our Springwood Quilt Show - a very nice write up submitted by Vicki our publicity officer which gives you all the details for a fabulous three days 29 April to 1 May.
On the subject of the show entry forms are available now from the show blog. Just click on the sidebar and print them off. If you are a quilter from the Blue Mountains area we'd love to have you display your work.
Entries close 31st March.

Circles

2011-01-28T11:08:00.000+11:00

This video has been doing the rounds of blogs lately - if you haven't seen it yet it is amazing

we have no excuse now!

These pics are from my summer school at Hobbysew and a 2-day session at Jukejema Quilt Barn

in Nowra. What a lovely shop that is and a fun group of girls too!

I've been seeing Mariners compasses in my sleep lately.

A few NYB blocks thrown in for good measure.

Have a look at the Springwood Quilt Show blog for all the latest updates on the raffle quilt journey and what's happening with the planning for the show. Only 90 days to go so get those quilts bound and labelled!

Flood auction

2011-01-15T13:45:00.001+11:00

As you probably know there are on-line auctions going at the moment with proceeds to help the Qld flood victims. You can read about Toni's here. One of the auction items is a quilt (there will probably be lots of them) made by Donna at http://thebluemountainsgirl.blogspot.com and she's used one of my patterns - Easy Medallion. She's done a lovely job and it could be yours in the auction. Just read her post for details on how to enter.

I've just had two days at Blueberries at Wyong teaching Lots of Dots and the Emperors Wheel quilt. These are pics from the class and everyone sewed their hearts out I can tell you.

In the top pic the blocks at bottom left and top right are the same blocks from the quilt but with different fabrics used they look completely different don't they.

Here's one from my design wall that I've been working on for the last year on and off (more off than on I guess). It's a good scrap-buster and the next border is all hexagons and finishes

@ 8" wide so there's lots more to do.

Have you seen this book-azine in the newsagent lately? I put it in my husband's stocking for xmas but it was one of those presents you buy for someone then claim as your own! It's put out by Frankie magazine who describe themselves this way -

frankie magazine is a national bi-monthly based in Australia, aimed at women (and men) looking for a magazine that’s as smart, funny, sarcastic, friendly, cute, rude, arty, curious and caring as they are.

The book is a collection of pics and bios on people and their spaces - craft, home, work etc and is real eye-candy. No minimalists here but lots of vintage/retro/Scandinavian decorating ideas - I'm so glad I bought it for him/me.

Now I am really excited about this pic. I have been working on this over the break and designed it using EQ7. You can play with different colourways in the program but I was stuck with the background setting for the star. UNTIL.................... I printed the setting blocks to the correct size using the fabrics I had in mind and did a mock-up on the design wall with the border fabric pinned in place. The star and the centre are fabric and the setting square and triangle on the left side are paper!

How's that for clever - no wasting the fabric by making different versions to see how they look and if you don't like it just change colours and print some more. The more I use EQ the more I'm learning and applying to my quilt making. Now I can go and buy the fabric I need.

This and that

2011-01-10T13:27:00.001+11:00

I've been working on another doily quilt over the hols using a jelly roll from Cottage Quiltworks.

The fabrics are 30-ish and the doilies are beautiful. Better than having them sitting in the cupboard don't you think?

Now that we've mastered making pizzas in the Weber I've been making lots of dough for that and quick and easy olive and rosemary bread - YUM to both. I may have left the dough too long to rise or was the bowl not big enough!

I have never seen a metre of shortbread have you? We are slowly getting thru it - thanks kids.

This mag is out at the moment and features three of my quilts from past issues of AP and Q.

I ordered this book from Barbara Brackman's site and it's a real hoot. It's a book of saints for quilters. She's so clever with her photoshopping and has a wicked sense of humour. You can see it here http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1836309

Over at Alex Anderson's Quilt Show you can see for free a video of a Baltimore Album exhibition from Houston last year. The quilts are simply stunning and there's even one from Kim Maclean using Kaffe fabrics.

I have been talking with Linda from Stitchin Mission lately and here's part of what she had to say:

"Stitchin' Mission #24 just began this past week at my own Lutheran church in West Des Moines, Iowa. I have 35 newbies enrolled, and 13 helpers, so it's a good-sized group. This time our quilts are going to an orphanage in South Africa, about two hours north of Johannesburg. I anticipate we'll make about 55 quilts in this class. That number will make SMs top 1,000 in donated quilts. When I started teaching quiltmaking six years ago this month, I had no idea this would continue for so long, and be of such interest. Guess everyone loves the opportunity to learn quiltmaking for free! But it is truly a God-blessed activity that touches the lives of the quiltmakers and the quilt recipients. I'll be making a DVD of the lessons at the end of March, and then who knows where it will go from there!? Thanks for your interest!"

Check out her blog too - http://www.stitchinmission.blogspot.com:80/.

Di from Snippets and Scraps is her Australian counterpart and was one of my Cherry on Top bloggers from the last post. Mayne if Linda comes to visit again we can catch up.

I love cherries

2011-01-07T16:24:00.000+11:00

My good friend Rachael has passed an award my way - the first I've ever received. Scroll down her blog to find the kind words she's said about me and two other bloggers she likes.

As part of the award I must tell you three things I like and tag three blogs I like.

I really like quilts made using Japanese prints.
This is Helen's quilt - I'm sure she won't mind you looking at it.

And because I've just been there I really like to be beside the sea.
Under that frangipani tree with a good book and
the occasional swim - perfect!

I really, really like quilt history books and this one is a beauty
(pity about the pic)

Now to three blogs I can pass the Cherry award to? How about Di at Snippets and Scraps. She does a ton of good work with her quilting groups and has a wicked sense of humour to boot.
I also like Mamie Jane's where she repurposes heaps of old stuff into useful things. Anyone who knows me knows I'm into "junk" and love a good op-shop find!
And lastly I look at Ann Champion's blog with great interest. She has an amazing collection of antique and vintage quilts and quilt tops and has a little show-and-tell on a regular basis.
So thanks Rachael for the award and have a look at my favourite blogs - you might find something interesting too.
On another note I found this link to more tutorials, this time thru the Sew mama sew blog. It's on Katie Pedersen's blog and contains something for everyone I'm sure.

Who's a clever girl!

2011-01-05T12:52:00.000+11:00

Why I design

2011-01-03T15:10:00.001+11:00

Before Xmas Wayne from Wayne Kollinger's Sketchbook asked me to participate in his current post about why quilters design their quilts. I was very flattered to be asked so here goes:
I take on a new design basically because I can't help myself. I'll see an old quilt and have to have a go at drafting the pattern and then seeing it in fabric. Of course it's never a copy of the original because quite often I will go off on another tangent completely which sometimes means I'm not too happy with the result. I have a couple of UFO's that have come about this way.
I'm on a circular bent at the moment so am attracted to blocks in that vein and the more complicated the piecing the more I like it. This can be a problem when the time comes to teach the quilt - not every design is transferable to students.
The pressure of teaching makes sure I have a few projects on the go at one time and there are loads more whirling around in my head.
I'll see a fantastic piece of fabric - usually from the reproduction palette and usually a "weird" print and that will spark another design session. I use EQ these days but used to roughly sketch projects in the past.
I think of all those quilt makers from days gone by and the beautiful quilts they made without all our gadgetry- how clever were they. If they could do it then with poor lighting and constant domestic duties why do we need the latest and greatest new tool.
I find it hard to make a quilt from someone else's pattern - in fact I can't remember the last time I did but I'm sure I take elements of a design I like and they might surface somewhere in a project down the track. As a friend says "what's new these days" - we are all just reinterpreting the designs of quilters from the past aren't we?
For whatever reason I'm so lucky to be able to do what I do. If others like my designs and are willing to come along to a class so I can show them how I did it then I'm a very happy camper indeed.
Thanks Wayne for the chance to philosophise! It doesn't happen very often.

What's a post without pics. Here are some from our time away - lots of wildlife this year.

Last but not least

2010-12-18T21:16:00.000+11:00

These are all from the last class this year at Cottage Quiltworks at Warriewood. I am lucky enough to have been asked back for next year so there'll be more eye candy from these talented girls.
I won't be around for a couple of weeks while we relax "beside the seaside" so have a lovely xmas and stay safe over the holiday period.
See you all again next year!

19 more sleeps!

2010-12-06T11:01:00.000+11:00

til xmas that is. It's hard for me to get in the mood - it just seems we are forced to buy presents for people who don't need them, which they probably won't like anyway. I've already gone the "I've bought you a goat" or "here's your composting toilet" idea so it's back to presents. Oh well - that's xmas.
Anyway one thing that's lifted the mood is this from Di at Snippets and Scraps - scroll down to the video and take the time to watch it please.

How's this for a lust-after bag. All the girls in the class wanted it but Jeff has made it for his cousin for xmas. The pattern came from his NZ holiday and the result is to die for don't you think.

Cathie planned this in EQ to be surrounded by lots of storm at sea blocks.

Tho she is new to the program it is worth the effort I think.

Bev might need her sunnies when this is on the wall. She's a head down, pedal-to-the-metal kind of girl and has done a fantastic job on these 6" NYB blocks! She's now started on a bigger version.

Nancy's beautiful Mariners Madness

Pam's start to a NYB quilt with that wow factor.

Looking for some holiday sewing? Sewmamasew has a grocery bag challenge going on and there are lots of patterns for making cloth bags. Use up some of that stash maybe?

Classes are winding down for the year with xmas parties happening all over the place. Hope you're enjoying some too.

We just need 2 weeks of hot sunny weather for our holiday on the Central Coast - here's hoping.

Spare a thought for the people of the Central West with all those flood waters for the second time this year.

Kind deed

2010-11-30T14:57:00.000+11:00

To start the day here's a link to lots and lots of tutorials for quilts and related projects. You could spend quite a while just browsing and I'm sure you'd come up with something new.
Now for the eye-candy:

Coral from Hobbysew

Barbara from Hobbysew

The start of Daphne's lovely quilt for her grand-daughter

Lovely Lurley in paradise

For our Cotton Reel Quilters Xmas party we had to bring a block that starts with the first letter of our name - here's my Circular saw block - groovy! 24" across - I found it in a book of 5000 blocks and drew it up in EQ. Easy piecing too.

Have you seen Barbara Brackman's blog? Always interesting with lots of quilt history and links to antique quilts. WELL! Her latest post talks about a quilt block that goes by various names - Botch Handle is one of them. I just happened to have made a quilt for my son using the same block - mine was called Devils Claw. I sent Barbara a pic and she's put it in her post with a very kind link back to me! What a lovely lady - thanks Barbara. It is an easy block to sew - 16" so nice big pieces and looks so graphic.

More class pics

2010-11-22T10:06:00.001+11:00

2 posts in one day only because I couldn't get all the pics in the one post for some reason. These are all versions of my Noodle Box quilt from Sunday's Berrima class. The noodle boxes will be more evident when their tops are are trimmed of course. The 1st one we thought we'd rename the Honey Pot quilt. Those bears in the middle will be doing high-5's when the other blocks are added.
Beautiful work from a lovely group of really happy campers.

Class pics

2010-11-22T09:58:00.000+11:00

Check out the bulldogs on motorbikes!

Kay's beautiful, soft medallion - all those hexagons.

Jennifer won the race at Berrima this weekend with a great finish

Love the colour contrast in Dianne's WIP

Soft and pretty

This and the following pic are both from Sandra - put your sunnies on!

Lots of variety from the Birds in Paradise class which finished at Berrima this weekend.

I'm not back there til February next year starting with the circle sampler AKA "Lots of Dots".

If the truth be known I'm still writing the patterns for the 26 blocks in the quilt - as Tam said yesterday That's Ok I only need to be a day ahead of my students!

Killer

2010-11-07T17:17:00.000+11:00

He looks so cute doesn't he? But in reality he is a vicious predator who has killed and dismembered seven of our chooks. They died a horrible death and we set a trap - who would have thought we'd get a spotted quoll. One down from Tasmanian devils in the ferocity stakes. He's gone to a wildlife park and no relatives have shown themselves so it's time to get some more girls.

This is Sue's quilt from August's quilt camp - the centre is perfect and will soon be repeated in a

wide border. Just beautiful.

How could such an ugly plant produce such beautiful flowers. It is virtually growing in cement and hardly gets watered and there were 13 blooms on it. They don't last long but are perfumed and so lovely.

This stunner belongs to Sonia from Bathurst. It has been an exercise in challenging herself to get out of the "pink and green" comfort zone. And tho it's taken a while to complete - the girl has kids and also goes to work - you must agree it's sensational - so graphic. Just needs a final small black border and she's sweet!

I have been flat out lately writing patterns for four up-coming magazine projects and quilting my Lots of Dots quilt in readiness for January's classes. It's hard to stay inside on a day

like today when it's such beautiful weather.

Remember this quilt? Here's the email I received from Dawn in NZ:

"Hi Chris I completed my quilt earlier this year and you have placed it on your blog...WELL....just to let you know that I entered my version of Pickled Lillies into the Auckland Calico Christmas Show for this weekend and have won 3rd prize in the small bed quilt section. I am over the moon as this is only the second time I have entered quilts. Thank you so much for your design and challenge."

I'm really happy to receive pics of finished quilts made from a pattern of mine and it's so exciting when one wins a prize. Well done Dawn.

Thanks

2010-10-25T16:02:00.001+11:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment on my blog. It's lovely to hear from everyone especially the newbies who have finally taken the plunge - you know who you are! And thanks to all the "lurkers" as well.
Check out my op-shop find of the week - a quilt. Someone said it was just what I need!
In our little strip of shops we have three op-shops - what does that say about our area I wonder. As well as some really good linen pants and a top I scored this blue and white quilt. I hope Lonza, whose name was on it with the date 1997 will know it has gone to a good home. The piecing is perfect and the colours divine.

The latest quilt show meeting was at my house last Thursday evening and Petal bought the finished quilt along. Isn't it amazing. Check out the blog for the show in the coming days for more news.

We have several followers already and one of them is from Norway! How exciting is that. Hope they can come over for the show in April 2011.

This pic is the start of five Noodle Box quilts from my Berrima class. They are all different but will come together beautifully - top right is Xmas-themed and you can see the violin in the centre. Bottom left is Tamsin's from the shop and she's using Clarice Cliff fabric in the quilt for her mum.

I'm off to Orange again this weekend for two days of NYB classes. Hope it's a bit warmer than last time!

And have a look at my class schedule on the sidebar for new classes coming up next year - maybe I'll see you sometime.

We have a result!

2010-10-24T18:20:00.000+11:00

No it's not The Bill (alas may it RIP). The random number generator chose comment number 7 from the list posted by Helenclare. Please send me your address so I can post the cushion cover. Hope it suits your decor.
And thanks to all who left a comment. More tomorrow with some pics.

It's contagious

2010-10-19T08:23:00.002+11:00

Rachael is having a give-away so I thought I might do the same to celebrate the fact I have had 10,000 visitors to my blog! I find that amazing when there is so much to look at on the web. Thanks everyone who has visited.
The prize is the cushion cover featured as a project for Australian Country Craft and Decorating earlier this year.

It's made from the first French General range and is 20" square. It has a fold-over back using a beautiful linen toile from the range.

Just leave me a comment and you'll go in the draw for Sunday afternoon.

Overseas entries are welcomed.

Class pics

2010-10-18T09:45:00.002+11:00

These are from classes last week. Clever girls aren't they!

Hop on over to Racheal's blog Blue Mountain Daisy as she's having her first give-away.
And the prize is one of my patterns. What a lovely girl she is.
And thanks to all those who voted for my Noughts and Crosses quilt.
I didn't win but it was a bit of fun. The winner looks a bit like a Sue Cody quilt.

New patterns

2010-10-15T15:29:00.001+11:00

I've just added three new patterns to my on-line shop

Chris Quilts. This one is called French Circle and is a 30" wide table topper that could also become the centre of a medallion quilt. It uses the 10 deg wedge ruler.

This quilt is called Friendship Circle and ends up 50" square.

Again it uses the 10 deg wedge ruler and a dresden ruler for the borders

tho the dresden ruler is not essential as there is a template in the pattern.

This is my Birds in Paradise quilt which was a prize-winner at the 2010 Sydney Quilt Show.

It is 60" square and foundation-pieced using those fabulous New York Beauty blocks.

Tho not difficult it's not for the faint-hearted either and needs a good degree of accuracy

for the best result. All these patterns are available now here.

Now for the fun bit. Have a look at the Quilting Gallery and this weeks contest for scrap quilts.

I have posted my Noughts and Crosses quilt and feel free to vote for it at the end of all the entries.

There are some real scrap-busters featured.

In the post today was the current issue of Quilters Newsletter and who should have a project featured but our own Kathy Doughty from Material Obsession. Well done Kathy.

Did I tell you I slept in the same room as Kathy when I was at Quilt Week in Toowoomba!!

Pity she'd already gone home by then.

Class on fire

2010-10-11T15:44:00.001+11:00

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better,

to paint a picture or write a letter,

bake a cake or plant a seed,

ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,

with rivers to swim and mountains to climb,

music to hear and books to read, friends to

cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there

With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,

A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.

This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,

old age will come and it's not kind.

And when you go - and go you must -

You, yourself, will make more dust

Don't you just love that - it's from an old song apparently and how true it is - could be my motto!

Here's a quilt made from suffolk puffs - 1/2" ones. It was given to Gail by her husband's family after they found it in the back of a cupboard. It meausre 36" square. Amazing!

I found this in a folder recently - for our sewing group Xmas party a couple of years ago we were to bring along a self portrait. Only two of us were brave enough to rise to the challenge and this is mine. It says it all.

Here are some pics from class yesterday at The Vintage Patch. What a laugh we have in that class - it's hardly work for me and the girls all get on so well. They all came in with heaps of show and tell - they've all been really productive lately and demanding a new project for next time - no pressure!

Another mammoth effort - 400 miniscule suffolk puffs!! Sue made this for a friend - can I be your friend Sue?

Lorraine's Deauville quilt top - and how much does she love handpiecing - not much.

This is "suffolk puff sue" with her Lollipop trees BOM from Material Obsession. I didn't realise the blocks were so big. She's doing them quilt-as-you-go and they look great

Rachael's Fat Quarterly quilt-a-long is finished and it's huge. A real eye-spy quilt.

Lorraine's table centre from the last camp project - try and ignore the cot quilt background.

Rachael and Janice being silly as usual but don't their centres look amazing.

Don't forget to look at the Springwood Quilt Show blog to see the latest on our raffle quilt. Rachael has an interview with Petal Davies the designer of the quilt. There's a link on my sidebar or click here.

I'm home!

2010-10-05T14:28:00.000+11:00

What a great two weeks it's been. First to Toowoomba for my two days of classes. The girls really sewed their hearts out and produced some stunning pieces by Friday afternoon. Lisa was the best hostess ever. Talk about organised for teachers and students alike. The catering by the church ladies was gourmet standard and we all ate way too much. Every time we turned around it was time for more food!

These were left from Kathy Doughty's classes - fabulous.

How's this stunner from Peggy who came all the way from Emerald - 8 hours drive - to attend the week of classes

This background fabric in several colourways proved very popular for several Mariners

I might have even bought some of the green version!

This wasn't all Bronwyn made over the two days but she sure was happy with it.

Next year's event looks to be even bigger and better and I've been invited back - how cool is that.
Hubby met me in Toowoomba and we spent a week vegeing (??) out in Noosa - bliss. A visit to Eumundi markets is always on the agenda and I came away with the wallet a good deal lighter. Now it's back to work next week on the downhill run to Xmas - perish the thought.

Have you seen the latest issue of Aust Patchwork and Quilting. I have this quilt featured in it as a project for hand-piecing.
The quilt includes a lot of kimono fabric which I purchased from KimoYES in Canberra. Beautiful original pieces from Japan and the prices are very reasonable with lots of choice. It's hard to resist I can tell you. Check it out.

What's on my design wall

2010-09-20T09:40:00.000+10:00

This is my latest "playing around" project. I've always liked the dahlia quilts and this is my version. The plan is to have different blocks in a circle all around the centre and then see what happens. It's fun to play with all the blocks in EQ7 - some are good and some just don't work so I guess I'll make heaps and then choose.

A few pics from Berrima over the weekend.

This is Chris's NYB quilt but she has gone outside the square with the border. Why didn't I think of that!!

Fantastic work! Those geese have a very narrow bound edge and are appliqued onto the border - too easy.

She's also quilted her Mariners Madness - it looks even better in the flesh.

Better join the guild girl and get them into Darling Harbour next year for alI to see.

Lovely muted colours in these NYB blocks.

Wish I could say this was from class but it's a coat worn by Jimi Hendrix - isn't it wonderful and wasn't he a trendsetter. How cool are those hexagons.

I'm off to Toowoomba on Wednesday for Quilting on the Downs - can't wait. Hope those Qld quilters like foundation piecing! We're continuing on to Noosa for a week so I'll be back in a little while.

A gift

2010-09-07T03:26:00.000+10:00

This is a new version of one of the blocks from my circle sampler (which is pinned and waiting to be quilted).

I enlarged the centre from an EQ7 block to measure 32" across and printed the foundations - too easy!

The stunning centre is an embroidery given to me by Nerida from Ribbons and Rainbows in Blackheath.

She saw it in an op-shop for $1 and bought it for me. What a lovely friend she is.

Before I even thought about sewing this I found the amazing background fabric locally

and after the centre was completed there it was on my shelf waiting to be a star in this new project.

This is a close-up of that beautiful embroidery. Why on black I wonder? Was it maybe going to be a cushion? Whatever the plan it is now out there for all to see and appreciate.

All's good in the fallen tree dept. It is being removed Wednesday and the neighbour's insurance covers all but our half of a few new fence panels. Can you believe it!

Now a few class pics.

Alice's 10 deg wedge ruler quilt

Lurley's stunning NYB

Check out that centre fabric in Sonia's quilt

This is why we have insurance!

2010-09-05T14:21:00.000+10:00

Last night's big winds in the Mountains had this effect in our backyard.

That's our neighbour's shed and that's our tree.

Just a matter of waiting now for the appropriate people to deal with it all.

Luckily it was in the middle of the night and no-one was in or around the shed.

Never too old to learn

2010-08-30T11:35:00.000+10:00

I follow the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog and have been browsing thru their tutorials. There is something there for all sewers - quilting, garments, sewing for the home and more. Take the time to browse thru the topics - you never know you might pick up some new techniques.
Another blog I like is True Up - a blog devoted to fabric. They have a look at new releases, a sale alert section and lots more posted five days a week. A recent post included a link to the Rit fabric dye site. There you'll find a tool for mixing dye colours digitally - think of the time and mess this would save you if you're into dyeing your own fabric/clothes etc. I'm not but if you are it would be a very handy tool.

Ok that's enough school - a pic from Dawn in NZ. Her version of my Pickled Lillies quilt - looks great doesn't it. It is a challenging design to construct but Dawn has done a beautiful job. I can see the hands holding the quilt at the top but where are the legs?

This gorgeous quilt is from Anna in my Blackheath class. It is her version of my Spring Baskets doily quilt and I really covet this! Her collection of doilies is fantastic and her colour sense and sewing/embroidery skills are wonderful. It's a great way to use those lovely linens that are hiding in the cupboard - if you can bear to cut them up that is. Here are a few close ups of some of the blocks.

A blue and white spot border will be added with further applique and ric rac. I want it!

Happy campers!

2010-08-23T14:34:00.001+10:00

We had a fabulous time at camp even if it was a bit chilly outside. The sewing room was full of hot air all weekend with the girls sewing their hearts out. Fantastic results all around including very creative free-motion samplers. Some learnt a lot of new things about the sewing machines they'd been using for a while so all was good.

As you can see there was a wide variety of 10deg wedge ruler creations - only limited by the imagination of the sewer really. Prizes were awarded for all sorts of things including to Jeanette for sewing her instructions into her sample! (top row, 2nd pic). Janice definitely sewed better with her tongue out and Ann looked impressive surrounded by wonderful examples of her quilting.

One of the highlights of show and tell on Saturday night was Pam's "out-of-the-attic" jacket - a real blast from the past. (She'll die when she sees this).

More pics next post of the myriad of beautiful quilts these girls are producing - some in classes and some under their own steam. It's a visual delight.

My friend Rachael who was at camp for the Saturday classes sure has a bit of bragging to do. She is the current featured crafter in the second edition of Fat Quarterly an e-zine for crafters.

Her interview is very interesting and all her friends are being constantly surprised by her hidden talents.

Well done Rachael - it's a pleasure to know you and have you on our quilt show committee.

Springwood Quilt Show and more

2010-08-16T12:11:00.000+10:00

I can't believe I did it! I created a Widget to link from my blog to our Springwood Quilt Show blog.
It's on the sidebar - go and check out the progress on our raffle quilt.
Lots of problems this morning with blogger and photos so the previous post pics have no captions - never mind. From the top down they are

Lurley's from Blackheath

Work in progress on my 1940's DW rings

Another block from my circle sampler soon to be a bigger size

Judy's NYB quilt from Quiltsmith class

I'm off to Toowoomba at the end of September for the Quilting on the Downs week of classes organised by Lisa from Precious Time quilt shop. How exciting and in great company too. Sue Ross, Kathy Doughty and Robyn Ginn to name just a few. Have a look here at the program - it sounds wonderful and I'm so delighted to be asked along for the ride. It's in conjunction with the Carnival of Flowers Festival and should be great fun.

Various

2010-08-16T11:16:00.021+10:00

Circle sampler

2010-08-09T15:28:00.000+10:00

Here it is finally finished but not yet quilted. It was a lot of fun to make and I was sorry to see the

journey end.

It has created a fair bit of interest when I have shown it to current classes so hopefully

it will translate to more classes next year.

Some of the blocks are pieced into the background and some are appliqued onto it with a tiny bound edge.

I am now working on larger, stand-alone versions of some of the blocks which is very interesting. Foundations are easily printed in EQ7, any size you like.

Home sweet home

2010-08-08T09:50:00.000+10:00

With all the beautiful weather we've been having lately I've been taking some pics around the garden. The resident possum is collecting leaves for her house - maybe in preparation for a new arrival?

Hubby is the mosaic expert and has a great eye for using re-purposing junk. We have a few of these "houses" around the garden and it's been a really good year for camellias in the mountains. The chair we found on the roadside - it's a bit "french bistro".
A few years ago our house was often used as the location for photo-shoots for several well-known Australian patchwork magazines . The friendly guys and girls would come with lots of magazine projects and set up vignettes around the house using their props and whatever was suitable amongst our things. It was fun to watch the process and a real thrill to see our rooms as the backdrops for beautiful photos when the mags eventually hit the street. They've since moved on to newer and less-seen locations.

Have fun!

2010-08-03T16:41:00.001+10:00

Found this great site where you can make puzzles from pictures. Click on the quilt and have a go at the puzzle. What fun!

Hexagon magic

No pics in this post again - my trusty camera went back to Coonamble last Sunday! I'll have to start using the big guns from now on - hope it's easy. The girls travelled over 300kms to Bathurst and Wendy even drove up from Melbourne for the weekend. They all stayed in a local motel and were having a wonderful time as you can imagine.
All coped really well with foundation piecing and we had a Georgetown circle and two curved flying geese blocks all happening at the same time. It was a busy day.
On the train Monday into Quiltsmith for another enjoyable day - sadly the classes finish next month. It's a fantastic shop with just my sort of fabric at every turn.
Only 16 more sleeps til quilt camp - hooray! Requirements have been emailed and I'm sure students are busy sorting fabrics and getting ready for a fab weekend. More on the subject soon.

New project

2010-07-29T09:47:00.001+10:00

No pics this time of class quilts but here are students in action! There was so much fun and laughter on Saturday at The Vintage Patch it was hard to keep everyone under control let me tell you.

These girls sure know how to have a good time!

Have you seen the latest issue of Australian Country Craft? I have a project on the cover. It's the cushion pictured made from the original French General range using a dresden plate ruler and pieced wedges.

Lovely pics as always from the magazines.

I've found a blogger who does her applique the same way as me - over freezer paper then sewn with the paper still in and then removed through the back of the piece. Have a look here at some beautiful work by Karla Menaugh. I'm off to Bathurst tomorrow for a special one-off class with a group of girls who've driven all the way from Coonamble to sew at the Home Patch. They'll be attacking the New York Beauty block head on and I expect some great results from the class.

2010-07-22T15:46:00.000+10:00

What do you think of this block? Just a sample from my new project yet to be quilted.
Wouldn't it be great as a 30"+ centre medallion!
I found it in the new EQ7 and with a bit of tweaking it's in my Circle Sampler

A pic from my latest class at Berrima Patchwork. Pity about the sun in our eyes but it was a FREEZING day outside the shop.
One more class for these girls and they're well on the way to finishing their Mariners.
I still have a few Japanese kimono fabric packs for sale in my on-line shop. Click on the Sewnsell button on the left to have a look.

Quickie

2010-07-19T12:10:00.003+10:00

Thanks Jo and Hilda who both got back to me with the name of my sought-after fabric. It's Ancient History from the Winterthur Museum by Andover fabric. Thanks guys I knew you'd come thru!
Click on my side bar for the latest post about our Springwood High School quilt show next April. Work is well under way on the raffle quilt and lots of other important things that will go to make the show bigger and better than ever.

Question

2010-07-16T12:54:00.003+10:00

I had my Quilt Retreat class at Warriewood on Wednesday and what a great day it was. Sorry no pics from the class (I was so busy I totally forgot!) but the 10 students I had produced some wonderful NYB blocks in their first attempts at foundation piecing.
There were three other classes running at the same time with lots of show and tell and way too much food. It was a hive of activity all day - if you get the chance next year you should consider going.
There were girls in my class who came from Canowindra and Inverell - they come down and stay for the week - how good would that be! I was very flattered they signed up for my class.
On that subject a group from Coonamble are travelling to Hone Patch in Bathurst to spend the day with me at the end of this month. Hope they won't be disappointed.
Now the question. I bought the fabrics in the pic just this week and would like more of the large print at the front. No information on the selvedge and the shop had none left. Does anyone know the name of the range? I'd be ever so grateful if someone could let me know.

Excited!

2010-07-11T10:36:00.008+10:00

These are Judy and Deb's centres from my Birds in Paradise quilt. They have been guinea pigs for my new pattern and it has been an interesting exercise in clear instructions and accurate piecing. Thanks girls for being so accommodating.

These gorgeous blocks are also Deb's from my Quiltsmith class. A beautiful, soft, Japanese version of my NYB quilt.

I've long admired all the mosaics and collages of pictures on other blogs and short of downloading Picassa or something similar I was unable to achieve the same result. Until now!

How exciting and it's free here. Funny to be so wound up by something so easy really isn't it.

I started once-a-month classes yesterday at Cottage Quiltworks at Warriewood - what a lovely shop and the class was a lot of fun. Ten girls all really keen to try foundation piecing and what a great job they did too. Some pics from the next class I promise.

I'm back there on Wednesday for their Quilt Escape week. I'm teaching a class on New York Beauty blocks - should be a good day!

It's cold and miserable here today - just right for lighting the fire and hitting the sewing machine. Enjoy!