Archives for June 2016

I have just had a wonderful weekend quilting with Di Ford-Hall at a workshop organised by The Quilter’s Guild of South Australia. My friends know how much I love needle turn applique but Di has taken my love of this technique to the next level! Broderie Perse! Love it! Di will be coming to teach at Victor Harbor for me but dates have not been confirmed yet.

With all the rain we have had in the past few weeks one can guess that we are heading into a long winter. So, it is time to get those quilt tops out and off to the quilter. To help you along, I am offering “Mates Rates” on edge to edge/all over quilting. Members of The Quilter’s Guild of South Australia can have tops quilted for just $3.50 per square foot. Quilts can be booked in through my booking form.

Wow, was I honoured when The Quilters’ Guild of South Australia Festival of Quilts Committee asked me to quilt the raffle quilt for 2016. When I heard it was a New York Beauty with lots of open spaces I must admit, I was a bit nervous. How was I going to fill all those spaces? Pieced by the committee members in 2015 it finally arrived in my quilt studio in January 2016. I knew straight away the elements needed were feathers, beading and some Nemishing. Thanks Bethanne Nemish of White Arbor Quilting for this new background filler! The blocks were laid out in a barn raising pattern so I decided to quilt something different in each round. I started with the tiny feathers between each spike and as I worked through these my mind began filling with design elements for the other areas. Once I had completed the center I continually felt like I was looking inside a decorative basket and that each round was the sides of the basket. Crazy? I don’t know but I kept calling it my basket of beauties, cos there were heaps of them! After 58 hours of quilting I was so attached to this quilt it was very hard to hand it over! My goal in quilting this quilt was to ensure the Guild sold as many tickets as possible, however secretly I hope to win it back. How surprised and honoured (again) that the Festival Committee retained my name for the quilt, Basket of Beauties. Tickets will be on sale soon just $2 each.

Have you started collecting your fabric yet for Jen Kingwell’s seaside retreat in August? I am getting so excited that she is coming to teach at Victor Harbor. Jen uses some amazing fabrics in her quilts. The usual cream backgrounds are replaced with modern greys and black and white spots giving her quilts a fresh and cheery appearance. Add in her unique pieced designs and you have a stunning combination that makes for a beautiful quilt. What! You aren’t booked in yet? Jen will be teaching one of her most popular quilts, The Circle Game. This quilt has so many elements that beginners through to advanced quilters can gain experience in hand piecing with Jen gently guiding you. This is an opportunity not to be missed! Imagine yourself sitting in the lounge watching the ocean waves, perhaps a few whales playing in the bay. Home cooked meals are provided and beds are very comfy. In house shop with some lovely fabrics and Jen’s patterns for sale. A unique experience sharing out-of-class time with the tutor, all friends with a common theme. Quilting! What is there not to love! Don’t delay, there are still a few vacancies so bring a friend along with you. Go to my retreat booking page and send in your booking form with deposit to confirm your place.