Craftsy

Just in case anyone has been too busy actually making quilts to discover the  Craftsy website yet, a visit is recommended - you will find online patterns, projects, workshops and courses in many crafty fields, including patchwork and quilting, and a blog.

While some are free, most charge a very reasonable fee, and there are regular 'sale' periods, when you can purchase online events at significant discounts. You will find some very familiar names there.

• Craftsy's quilting patterns,projects, workshops and courses are here

Moda designers' blog-hop

We all know Moda as a leading fabric design/manufacturing name, but have you checked out their blog, The Cutting Table, and some of the activities they run from it? Here is a current 'blog hop' that could see you collect a collection of free block patterns from Moda fabric designers:

Join the Moda Designers for a Friendship blog hop where they will be sharing friendship block patterns along with some fun stories. 

Each day visit 3 Moda designers' blogs as they share with you a 9" friendship quilt block. Add these patterns to your block library.  

The last day (1st March) a setting option will be supplied on the Moda blog, The Cutting Table.

We all have a fully indexed, cross-referenced, easy-to-access block library, right?

Sydney Quilt Show 2013

in conjunction with the Craft & Quilt Fair with the support of Expertise Events
Exhibition Centre

Darling Harbour
SYDNEY

Further information from the Quilters Guild of NSW - entry forms, volunteer forms, and key dates

And a new book from Sarah Fielke

Hot on the heels of the announcement of Lisa Walton's book, and her own new fabric range, comes news of Sarah Fielke's new book, Hand Quilted with Love,  due to be launched mid-March.

With 16 stunning new projects, you can join in Sarah's passion for this addictive craft. Whether you class yourself modern or traditional, a beginner or advanced quilter, there is a project in this book to inspire and challenge your own passion for quilting. 

The book will be widely available, and can also be pre-ordered online here, through Sarah's website.

New book from Lisa Walton

Award winning Sydney quilter, textile artist, teacher and owner of Dyed and Gone to Heaven, Lisa Walton is about to have her first book published by C & T.  Visit Lisa's blog to see just how excited she is to have an advance copy of  Beautiful Building Block Quilts in her hands.

Lisa has promised to blog more about the process from nascent idea to published book. So keep an eye her blog.

The book will be be available to buy directly from Lisa in March and other retailers and online from April.

We at Fairholme Quilters have enjoyed a number of workshops with Lisa. Congratulations Lisa, and best wishes.

The new Fairholme year is in session

Our regular meetings resumed this week - it was good to get together again. It wasn't all lounging by the pool and jet-setting holidays for Fairholme Quilters this summer - although there might have been some of that ... Click on the images for a larger view.

Helen's little grandson will love his teddy bear quilt with it's 3-D waistcoat, started in a workshop with Val some time ago,

Lyn finished this gorgeous applique tree  just in time for Christmas

Lyn then turned her attention finishing this Jinny Beyer top over the holidays. Isn't the gold fabric doing it's job well?

Quite a few Fairholmers happily worked on quilts to be donated to others via our Community Quilts program over the summer.  Click on the images for a larger view.

Dawn made the most of some smallish pieces of Dr Seuss fabric

These colourful blocks were donated to the community stash, put together by Dawn

These two postage stamp quilts were made by Dawn, from  scraps collected from anyone willing to part with them

Elaine W collected  florals from the community fabric collection in various scaled prints

Cute puppies and triple four-patches made by Elaine W from fabrics donated via the Quilters Guild of NSW for quilts for children

Georgie had fun with these flag prints

Lynette decided that not all patchwork has to be squares ....

This log cabin quilt was a joint effort by Robin W, who made the top (love that coral coloured fabric), quilted and bound by Lynette

Another Team Robyn and Lynette quilt - a disappearing 9 patch

The quickest quilt Jill has ever made - the centre floral is wholecloth, conveniently printed over a grid, borders were added (also from the community stash), and it was quilted using the prints as the stitching guide.

Our first community group sewing day is on Thursday 21st February, at Pennant Hills.

Road to California 2013 award winners

Just in case you don't have enough gorgeous quilts to look at, Road to California Quilter’s Conference and Showcase, “The Best in the West” was held in Ontario CA from January 24 - 27, 2013.  

The award winners are listed online here - click on each thumbnail for a large format image. Much to enjoy.

More 'On the Pond': free mystery pattern via sew-along

Following on the release of Sarah Fielke's new fabric designs for them this week, Spotlight has released the first instalment in a free mystery quilt pattern using the new range, On the Pond.

If you use Facebook, you can participate via The Warped and the Weft on Facebook, or you can follow along through Sarah's blog, The Last Piece, both beginning today, 1st February.

New blocks will be posted each fortnight for 16 instalments.