Busy weekend 11th -13th March

Lots on in the local (well, NSW) quilting world this coming weekend 11-13th March - visit the Quilters Guild of NSW's blog, Template Free for details about

• A quilt exhibition in the cathedral at Goulburn
• A Quilt Study Group meeting at Burwood
• Eastwood Quilters' Exhibition at Brush Farm, just down the road from us

That should keep us busy if there's not enough going on at home!

And don't forget that entires for the Sydney Quilt Show in June close on Friday - 11th March.

Esther Aliu free mystery block-of-the-month

Well-known Melbourne quilter, teacher and award winner, Esther Aliu runs a block of the month project from time to time, offering each block pattern as a free dowload for the initial period of its release (each pattern can be purchased after the free period expires).  The current one is:

Hearts Desire free mystery block of the month

Victoria's 18th birthday quilt

Victoria has been one of our junior members for some years.  She's just turned 18 (congratulations Vic!), and been presented with this beauty, made by her Mum, Janet .... (and yes, it was bound in time!)

Embroideries are featured in the outermost vertical rows ....

Janet bought the Bronwyn Hayes pattern on our Southern Highlands shopping day in November.

How Jane filled in her time over the holidays ...

Dina's sister Cindy visited from the US for Christmas and New Year, and brought lots of ideas with her ....

These centre blocks are constructed with a weaving technique from free-cut strips ... and below is a detail of the free-floating shapes in the border ....

The lucky recipient of this beautiful kaleidoscope quilt will only have to look at it to feel warm!  Look at it for a while to discover all the patterns your eyes will find.

Batik pinwheels with a beautifully integrated pieced border.

You should be able to click on any of these images for a larger view.

Lorraine's granddaughter likes frogs - she's going to love this quilt!

Elaine made this very effective quilt for her cousin, from Aboriginal fabrics that she had bought while they were travelling together.

Memories of Japan

 Lorraine (above) and Lyn (below) recently showed us the small quilts they each made to remember their trip to Japan in 2009, on a quilting tour.

Christmas star challenge quilt top - first of two?

Elaine has already put some of the blocks from the Christmas challenge into this bright and cheery top, with some pretty lilac starry sashing donated by Maureen ... there's another one to come.

Christmas Star Challenge, 2010

The block challenge was won by Miriam for her 'Wish Upon a Star' block (bottom left)

(Click on the image for a larger view, then again for an even larger view)

Thanks to Sue for the photos.

A little quilt movie

Here's something to keep you amused while the latest pics of members' quilts get themselves organised - a very nice animation from Gayle Thomas, produced by the National Film Board of Canada:
A tribute to the unique and long-established art form of patchwork quilting, this abstract animated film uses computer and experimental techniques to choreograph quilt motifs and designs to music.



Or click here - guaranteed to make you smile and tap your feet.

Quilters are everywhere ...

..... is this as far from the stereotypical quilter as you can imagine?

A message from NSW Quilters Guild: quilters and flood relief

NSW Quilters Guild President, Maree Gebhardt has posted a message about the Guild's activities in flood relief, and how members can contribute, in Template Free, the Guild's blog.

Civil War Quilts: a new blog from Barbara Brackman

Are you drawn to Civil War quilts and fabrics?  Quilt historian Barbara Brackman has started the Civil War Quilts blog to mark the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.  She posts about both quilts and fabrics from the time, reproductions (including her own fabric line), and a block of the week, fleshed out with stories, history and historical photos. It is well researched, and a great way for those of us with little knowledge of American history to learn more through an interest in quilting.

• Barbara Brackman's Material Culture blog - her post from January 21 is about Michele Hill's new book, More William Morris Applique, which looks gorgeous.

Quilters supporting the flood appeal

Toni Coward from Make it Perfect and her friends have come up with the great idea of an on-line auction of quilts to support the fundraising appeal to support the flood recovery.  Anyone can donate auction items, and anyone can buy.  The campaign is taking off around the 'blogosphere! Click on the button above for details.

Bags, bags ....

Elle had a textiles assignment involving tie-dyeing that evovled into a nifty bag .....

  ..... with great lining!

Jo S whipped up this trapuntoed bag from a panel she picked up from the $5 table in the Craft Depot November sale, lined with fabric from the same table.

What a great bargain.

Quilters Newsletter contest supporting Alzheimer Art Quilt Initiative - vote online until 3rd December

If you have a connaction with someone who has Alzheimer's disease, you might be interested in this quilt contest being run by Quilters Newsletters magazine.  You can vote until 3rd December for your three favourites (that probably gives us here in Australia until 4th December).

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) is a US program that raises awareness and funds research through art.