Recently finished quilts (1 of 2)

Susan has been taking an online course learning to use Westerlee machine quilting rulers. At the end of the course, the quilted class pieces are put together into a stunning quilt. Susan used a subtle print for the joining strips and a variegated thread for the quilting. She found the course both challenging and rewarding, and obviously very effective!

Yvette spent three years making her ‘Dear Jane’ blocks, using foundation paper piecing and appliqué. Note that the blocks are four inches square as you look at the close ups and contemplate the scale of the individual pieces! 

This quilt was the last one Yvette finished on her long arm machine before packing it up for storage and an interstate move. We’ll miss you Yvette, and thank you for all that you have contributed to Fairholme.

 

A quilt for a much loved granddaughter

It was reported that there were some tears shed as this beautiful quilt parcel was opened and lovingly inspected. Sue’s Instagram caption tells some of its story and inspiration:

There has been some secret sewing going on here over the past few years getting this one ready for the special birthday of my much loved granddaughter. Some of the hexies reference her life so far, some have hopes for what life might hold. Inspired by a quilt made by @lyn_quilts2 and designed with the help of @msg47. Some of the backing fabrics bought on my fabulous trip to Japan with @sewmiriam, who patiently helped with the border choice conundrum 🤣 Hand stitched and quilted through some good and bad times. I was very pleased when it made its way across the country in the post and was warmly received 😊

More community quilts

All of these community quilts were made by Lynette … she’s been busy!

 

Miriam’s quilts in Quiltmania magazines

 Congratulations to Miriam who has two quilts currently published in Quiltmania magazines.

‘Most Wanted’ is a project in Quiltmania Issue 148.

‘Vintage Spools’ is the cover quilt and a project in
Simply Vintage Issue 42. It is also travelling in with the
Quiltmania team to event in France and Spain.

Quilt shows - April - May

More local quilt shows coming up - all the best to the organisers for great shows.

Community quilts

Community quilt sewing has been going on during the unusually long summer break we took this year, as Omicron took hold. Now we’re are back to meeting in person, the collection ready for distribution is growing. This week we plan to pass some on to a quilt drive for those affected by the floods in the Hawkesbury/Nepean region.

Made by Elaine W.

`

Made by Elaine G.

Also made by Elaine G.

Made by Julie, quilted by Laura

The complementary batik backing fabric was
found in the community stash.

A generous donation, made by a
friend of Robyn.

Another great backing fabric.

 

Sydney Quilt Show 2022 announced

New dates and a new venue for the Sydney Quilt Show have been announced by QuiltNSW:

www.quiltnsw.com

QuiltNSW proudly presents QuiltNSW Exhibition 2022 at the Grand Pavilion, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney from Friday 21 October to Sunday 23 October 2022 (10am-4pm daily).

Save the date! This exciting event includes the Sydney Quilt Show, a selection of prize winning quilts from the 2021 online show and a vendor marketplace. 

Share your quilt! Entries open on Monday 6 June 2022 and close at 5pm Thursday 30 June 2022 (Sydney time). Online entry only.

Updates and new dates for postponed events

The pandemic and now floods continue to interrupt calendars - please check details with hosts before making firm plans to attend. Here are recent updates and changes:

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters have confirmed their 2022 dates, and provided additional details:

The following two include new dates:

knittersguildofnsw.org.au

Summer quilts (3)

Well, we managed one meeting and then went back to Zoom to wait out the very heavy, flooding rain and traffic cautions. Meanwhile, we can catch up on more from our recent show and tell.

Robyn’s latest quilt (photo borrowed from Instagram),
with her beautiful hand stitching.

Susan overlayed a Parisian panel with an
appliqued gate to great effect.

Elaine’s Liberty lattice, finished with a perfect blue
Liberty generously given by Julie.

Baby quilt, featuring farm prints, including barns and
farmhouses, made by Hilary for a great nephew
in the UK whose Dad builds barns. 

A Brigitte Giblin design made by Marilyn O, using
two different hexagon shapes, and just three colours.

‘Improvisational Contemporary Quilts’ - new book

Congratulations to award winning Sydney quilter, teacher, designer, textile artist and now writer Jessica Wheelahan on the publication of her first book of quilt designs and patterns, ‘Improvisational Contemporary Quilts’, published by Quiltmania.

Jessica Wheelahan lives and works in Sydney, Australia. For the last ten years, Jessica chose textiles as a means to express herself and creates quilts inspired by fashion, art, design and pop culture. In her creative process, she mainly uses improvisational techniques which she loves teaching to her students.

In her very first book Improvisational Contemporary Quilts, Jessica guides us in her creative universe, gives us tips and techniques to free oneself from the burden of the more traditional methods. Liberty in the shapes, freedom in the assembling, Jessica revisits in a daring and original way the traditional blocs that find a brand-new dimension and a strong visual impact.

For all of you who always wished to push back the limits, while never daring to actually do it, for the colours, the movement and the joy that burst out of her quilts, Jessica’s book is a must-have! … Quiltmania

    You can order it from Quiltmania, or from the Australian distributor Can Do Books

Back to meeting face to face

Our first face to face meeting eventually happened this week, with some great show and tell - not all of it quilts …

Chris made some beautiful sashiko cushions as a gift …

… and is making another.

A tiny fully lined waistcoat for a tiny fox that
isn’t made yet, made by clever Hilary …

And his tailored jacket!

Hilary made Luna Lapin some time ago, and her friend

 Marilyn has made her a quilt ….

… a miniature version of Miriam’s ‘Little Women’ design.