Wednesday, 26 September 2012

A Little Show and (I Shouldn't) Tell...

Once a month I get together with a few friends to make quilts that we give away, not because we don't want the quilt but because there are so many reasons to make someone happy from the simple gift of a quilt. The quilts are given anonomously and we don't seek thanks, nor do we want recognition simply because the gift has really been ours in the planning, construction and especially in working together.  It is a wonderful priviledge to be able to participate in this craft of making quilts, particularly doing so in the company of friends. 

Our rules are simple, we all have wonderful stashes of fabric, and speaking for myself I doubt I'll ever be able to use all that I've accumulated (and continue adding to) in my lifetime, so we use what we have and then because between us we also have quite a collection of inspiring books, we take turns to choose a design from one of our books - we try to find a book we haven't already used and that is what we work on each month.  With a couple of us cutting, another stitching, someone pressing and most importantly putting the design together, we are amazed at what we get done in the day.  So far the quilts have been simple designs, but who knows what we'll get to next!

Bearing in mind what I've already said about anonimity, I'm going to share a couple with you, because I just love how they turned out!

This past month we worked from Judy Martin's Log Cabin Quilt Book.  The pattern is called Stone Cottage and sadly we didn't have enough of the blue bali fabrics to make the wonderful border that is on the original, so we're going to leave it simply with a solid fabric.


 
This photo really does no justice to the lovely fabrics we used.  There's just so much detail in each fabric and it makes me feel quite relaxed, even refreshed just looking at it. 
 
 
Next quilt I've shared on the blog before, but here it is completed with quilting and binding.
 
Quilting really adds a whole new dimension to the quilt, doesn't it.  Sadly it's quite overcast and the colour isn't as good as it could be, but it is a lovely quilt and we will be proud to pass it on.

That's all for now, I'm up to adding the binding on my growing up quilt.

Sunday, 23 September 2012

Highs and Lows.....

I've always been here, just not blogging. Sorry friends. Not much to say lately and as always too much to do.

I'm madly racing to finish My Growing Up quilt but I keep getting distracted.  I have managed to get all four borders on and now I only have the binding, a hanging sleeve and tidying up to do. 

One of the wonderful distractions was attending the Infinite Horizons travelling Quilt show last weekend, hosted by the local Emerald Patchwork group.  The show was wonderful!  The red & white quilts were magnificent as was the display of quilts from local members.  However I was so busy having such a wonderful time that I didn't get a single photo!  Fortunately, Peggy, Evol & I had already planned a trip to Barcaldine at the end of this month when the quilts are there, so I will be sure to get lots of photos then.  I have copied the picture below from a magazine, but it will give you an idea of what was on display. 



One of my favourites was a quilt called Westpac Recycled, by Joan Robinson of Mackay.  I stood looking at it wondering why the maker had two beautifully made 'house' blocks in the middle of many stars and it was only after I checked the catalogue that I looked closer and realized that she had used her daughters uniforms from when whe was working for Westpac at Mount Isa and Normanton to make the blocks.  I too worked for Westpac back in the 1980's and I had the same uniforms.  They were lovely fabrics, what a shame I didn't see far enough to keep mine and make something like this.

I promise I will take photos in Barcaldine.