Show us the item and tell us the story

Angella’s Batik Octagon quilt

What attracted you to this particular quilt?
I really liked the warmth in the colours, which isn’t my usual thing as I tend to normally go for cooler colours like blues and greens. But the autumn tones attracted me. Maybe it’s because I made it during autumn.

How long did it take you to complete?
It took me a couple of months. It probably would’ve taken longer, but it was a present for a friend’s 70th birthday, so having that deadline really helped me get my act together.

Have you been quilting for long?
About ten years now, although I still wouldn’t describe myself as being very experienced.

What’s the next project?
An auntie has just had a double mastectomy, so I’m making another version of the same quilt, but this time in softer, more feminine colours.

See at the end of this blog the photos from the class…

What first got you interested in Miniature Sampling?
I’ve always been interested in things that are either miniature or massive, both ends of the scale spectrum I suppose. One day I sat down to see how small I could make these sampler blocks. I decided the only way to do it was to use foundation printing. I made them in two inches instead of the usual six to twelve inches.

What’s the challenge of working in miniature?
It’s the particular complexity involved. There are many simple blocks you can do but I wanted to see how complex I could do them. I chose a fairly complex pineapple block that had 61 pieces in it.

What are the reactions of class participants?
It’s funny, most people start out being pretty incredulous, almost horrified, at the idea of working on something so small. But once they sit down and give it a go, they’re usually blown away at how simple it actually is. They’re so used to seeing the blocks in normal size that the miniatures have a real ‘wow’ factor. It’s the novelty of the different scale.

How popular are the classes?
The Miniature Sampler classes have probably been one of my most successful projects to date.  Every time we run a class it seems to be full.

How can you best summarise the basic premise of foundation piecing?
It’s about having to think backwards – that is, working in reverse. Once people have their heads around that, there’s no stopping them.

What’s your current project?
I’ve now actually created a one-inch version, so watch this space!

When Blueberries tutor Deborah Louie entered her vintage-inspired quilt at last month’s Quilt & Craft Fair at Darling Harbour, she wasn’t expecting the quilt to win not one but two ribbons. But, as is so often the case, it’s the unexpected that ends up happening.

Deborah’s creation picked up the Judges’ Choice Award, as well as being awarded third prize in the Professional Traditional Quilting category. Not a bad haul for something that only took her three weeks to complete.

“I made the quilt back in January as an 18th birthday gift for my daughter Claire,” she says. “The design was my own, based on a vintage quilt. It’s basically a whole cloth with white trapunto and five blocks of red and green whig rows.”

Deborah, who has been quilting for 20 years as well as teaching, says she tries to enter a quilt every year and has a number of ribbons from previous years as testament to her skills and tenacity. She believes the official acknowledgement of winning at the Quilt & Craft Fair has twofold value, as it’s very satisfying on a personal level but also important professionally as it raises the quilter’s profile.

And for all those novice quilters out there who regard the winning of an award at the Quilt & Craft Fair as something out of their reach, Deborah believes that there are many benefits to be gained by just entering your quilt, regardless of how experienced you may be.

“I’d like to encourage quilters of all levels to exhibit at Darling Harbour as it’s such a buzz to be able to stand next to your quilt hanging there on display at such a huge event,” she says. “Many people think they’re not good enough, but if it was only ever the best of the best who were displaying their work, then it would take about five minutes to walk around the entire exhibition, and that wouldn’t be much of a show. Everyone who’s a member of the NSW Quilters Guild is eligible to enter, and the more quilts that are exhibited, then the better the show is for everyone. After all, it’s about having fun and quilting is for everyone, not just the ‘elite’. We all have to start somewhere.”

Or, to put it another way – it isn’t just about the destination, but the journey as well. So novice quilters, start seriously thinking about next year’s Fair.

Pupil: Sue Bambury
Class: Miniature Sampler Friday 2 July 2010
Tutor: Anne Sommerlad

What did you do in the class?
We were taught to do foundation paper piecing with miniature blocks. Our finished blocks came out two inches square.

How was the tutor?
Anne was great. She always explains things really well and is easy to understand. She helped with individual people who were having small difficulties along the way and didn’t make anyone feel inferior or self-conscious about it. She has great people skills.

What was the best part of the day?
It was all so good, but one of the best parts was learning a lot of new tips and techniques. It was such a good day all-round, it flowed really well.

Did the class meet your expectations?
Yes it did. I’d done some foundation piecing before, but not a lot, which is why it was so wonderful to pick up all the new tips and techniques. I’m keen to do more.

Would you encourage others to do the class?
Most definitely.

Anne Sommerlad’s classes are on the first Friday of the month, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, click here to find out more.

Starting this week Susan’s Evening Patchwork School will be held every week on a Thursday evening from 6pm to 9pm.

In Susan’s patchwork school each student can work on their chosen project whilst being given instruction and guidance by Susan. With classes held every Thursday evening and once a month on Saturday, this is a great class for those who work through the week and have limited time to attend classes.

And it is only $15 for the evening…click here to book a seat!

Show us the item and tell us the story

Jackie Brazier’s Double Irish Chain Quilt

What attracted you to this particular quilt?
I was attracted to the flow of the pattern. I can only live with something that I can look at every day and some designs can be a bit jarring, especially if the colour isn’t quite right. I think the colour of a quilt can make a big difference to how you respond to it.

How long did it take you to complete?
It took me about two months to complete, which I think wasn’t too bad considering it was my very first quilt. I’d been living in England for 34 years and after my husband died, my family and I moved back here and built a house. During the construction all our things were in storage but my sons went and dug out my old sewing machine so I could work on the quilt.

Did this quilt inspire you to continue with other quilts?
Absolutely. I found that it’s a great sisterhood belonging to a quilting group. It’s wonderful for creativity and confidence. People are there from all walks of life, all singing from the same hymn sheet and we constantly inspire each other to do things we wouldn’t normally do. And it’s also about aspiration as well. Of all my weekly activities I really covet my day at Blueberries.