Sydney 2016

 

Its taken me a while to get organised enough to write this post. I had a great time in Sydney at Quilt NSW, made even more special by winning 1st Place in my category – Professional Traditional. Special thanks to Expertise Events for my great prize!

It was a wonderful show, with so much variety to choose from with the merchants. The quilt exhibition was fantastic with over 390 quilts on display, and 90 awards given.

There were also 12 different Guild exhibitors ranging from Knitters, Doll collectors, Lace makers, Decoupage, Calligraphers, Handweavers & Spinners etc.

Best of Show

Whizz Bang!

Rachaeldaisy

Statement: My exploration of folded point blocks such as Pine Burr, Somerset Star,Pointed Star and an old Chinese folk quilt have resulted in a sampler that is a whizz bang explosion of colour, form and fun!

 

Below are a few of the lovely quilts that caught my eye. Unfortunately I didn’t get the names of all the quilters.

 

 

 

A Hoop Display

For the first time ever, a display of Quilt Hoops showcasing a diverse array of Quilt styles. The hoops were hanging from nylon strings, and waved and turned in the breeze. They were double sided. They certainly drew the crowds.

And last but not least My Nearly Insane Journey won 1st place in the Professional Traditional class.

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Gwennie Inspired Medallion QAL

Gwennie Inspired Medallion QAL ~ Center Reveal!

 

 All of those participating in the GIMQAL will be sharing their center blocks today on the link up with Lori over at Humble Quilts. 

Lori set the theme for the center block and the theme she chose was  baskets.You could interpret this any way you wanted; it should just be inspired by Gwen Marston’s work.

Even though I have about 3 other applique projects on the go, I couldn't resist this challenge. 

I started looking through my very old Ladies Patchwork magazines and found numerous articles written by Gwen Marston. 
This is what I have come up with...I think I'll add a bird somewhere. I also need to trim down, but will wait until I decide on the next border.

 

I don't know why my photo has come out pinkish - its cream fabric. 
 

The next theme is…

CHILDHOOD.

This is meant to be a very open theme to be interpreted however you like - it is your quilt!

Your childhood; your folks' childhoods; the children in your life now or back when; children of the world;

For example....

• Anything that reminds you, in any way, of any aspect of childhood!

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http://www.susannasquilts.blogspot.com

Friendship Medallion revisited

Last Sunday I pulled out this top that has been languishing in the pile of UFO’s for some time. If you want to see how this started click on the link below.
http://susannasquilts.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/friendship-medallion-quilt.html
I am embarrassed to see the date on this!
I laid it out on the floor and realised straight away, why it had been put to one side. It wasn’t laying flat, which means my seams were out somewhat, and in a medallion quilt this just doesn’t work.
At first I thought …ah it’ll quilt out, but it really bugged me to the point that I had to undo and resew!
Unfortunately I could see the problem was at least 3 borders back!!
This wasn’t the worst of it, but it was the only photo I took. So,   I undid it back to the black border! 


So, undo it I did!

After 5 days of unpicking, and remeasuring and resewing I am up to here….which is where I was before I started.


 


In doing this exercise I realised what the problem was…..2 different sewing machines, plus me doing a scant 1/4”seam instead of a regular 1/4”seam. Most of my seams were about 1/16th of an inch too small, and on a border like the zigzag border that had 19 seams per row, that made a difference of over 1”.
On any quilt this wouldn’t have been a problem with me sewing the whole quilt, but a Medallion quilt each border has to fit!!
Now to measure and fit the last 2 borders.
All done, but I could only manage to photograph 1/4 of the quilt as its quite large, and after laying it on the floor ( we had to shift a blanket box to get enough room) to measure and remeasure every seam and ending up with threads for Africa all over the carpet, I wasn’t going through all that again!
DH was very good and didn’t comment once about all the threads that were on the floor for about 5 days, but once I’d vacumned ( my most DISliked job) I decided 1/4 of the quilt was enough to show! Haha!



 

She's now off to my long arm quilter to be basted, so I can practise my domestic machine quilting on this quilt. Wish me luck. :-)
 

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Umm not sure

 about my fabric choices for this block, which is from month 4 of my Sarah Fielke BOM, called 'Happy Days'. Also the next time I make a reverse needle turn applique block ( I think there is another one coming up) I must choose my fabric more carefully as far as the fraying ability of the fabric is concerned. The green wasn't too bad, but it could have been better. 
Also I thought the green on the gray background would look pretty funky, but I think looking at it now,  one of the fabrics should have been quieter.

The pieced block worked out fine.  Now to get my basket of flowers applique block basted and stitched.

I'm also participating in a Gwennie inspired QAL which is an original ( for me) based on the style of folk art quilts by Gwen Marsdon. This challenge is organized by Lori and friends. The first part of the challenge is on Humble Quilts.

 

Way back in the 1990's I collected as many old and new Lady's Circle Patchwork magazines as I could, and although over the years I have culled many mags. these are ones, that I just couldn't get rid of. After leafing through many, I found lots of articles written by Gwen, and her methods of applique,  patchwork and quilting are just do your own thing. She sometimes, but not very often included patterns, but described how to make your original work.

I have been quilting for approx. 25 years and this is only the 2nd or 3rd original quilt I have ( or will have ) made. 

Last but not least here is the loaf of bread just taken out of the oven. No sugar or oil. I make this alot and you only need 2 slices for lunch to last you until dinner time!  haha. Its very filling!

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 http://www.susannasquilts.blogspot.com