At our local quilting group last week, I made one, six-pointed star. I didn’t think that was much of an outcome for half a day. Thinking about it later, I realised so much more had happened. Talking to new people, learning more about those I had already met. laughing (lots of laughing!), sharing stories, and […]
Brenda Gael Smith: three questions
Welcome to the seventh in my Three Questions series, where I ask makers about their creative practices. I met Brenda through QuiltNSW, a state-wide groups that aims to promote the art and craft of patchwork and quilting. Since then, we have worked together on various projects for that group and enjoyed ‘creative excursions’ to further our exposure […]
Celebrating women
It’s International Women’s Day. We are strong but we are not unbreakable. Let’s celebrate all the women who have gone before us, all those around us today, and all those in the future. We rock! Detail of my Goddess Roseus quilt. Foil and hand stitching on silk paper.
Can I please have a personal fabric shopper?
Before we moved house, I purged my stash of many metres of fabrics I will never use. I have no idea why I bought some of these pieces in the first place. I donated them to a charity shop where I am sure they will find new owners who will appreciate them. To prevent this […]
My ideal quilt event
The virus is still with us and I simply can’t imagine going to a major quilt show, like the Sydney Quilt Show (my Guild’s one) and mingling with large crowds again. Most shows have been postponed indefinitely and I miss catching with my friends and seeing all the wonderful quilts on exhibition. But the idea […]
Summer solstice
When we live in cities, we sometimes don’t notice the rhythms of the earth and our seasons. Today is the summer solstice here in Australia – the day when the sun’s track across the sky reaches its highest point – and commonly called the longest day of the year. It is also the start of […]
Every day is different
Sometimes, it seems as if the endless stream of days blurs into a single continuum, especially this year. The sun rises, the sun sets. Another lot of routines are carried out and another day is ticked off the calendar. Suddenly, we look up and realise another week, another month, has passed by without us really […]
Ruth de Vos: three questions
Welcome to the fifth in my Three Questions series, where I ask makers about their creative practices. I became aware of Ruth’s quilts over 10 years ago, when I was editor of a now-defunct quilt magazine and I have followed her work since. Ruth stitches together lots of little pieces of fabric to make bold […]
How to explode quilt block diagrams
When I’ve been writing patterns for my quilts in the past, I’ve often thought it would be useful to include diagrams that show how the pieces of a block join. I have low-level skills with graphics programs and I don’t have expensive software. I use EQ8 for my diagrams but never knew a way to explode […]
On hand piecing
The threaded needle gathers a row of running stitches that hold together two pieces of fabric. I stop and look more closely. The sharp needle point has pierced the fibres of the cotton cloth over and over as it makes its way along the sewing line. A simple, yet effective tool. I ease the thread […]