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 […]
No more huge quilts for me
I’ve been wrestling with an unfinished quilt top this month. It’s enormous (by that I mean queen sized) and I’ve finally wrangled all the pieces through my sewing machine. It is a Trip Around the World (the pic below shows it in an early stage on my design wall) and there’s no way I’m quilting it. My […]
In the Studio with Megan Manwaring
Did you miss my article about QuiltNSW President, Megan Manwaring? Now you can read it online for free!
Quilt stories: Christine Lethlean and Rachaeldaisy
I was fortunate to interview two quilters for issue 85 of Quilters Companion magazine. Two – double the fun! Christine Lethlean has a fabulous studio in rural Victoria, where she is creatively resourceful. I am always thrilled to peek into another quilter’s creative space – it’s that inner sticky-beak in me! My second article is about Rachaeldaisy, […]
In the studio with Deirdre Bond-Abel
In the current issue of Quilters Companion, I have the privilege of sharing Deidre Bond-Abel’s story of how her long-held dreams are coming to life. Just look at the view through that window! Deirdre’s business, Hat Creek Quilts, is based in Tasmania where she works while surrounded by inspirational countryside. Once again, I was fortunate to have a […]
The meditative effect of reverse sewing
Every day for the past few weeks, I’ve been unpicking the machine quilting on a friend’s quilt. It was stitched so poorly by a commercial quilter that my friend knew she couldn’t tolerate it. I offered to unpick it for her and so, armed with my trusty seam ripper and magnifying glasses, I started. It […]
In the studio with Ali George
It’s always a privilege to write about quilters’ studios. I think we can learn from the ways other creative people set up their work spaces; we can see how they organise their materials and consider whether some of their ideas may suit our own studios. For issue 83 of Quilters Companion magazine, I had the pleasure of […]
In the studio with Prue Noonan
For issue 82 of Quilters Companion magazine, I was fortunate to share with readers a peek of Prue Noonan’s textile studio. Writing about other quilters’ studios is always a privilege. I love learning about how they are set up and how materials are stored. Best of all, I enjoy describing the ways a quilter uses her space […]