Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue#89 - 2018 i Quilters Companion

The last 12 months have been a whirlwind. Upon Clare Mooney’s retirement from Quilters Companion, I took over her role. It has been a very busy year, but I have loved every moment of working with our talented Australian quilters, learning more about the different artisans who have been profiled, presenting new and old techniques in wonderful projects, and sharing my love of antique quilts through articles from the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum and project quilts. However, I also became a grandmother for the first time in September 2016. My gorgeous little Annabella has just turned one at the time of writing. I cannot believe how strong my bond is with this little person. As she is growing older, she is more interactive and I wish to have…

Over the last three issues we have looked at freemotion quilting feathers. So far, I have shown you Open feathers, Formal feathers and Hook feathers — all different and beautiful in their own way. In this issue we are delving into the Top and Tail feather. I hope you have had some fun free-motion quilting along with me in these articles as I have given step-by-step instructions. One thing to remember is that when it comes to free-motion quilting, no matter how experienced you are, for sit-down quilters on domestic machines, your quilting will, and should, be different from others. It’s like hand writing: everyone has their own style. Embrace this individuality — you won’t quilt like me or anyone else, nor should you. Have fun finding your own style…

The Dutch master of fussy cutting and hand sewing returns with her third book. This beautifully photographed publication has 164 pages filled with 18 stunning, templatepieced smaller quilts. The scale of the pieces required to make the projects is so small that all the templates are printed full size on the book’s pages. Each project features fussy cut fabric, in different shapes for different effects. If you have heard about or seen photos of the La Passacaglia quilt, this book follows the same theme. La Passacaglia featured in the first Millefiori book written by Willyne.…

Dear Michelle, Thought you may be interested in a beautiful quilt I started some months ago and have just finished. It’s called He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. I made it from the Deborah Louie design from Quilters Companion #79. I could not reproduce the colours but was inspired by all the free-motion quilting. It’s all done on my Bernina 440. I love your magazine and especially the DVDs, so thank you for the inspiration. Ruth Dawson We love to receive letters and photographs from Quilters Companion readers. Address your letter to: The Editor, Quilters Companion, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670 or email your letter and photos to cadams@universalmagazines.com.au…

Maree St Clair believes she started her stitching career when she was around five years old. She learned to sew mostly from her grandmother, first by hand and then, when she could reach the plate, on the treadle sewing machine. “My mother and my grandmother both knitted and crocheted and did embroidery, so I learnt those skills from them as well,” Maree explains. She continued to sew and used to make a lot of her own clothes, also making all of her three children’s clothes. With the arrival of her fourth son, Maree began patchwork and quilting and made fewer garments. “I have tried many crafts, but I found patchwork and quilting in 1995 just prior to the birth of my son, Andrew. I started off with machine piecing and…

“My love affair with sewing probably started when I was young. My mum was always at the sewing machine making us clothes, making stray thread and pins as much a part of our household as we were,” recalls Peta. She believes that at some point she must have asked to give sewing a try and her mum took the time to teach her how to use the sewing machine. “I’m not sure that I was all that good at it, but I did enjoy it and from then on I’d use, or borrow, mum’s machine whenever I wanted to make something.” In those early days, her makes were mostly skirts and simple tops and sewing was a fairly irregular activity. Peta says her decision to concentrate on sewing was made…

Kits and block of the month programs are popular choices for quilters for a number of reasons. How many times has a quilt caught your eye and you think “Wow I would love to make that exact same quilt with the same fabrics and colours”? When you buy a kit for a quilt you see you can do just that – make it exactly in the colours and fabrics you see. Kits also take the often difficult job of select fabrics and colours out of the equation. The hard part is done for you so you can just enjoy the sewing. It works the same way with block of the month programs. Shops will offer these programs in either one colourway or they might have several colourways for you to…

Finished size: 216cm x 185.5cm (85in x 73in) Finished block sizes: 20in square (Jack of Diamonds) and 6in square (Ohio Star) Materials ⁘ 1.3m (1⅜yd) dark brown print fabric (centre block and Border 2)⁘ 2.6m (2⅞yd) tan print fabric (centre block border, Ohio Star blocks, Border 1 and binding)⁘ 30cm (⅜yd) each of 11 print fabrics (Ohio Star blocks)⁘ 2.9m (3¼yd) cream print fabric (blocks)⁘ 4.8m (5¼yd) backing fabric⁘ Batting at least 235cm x 205cm (92in x 80in)⁘ Rotary cutter, ruler and mat⁘ Sewing machine with ¼in foot⁘ General sewing supplies Note: Wendy used fabrics from the Pioneer Brides range of fabric from RJR Fabrics. www.quilterscompanion.wordpress.com Make the Jack of Diamonds block 1 Trace Templates A–D from the Pattern Sheet onto template plastic using a fine permanent-marking pen. Label each shape,…

The theme for the QuiltNSW annual members’ challenge in 2017 was “Remember”, with quiltmakers invited to make a quilt on this theme measuring 60cm x 40cm. First prize, sponsored by Bernina, was awarded to Linda Butcher. She received a Bernina 215 sewing machine with customised artwork from her winning quilt. The 45 quilts made for the challenge are now available for loan as a travelling “suitcase” exhibition. Contact QuiltNSW if you would like to display them. The theme for this year’s challenge is “Running away with the Amish”. Visit the QuiltNSW website at https://quiltnsw.com for information on how to enter.…

Sanford Biggers — American artist and associate professor and director of sculpture at Columbia University — staged a solo exhibition in New York late last year in which many pieces featured antique quilts. The works reflect influences and inspirations that also include Buddhism, mandalas, geometry and politics — in particular the Black Lives Matter movement in the USA. One sculpture, entitled Selah, stands more than 3m (10ft) tall. It’s a steel and fibreglass figure adorned with patchwork quilt fragments and sequins. The figure’s raised arms resemble the handsup posture assumed by black civilians in fatal encounters with police, as well as the “hands-up, don’t shoot” gesture made by protesters. The antique quilts are said to serve as signifiers of bodily protection, presence and absence, and the conflated histories that are…

There is no one sewing machine that is right for everyone. The purchaser of a new sewing machine needs to contemplate the requirements that they consider to be essential, and what features are on the different sewing machines. If you’re a serious quilter, the new Janome MC6700P should be on your list for consideration. The Janome MC6700P is designed with the quilter in mind. It claims to be the fastest sewing machine and is capable of sewing 1200 stitches per minute. I have found another machine that sews faster, however it is a straight-stitch-only machine and does not do any fancy or utility stitches. The speed is more important when it comes to quilting, especially free motion. The speed is governed by a slide control and the machine delivers the…

More than just about making a quilted project, this book is about art, colour and design principles. This is the fourth brilliantly written and presented book by Australia’s own Gloria Loughman. She was inspired by the linocut technique of printing and uses this principle to create layered appliqué artworks. Almost 90 pages are devoted to thought-provoking photographs and explanations of design, colour and composition. Gloria discusses in depth her technique for creating these artworks, and applies it to different facades: buildings, sky, doorways, boats and cars. Three complete projects are presented in the book, but it is really designed to help you take your favourite photo and turn it into your own original masterpiece. The gallery of students’ work is a testament to the quality of the instructions.…

Buy a great book and help out a charity. Twenty-three different fabric designers for Moda have joined together in this second edition of a Row by Row quilt book for Martingale. Each designer presents a strip, or row design, in their style and fabric choice. The rows are grouped by theme into four chapters. Each row will stand alone as a table runner or even a border design, but a gallery is given to showcase how to use them together in a single project. The designs are as diverse as the artisans. The designers’ royalties from the sales of this book go to benefit the Give Kids The World Village charity, helping children with life-threatening illnesses have a holiday.…

February 2–4 Hoppers Crossing, Vic CraftAlive show; Encore Events Centre, 80 Derrimut Rd, Hoppers Crossing Vic. Bringing together talented exhibitors, focusing on creative hand-finished products, DIY products, craft supplies, demonstrations and workshops. Open 9.30am–4pm. More information: Visit www.craftalive.com.au CraftAlive February 9–11 Darling Heights, Qld CraftAlive show; Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre, 20 Baker St, Darling Heights Qld. Bringing together talented exhibitors, focusing on creative handfinished products, DIY products, craft supplies, demonstrations and workshops. Open 9am–4pm. More information: Visit www.craftalive.com.au February 24–25 Mittagong, NSW Southern Highlands Quilters’ Guild Biennial Quilt and Craft Show; Mittagong RSL, cnr Hume Highway and Bessemer St, Mittagong NSW. Exhibition of work made by members, members’ sale table, retail traders. Funds raised will be donated to the Challenge Foundation (Welby Garden Centre, Mittagong). Open Sat 9.30am–5pm, Sun 10am–4.30pm.…

Tools Of The Trade Sewing Machine – Any machine can be used for quiltmaking. It is helpful to have a darning foot as an attachment for the machine for free machine quilting. Iron and ironing board – Make these readily available near your sewing machine so that all seams can be pressed to assist in accurate piecing. Needles – Most quilters favour a ‘between’ needle, size 8-12 for both hand-sewing and hand-quilting. Size 12, the smallest size, is usually used by very experienced quilters. Sewing Thread – Use any cotton or cotton-covered polyester thread. For machine quilting, use cotton, cottoncovered polyester, monofilament or decorative threads. Scissors – Have one pair with sharp points for cutting fabric and a second pair for paper. Marking Tools – Quilters use marking tools for…

QikPik The biggest unpicker on the market? This Australian-designed handy tool clamps to your table. The upper larger seam ripper blade allows you to rip open your seams very fast, and even has a light and cover for when not in use. A second hem ripper blade is located on the side and is the normal seam ripper style that you are familiar with. It is for unpicking hems and seams where you need to place part of the seam ripper inside the seam. Available from www.pikkidesigns.com. Janome Border Guide Foot Create your own fabulous decorative designs fast with this fun foot. The base of the clear foot measures just over 5.5cm (2⅛in) wide. It has a cut-out groove underneath to take the bulk of the embroidery. The red lines,…

Fine-gauge pins: I’ve tried a few brands of pins over the years but I can’t go past fine-gauge pins. They slide easily through cotton fabric without leaving any snags or holes like some of the larger and thicker pins do. Spare bobbins: I mostly use white thread, so I load about 75 bobbins at a time. It means I’m not constantly stopping to load bobbins and that makes sewing much faster. Bloc Loc half-square triangle rulers: I have a whole bunch of these specialty rulers in different sizes. They make trimming half-square triangles a breeze. Olfa Splash rotary cutter: I love how the Splash rotary cutter feels and I love the quick change blade even more. My camera: One day I will learn to take photos on an iPhone but,…

We were rather taken with one of Lucas Ossendrijver’s latest designs for fashion house Lanvin: cotton and linenblend slim-fit trousers made as a patchwork of patterned panels stitched together raggedly with frayed seams. No need to pay US$1500 for them; tell the men in your life you’ll whip up a pair from stash!…

Most obviously – what do you want the machine to do? If you are planning on basic sewing then an introductory machine may be the best option and these can retail up to about $1000. If you are looking for a machine that does a bit more than the basics but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, then a middle of the road model may suit your needs and these retail from around $1000- $3000 dollars. If you are a super serious sewer and will use all the functions available on top machines then go for it! You’ll be looking to spend from $5000 to $10,000+. Remember you get what you pay for – cheap sewing machines are nasty sewing machines. Once you know what you are looking for…

Weekend Quilting This is the perfect book for those wanting to learn how to make a quilt or those looking for smaller, faster projects to make between working on big quilts. Jemima Flendt of Western Australia presents 10 chapters in this 127-page book. The first and last chapters cover basics and finishing techniques for all quilts. The eight chapters between are each dedicated to a different technique to teach different skills. Seven chapters are centred around piecing techniques, including foundation piecing and English paper piecing. One chapter is dedicated to raw-edge appliqué. Two small projects are presented in each chapter — some are cushions, others wall hangings, table toppers or comforter-sized projects. All the quilts are made from pretty, happy modern fabrics.…

This is the 10th book by this popular quilt artist and fabric designer from Laundry Basket Quilts. As you can probably guess by the title, all the projects are made in shades of blue, Edyta’s favourite colour. The front of the book features an inspirational 30-page gallery of mainly antique quilts, in all shades and styles of blue. The main body of the book has the instructions for 17 projects: 13 quilts, two table runners and two table toppers. Stars appear in many of the designs in a variety of sizes and styles. While some designs are only pieced, others combine piecing and appliqué in Edyta’s signature style. This beautiful 128-page publication is testament to the elegance of the two-colour quilt and was photographed at the author’s new home in…

Have you ever been inspired by modern “arty” quilts at a quilt exhibition? Don’t know how to begin this style of design? This 98-page book is a pure workbook on the art of the improv quilt, with Maria taking you on a journey through 10 chapters. The first chapter covers starting out and developing the new mindset for this style of quilt. The workspace is covered in the second chapter, then the fun really begins in chapter three, where colour, pattern and repetition are discussed, with excellent photographs to illustrate. Chapters four to nine cover different shapes and how they can be pieced in the improv style: stripes, dots, triangles, chevrons and plaids. All the quilts in the book are constructed from solid fabrics and are extremely graphic. Maria’s explanations…

Australian Quilt Convention Phone: (02) 9452 7575 Email: aqc@expertiseevents.com.au Website: www.aqc.com.au Why is AQC So Special? An amazing quilt display is just one of the highlights of Australia’s biggest and best dedicated quilting event. The Australasian Quilt Convention, on April 5–8, 2018, at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, Victoria, is where quilters come together to celebrate, learn, shop for new products and see an amazing quilt show. Every quilt at AQC has been selected, so visitors are treated to a display of the best quilts from around Australia, dedicated challenges, exhibitions from overseas and hand-selected displays. In 2018 there’ll be quilts by tutors including Willyne Hammerstein, Gillian Travis and Meri Vahl; spectacular large-scale works by Jo Wearing; an exhibit by Carolyn Sullivan; a new collaborative display by a group…

A1 Craft and Quilting Ph: 0438 877 664, email: normabradley@bigpond.com, website: www.craftandquilting.com A Little Patch of Country 63 Princes Highway, Trafalgar Vic 3824. Ph: (03) 5633 2311, email: sales@littlepatch.com.au, website: www.littlepatch.com.au Asia Discovery Tours Suite 1302, Level 13, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Ph: (02) 9267 7699, fax: (02) 9267 7866, website: www.asiadiscoverytours.com.au Batik-Oetoro (Dyeman P/L) 3/11 Nevin Close, Gateshead NSW 2290. Ph: (02) 4943 8808 email: Sales@Dyeman.com, BeBe Bold Contemporary Japanese Textiles 25 Elton Street, Lismore NSW 2480. Ph: (02) 6621 9188, email: bebebold@bigpond.com, website: www.bebebold.com Bernina Australia Unit 10, 15 Carrington Road, Castle Hill NSW 2154 (PO Box 268, Castle Hill NSW 1765). Ph: 1800 237 646 or (02) 9899 1188, fax: (02) 9899 1469, email: bernina@bernina.com. au, website: www.bernina.com.au Berry Quilt & Co 5/66 Albert St,…