Yep I've STILL BEEN SEWING!!!!!!

Hand quilting the must be finished by August 30 project. It is coming along slowly. I had to purchase more thread in case I ran out. That is my excuse anyway. Online shopping is great for remote people. Actually faster than me purchasing some threads in Australia.


Here are two photoes of the work so far. I decided to cross hatch the quilt by hand due to the large size of the applique shapes. If I did machine mctavishing it would pull the background to the back too much and make the large shapes stand out too much creating a very puffy shape.

This is a completed block. There are 12 of these plus a centre panel ( the size of 4 blocks)

This one is the second last block to be done. The needle is inserted above the bow. I hope to finish all the blocks by Friday night. I should be doing that now instead of this but what the heck. Next week I will start the borders. I cannot work on it while the receiver of this quilt is home and as she turns up every weekend it has posed problems in finishing it. I'm sure she thinks Mum has been doing no housework at all during the week and does odd things when she is home.

I just hope she likes it. She already has a pink cotton and organza doona cover on her bed for winter and I'm sure she can use this for summer.

Must go

Happy Quilting

What is a Contemporary Quilt?

I have been asked to conduct a workshop on contemporary piecing in Jan 2009. I have been mulling over what exactly is their idea of a contemporary quilt. Contemporary the word itself to me means something that is modern and current in todays trends. When does contemporary become something of the past. For instance what was contemporary in 1990 may not be considered contemporary now in 2008. So what do we call the quilts made in 1990 now?

I have taught this group hand dyeing fabric and at present using these types of fabric in quilts gives a very different look to using prints. Bold colours also give a nice bright look to quilts. The free motion quilting style currently preferred by some long armers also gives a different look.

I still dont think that this style of quilting should be called contemporary.

I am thinking of teaching them how to use their traditional blocks in a different manner through their fabrics of course.

Improvisational piecing where they cut loose with their cutters and forget their rulers is also on the agenda. Watch out for the fingers. A slightly blunt blade is helpful.

There is so much scope to " contemporary piecing" where do you actually start?

This is a quilt made during the drought that some of the group wanted to make. To me is suffices their contemporary quilt concept in that it is of a simple design, the fabrics have been constructed by hand , is designed for a wall not a bed ( not really designed for washing too much) and is quilted by machine to have the quilting as a design feature not just to hold the layers together. Am I fulfilling their idea of a contemporary quilt?

Rain and More Rain and Procrastination.

We have had to wait a bit longer than some other areas but Mt Perry is now receiving some rain at last. Makes the quilter want to stay indoors and make more quilts.

Like some other people I know procrastination seems to be rife amongst us. One colleague is blogging about it lately and it seems to be spreading to me. Seems to me like we always question ourselves as to where are we going with our quiltmaking. Do we want to be a well known quilter and receiving recognition for our work? What do we wish to do with our completed projects? I keep telling my children their pets of the future will have colourful blankets to cover with their fleas and hair? Are our quilts and projects destined to be heirlooms or do we want them to be loved and used and fall apart in a few years. I have been asking myself this lately, I enjoyed teaching my classes at Yeppoon and the students must have enjoyed themselves as well as I have been invited back next year. Do I wish to continue juggling between quilting activities and my work and home life? I think I can enjoy all 3 but how come the focus can be on all 3 activiites at once when sometimes you wish the quiet time in one area matches a busy time in another?

I also have to fund my activities through a part time job and have found out that this is changing to a 0.5FTE ( and increase of 0.3FTE) and will involve more late shifts and night shifts. My life is changing as a result so my social quilting will probably cease. I think I will rely more on the internet for learning and developing as a quilter.

I have tried a new technique yesterday and it is amazing how much you can learn from 1 nine inch block. Mind you I currently have about four unfinished items to work on.

Here is a photo of my first major finished item to show you I can beat the procrastination hurdle.

I made this quilt whilst pregnant with Belinda 16 years ago.

I completed it after she was born. It is machine shadow appliqued and all hand quilted. I still wonder at how I finished it for a show deadline with 3 children under 6 years. Lately it takes me 6 monthes to make a quilt top.