Serious Influences 1986

Back in Australia, I joined a local quilting group after being introduced to the art by my neighbour, Joc, in 1985.  She had spent some time in the US and her house was brimming with crafty things we only ever saw in magazines (if we were lucky enough to find a bookstore that stocked them!).  She hosted a group of avid stitchers who were later to become the Fort Queenscliff Quilters.  I happily joined in, wanting to demystify the secrets of stitching perfect fans.  After all, I’d been battling with my silk creation for over 2 years now. 

Just sew 80's

We all have to start somewhere and my quiltmaking apprenticeship began in 1986 by learning to hand quilt a cushion, front and back.  The front was a cheater panel (of course) and the back became a lesson in marking up a pretty feather wreath.  Needless to say, I didn’t enjoy this less than creative activity although managed to add 80’s crafty excesses to it before giving it away to my MIL for Christmas that same year.  Meanwhile, I battled on with the GMF (Grandmother's Fan) adding more embroidery. 

Starting the hard way - still it was finished fairly quickly

Ideas for stitches came slowly, until I found Dorothy Bond’s (1981) book, Crazy Quilt Stitches.  Meanwhile, there were so many other tempting things to do!  So the GMF was more or less abandoned for “another day”.  There you have it – the start of a serious quilt addiction, a reason to add even more textiles to my stash and a growing collection of books & magazines for patterns and ideas.

So good you can still buy it from bookstores

Sewing Lessons in Port Dickson

Whilst living in Port Dickson (early 80's) in Malaysia, I had a few clothes custom made.  This was not unusual as almost everyone did the same.  They would shop for fabrics, of which there was plenty of choice, and then take them to a tailor with photo in hand, to have creations made to fit. 

Globe Silk Store in KL.  Levels of glorious fabrics.

I was fascinated by the process which was quite different to using our “off-the-rack” patterns at home.  Later, I discovered that my neighbourhood tailor also offered pattern making classes, so I jumped at the chance.  She had two other pupils so we had lots of attention and quickly managed to grasp the idea of drafting basic patterns to our own measurements.  The trick came later when we had to learn how to create more complex patterns.  I began to imagine myself costumier for Diaghilev’s Ballet Troupe. (Only dreaming!)

My course did not progress beyond the basics however, but I did have fun.  Many years later, I watched a pattern maker in Kathmandu, Nepal at the famous Mr Om's. He drafted directly onto the fabric with chalk.  Rarely did I ever have to have alterations made to the garments I had sewn up.  Pure magic; always awaited and appreciated! 

Colour on every street corner, Kathmandu