Christmas Sampler

Back in the Day...And my very cute Assistant!

Christmas Sampler: 1986  (Started: 1986)

This was my first real quilt under guidance of Joc and Margaret (Canadian) who helped out teaching patchwork to the Queenscliff Quilters in 1986.  Learners in the group were doing a sampler and I chose Christmas colours, in part because I had some fabrics left over from previous crafty endeavours but also because I had seen quite a few antique red/green quilts and was enraptured.  I thought the colour combination worked really well and hoped to produce just such a masterpiece.  Ha!  We talked about quilt sizes and decided that a lap quilt was best – an achievable end result given time and our level of technical skill.  It also kept costs down too.  We started work in March and my 6 chosen blocks, sewn in order were:

1. Ohio Star
2. Monkey Wrench
3. Drunkards Path
4. Grandmothers Fan (completed two of this block – perhaps this was cathartic)
5. Bridal Wreath &
6. Flower Basket

They were completed; a block each month.  I found a stars in the sashing border to brighten it all up, used a really nice quality poly batt from the Quilt Shop Joc was working in at the time (I think) and got to work hand quilting. I remember thinking I had done enough quilting a couple of times, but my taskmasters sent me home to add still more.  Finished hand quilting at last in Nov 1986. Phew!  The whole thing took me more than 60 hours.  This quilt was exhibited at the Geelong Quilters Exhibition in Jan 1988.

Fan Cushion

I completed a cushion with the extra fan which I donated to St Aloysius School to raffle (1986).  I wasn’t (and still aren’t) big on patchwork cushions but one has to learn…. 

 Home# 023 Beginners Sampler 1991 (Apricots & Browns) 

I rather enjoyed making sampler quilts and this style became a mainstay for me to later teach with at the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House when Sue was no longer able to teach.  I used patterns from Ruby McKim mostly as we were nearly always hand piecing then.  I amassed a few quilts in this sampler style, most given away as gifts.

Finally, a better quality photo of my first sampler/first ever quilt. (1986)

A more recent & digital photo - we've come a long way in lots of things

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 112 x 154cm
Block Size: 12”
Cut in: 1986
Pieced & Basted: 1986
Quilted: 1986
Quilt Type: Group
Quilt Finished: November 1986
Exhibited:  Geelong Quilters Guild 1988
Collection: Home# 002 Christmas Sampler
Pattern Name: Sampler – see list of block names above
Pattern Source: Supplied by Tutors
Fabrics Purchased: 1986
Fabric Design: Christmas Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Poly Batt 50g
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
Hand pieced and quilted; estimated 60 hours of work.  There’s never enough (hand) quilting…