Artful Machining

Machine Embroidery Workshop: 1990

I managed to find a space on a machine embroidery workshop in Armidale (Jul 12-14 1990) with Wendy Wright ADVA which was quite exciting – and rather liberating as well.  I learned to push my old (even then!) Elna to its limits.  Of course everyone else seemed to have a fancy Bernina, but it was still fun and came in good stead a few years later in Dover Heights.   I produced a few interesting samples but saw opportunities to use this artistic technique mostly on garments rather than quilts.  However I didn’t really have much time to follow it up.  We sadly missed out on having the subject offered at TAFE (during my time there) and I made a decision that it wasn’t really my area of interest at the time given all the other tempting options available.  What the course did offer me was confidence in using my machine as a means of artistic expression.  Fast forward to lessons on domestic machine quilting in Randwick a few years later and I could really push that technique much further!   

Hard at work in my downstairs studio

Well, that about wraps up my couple of years in Tamworth “going academic”.  I didn’t actually produce terribly much in the way of quilts, but I did learn a lot in terms of skills, knowledge and experience.  My TAFE teachers were fantastic, knowledgeable and very supportive.  Importantly, we were encouraged to see beyond our current passion for craftwork, to use it as a framework to support other (perhaps more profitable) ventures.  So with my mind bursting with ideas, we packed up our happy home (including my burgeoning craft collection) and moved back to the bright lights of Sydney.

(A repeat photo I'm sorry to say, but photos of that time are just so few and far between.)

On Show

 

I participated in a couple of other ventures during my Tamworth time.  All were wonderful experiences which added to my "toolkit" of experiences. 

Regional Fibre Exhibition: 1989

The Tamworth Art Gallery hosted the Regional Fibre Exhibition (18-27^th September).  This was an exciting opportunity to be offered as a TAFE student.  I had three items chosen – my Little Boys Breeches  (1987), Joy Ride (1989) and Government Camp Lillies (1989).  There is nothing like seeing your work hanging in such a professional setting!.  Aside from the value of stepping away from your work (we often view our quilts closely as we stitch) to see it as a “whole”, the other thing that impressed me was attention to quality.  To see quilts hanging perfectly (no frilly edges) and flawless quilting (neat stitching, quilting suited to the quilt design etc) proved that striving for technical perfection was worth it.  Some quilts just popped out like wonderful works of art.  (Barbara Macey was my inspiration here!)

Regional Evening College: 1990

I put together a couple of workshop ideas to fill “gaps in the market” and taught out of the Tamworth Regional Evening College. This was a worthy experience and built on my knowledge gained teaching at the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House.  I was rather more nervous teaching in Tamworth, as in Queenscliff I had always felt I was just helping out friends.  The most popular workshop was machine applique and we certainly had lots of fun with that!  Whilst the money did supplement our coffers a little, teaching in the evenings was challenging given our family circumstances.  I really enjoyed the teaching aspect however and wanted to learn more about it....one day!

Craft in the Park, a collage of photos from the day

Fibre Fest: 1990

Part of our TAFE course requirement was to plan setting up a small business.  Our group decided that running a craft making venture would be a useful learning tool and our products easy to sell at local craft markets – the ideal starting place for many a more grand business.  I decided that I would work on needlework kits and baskets, something not readily available locally.  I had fun making them, managed to sell a few and decided that the old craft dilemma (recovering the costs of your time) made the business aspect of craft work not worth pursuing for me personally.  I can say that we did all have fun, found the business aspect of craft not so easy and laughed to find cheap copies of our products offered at the markets a few months after.   Ah, competition…..

Sadly, TAFE no longer offers Commercial Needlecraft courses.  Although I did not take up craft as a business, this course was a most useful tool to realise the demands and challenges of working in the industry professionally.  It also provided me with a huge opportunity to learn about my personal capabilities   Some time later, I did re-assess this situation and prepared a thorough business plan based on my Tamworth TAFE learnings.  Again, that business was not to be (by choice) but I don't believe that my time was ever wasted researching it and certainly all the better for my time studying at TAFE.

Busy at our "Sew Special" Table

Fresh Beginnings

Tamworth Community Art & Craft

There was not a Guild as such in Tamworth but a couple of local groups did exist. At the time I joined up with a group offered by Tamworth Community Art and Crafts.  As my life was pretty much consumed by TAFE, I don’t think I used my time there to do much other than finish off “what was due”.  Either way, I met some nice people and confirmed that quilters are a friendly bunch.

Moon over the Mountain: 1995  (Started: 1989)

The Tamworth Patchwork & Quilting Group was led by Lyn.  At some stage the members had each appliqued a “Moon over the Mountain” challenge block and when I joined, Ruth was in the process of machining the blocks together in fun way.  I loved the colours – strong pinks balancing the blacks and checks to tame the “cuteness” of the finished blocks.  In Nov 1990, I bought this top as a memory of my 2 years in Tamworth.  I finally got round to quilting it in 1995 (hand & machine) and then added a small Moon over the Mountain block of my own on the back as a signature block.

Tamworth Moon over the Mountain

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 135x 178cm
Block Size: 12”
Cut in: 1989
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1990
Quilted: Hand 1995
Quilt Type: Group Challenge Quilt
Quilt Finished: 1995
Exhibited: 
Collection: Home# 022
Pattern Name: Moon over the Mountain
Pattern Source: Traditional
Fabrics Purchased: Group Choice
Fabric Design: Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I loved the adventurous border colouring in this quilt and the way it “hangs” all the individual blocks together. After finishing the quilting, I was determined to be a little more radical (ie brave!) in my colour and fabric choices. 

Really Back to School

Trouble & Strife: 1989

Aside from my mammoth TAFE (and other) undertakings, I still wanted to do something for the children’s school - a fun project that their class could participate in and either keep or raffle.  As a result, I came up with the idea of a series of self-portraits (art/quilting/sewing) combined with a collection of their special things. I was kindly allowed to run this workshop with them. 

So, this project was undertaken with the Year 2 (J’s class) at St Mary’s Primary School, Tamworth.  Class requirements were for each child to bring in some of their favourite fabrics (a ragbag remnant from old shorts or dress etc) and some buttons or badges to decorate the quilt. 

In class, each child drew a self-portrait on pre-cut blocks (12 ½“) using fabric (heat set) crayons, then signed it.  I noted where they wanted their decorations added so that I could sew them on later at home.  Despite drawing in seam allowances on each block, most children made full use of the block – a bit tricky when it came to sewing it all together!

The faces (blocks) were arranged in the same order they sat in class.  I added lattice strips made from the fabrics the children had supplied, taking care to ensure I didn’t mix them up.  School colours were then used to frame the blocks.  The quilt was machine pieced and tied with all the buttons, ribbons and badges that the children & school provided.  The whole project took about 30 hours of my time (over September October in 1989).   The children were very pleased with their work. 

Sadly my photos are shockers but I guess I am fortunate to have them.  Never mind - always wise in hindsight!

 

Unfinished Objects

Symposium Projects: 1989

With some sense, I had mostly chosen Symposium workshops that were not beginnings of UFO’s.  I knew I was too busy with TAFE to start stocking up on more unfinished goodies.  However, I did end up with these three:

This was a quilt in the exhibition (photo of its medallion centre)
using a similar applique technique to the one I was hoping
to master.  I am not sure who made and quilted it.

Applique Medallion: Elizabeth Kennedy.  I had wanted to learn more about 3D applique which was all the rage at the time.  So I started using those horrible blue marking pens which I regretted almost immediately!  I’m guessing that the dye heat set (in my car? in the hot Tamworth sun) and nothing seemed to shift it.  So, my solution was to (think about) embroidering over these lines, add a few more flowers and try to avoid any self pity.  This project still resides (WEF 2013) in my UFO box and (after 25 years) may soon be entitled to a small pension if I don't get busy.

Well, here we are in class trying to get our colour
choices to have some zing...

Show One’s Colour: June Lyons.  Colour has always been one of my fatal flaws and I never seem to tire learning of ways to understand and make best use of it.  Eventually we pieced up a Josephs Coat block (10”) with the intention of finishing 5 more; all were to have darks placed in different positions. This use of a limited palette would assist us understand the principle of colour dominance. The idea was interesting but somehow I couldn’t get into it, probably because of TAFE demands.  So this poor block never even made it into the UFO box and is lost to the world…..  I did however, discover the usefulness of having a design wall.  What to do when you live in rented accommodation was the major challenge to implementing this useful tool. 

Our design wall in progress; my works to the front

Raffle Draw: Christmas Fairies.  The blocks are sweet, very naïve and so not me.  They too languish in the UFO box waiting on inspiration or a UFO purge.  Who knows?  I've seen some rather nice Sue Spargo designs in old copies of Quiltmania, my favourite read at the moment. 

Exciting Possibilities

Quilt Symposium Armidale: 25 – 29 Sep 1989

The Armidale Symposium was the first of its kind.  Organised by Barabara Meredith, the format was an instant hit with quilters.  Imagine the chance to meet so many other quilters, live for a week fully immersed in P&Q and have the opportunity to be exposed to some of the world’s best teachers.  We were welcomed with handmade nametags, pins and a shopping bag full of goodies.  We had to make up a “donation” block too for a lucky draw at the end of the symposium. Barbara and her helpers worked especially hard to make everyone feel welcome and she achieved much to not only advance quiltmaking as a craft but also (and probably more importantly) promote it as a friendly one. 

Fashion Parade USA Instructors

This was my first serious quilt event….more or less, after Geelong.  I seriously missed the Victorian activity and friendship, so signed up for this week-long symposium.  Fortunately, it was held at the Armidale University only a short distance away (a country road hour) and during semester break too, so I had a week off from my course at Tamworth TAFE. 

Pitcairn Island (200 years) Celebration Quilt

I went alone (not fun) but had a room to myself at least.  We worked hard during the workshops and most nights had something to participate in, such as a talk or slide show.  One night we had a fashion parade.  I think I may have entered something in the parade but certainly didn’t offer to model it.  It was a chance to meet some quilt or textile professionals like Caryl Bryer Fallert and see some of her creative pieces, all hand dyed and machine quilted.  Her clothing was spectacular and we all took the notes on how to make her accordion pleated skirt. 

Caryl Bryer Fallert's unmistakable style
(& note machine quilting)

I spent my Wednesday break trawling lovely shops in Armidale and viewing an exhibition of quilts in town.  In all, I had a nice break from our active children and the creative time charged my quilting battery immeasurably.  In a nutshell, my chosen program was:

Presentations:

Writing a Resume: Catherine H  Anthony
On Her Works: Caryl Bryer Fallert

Workshop: Monday 25//9/89

Borders and Beyond: Catherine H Anthony (USA)

Workshop: Tuesday 26/9/89

Hand Applique: Elizabeth Kennedy (NSW)

Workshop: Thursday 28/9/89

To Show One’s Colour: June Lyons (Vic)

Workshop: Friday 29/9/89

Colour Workshop: Carol McLean (Canada)

Always Busy

Other TAFE Class Samples

Stained Glass Cushions: 1989

I am not sure if the idea for bold flowers came about as a result of the Ballarat workshop I'd been to or one with the Swan Bay Quilters (Nov 1988) but stained glass was certainly the flavour of the month and I enjoyed the heat fixing and stitching process. 

Nice shot of the evaporative airconditioner (I really did love it!)

This cushion design finally came into being as a class sample for the Tamworth TAFE in May 89.   I quite like the large flowers and hand applique process but purple silks– what was I thinking?  I gave the finished cushions to my Mother for Mother’s Day. 

Patchwork Bag:  1989

We had made these purple sample blocks in our patchwork classes and I used them up to make a pretty but rather substantial carry-all.   I still use it today to carry quilts to group meetings because it fits my hoop. 

(I've just noticed that I really did have a thing for purple at the time.) 

Landscape Bag:  1989

This was another bag I made up to fit my cutting mat.  We carried a lot of our own supplies and tools with us (to make things easier on ourselves) to class.  The landscape design was the view from my kitchen window at Tamworth and made up in a TAFE class.

I think that about wraps it up for those TAFE projects.  I know I did quilting as an elective as well but I can't for the life of me think what I did for my major work.  Obviously not a quilt or I would have it with me now.  Oh well, maybe one day I'll get a flash of inspiration. 

Fashionista

Given my interest in sewing and experience in sewing my own clothes, I used some of my time and class samples to run some up.  I wanted something different but not too exotic.  Tamworth was not the place to be running around in Yvonne Porcella’s outrageously colourful designs.  This was an RM Williams boots, moleskin jeans and tweed jacket kinda town.  

Well, here you have a sample of what I did get up to.  I’m not sure I wore all these things but it was fun making them and experimenting with different techniques.  Some of these items even made it into the Armidale Symposium Fashion Parade but sadly my photos from that evening are so bad that they can’t even be digitalised.

Black Seminole dress: 1989

Back view; rame linen with cotton insert border
Sadly, I don't think I'm going to be snapped up
by the High Fashion Set any day soon....

This dress made it into the local newspaper – albeit an ad for TAFE. 

Purple Leaf Printed Vest: 1990

It was fun to print the fabric and I think this must be my first foray into free-form machine quilting. And a nice sparkly little thread it was too, causing me much grief.... 

Black Block Printed Skirt

Hardly worn.  I discovered I wasn’t good a picking patterns suited to my figure type.  It was fun to make though!

Blue Skirt & Top

Worn to death.  I loved this outfit.  It was subtle and didn’t scream “home-made”.  It has long since been consigned to the recycling bin.  I will have to dive into the photo albums from that time to see if a photo exists of this outfit. (So I'm leaving a space here... & hoping!)

White Linen Shirt:  1989

Hard to see but the yoke (both front and back) was hand worked in drawn thread and took hours and hours and hours.