South Pacific
Drums: 1997 (Started: 1996)
The RLI Quilters had scheduled workshops
during their monthly meetings so I seemed to forever be finishing off projects,
getting further and further behind. Rather
than attempt bed-size quilts, I began to think about working smaller to get
more done – meaning FINISHED! So, when
we had this workshop with Dawn Perrin May/Jun 1996, I was well on my way with
smaller (and fewer) quilts. At this time
I was not only working full time but studying at university too (forever the
student…) so time and space management was rather important. Even so, I managed to get a little quilting
done on the side.
 |
| Colourful spools & a prairie points held down with buttons (the garden is just the right setting?) |
I planned to use fabrics that were “a little
different” in this quilt rather than end up with yet another scrappy quilt of
American florals. I used up some of the
boys old board short fabric and some cotton sarongs that I had purchased on a
trip to Fiji (on a Pacific Island cruise – a necessary & relaxing break), then chose a plain
gakky green to define the quilt as it had a definite tropical feel to it. On reflection, (and had they been available
then) it would have been better to have used a motley fabric such as a Bali
batik. I added some beads & buttons
to tie down the prairie point edging. In
the end, I thought the spools looked more like African drums and for some reason I always think of that children's poem about "the great grey, greasy Limpopo".
This was my first attempt to do an
interesting backing too. By this stage I was buying Quilters Newsletter and they often had helpful articles on subjects like "backings" to help you mix things up a little. Anyway, I had fun making
it; especially the big Hawaiian flowers and the batik pieces which helped define
the theme. We machine pieced this quilt,
and I machine quilted the centre panel of spools, and then hand quilted a border
after tying the prairie points down.
Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 121x 121cm
Block Size: 6”
Cut in: 1996
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1996
Quilted: Hand & Machine 1997
Quilt Type: Workshop
Quilt Finished: 1997
Exhibited:
Collection: Home# 026
Pattern Name: Spools
Pattern Source: Dawn Perrin
Fabrics Purchased: Fiji (some)
Fabric Design: Eclectic Mix
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton
Lessons Learned:
I loved the quilting process –sewing, cutting, problem solving yet also providing me with a chance to be creative. Whilst I appreciated the improved range of opportunity offered by ever increasing popularity of this craft, I was also conscious of an overwhelming American influence in the marketplace. Neither did I want to faithfully replicate someone else’s design – it was important to add my own stamp. I’m not sure I was entirely successful in this case as the result grates on my nerves at times. But it was indeed another step forward in the learning process.
