Into the
Fray 1991-1997
After my time in country areas Queenscliff, Geelong and then Tamworth I found getting into a group in Sydney somewhat discouraging. Many groups had full membership and I didn’t want to travel far in city traffic for meetings. One lady (who owned a patchwork shop) even advised me to start my own group… So I did in a way.
I made an offer to a nearby ACS team to voluntarily teach quilting, so a friendly P&Q Group started 27 April 1991. We met fortnightly, continuing for nearly three years until the demise of the ACS office. Staff was relocated and a total area reorganisation left us without sufficient numbers or a space to continue. I too had started a full time job in the city, which was quite exciting but it left me little time to keep up a hectic schedule of regular classes.
During my searches I discovered that the TAFE (1991-1992) at Dover Heights ran a Commercial Needlecraft Course and were offering a Machine Embroidery elective. My application to attend this night class was successful and the class turned out to be every bit as interesting as I had imagined (after my workshop with Wendy Wright in Armidale). Following on from this experience, I enrolled in the Home Furnishing & Décor subjects to learn how to sew my own curtains, cushions and lampshades. As you do…..
By that time I had also unearthed a nearby Guild sponsored Quilting Group (1991). This fairly large group met regularly but mostly at a Quilt & Bernina shop. It was an evening group which I had thought would suit me but I found that my commitment to TAFE and work left me in need of evenings at home. This group had a hefty program of swaps, exchanges and workshops so after a few meetings, I found I could not keep up and sadly had to leave.
My new workplace offered me a number of surprises including a whole department dedicated to teaching craft. One of the teachers invited me as a guest to her group at the Literary Guild. These ladies met monthly on a Saturday. They had a space in a machine quilting workshop in 1995 and I willingly accepted. By now I was starving for quilting companionship! I can remember they were all happily showing me their recently completed project – jewel box tops – and I felt at home immediately. After a few more guest appearances, I joined the group and remain with them to this day. The group gave up having organised workshops after a while; too many unfinished projects I guess! They took a breather by 1998 and began generally working on their own (without an organised schedule). Now we still meet monthly and get together for an occasional workshop, exhibition or lunch. Lately, we’ve fitted in a few “shopping” trips…as you do to replenish that stash – not that we really need it but it’s always fun!
After my time in country areas Queenscliff, Geelong and then Tamworth I found getting into a group in Sydney somewhat discouraging. Many groups had full membership and I didn’t want to travel far in city traffic for meetings. One lady (who owned a patchwork shop) even advised me to start my own group… So I did in a way.
I made an offer to a nearby ACS team to voluntarily teach quilting, so a friendly P&Q Group started 27 April 1991. We met fortnightly, continuing for nearly three years until the demise of the ACS office. Staff was relocated and a total area reorganisation left us without sufficient numbers or a space to continue. I too had started a full time job in the city, which was quite exciting but it left me little time to keep up a hectic schedule of regular classes.
During my searches I discovered that the TAFE (1991-1992) at Dover Heights ran a Commercial Needlecraft Course and were offering a Machine Embroidery elective. My application to attend this night class was successful and the class turned out to be every bit as interesting as I had imagined (after my workshop with Wendy Wright in Armidale). Following on from this experience, I enrolled in the Home Furnishing & Décor subjects to learn how to sew my own curtains, cushions and lampshades. As you do…..
By that time I had also unearthed a nearby Guild sponsored Quilting Group (1991). This fairly large group met regularly but mostly at a Quilt & Bernina shop. It was an evening group which I had thought would suit me but I found that my commitment to TAFE and work left me in need of evenings at home. This group had a hefty program of swaps, exchanges and workshops so after a few meetings, I found I could not keep up and sadly had to leave.
My new workplace offered me a number of surprises including a whole department dedicated to teaching craft. One of the teachers invited me as a guest to her group at the Literary Guild. These ladies met monthly on a Saturday. They had a space in a machine quilting workshop in 1995 and I willingly accepted. By now I was starving for quilting companionship! I can remember they were all happily showing me their recently completed project – jewel box tops – and I felt at home immediately. After a few more guest appearances, I joined the group and remain with them to this day. The group gave up having organised workshops after a while; too many unfinished projects I guess! They took a breather by 1998 and began generally working on their own (without an organised schedule). Now we still meet monthly and get together for an occasional workshop, exhibition or lunch. Lately, we’ve fitted in a few “shopping” trips…as you do to replenish that stash – not that we really need it but it’s always fun!
Sometime later I found an evening Embroidery Group where I was able to
fit in a little embroidery too (with hopes of returning to finish my silk
crazy) with my quilt stitching. Sydney
was indeed proving to be the land of opportunity!
