India’s Bounty

India proved to be a textile lover’s dream.  I was able to select and use fabrics that were handmade, specific to region and full of symbols and meaning.  Wow!  My explorations into fabric shops only tipped the iceberg (to coin a phrase) of the variety in India as a whole.  Never been to a wedding exhibition?  Try it, your textile horizons expand rapidly!  Of course, the best place for me personally to start was the Crafts Museum. 

Sari Shopping

My time for sewing was limited (given there was just so much else to see & do) so I set a few boundaries for myself to ensure I actually finished something.  Firstly size; I chose to limit the width to no more than 45” (114cm) and let length take care of itself in the design phase - with some guidance from Fibonacci sequencing.  It goes without saying that my only fabric choice was local designs.  As for a theme, colourful saris fascinated me, particularly the pallu (free-flowing sari end) which is a designer’s heaven.  Like the Korean textiles I saw at the Powerhouse, saris are rich in history, specific to area and their designs jam-packed with meaning.  Finally, I wanted to work in a “sort of series” to learn from the design process, so the sari theme met this requirement quite nicely.

During thinking time and those exhaustingly hot July days when the aircon fails and water scarce however, I attended to a few little projects, including the tea leaves I’d brought with me.  When I felt I'd done enough research on saris, I started planning my quilt series; more specifically, designing the first one. 

Meeting a few friends in my street. Not a normal day...

But in the city it was just another normal day...

Life in Delhi was not limited to the four walls of my apartment and I was introduced to the fabulous Seven Cities Group.  This absolutely brilliant concept added immensely to my knowledge of India’s history and appreciation of their “style”.  Not to mention my photo collection.

Luckily, I was also led to a patchwork group made up of expats and locals alike, Garam Masala Quilters.  We met regularly (weekly) and our chief organiser was the indefatigable Anju.  Life was grand!

The GM Quilters not only stitched; some of us travelled as well.
Here we are in Orissa

(In case you were looking for more information on India & my travel adventures, you won't find it here.  That task will be given over to Textile Tourist and as there's so much to pack into these posts, it's going to take a while..  Hope you enjoy your virtual tour!) 

Happy Times

Christmas is upon us; a time for celebration and reflection with family, friends and neighbours.  It is also the start of our long summer holidays.  And don’t we have some fond memories of those times!  As I write though, I remember how exciting 2004 was for us – a new start in many ways.  Given that December is a cool month in some parts of the world (and we’re so not used to that!), we took a trip with a difference… There was certainly no snow involved in this trip! (Read more about our Egypt trip on Textile Tourist.)

Finding colourful local textiles

Watching the sun rise over Mount Sinai

Can you believe it's 10 years ago....

Sadly, recent events in Australia (2014) have highlighted that it can be a stressful time too.  Our thoughts go out to those affected by these events and to the amazing support organisations that work selflessly during these busy, demanding times.

Season’s Greetings to my fellow stitchers and I hope you manage a little one-on-one time with your fabrics and sewing projects.

Full Immersion

Dream  Plan  Draw  Stitch  Write  Stretch

Making a move overseas meant more than just thinking about how I planned to occupy my time - there was lots to do to make it all happen, or at least appear to happen, seamlessly...  

So, if you’re wondering where the previous post was leading, here I was again in 2003, pondering pretty much the same thing.  What did I hope to achieve from my time in India and would any plan I managed to dream up ever hope to cover so many unknowns?  My life was changing in so many ways but from some scant notes I found in my diary it seems I was settled on focusing on these goals (not in any order):

Making a move is never as simple as it seems...

• Exploring options involved in starting a Small Business. (What would I do with myself after the “post-Delhi honeymoon”?)
• Developing a Renovation Plan for our house. (A first in ownership stakes & only recent acquisition in Australia so we were keen to dream.)
• Travelling & really exploring this opportunity. (We had lived overseas before, so culture shock was something we looked forward to with relish!)
• Improving my Photography & Writing Skills. (And later embracing new and advancing digital technologies). 
• Producing Art (smaller & more modern) & Traditional Quilts to record my travel learning journey

The Ivory Tower, Nizamuddin

To achieve this rather large undertaking meant that I had to keep everything simple.  I was hooked on the digital age and therefore rather pleased that my travelling office could all be coordinated through my laptop.  I still needed to manage life at home – albeit from some distance.  Also, we were going to be living in a one-bedder, so I had to pare down my clutter. The usual ponderings – dinner table was doing double duty as sewing table; where would I hide my stash; would I be able to buy quilting necessities etc. etc.  So in general my plan was to:

• Keep a diary. This was too good an opportunity to waste.  Clippings, cuttings photographs, invitations, tickets and all sorts of ephemera would be piled into a box for when that creative moment struck.  In fact, anything that would “round out” my scrapbook.
• Do some research.  India promised a textile hunters dream so I planned to learn as much as I could.  Oh, and collect a few examples along the way…
• Use local fabrics. I was by now totally over the “same again” ranges of quilting fabrics on offer and my career & lifestyle, that I was busy wrapping up, allowed little time to experiment with make-your-own alternatives. Design planning was also in the lap of the gods – who knows what inspiration would come from seeing such a treasure trove of fabrics.
• Travel for inspiration.  And record it!  With a sensory overload outside my front door in Delhi, travelling for more seemed a bit greedy.  But, oh well, someone has to do it!
• Get to know my local community.  It goes without saying that you can’t live in a bubble.  India simply will not let you…

So here’s what I did.  I packed two suitcases and boxed up my best buddy, Bertie Bernina.  The rest I stored at home.  My first suitcase contained a few clothes and the other, essential quilting supplies. No fabric!  I also took a couple of Aussie quilting magazines to give away should I get lucky and find a quilting group.  The one “text” book I chose was “101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts” by Judy Hopkins & Nancy Martin.  This book is still my favourite source of designs – an ever reliable & accurate source.  I also threw in an unfinished cross-stitch (it was driving me mad) and various bits of my Tea Leaves quilt, all cut out and ready to sew should divine inspiration take longer.  All this pending some engagement with the local quilting community, if it existed!  High hopes indeed!

Despite the best of intentions, constructing quilts became low in my list of priorities – largely because there was so much else to do and see.  Life was constantly hectic yet so rewarding.  Immersion into another culture.  Would I recommend it?  Too right! 

Even the washing in India took on a whole new appeal

A Little Learning

December 2014

Before I delve into the great wonder that is India, I’d like to take a step back and perhaps explain a little of where my head was taking me at the time.  Up front, I consider myself to be a quiltmaker; pure & simple with no fancy aspirations.  I love what I do and like to explore opportunities, especially learning to help myself to “do this thing” better.  I’m a great exponent of lifelong learning.

Patched Japanese Jacket.  Wendy Lugg Exhibition, 2000

By 2000 I had been quilting for 15 years and had had a wonderful time learning all sorts of techniques, improving my technical skills and trying to add my own twist to things eg unusual colour choices, pieced backings.  Was I bored?  Well, I don’t think so, but what I did need was something to get the blood pumping again.

The 1998 Rapt in Colour exhibition of Choson Dynasty Textiles (Korean Wrapping Cloths) at the Powerhouse Museum was part of my reconditioning experience.  It came like a bolt of lightning!  Quilts CAN have depth, a personality and convey messages.  Similarly, the various exhibitions we attended before going to Japan (2000) had me off and running. My first “textile” travel experience was thereafter destined to become a quest of discovery.  In other words, a real foraging!

I had also by happenstance, come across an interview with Linda McCartney (I think the ABC, played in 2000) about her photography.  I found it incredibly interesting and inspiring.  The gist, in my own words, was that your “medium” is simply an expression of your reaction to things around you.  LMcC believed in modest materials and a minimalist approach eg one lens and black & white prints.  This allowed her to focus on her chosen subject and add a touch of surrealism.  She believed that we need to understand the history of our “medium” and how that influences our own style or way of seeing.  We need to grasp how old masters have used the elements and apply that learning to our own work too.  Copying is certainly out of the question, unless it is traditionally or culturally acceptable.  Finally, LMcC advised how important it was to add something of yourself (capturing your own style) and to just seize the moment.  

Rapt in Colour, Powerhouse, 1998

With these experiences in mind, I had a plan:

1. Take a sketch diary with me to Japan (Well, I did but used my camera instead.  Time to languish was not on our side!)

2. Think about a theme eg blue & white, manhole covers, flowers, seasons etc. Try a fresh approach if it's been done before. (It was so hard to focus in Kyoto...land of the unbelievably beautiful.)

3. Review my current works and make a note of what I’ve learned from that exploration.  (Had I sewn myself into a corner?  Where (or what or even who) was my superhero to help me on my way?)

4. Join a group of like-minded individuals to discuss work.  Learn from others.  (This is why I love attending classes.  Teachers can offer fair criticism.  My friends offer other constructive options to consider.  Fantastic – only a few blocks to unpick!) 

5. Travel and be inspired…could I record the experience?  (I am continually inspired, my photograph collection is approaching digital mega-tons and my mind is spinning with ideas.  From all this though, my love for blogging has bloomed.) 

6. Now of course, all there is to do is focus and get on with it. 

Oh, sure….

Garam Masala in Delhi 2004

Off to India

By early 2004, I was packed and rearing to go – to India!  Before I can post those exciting years up, there’s a fair bit of work I need to do.  So it’s back to the scanner and the reference books for a bit of research.  It may, as they say, be a long time between drinks (well, posts actually!). 

Don’t forget to visit Textile Tourist as I post up interesting textile discoveries along the way of our travelling lives.  Here's a few photos from fabulous and culture rich Turkey.  See you in the Spring!

Roman mosaic floor tiles in Ephesus, Turkey

Goodies for sale in Selcuk

On the Move

2003: A Year of Big Decisions

The year 2002 had passed in a blur with the promise that 2003 would be no easier.  I had made the decision to finish my work contract and move to India – an opportunity of a life-time.  I needed time to think about how I was going to approach this in terms of my quilting life and as I had just purchased my new Bernina (my reward for finishing uni), I also had a stack of UFO’s needing some attention. 

I made my decision fairly quickly – take only minimal “supplies” to India, go with an open mind and explore what’s available there.  Then began a mad panic to machine quilt up pre-prepared tops and baste any others as I went. All this whilst packing our household into storage for safe keeping.  I gave myself 12 months to plan, prepare and pack.

Even so, there was time for a few little extras:

Felting Workshop with Tjenka Murray Feb 2003

Despite all this activity, I did manage a weekend stay out in the Bathurst area to attend a felting workshop with Tjenka Murray (Feb 2003).  The Randwick girls were keen to try this increasingly popular craft and had fallen for nuno felting.  We had a wonderful day with our hands in soap & water, kneading and pummelling bits of colourful wool fibre – trying to make it look respectable!

Well, I think it was worth a try but found I wasn’t that enthusiastic.  Back to quilting then and onwards with my mission to finish as many UFO's as I could.

Bondi Evening Group

Alison's Farewell Quilt - Keeping a Japanese Theme

The Bondi Evening Group says farewell

Our friendly Bondi Evening Embroidery Group sent in some items for an exhibition at the Guild HQ, including the quilt we had made in 2002 (wools & wagga).  I sent along my “Exploring Old Kyoto” and the Hussief. 

Sadly for us though, Alison was also on the move.  So we had a little bash, right on Christmas…  Naturally, we gifted her a quilt. It was made using Japanese fabrics and blocks of sashiko stitched medallions.  I have no details for this group quilt only a pre-digital photo.  

Back to Geelong

Geelong Forum 2002: Workshop with Clare Plug

I finally found the time (and courage) to attend a Fibre Forum gathering. Exciting stuff for the average punter!   I had chosen to do a course with Clare Plug – one that didn’t necessarily result in yet another UFO. Well, we can all live in hope?  In fact, we could work on something already in progress that perhaps just needed a little kick start or new eyes to help it along. Yay!

Our class promo had promised us design exercises, group discussions and technique demonstrations to get us to “venture beyond our comfort zones”.  I have to say it did just that and encouraged us to think about what our “message” was.

From day one we started the process of collecting reference pieces – photos, drawings, samples etc.  From here on in we were asked to allow the creative process to take control of an idea – not to interfere (cerebrally) with it too much.  Finally, we looked at various options created by altering design, composition and borders.  Then, after being offered various coping strategies, we were on our own.

I really enjoyed the workshop and learned heaps.  I will say it took me almost until the end of those 5 days to “relax” and the project I took along to prep up stalled a little – my own fault as I kept overthinking and changing my mind. It remains in the UFO box but one day I hope to have a sudden inspiration and get on with it.

The material Clare gave us was interesting and her encouragement inspirational.  To this day I keep a resource book of design ideas.  Perhaps one day I will get round to making them instead of just drawing them!

(UFO Home #041 ) & photos to come.....eventually ; )

Here's a link to The Textile Blog post by John Hopper (2010) to read about Clare's work. 

Dyeing a Rainbow

Dyeing Workshop with Gail Simpson; 2002

This two day workshop, as part of the July 2002 Quilters Gathering at Mittagong, allowed me to play with dyes.  I have a fondness for Procion – it’s easy to use, not complicated to mix up and produces some wonderful colours on cotton fabrics. 

Even in the pot you can see differences

Gail Simpson, who produces her own range of hand-dyes, bravely led us on a colour discovery tour.  We spent the days mixing potions to produce rainbow ranges, cut vast lengths of fabric into sizes big enough to stuff into small take-away cups, and had fun adding salt or other resist materials to make our product more interesting.  Instead of chatting and relaxing after dinner, we spent our time gathered around washing machines rinsing (& salting) samples to ensure the dyes did not run. When dry, we packed them into plastic lunch-sized baggies to take home

It was a busy two days but we did come out of it with a large tub of our own hand-dyed fabrics – some conveniently packed into a rainbow assortment – and a ton of notes & samples that I later converted into a ready reference book. 

Great ideas - just waiting to be put to use!

Old Kyoto Inspiration

Exploring Old Kyoto: 2003  (Started: 2002)

Whilst at a Hearts & Hands workshop in Wentworth Falls to make our Japanese Puzzle quilt in May 1999, we had seen another Japanese style quilt that intrigued us and were keen to make.  Yvonne had sourced patterns (it may have featured in a magazine about that same time too), so we decided to make one together.  Luckily, my stash of Japanese fabrics was boosted somewhat after the Japan trip (2000) and the time ripe for making something with blues.    

Learning Sashiko techniques with Hitomi
(Photo by Y Franges) 

Our inspiration to begin the quilt had come from a sashiko class held by Hitomi Fujita, Quilting Heart. We had met Hitomi at the recent Quilters Gathering in 2001 and the Bondi Evening Embroidery Group was keen to learn the intricacies of sashiko stitching. 

Who better to teach us than Hitomi! So with a group made up of both our embroidery (Alison & Bondi Evening Group, NSW Embroiders Guild) and quilting friends we arranged a date with Hitomi (21/4/02) to undertake some serious stitching.    

What to do with our class samples?  Well, what better than pieced up with this modified courthouse steps block?  The quilt went together well and quickly.  We added a folded trim in that lovely brick red so popular in Japanese fabrics to add some oomph.  Then the backing became a rather dynamic collection of a tablecloth I had brought in Japan, some American Japanese style prints and a few extra sashiko blocks for good measure.  It felt good to be working with a measure of "making do".

I finished it off by machine stay stitch quilting, then added crow foot tack & some ties for textural detail.

Having even more fun with the backing!

Just for the Record:

Quilt Finished Size: 133 x 133cm
Block Sizes: 24.5cm
Cut in: 21^st April 2002
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2002
Quilted: Machine & Hand 2003
Quilt Type: Workshop
Quilt Finished: 2003
Exhibited: Embroiders Guild, 2003
Collection: Gifted 3 Oct 2023
Pattern Name: Courthouse Steps (Log Cabin variation)
Pattern Source: Hearts & Hands, Wentworth Falls
Fabrics Purchased: Japan 2000
Fabric Design: Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Mountain Mist Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
This was a nice quilt to stitch (sashiko) and make. I suspect that I got a move on to get it finished to send, along with my finished Hussif, for the Embroiders Guild Exhibition in 2003. Having deadlines can really work to advantage sometimes!

Happy Stitchers

 

Wools & Waggas

Embroiders Guild Project: 2002 

Having mentioned the Embroiders Guild, I need to add in a quilt that I had almost forgotten about.  Alison had brought some wool samples to one of our regular meetings in 2002 and suggested that we could use them to make a quilt to donate to the Guild in 2003 for a raffle.

Group Christmas Party at Bondi

A basic block using foundation crazy piecing adding embroidered detail into the woollen fabrics was voted in as a interesting take on the woolen wagga format.  Waggas were the recent “big thing” as Australia was discovering its own quilting history thanks to the research of Annette Gero and Margaret Rolfe.  The Rajah Quilt had been “discovered” in 1987 and its connections to convicts aboard the Rajah in 1841 on their way to Australia made known.  We were ripe for discovering our own heritage and Depression era waggas, made initially by men, were a popular source of inspiration.  There’s quite a bit of info out there that relates to the wagga story so I’ve added a few interesting links that you might care to follow.

I think we rather enjoyed putting together this quilt, reminiscing about times of “making do” and learning about past lives.  It was finished at our October Meeting in 2002.  Luckily I found a stray photo or two to remind me of it.

I'm guessing this was my block
with its minimal embroidery..

Travel Bug

First Trip to India

2001 had not been entirely textile desperate, as I had managed a trip to India & Sri Lanka in early 2001 (28 Feb–11 Mar 01).  This was a couple of wonderful weeks bashing around “the tourist triangle” in the back of a lovely old black Ambassador.  Little did I know that this was to be the start of some greater attachment….

(Photos, when found, will be scanned in)

Relax Lah!

Coral Coast: 2004  (Started: 2001)

This is just one of those quilts that I always seem to get all mixed up about.  It is, in a way, partner to Cairo Stars – made about the same time; both star patterns, both turquoise blue and both designs developed from the one star pattern that I found intriguing.  

This time I chose not to ignore the “complex” star design and made up a pattern to get it right.  Having been taught to draft patterns earlier in my quilting life, this one was not so challenging after all.   I pieced it up fairly quickly drawing inspiration from a bold flower pattern.  This was another of my “I‘m really busy but need a quilting fix” quilts.  It turned out rather nicely, all things considered so I was more than happy for it to find a new home with Karen.
 

I have very few details other than having cut it in 2001. It was ready for quilting by September 03 and finished (by both hand & machine) in 2004.  At this stage of my life I was so busy with work and study that quilting took the form of providing me with a moment to relax and focus on something a bit creative. 

I was less attentive to recording detail of my progress although I have to say by the end of 2001 I finally took the step of making a more complete list of my UFO's, which were growing madly, almost of their own accord, in my linen cupboard. 

I might add, a move (a big one with two kids in tow & on my own - the first for some 10 years) to nearby Kenso in April had led to me being a little more thorough in my quilt listing…  Making this list made me aware just how far short I was in recording the quilts I had made (my quilt album having long since been neglected).  I was determined that one New Years resolution would be making this list each end of year - no excuses!  The process is not hard, the quilts get an airing and I get to reminisce about all the fun times, the lovely people I've met along the way and of course the challenges involved in making something artistic.  

Nice feet!  A very quick photo shoot as you can see...

Learning Sashiko Stitching

Paper Cranes: 2003  (Started: 2001)

I started this small quilt at a workshop with Hitomi Fujita.  It was a residential course, part of the 2001 Quilters Gathering held at Frensham Girls School, Mittagong 6-11 July 2001.  Yvonne & I had arrived home after our Japan adventure in 2000 with heaps of fabrics suitable for this class, so I was particularly keen to start piecing with them and of course, learn the technique of sashiko stitching.

At home on Bribie Island

Not sure of colour choices for this quilt, I took one of my boxes full of my purchases from Japan.  Hitomi and I had fun looking through my stash and we both admired the different textures and colourways available in Japanese fabric.

The workshop was well organised and I thoroughly enjoyed my peaceful days stitching in the lovely gardens around the school.  We were well looked after, the catering excellent and dorm buddies tolerant. 

However, I’m not sure I was cut out for live-in workshop life.  During a break in class, I put on the kettle and blew out the electricity.  Somehow I managed this twice, causing great consternation, especially from owners of “electronic” Berninas who thought (somewhat bossily) that the sudden power loss was going to damage their beloved, high tech machines beyond repair.  My own Bernina was later to survive a three year stint in Indian and Nepal; not only being dragged from pillar to post but also managing to cope with regular but erratic power outages. 

But we all survived, machines remained intact (although sense of humours were somewhat fragile) and I managed to complete this quilt….eventually.  

As I gave this quilt away (perhaps 7/12/2006?), I only have a few photos and no detail until my next visit.  (Ed Note: Size aprox 152cm x 152cm).  

(Hitomi had the Quilting Heart shop at the time and Marilyn, who ran the Gathering, owns Marilyn's Craft Corner in Ulladulla.) 

Adding a little extra to the backing

Signature block just a bit too subtle perhaps?

A Braidwood Quilt Experience

Inspiration at Every Street Corner

I can’t leave 2000 without posting up a few photos of Braidwood.  Each year, since 1995, the town obligingly hosts a quilt extravaganza – an Airing of the Quilts.  Quilts are only aired on the Saturday but both days are packed with all kinds of interesting things to do and see.  Braidwood is a quaint village full of wonderfully restored cottages – quite historic in its own right (but only old in comparative terms). 

The “airing” is usually held annually in late November and made for a long day’s drive from Sydney.  This year though, quite likely our second visit, we had decided to drive on to Canberra and spend Sunday doing a textile tour of our Capital’s famous quilt shops.  Needless to say, we found lots to look at and quite a few enticing fabrics.  Why didn’t I buy a car with a bigger boot?

These little trips away are the perfect remedy for lack of inspiration, terrific for stash building (you know what I mean!!), and make a nice addition to our group’s annual program of activities.  Thankfully I took my camera, so, we do have a few reminders.