Fond Farewell

Swan Bay Quilters Friendship Quilt: 1988 

This wonderful signature quilt was given to me on my departure from Queenscliff and the Swan Bay Quilters.  It has a central applique medallion, a black swan typical of the area and is surrounded by smaller autographed blocks.  The idea was to use fabrics from their current project or stash.  I still love it as it brings back many fond memories of my time in Queenscliff and the friends I made.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 68 x 69cm
Block Size: 12” & 6”
Cut in: 1988
Pieced & Basted: Hand 1988
Quilted: Hand 1988
Quilt Type: Friendship
Quilt Finished: 1988
Exhibited: 
Collection: Home# 016
Pattern Name: Signature Blocks around original design Applique Medallion
Pattern Source: Sue Longmore
Fabrics Purchased: Group scraps
Fabric Design: Plains & subtle  pastel prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Stretching Limits

Machine Applique: 1988

We recently had a council "cleanup" day coming up so I used the opportunity to have a bit of an "autumn clean" and found a few extra pieces for my photo gallery.  I had quite forgotten how much I enjoyed machine applique, and used it mostly over a period of 3 to 4 years to decorate our family jumpers or t-shirts.  My poor old Elna got quite a workout and I soon realised how much more I could get done (and sooo much faster too) with a machine. I can't quite remember where or when (late 1980's?) I learned this technique. Lots of fun!



Library Bag (all cottons)

Gum Leaf Top (machine embroidery over cotton, silk & leather)

Antique Toys #1

Antique Toys: 1988 

Antique Toys made an appearance in my life as part of a group raffle perhaps for the Guild.  I made the duck, a 12” block, in antique colours and rather enjoyed the exercise.  Somewhere in my mind I stored away the idea that ONE DAY I was going to make all of the blocks in this set…..as you do!

Pam coordinated this effort during 1988. Sadly, I don't even have a photo of either the quilt or my block.

(I am never going to find a photo of this block or the quilt that was made as a result of the group's efforts, so I've included my photo of the same block made in 2000 with the Bondi Evening Group for the sake of explanation.)  

Creative Tendencies

Creative Landscapes: UFO (now lost to the Bermuda Triangle of stitching) 

I signed up for a workshop on sewing creative curves by Marcy Paynter (10 Sep 1988) at Geelong Quilters Guild.  It was an interesting effort to make up our own landscape designs.  The design was sketched on card, cut into a jigsaw of shapes and then a variety of fabrics were paper pieced by machine stitching it (a close zigzag) all together.  The concept was good but I flagged when we started to use clear nylon thread to applique the pieces together.  Somehow, plastic thread did not align with my orthodox habits – cotton fabrics and cotton threads….

Needless to say, the piece still languishes in my garden shed waiting to be finished.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: cm
Block Size:
Cut in: 1988
Pieced: Machine 1988
Quilted:
Quilt Type: Macy Paynter Workshop
Quilt Finished: Not Yet Finished
Exhibited: 
Collection: Home# 012
Pattern Name: English Paper Piecing
Pattern Source: Macy Paynter
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Plains & bold prints
Fabric Style: Mixed
Materials Type: Mixed
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
Not my kind of thing.  Perhaps I wasn’t quite ready for this type of “creative” play with various textures and thicknesses of fabrics.  The final issue I had was using monofilament thread (clear nylon).  I can understand why of course, but just couldn’t take to it.  As a result, this piece languished in my UFO box until the final decision about what to do with it was made. Despite my feelings, I believe it was a worthy exercise.

Ed Note:  5 April 2015
Finally I've decided to consign this project to File 13....  It has taken some courage to come to this decision but really, there comes a time to just let go.  This was never a masterpiece in the making or even a personal favourite.  After giving two old projects a new lease on life recently, I made the decision that this little number was never going to improve no matter how much hard work went into it.  So rather than keep fretting, it was time to wave goodbye and take it off my stress-inducing UFO list.  Just so I'll remember it, I've taken a few photos, and I think you'll understand:

A gaudy mix of velvets, cotton, sateen and silk

Paper-pieced back view

This was the original drawing

  All gone, no regrets!  

Bicentennial Project 1988

Geelong Quilters Guild Bicentennial Project: 1988

This 80's photo does not do my colours justice...

I won an Honourable Mention for my Guild completion block in 20 Aug 1988 in their “Happy Birthday Australia” competition.  I was terribly excited!  This was an original design all hand pieced in rich blues and ochres of our outback landscape.  I called the 12” block, Star of Australia – very patriotic of me! 

I always found the Guild helpful, friendly and creative in their offerings.  I enjoyed many a workshop under their auspices.  They encouraged quilters to set personal standards quite high, which always showed in their exhibitions of members’ works.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: Block only
Block Size: 12”
Cut in: 1988
Pieced & Basted: Hand 1988
Quilted:
Quilt Type: Own Design
Quilt Finished:
Exhibited: 
Collection: Donated to Guild
Pattern Name:  Australia Star
Pattern Source: Own Design
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type:
Backing:

Lessons Learned:
I enjoyed the challenge of designing our own block, and although mine was still a traditional design and a bit fiddly to piece up by hand, I was happy with the outcome.  The star shape suited the bold plain colours (chosen to represent our landscape) and I suspect that I had fallen for Amish colour and design simplicity. If I ever was to make more than one of these blocks again I would (now) choose to use paper piecing by machine…    

Change of Perspective

Guild Workshop:  Colouring Fabric 1988 

I was lucky enough to get a place in Deborah Brearley’s Fabric Painting Workshop, 4 Jun 1988.  Deborah was into her work with cyanotype and I see (from doing a little more net surfing!) that the QNH now operates a gallery on its premises and had Deborah’s work on show in 2012.

Anna Atkins (see wiki)

Not only was this day a chance to work with Deborah Brearley and learn from her, but this Geelong Quilters Guild workshop was play time – big time!  We had a great day dabbling with Pebeo fabric paints/dyes and made some interesting and useful samples. I particularly enjoyed the basic introduction to shibori work.  

It was also a useful connect with the art I had studied over the years in Brisbane and made me realise the possibilities for moving away from quilting’s traditional form.  I suspect that I was still in learning mode however and didn’t feel that I wanted to delve headlong into art quilts at that time.  I was (and still am) inspired by graphic forms produced from traditional blocks and modern colour.

I enjoyed this course so much and was so inspired that I have since taken a number of courses in fabric dyeing and texturing.   Not that I have produced too much in the way of work with the pieces I’ve painted or dyed since….  Oh well, one day!

Stella's Legacy

Stella’s Quilt: 1988

My MIL had asked me to make her a machine cover in apricots and browns.  Her machine was set up on a desk in her bedroom at her unit in Bayswater.  I made the machine cover between Feb and March 88 using a very sweet “Swallows in the Window” pattern. (I have no idea what the source of this pattern was - no internet or googling then!) I gave this to her, along with two hand quilted cushions, for her birthday in 1988.  The blocks were handmade; the machine cover machined together to make it a little robust.  

Not the best of photos but it was a rather nice block
Collection: Home# 007 Sewing Machine Cover

This gave me the idea to make a matching sampler quilt for her bed.  I had been teaching beginner’s patchwork at the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House and did a few blocks along with each class as demonstration pieces. I can see a few Jinny Beyer pieces in this quilt so my taste in fabrics (and colour palettes) was perhaps starting to become a little more sophisticated?   I set the blocks on point and then finished off the quilt with some basic hand quilting – just to get it done in time for Christmas 1988.  Hand pieced and hand quilted between March & December 88.

Stella's Quilt on the line at her unit

We are told she was found wrapped in this quilt when she passed away in 2010.  I am fortunate to have this quilt in my possession now.  It is a wonderful reminder of her.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 152 x 195cm
Block Size: 12”
Cut in: 1988
Pieced & Basted: Blocks by hand; borders machined 1988
Quilted: Hand 1988
Quilt Type: Gift
Quilt Finished: 1988
Exhibited: 
Collection: Home# 008 Stella's Quilt
Pattern Name: Sampler set on point
Pattern Source: Ruby McKim & Ginny Beyer
Fabrics Purchased: 1987/88
Fabric Design: Ginny Beyer & Mixed Prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

The colours are much more appealing in this digital shot

Lessons Learned:
This was a serious amount of work to “give away” even if it was for my MIL.  I discovered that making quilts for money was never going to be for me; too much time and effort with insufficient recompense to make a “living” out of crafting.  I’m just not that motivated.  Knowing this has also allowed me over the years, to say a firm no to offers and suggestions that I might really like to finish someone’s family heirloom (sitting in bits in a box under their house). Life’s too short!  Find yourself a little bolt hole, set up the machine (or what-ever) and make a date in your diary (and keep it!) for some stitching. It’s very Zen….

Neighbourhood Event

Clays Choice: 1988  (Started: 1987)

This is the best photo I have of the quilt from 1988

Hand pieced and quilted, this was a Raffle Quilt for the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House. 

We started work in March 1987.  Blocks were made and donated by the Swan Bay Quilters.  It finished as a Double Bed size (eight blocks wide by ten blocks long) in autumn tones – design and colours chosen by Sue Longmore.  Completely hand crafted.

And I'd clipped this from our local newspaper at Raffle time

This quilt raised $1700.00 for the QNH in 1988 - an amazing sum.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 183 x 152cm (I'm guessing)
Block Size: 12” 
Cut in: Mar 1987
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1987
Quilted: Hand 1987-88
Quilt Type: Group for Raffle
Quilt Finished: Mar 1988
Exhibited:  Various venues to raise money
Collection: with Prize Winner
Pattern Name: Clays Choice
Pattern Source: Ruby McKim p93 (10" block)
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Small prints& plains
Fabric Style: Homespun
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
We felt so pleased to give something back to the neighbourhood house. The house concept was perfect for busy mums to get some “me” time and for the community to get together for learning, socialising, contributing and just having fun.

Lessons in Patience

Karen’s Quilt: 1988  (Started: 1987)

The trouble with using solids is apparent now!

This is the original applique sampler from an early class with Sue Longmore in needle turn applique.  I had taken an advanced applique class at the Neighbourhood House in 1987 and learned how to applique: 

• Starflowers
• Double Hearts
• Wreath of Roses
• Great Grandmother’s Rose

Hanging on the clothes line 1987

This quilt was hand appliqued, hand pieced and hand quilted.  Colours I chose to work in were primarily greens and apricots. At this time fabric range was limited, although we had a few shops open up on the Bellarine Peninsular/Geelong area to service a growing and active group of quilters. I gave this quilt to Karen as a house warming gift.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 45 x 45cm
Block Size: 12”
Cut in: 1987
Pieced & Basted: Hand 1987
Quilted: Hand 1988
Quilt Type: Sue Longmore Workshop
Quilt Finished: 1988
Exhibited: 
Collection: Gift
Pattern Name: See List
Pattern Source: Class provided
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Prints & plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I was taking every class I possibly could either at the Geelong Quilters Guild or at the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House. Sue was a fantastic teacher and the class ladies always friendly. It was a supportive learning environment and I had the time to get “carried away” with my sewing. So I did!