Cheese & Mustard

Scrappy Bow Ties: 2021  (Started: 2020)

There’s nothing better than putting together all those odd scraps that are too good to throw away but just never seem to be "just right" when planning a new quilt.  I certainly needed to find something to suit a bundle of squares I’d cut ages ago that were sitting idly in my scrap bin.  Enthused by Bonnie Hunter’s scrap philosophy, and the amazing results she achieves, I launched into her Cheddar Bow Ties pattern (2011).  

All I needed were 3 x 2 ½" squares of each fabric to be able to cut sufficient bow ties to make blocks for a decent sized quilt.  Bonnie used a cheddar fabric as her background. Yellow cheese is very popular in the US.  (US-ians like their butter white, too!  We think it’s a real hoot since we’re partial to white cheese and our yellow butter!).  Back to background choices…for some mad reason I went for a caramel colour (Dijon mustard, anyone?) which looked fine with my individual blocks but somehow became Doctor Strangelove and took absolute control when the top was finally pieced.  It was too late to make any changes, so I just had to go with the “flow” and try to make the best of a not-so-appealing background.  

This was supposed to be a “quickie” but I guessed machine quilting was not going to do anything to soften my background choice, so instead settled on hand quilting and using a thick perle cotton thread.  Deep in my thread box, I discovered some skeins of sashiko thread; a nice variegated red through green with an acid green/yellow as well.  I needed a crowbar of a needle, no hoop, miles of masking tape and lots of patience; but it’s finished at last.  The lines are ½” apart and I worked out each one took about 45 mins or more to do.  At best, I managed 3 rows a night, with regular breaks to rest sore fingers.  I’m holding off doing some Japanese boro work for a little while now.  Although I NOW have to confess to loving the look.

I tidied up the edges with a wild Aboriginal design full of colour and movement.  It’s Shirleen Campbell’s “Women Dancing for Rain‘.  It’s an unusual choice for me for this type of quilt but came about after (fabric) shopping with my quilting buddy, Yvonne.  It really does help to step back sometimes and consider other people’s opinions.  

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 169 x 169cm 
Block Sizes: 10” (made up of 4 x 5” bow ties) 
Cut in: 12 Apr 2020 (started)
Pieced: 22 May 2020
Basted: 18 Jun 2020
Quilted: Hand: 28 Sep 2021
Quilting Thread: Japanese Sashiko Thread x 2 skeins
Quilt Type: Traditional 
Quilt Finished: 30 Sep 2021
Exhibited: 
Collection: Home #073
Pattern Name: Cheddar Bow Ties
Pattern Source: Bonnie Hunter, 2011
Fabrics Purchased: From the Stash…
Fabric Design: Prints, Stripes & anything to hand really
Fabric Style: Old to Bold
Materials Type: Printed Cottons 
Wadding Type: Cotton
Backing: Pieced using left-over remnants 

Egyptian Inspiration

Cairo Stars: 2002  (Started: 2000)

Cairo Stars - a quick fix & fun experiment

The colours for this quilt were inspired by a poster of Egyptian museum pieces – all ochres, turquoise and yellows.  It looked so exotic and I was up for something “completely different”.  I had also seen a star pattern I was interested in trying out, but in the end I was too lazy to draft it up so went with a less complicated design.  I chose two blocks – a simple 4 patch and a star from 1937 (in a Jinny Beyer book)  I hadn’t done much in the way of patchwork in 2000, so this was the perfect remedy.  Nice ‘n easy to piece and in only a few days I had a sunny, scrappy top. 

The top had a wide border area perfect for hand quilting and having been inspired by a course I had recently finished with Luixin Newman (Hand Quilting, 19/8/00),  I decided to continue my learning on this top.  As luck would have it, I found a rather nice pattern in a New Zealand Quilter Magazine (#38, 2001) and I was able to put Luixin’s expert tutelage to good use. Mind you, my stitches have a lot more “perfecting” to go before I’m capable of reproducing Luixin’s fine (really, really, tiny!) stitches.

I managed to cut and piece this quilt at Watsons Bay.  It was ready for quilting by 30/12/01 so despite a busy schedule I was able to progressively hand quilt it - cross-hatch the centre and a lovely fan for the border (a relaxing way to finish off a busy work day) at Kensington. 

The result isn't particularly "Egyptian", that was more about the inspiration for this design but it did make for a nice change of colours for me to tackle.  And there is always something so comforting & soft about a quilt that is hand quilted. 

A nice feather

Leftovers used in a quilt label

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 152 x 199cm
Block Sizes: 9.5”
Cut in: 2000
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2001
Quilted: Hand 2002
Quilt Type: Own Design
Quilt Finished: 2002
Exhibited: Dangar Island Australia Day 2010
Collection: Home# 039
Pattern Name: Indian Star1937 & a Simple Four Patch
Pattern Source: Jinny Beyer’s “The Quilters Album of Blocks & Borders” p46
Fabrics Purchased: A stash buster
Fabric Design: Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Mountain Mist Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
This was a nice simple quilt – a rainy day special. Whilst I quite like the result and it certainly provided a perfect vehicle for practicing hand quilting, I’m not sure that it challenged me.  I began to ask myself whether I really needed to make more quilts if this was all I was going to achieve.  So, rumble, rumble, the wheels of change were set in motion.

Hexagon Crazy

Khan's Quilt: 2003  (Started: 1998)

A scrappy pastel achieved with little effort or worry!

This was a quilt that started very slowly, but soon gained momentum and gradually became an addiction.  I especially enjoyed making it because each hexie was a finished product and a quilt just grew before your eyes.  This was also a great way to use up left over scraps of both wadding and fabric.  I would sit in front of the telly at night and just stitch a few together.  A real no-brainer!

Generally, the idea was to make the centre of each hexagon a dark colour and the back a light.  This resulted in an effective double sided quilt; although I must say that I much prefer the light side for my bed.

We started making the hexagons around 1998 with the RLI girls (I think it was Yvonne’s idea) and perhaps decided that it had grown enough by 2002.  Meanwhile I used the quilt on my bed watching it grow. 

It’s not signed or dated – only because it had potential to grow.  It was Khan’s (my favourite cat) favourite quilt. He loved to sleep under it, hence its name.

I eventually found a pattern for this quilt in the Patchwork & Quilting 1997 Year Book p.100.  I think the hexagon size is larger; mine measures a side of 1¾“.  However I did rather like the border shown in the pattern as a nice finish for the quilt.  Perhaps one day…when I’ve finished mine “for sure”. ;- )

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 165x 169cm
Block Size: as per templates; 1 ¾“side
Cut in: 1998
Pieced & Basted: Hand 1998
Quilted: Hand 2003
Quilt Type: Workshop
Quilt Finished: 2003
Exhibited:  Australia Day 2010
Collection: Home# 031
Pattern Name: Hexagons
Pattern Source: Traditional
Fabrics Purchased: Scraps
Fabric Design: Scraps
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Cotton
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
This was one of those relax & have fun kind of quilts.  Sometimes we can get a bit serious about “our art” but this one retains something of the real quiltmaking ethos & heritage - just made easy!

Not on his quilt but none-the-less asleep (2006)

 

Making New Friends

ACS Friendship Quilt: 1995  (Started: 1992)

The ACS Group spent our first year (1991) learning how to piece samplers in the traditional manner.  We had fun together and managed to fit in a few other interesting “technique” days to expand our repertoire of skills and of course to determine quilt construction methods that appealed to us individually. 

ACS Friendship Quilt

By mid-1992, the ladies were willing to give a Friendship Exchange quilt a go and we all chose a simple design to make the task easier on ourselves.   I chose a large Clays Choice block and asked that everyone hand piece it in fabrics they were currently using on their own quilts.  Just for good measure, I asked them to embroider their name on the block.  I added a couple of additional blocks to make a lap quilt size then finished it with pink fabric borders – very unusual for me!  Later, as I was still enjoying hand quilting, I chose to stitch a traditional design.

Finally I added some buttons (yes hearts) which seemed the sentimental choice to make a nice complimentary statement about friendships made over the 2-3 years this group was running. 

Detail - ACS Friendship Quilt

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 108x 150cm
Block Size: 15”
Cut in: July 1992
Pieced & Basted: Hand 1992
Quilted: Hand 1995
Quilt Type: Group Friendship Quilt
Quilt Finished: 1995
Exhibited: 
Collection: Home# 023
Pattern Name: Clays Choice
Pattern Source: Ruby McKim’s Book
Fabrics Purchased: Group Choice
Fabric Design: Floral Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I had now been quilting for nearly 8 years and I finally came to the conclusion that hand-stitching quilts, whilst lovely to look at (and a chance to Zen out for a bit in a hectic life), was holding me back.  I had a wish list of quilts a mile long and somehow my creative spirit was starting to rebel.  The TAFE classes had included a few on machinist skills so I was well prepared to tackle the accuracy demanded when machining together a top.  It was time to up-skill.    

Ed Note:

Participants in this project included:
Diana  - Overall Sam,
Chris - Doe & Darts,
Monica - Little Boys Britches,
Cathy H - Checkerboard Heart, 
Cathy J - Our favourite traditional design, Ohio Star; &
Me - Clays Choice.

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…    

Away from Home

Government Camp Lilies: 1989  (Started: 1988)

(a bit sad after washing
which hasn't helped these frilly edges either!)

This was my first experience of a “live away from home” workshop.  Whoa!  I took a stained glass class in Ballarat offered by the Geelong Quilters Guild 29-31 July 1988 at Sovereign Hill. Yes, we actually stayed at accommodations within the Sovereign Hill complex and shopped at the local store for fabrics. (Well, perhaps not ALL our fabrics but it was a shopping experience and lots of fun!) 

Our tutor was Gail Macklin (Ballarat) and I decided that I would keep this project small (meaning achievable) and use it as a wall hanging. 

The stained glass lilies are hand appliqued and the whole project was hand quilted.  I wanted to finish the pattern with a quick ribbon border (machined Seminole style in Jinny Beyer fabrics).  After binding this quilt, I decided to add some additional hand quilting to jazz up the large negative spaces using a combination of stipple and seeded stitches.  However, this last touch was a serious lesson in making frilly edges and one not to be repeated!  Now I (mostly) finish quilting before binding. 

Exhibited at the Regional Fibre Exhibition in Tamworth in September 1989

Looking a wee bit better back then
(on the line in Tamworth 1989)

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 64 x 65cm
Block Size: NA
Cut in: 1988
Pieced & Basted: Hand Applique & Machined Borders 1988
Quilted: Hand 1988-89
Quilt Type: Stained Glass Technique Workshop
Quilt Finished: July 1989
Exhibited:  Regional Fibre Exhibition in Tamworth in Sep 89
Collection: Home# 011
Pattern Name: Workshop provided
Pattern Source: Gail Macklin
Fabrics Purchased: 1987/88
Fabric Design: Plains & dark prints
Fabric Style: Cotton & seeded homespun
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I enjoyed the opportunity to be “fully immersed” in patchwork. Looking back, I realise that I was starting to take what was offered but rather than re-creating the original design, I was adding touches to make these pieces my own. Who could not when you consider the quality offerings of our local tutors and the Guild’s sensitivity to the craft’s development?

Quilting Friends

Geelong Friendship Quilt: 2006  (Started: 1987)

Hand pieced with friendship exchange blocks made by the Swan Bay Quilters.  I added an extra block stitched by me with signed (embroidered) inserts from the Fort Queenscliff Quilters.  I thought my block was an easy one by comparison with some of the other requested designs, but I was advised differently!  I recall machining several of the feathered star blocks – a big test of my machinist skills.  Now that was difficult!  Most of the patterns I chose for those who specified "own choice" ie my choice blocks were from Ruby McKim's book.  Fanny's Fan, my choice came from Jinny Beyer's book "The Quilter's Album of Blocks and Borders."  

What I particularly like about doing block exchanges is that although you get to  sew a variety of blocks, some you might never have chosen otherwise, you still end up with a one-block quilt rather than a sampler.  I was a bit "over" making samplers, although it's a right of passage for beginners.  

These creases are not nice!  Comes from storage
in vacuum seal bags during renovations...

We each specified design and colour way, provided background fabrics (mine was seeded homespun which I’m still a bit nutty about!) and provided any colour specifics.  We then left the ladies to select fabrics from their own stash.  All cottons of course! I asked for everyone to sign their blocks and luckily for me, Elaine dated her block too, so that's how I know it's from 1988.

Pam's block

Hand quilted using a wool batt which needled superbly but has since started to pill through the cotton top.  Very disappointing considering the effort gone into this entirely handmade quilt!

Hand Quilting detail

I have to say that I am not entirely sure when we started this project in 1988 but it took me until 2003 to get the top basted ready for quilting and then 2006 to get the top quilted.  Finally.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 172 x 174cm
Block Size: 12 - 15”
Cut in: 1987
Pieced: Machine 1988
Basted: 2003
Quilted: Hand 2006
Quilt Type: Group Friendship
Quilt Finished: 2006
Exhibited:  No
Collection: Home# 010
Pattern Name: Provided by Members. My choice was Fanny's Fan
Pattern Source: Group Members; Ruby McKim; Jinny Beyer
Fabrics Purchased: 1987
Fabric Design: Subtle pastel prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Wool
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
I enjoyed the experience of working in a group swap.  Some of the blocks were challenging to make, but it’s all a learning experience really.  I’m more than happy with the outcome of my quilt but over the years I’ve seen others that were less successful.  Much rests on the experience and skill of group members.  I’ve known people who, less than satisfied with the quality of group blocks or round robin quilt tops, will unpick and re-do them.

I want to also make a comment about the wool batting.  It was great to needle given all the hand quilting on this quilt, however it has left a finish reminiscent of a vintage, well-worn quilt - quite possibly because it shrunk in its only wash.  I am very disappointed (given all the hand work that went into this quilt!) and to this day have never again used a wool batting.  My preference, used particularly for machine quilting to give a nice flat finish, is good quality (thin) cotton Warm Company (USA) product.  Quilters Dream (cotton) is better for hand quilting or boro work (i.e. using a thicker thread like Perlé). 

Note:  I've just discovered my templates for our exchange blocks.  They were:
Sue: House (of our choice. I did the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House)
Marion: North Carolina Lily
Keri: Sun Bonnet Sue
Val: Basket of Tulips
Pam: Star (of our choice. I did a Mexican Star)
Elaine: Weathervane
Dawn: Radiant Star
Jan: Applique (of our choice. I did an Ohio Rose)

Mine: Fanny's Fan

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!

Bow Tie Baby

Bow Tie Baby: 1987

Baby Bow Ties made for Anna, a member of the Swan Bay Quilters, who was leaving the area to live in Bendigo.  It was also a baby present.

Anna's Baby Quilt

The group made the quilt under direction from Sue Longmore, who had also drafted the pattern for us using Ruby McKim’s 101 Patchwork Patterns.  We loved the antique feel to this book and the quilts we made up from it.  This book was also one of the few “pattern” books we could lay our hands on in the mid to late 80’s.  I can’t remember if we added our names, but we did tie rather than quilt it.  Cost $1.10 per person; hand pieced, hand quilted and tied.  Colours biscuit, blues & pinks (to cover all bases!),

Presented to Anna at our regular meeting in September 1987.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 48 x 48”
Block Size: 9”
Cut in: Aug 1987
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1987
Quilted: Hand Tied 1987
Quilt Type: Friendship
Quilt Finished: 25 Aug 1987
Exhibited: 
Collection: Gift
Pattern Name: Necktie
Pattern Source: Ruby McKim (p25)
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Soft prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
It didn’t cost much in either time or money to make a memorable gift. The KISS approach still produces a nice baby blanket – one that can be well used and readily washed; a bonus for busy mums.

Smitten

Little Boys Breeches: 1987  (Started: 1986)

Back to the 80's

Joc had a scrap version of this design which I just loved and decided to make one for #1 Son.  This was my second quilt (well, finished at least).  It was all hand done, except I machined the borders on.  I worked it in navy & red with a few checks thrown in to keep that country look.  I hate to confess that I did use a bit of poly/cotton fabric in this quilt; a sacrifice to get the right “non-fading” navy colour.


Digital shows up the colour a lot better

I love the graphic quality of this quilt and was very pleased that it came out well technically – ie hanging straight.  I started piecing in late 1986 and finished it by Dec 1987 after some (guestimated) 150 hours of work. 

Block Detail

This quilt was hung in the Geelong Quilters Guild Exhibition in January 1988 an in the Tamworth Regional Art Gallery “Regional Fibre Exhibition” in September 1989.  A really nice quilt for a boy.  

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 127 x 216cm
Block Size: 12”
Cut in: 1986
Pieced & Basted: Hand 1986
Quilted: Hand 1987
Quilt Type: Single Bed
Quilt Finished: 1987
Exhibited:  Twice – see above
Collection: Home# 003
Pattern Name: Little Boys Breeches
Pattern Source: Traditional American
Fabrics Purchased: 1986
Fabric Design: Checks & plains
Fabric Style: Country
Materials Type: Cotton & some poly blend
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
Hand piecing and quilting takes time but it is relaxing and fits in well with being a busy mum. I started to add a few little of my own touches to the quilt such as the red tassel ties in the middle of each hat (circle).

By now I was really hooked and luckily exposed to some enthusiastic and skilled teachers.  Also quilting was taking off; the quilters I knew were really passionate and keen for a challenge, not to mention generous.  We saw the beginnings of the "art quilt" so techniques such as fabric manipulation (dyeing, texturizing etc) were on offer at the Geelong Quilters Guild.  Fabric designers were rising to the challenge and we saw some wonderful new fabrics on offer.  It was a fun time to discover the art and craft of quilting.