Russian Red 2008

Getting All Antsy Pantsy*: UFO  (Started:2008)

Hard at Work at the NSW Embroiders Guild, Concord

It seems hard to imagine that I started my Explorer Series 7 years ago.  Where did that time go?  In 2008, I signed up for an Art Quilt class at the NSW Embroiders Guild with Carolyn Sullivan in the vain hope that working in this genre would better suit me.  I wanted to work smaller, more creatively and in series (in effect - smarter).  (Does that sound a familiar refrain?)  It was also a great opportunity to learn how to better organise a journal (or two).  The classes ran over 8 sessions starting in Feb, so it was a full year commitment.  I was very happy that some of my Randwick quilters signed up with me – we often met out of class to inspire each other and thus managed to finish many of our set projects. 

  #1 The Research Station (33 x 33cm) 2008

#2. Coral Garden (32 x 38cm) 2008

Whilst my plan was grand indeed, I managed to miss a couple of sessions and so those pieces sit quietly in my UFO box waiting, waiting…  My journal though is quite a resource and if I live to 100, may get round to exploring some of the many ideas that came out of it.  It was a fun and thoughtful class, certainly guaranteed to shake out the cobwebs and lead you gently into the world of art.  Sometimes you just need that!

As I wanted to work in series, I set myself a theme of “exploring an exotic life”.  My inspiration was the life and work of a Russian Marine Scientist who lived and worked in Sydney (1878-1887).  Explorers, maps, travel, the ocean & its creatures and Russian red drove my design choices within our monthly sessions.

So began my Voyages of Discovery. My Explorer Series (Collection# 51) followed our monthly tasks:

1. Built Environment - Windows (The Research Station)
2. Natural Environment - Leaves (Coral Garden)
3. Natural Environment – Networks (Voyages of Discovery)
4. Women’s Work
5. Simplify the View (Immersion - yet to be finished)
6. Personal Icons & Symbolism
7. Movement (Rock, Paper, Scissors)
8. Just Script

#3. Voyages of Discovery (38 x 48cm) 2008

#7.  Rock, Paper, Scissors (46 x 47cm) 2008

*My family interpretation of this saying, antsy pantsy was "that you were getting a bit above yourself" or a little bit fancy.  Does that help?  No, probably not.....

And if you're wondering, the dragonfly is a symbol of regeneration & change.  I also added an inked stamp from a Chinese chop (seal or name stone) that I had made in Singapore.  The red threads were added for "luck & prosperity".  These "marks" were on all the pieces I made in this series.

#5.  Immersion (& a work in progress still!)

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.  

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..

Toys & Raffles

Antique Toys: 2000  (Stitched: 1998)

Perhaps not quite so much embroidery on this one.....

Block #2

Antique Toys made another appearance in my life as part of a group raffle (Bondi Evening Group) for our Embroiders Guild.  I so enjoyed making the duck block in 1988, I did it again some 10 years later!  We each made up a pattern on a 12” block, in colours that appealed to us, although with a leaning towards a Christmas theme.  We added lots of embroidery (in keeping with our group raison d’etre), then put it all together.  

Alison coordinated this effort, starting with a proposal/design ideas discussion in 1998, supervising construction in 1999 (that means quite a bit when it comes to coordinating group quilts) and then off to the Guild in 2000.  Some very lucky person has now this lovely quilt.

These blocks were chosen from patterns which can be found in Cindy Taylor Clark’s book “Antique Toys”, 1983.  I rather enjoyed the "repeat" exercise (remarkably) so somewhere in my mind I stored away the idea that ONE DAY I was going to make all of the blocks in this set for me…..as you do!  

Bondi Evening Group Donation Quilt 2000

Exhibitions & Outings

1998 was a breakout year.  I’m not sure I finished much or indeed started much but I was, as they say, “stocking the pond”.  Perhaps over-stocking more like…but I did have fun!

Quilt Camp:
First event of the year was a relaxing weekend of finishing off, meeting like-minded ladies and not cooking meals.  Quilt Camp retreat (May 98) in rural Fitzroy Falls was a perfect way to hide away from work & family.  Our welcome pack included this bear as a kit – just in case we arrived with nothing to do!  I was inspired by Erica’s tea leaves.

This young fellow isn't mine but we all made clones.

Quilters Guild NSW Quilt Show:

Finally, I had a chance to visit the huge Sydney Quilt Show at Darling Harbour (Jun 98).  I’m sure I’d visited at least once before (they started in 1993) but this year was inspirational for me.  I took my time, shopped from an amazing array of merchants stalls, picked up some great ideas and best of all came away with my head just spinning with ideas. 

Meeting Annette Gero:

My interest also extended itself to Australian Quilt history and with an introduction to the Quilt Study Group, we took a “History Lesson” with Annette Gero (Jul 98).  A fantastic follow-up to this was to see the real deal on display at Elizabeth Bay House (Jul 98).  After mooching around for a bit, we took the offer of going on a guided tour of the quilts.  Having seen (in books) so much information about American quilt history, it was quite an experience to realise that we too had our own (both history and style).

Quilters Gathering, Mittagong:

Not satisfied with just one retreat this year, I packed up and headed off for the Quilters Gathering in Mittagong (Sep 98). I’m not sure that this resulted in any finished product (or at least I can’t find any specific evidence at the moment) but I did have a good time. No matter where you go, I always find that quilters are the nicest people.

Traditional Korean Textiles:

Lured by colourful designs, I found time to visit the Korean Antique Textiles on exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum (Nov 98).  More on that in a later post.

Airing of the Quilts, Braidwood:

To round out an inspirational year (and realise just what I had been missing out on) we took a trip to the Braidwood Quilt Airing (Nov 98) and had a lovely day looking at quilts, checking out quaint homes and exploring interesting galleries. 

Now, I’m sure that I have photos from at least some of these events but I’ll add them as I find (and scan them).  Sometimes you just don’t realise how much resides in shoe boxes under the stairs….

City Slickers 1991

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!

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!

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…    

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?

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!

First Impressions

Guild Guest Speaker:  Susan Denton “Contemporary Design” 19 Mar 1988

Sadly I can’t remember this event – my mind is a total blank.  However, I mention it to remind myself of the powerhouse effect that Susan Denton and Barbara Macey had on me in those early days.  Their work was exciting, thoughtful and professionally constructed.  It also sent out clear messages that textile art could be far more than simple reproductions of traditional works – if that’s what you wanted to do.

My signed copy so I must have been there!

I had a lot of exploring to do in the quilting world and I wasn’t sure I had even thought about developing “personal style”.  I was caught up in learning techniques and perfecting my stitching.  As one does! 

The internet makes it just so easy to study other artists work.   Links to Susan Denton’s work appear as listed: (I've just discovered that none of the links below are active anymore. I suppose it's now 2021 not 2012! Google may be as ever helpful in finding more about Susan Denton and Barbara Macey.  It was after all, the beginning of the modern quilting world in Australia.) 

• News article: Susan Denton’s work
• Art quilt: Susan Denton's membership so you can get an idea of her current work (Susan is no longer with this group)
• Exhibition photos courtesy of shiny: (blog post no longer available)

Not forgetting Barbara Macey, whose clean lines and precise stitching has fascinated me for years.  Barbara perfected a "quilt-as-you-go technique that she manages with confidence and extreme precision.  Wonderful!

If you are interested in discussion on developing your own artistic style, then creative journey offers some interesting links too.  Let it be a start, a New Year’s resolution to find out more about your own contribution to the quilting world.  Start a journal and thoroughly explore each aspect of discussion; don’t be put off by some of the fancy journals you see about today – just making notes can be enough.  Visit a gallery and jot down your thoughts on a couple of artists pieces.  Compare it to your own work.  A bit of reflection never hurt anyone! 

A further Comment: 2023.  Susan Denton and Barbara Macey's amazing talent and approach to the modern quilt genre were certainly well ahead of their time.  Now some 35 years on, given we support both traditional and modern quilt guilds and a huge appreciation for textile art, we should be thankful for their pioneering spirit, leadership and encouragement in growing this textile art form.     

Support a Guild

Guild Exhibition 21-25 Jan 1988

The year of 1988 began with a bang.  The Geelong Quilters Guild had organised an exhibition of members work and we all happily participated.  This was a very active and friendly group and we all got so much more out of it than just stitching. 

Just as a reminder, I exhibited my Christmas Sampler, the Little Boys Breeches and my snazzy strip pieced Jacket. (See descriptions in previous posts.)

I still have the catalogue from the exhibition!

It didn’t matter whether we worked in a traditional style or followed our own creative leanings.  Our achievements were celebrated and classes or workshops offered regularly to tempt the most fastidious needleworker, textile artist or quilter.  I’ve described my time on the Bellarine Peninsular as one of “serious influences” and for a beginner, it was exciting though demanding.  We learned from the best tutors who encouraged creativity yet inspired us to improve technical skills.  We had Barbara Macey, Deborah Brearley and Fiona Gavens, to name a few, all come to share their skills and expertise with us.  How lucky were we!  I think I realised even then, that textiles were part of me and best expressed my “place” in the world.

(Just for the record, the year noted after the quilt title in my post headings is the year finished.   I am trying to list my quilts and creations in the year and order that I made them.  Difficult, particularly in 1987, as my record keeping skills then were not quite what they have grown to become! I now sign each quilt, add its title and list the month and year I finished it.  If it’s been a long time in the making then I might also add the year I started it - just to horrify myself more than anything.)