Christmas Spirit

Christmas Tree: 1987

My fascination with speedy Seminole piecing knew no limits now and I completed many projects during & for classes at the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House.  It must have been getting close to Christmas because I later put together a rather large Christmas Tablecloth (which is still hiding in my linen closet somewhere) to use up all the leftovers from two Christmas tree hangings.  Stash control at such an early stage...whoa!!

Memories

After piecing, I decorated these trees with lots (for me) of beads & sequins. So much for not enjoying embroidery.  One wallhanging was given away to St Aloysius School as a raffle prize in 1987.  It was won by Rose Nicholson.  The other was only recently donated (2008?) to the Dangar Island “Kindy Kids” who decorate our Ferry Shed for annual Christmas celebrations.  So I am not sure where it is now.  

(It seems so appropriate to have this post up at this time of year & good reason to celebrate 26 years of fiddling around with quilts! ) 

I found a photo after all!  This is my seminole tablecoth

 

Seminole Moment

Seminole Samplers: 1987

Seminole Sampler 1987

1987 was the year of Seminole production.  It began with a workshop run by one of the Fort Queenscliff Quilters (I think) and as a result we produced a sampler wall hanging with horizontal bands of Seminole strips, great for developing machinist skills!  I also had a thing for Amish designs and was into exploring patterns made with bright, solid colours. 

Most of the patterns I used were taken from a handy little supermarket publication, "Quilting and Patchwork" by Southern Cross Decorative Craft Magazines.  It was inspiring, colourful and had over 40 different quilt patterns to browse through. 

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 63x 108cm
Block Size: Various Seminole Strips
Cut in: 1987
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1987
Quilted: Not Quilted
Quilt Type: Fort Queenscliff Quilters Workshop
Quilt Finished: 1987
Exhibited:  Geelong Quilters Guild 1988
Collection: Home# 006
Pattern Name: Seminole Sampler
Pattern Source: Southern Cross Magazines
Fabrics Purchased: 1987
Fabric Design: Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: None
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
This was a great way to improve machinist skills, produce a quick quilt or wall hanging and was a fun sewing day with friends.

Cloaked in Patchwork

Patchwork Jacket: 1987

Like everyone else at the time I became obsessed with having a distinctive patchwork item of clothing.  I had seen Yvonne Porcella’s colourful designs and began collecting a few books on how to make patchwork clothing.  At the time I was still making my own clothes, especially knits.  An Australian company, Knitwit had just taken off and the fabric and patterns were all top quality, not to mention easy to make.

A scanned photo not showing true colour

I was certainly pleased with the outcome and this jacket that took me to many a formal function in the late 80’s.  Today, we sadly seem to have reverted to “patchwork means a bit hippy”.  Too bad, it really did look nice…back then.  Class run at QNH by Sue Longmore on strip patchwork.

Who could forget this great book & inspiring clothing?

Each pattern piece was strip pieced over backing and ultra-thin wadding.  I chose to use dusky pinks, blues and maroon.  For a bit of glam, I finished the jacket off with closures using bias button loops and cow horn buttons.  I did a little hand quilting to add to softness to the vertical strips and enhance that handcrafted feel.  In all it took about 15 hours to finish.

Exhibited at the Geelong Quilters Guild Exhibition in Jan 1988

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 78 x 79cm
Block Size: Strip
Cut in: 1987
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1987
Quilted: Hand 1987
Quilt Type: Sue Longmore Workshop
Quilt Finished: 1987
Exhibited:  Geelong Quilters Guild 1988
Collection: Garment 1
Pattern Name: Not specific
Pattern Source: Knitwit #
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Plains & soft prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Pellon
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
Technically it was a challenge to move from quilts to clothing. I stripped the pieces, sewing backing, batting and strips all together then cut out the jacket shapes. Hiding raw edges, making pockets and collar details were all “little problems” needing attention along the way.