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.

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.
 

Colourful Environments

Tropical Birds: 1987

Small wall hanging made as a result of a 1987 Geelong Quilters Guild Workshop (25/7/1987).  Fiona Gavens themed “Colourful Environments” to assist us move away from traditional patchwork.  We attempted to portray the mood of our environment using simple shapes (squares & triangles) and bold colours; for me that was mostly plains. 

Looking a little sad because it's just been
washed & hung upside down....oops!

I enjoyed stepping out of the ordinary or rather traditional patchworking process and particularly enjoyed using vibrant colours.  Overall the process was somewhat frustrating as not all of our group participants “got” the process of breaking down a picture (real) into blocks of colour (abstract).  I found the size of the main building blocks to be too large (finished 3”) to successfully be able to merge colours to get the necessary effect. However as the workshop was only one day, I understand the need to complete something reasonably sized to understand the concept.  I spent about 10 hours on this project to ensure its completion.  I just wanted to get it done!

Leaf quilting pattern shows a little better on this old photo

I added my own stamp on the project by designing a quilting pattern to complement the overall design and theme of the project.  This was also the first time I had used a binding cut on the bias to finish the quilt. Not my best work but it was worth the learning.

Exhibited at the Geelong Quilters Guild Exhibition Jan 1988.

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 78 x 79cm
Block Size: 3”
Cut in: 1987
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1987
Quilted: Hand 1987
Quilt Type: Fiona Gavens Workshop
Quilt Finished: 1987
Exhibited:  Geelong Quilters Guild 1988
Collection: Home# 005
Pattern Name: Not specific
Pattern Source: Fiona Gavens
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Plains & bold prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
It was probably a bit early in my quilting career to be “modern” although I enjoyed the exercise.  I decided I was more excited by the graphic possibilities of traditional designs and block combinations.  I also learned to look to bold colour in preference to the somewhat timid American prints that were available at the time.

Craft Crazy

Lidded Basket: 1987

Basket of Frills

I was still into ribbons and lace (we are talking 80’s here) and I was commissioned to make my SIL a lidded basket.  I chose a sweet little basket block and lined and frilled to my heart’s content.  Made in January 1987. 

Basket Block

To continue with a theme, I learnt how to make these topiary trees too!  This one was a gift for my MIL, probably about the same vintage as the basket.

It was rather fun to make

When I look back now, I am amazed at the lack of variety we had in craft fabrics.  Spotlight and Lincraft were my favourite haunts back then.  They still are today for craft and dressmaking supplies - if there's any time left after quilting!

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.    

Memory Scraps

Farewell from Queenscliff: 1986

The Fort Queenscliff Quilters put together a signature quilt for Margaret, our resident Canadian and expert teacher, when she left for home.  Joc suggested the design to keep it easy and asked us all to embroider (or at least ink) our names and include some pieces of fabric from the quilts we had been making.  I’m guessing we quickly tied it, although Joc took responsibility for finishing the quilt on time. 

Margaret's Gift

I can’t remember sizes for sure and this is the only photo I have.  I can't even see if we put our names on it.  Soooooo, it’s all a bit hazy. 

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 38 x 44”
Block Size: 6”
Cut in: 1986
Pieced & Basted: 1986
Quilted: 1986
Quilt Type: Friendship
Quilt Finished: 1986
Exhibited:  Not Exhibited locally
Collection: Gift
Pattern Name: Indian Hatchet
Pattern Source: Ruby McKim
Fabrics Purchased: 1986
Fabric Design: Pieces from student’s work; various small floral prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
Hand pieced and tied; we used fabric from our projects.  Fell for the charms of scrap piecing; still one of my favourite quilting styles twenty something years later.

Christmas Sampler

Back in the Day...And my very cute Assistant!

Christmas Sampler: 1986  (Started: 1986)

This was my first real quilt under guidance of Joc and Margaret (Canadian) who helped out teaching patchwork to the Queenscliff Quilters in 1986.  Learners in the group were doing a sampler and I chose Christmas colours, in part because I had some fabrics left over from previous crafty endeavours but also because I had seen quite a few antique red/green quilts and was enraptured.  I thought the colour combination worked really well and hoped to produce just such a masterpiece.  Ha!  We talked about quilt sizes and decided that a lap quilt was best – an achievable end result given time and our level of technical skill.  It also kept costs down too.  We started work in March and my 6 chosen blocks, sewn in order were:

1. Ohio Star
2. Monkey Wrench
3. Drunkards Path
4. Grandmothers Fan (completed two of this block – perhaps this was cathartic)
5. Bridal Wreath &
6. Flower Basket

They were completed; a block each month.  I found a stars in the sashing border to brighten it all up, used a really nice quality poly batt from the Quilt Shop Joc was working in at the time (I think) and got to work hand quilting. I remember thinking I had done enough quilting a couple of times, but my taskmasters sent me home to add still more.  Finished hand quilting at last in Nov 1986. Phew!  The whole thing took me more than 60 hours.  This quilt was exhibited at the Geelong Quilters Exhibition in Jan 1988.

Fan Cushion

I completed a cushion with the extra fan which I donated to St Aloysius School to raffle (1986).  I wasn’t (and still aren’t) big on patchwork cushions but one has to learn…. 

 Home# 023 Beginners Sampler 1991 (Apricots & Browns) 

I rather enjoyed making sampler quilts and this style became a mainstay for me to later teach with at the Queenscliff Neighbourhood House when Sue was no longer able to teach.  I used patterns from Ruby McKim mostly as we were nearly always hand piecing then.  I amassed a few quilts in this sampler style, most given away as gifts.

Finally, a better quality photo of my first sampler/first ever quilt. (1986)

A more recent & digital photo - we've come a long way in lots of things

Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 112 x 154cm
Block Size: 12”
Cut in: 1986
Pieced & Basted: 1986
Quilted: 1986
Quilt Type: Group
Quilt Finished: November 1986
Exhibited:  Geelong Quilters Guild 1988
Collection: Home# 002 Christmas Sampler
Pattern Name: Sampler – see list of block names above
Pattern Source: Supplied by Tutors
Fabrics Purchased: 1986
Fabric Design: Christmas Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Poly Batt 50g
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
Hand pieced and quilted; estimated 60 hours of work.  There’s never enough (hand) quilting…