Saturday 27 February 2016

Steven in Flight

Pam Holland is an Australian artist who makes amazing quilts.  I follow her on facebook and visit her blog from time to time.
She recently posted an article on the Apps she uses to manipulate her drawings and photographs which then become inspiration for her work.
If you cannot draw or have difficulty selecting colours for areas of your quilt, follow this link and get inspired.
https://iampamholland.com/2016/02/22/how-do-you-match-the-colors-for-a-quilt/

I am excited - by using Pam's info, I have made this quilt and had to share it with you.

Original photograph - My son Steven.


I used Dreamscope (app) to manipulate photograph then drew it onto my fabric ready for Stitching.



My curved stitching stretched my fabric thus creating a curve in my edge.

 
To help straighten it, I ran a running stitch by hand and slightly gathered it.

 
Then sewed on my binding.



Finished quilt "Steven in Flight"

The curved area at the bottom centre of this quilt still has a tendency to warp a little so I will steam iron it further.  See what happens.

Now for the next project.....  Happy stitching friends.







Sunday 21 February 2016

New meshwork / weaving class coming up

New class for next year which I will be trialling soon
at Sawmillers Quiltery 30th of April 2016.

Meshwork is the Japanese art of weaving with strips.  This weaving creates an illusion of a miniature quilt and gives that wow factor to any bag, purse, quilt or other gift item you make.

In the South Pacific region we are surrounded by beautiful cultural weaves.  You will be shown how to draw up and weave your own designs.  


 


Sunday 14 February 2016

8th Annual Stonestead outdoor quilt festival

What a spectacular day for an outdoor quilt festival.  I arrived early before the heat of the day had set in. I took only a few photos before the exhibition opened.  Yvonne will supply professional photographs on the Sawmillers webpage later in the week.
For those of you not familiar with this exhibition, it is held on the grounds of the original Stonestead homestead property in Te Marua, Upper Hutt owned by Kevin.  With his friend Yvonne they also run Sawmillers Quiltery on the same property.


9am Exhibition hanging nearly complete.
Challenge quilts.  Theme table runners






Family Tree by Alan Armstrong.
His own design and I think he must have had a lot of fun making this quilt.

There were several quilts on loan which means I do not know the name of the maker.
These cats are all embroidered.  Beautiful.

close up of one panel in the previous quilt.

More is More by Helen Malanchak quilted by Sue Burnett

close up of Sue's quilting.

Millefiore Paperweights by Jocelyn Thornton.  Quilted by Sue Burnett

3 way quilt by Lynn and Ingrid Jarvis.
Very cleaver idea.  Close up below.

The knitting was so even and beautifully done.  Love the covered buttons.

Elm Creek Sampler by Judy Betts.




My quilt of many colours by Wanda Borowicz.  Hand pieced and machine quilted.

This is an open event which means any quilter can enter.  This relaxed exhibition encourages beginners to enter quilts and it was great to see so many there on the day.
Looking forward to the next one.



Lisa's quilt from my spinning stripes class held at Coastal Quilters last year.
Great to see another top finished.  Clever use of her fabric to create the border.



Thursday 4 February 2016

Clover double tracing wheel

For years my sewing has involved arts, crafts and quilts.  Its been only in the last two years that I have started making my own dresses.  I get so much joy out of making something unique and fun.

I am about to draft several patterns from Burda's Vintage magazine featuring garments from the 1960's. Burda do not include seam allowances in their patterns.  Clover has the perfect tool for this and apparently it has been designed specifically for Burda.
Clover double tracing wheel
Notice the cm spacing options
Each wheel can be pulled out
Wheels can be set and your preferred setting.

 
Depending on whether you are right or left handed, the center wheel will always mark the pattern outline and the other will add the seam allowance.