Guild Office Closed - 11 December to 9 January

This is a quick post to remind members that the Guild office will closes at 3.30pm today for the holidays and will reopen on Monday 10 January 2011. Library loans will be automatically extended for the period. (Please do not attempt to return any library books over the office holiday as the mail hold sometimes doesn't work for parcels.)

On a related note, this blog will be taking a holiday break too. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season. If you are able to get some creative time over the summer, here is a list of categories and awards for the 2011 Sydney Quilt Show to assist you with planning your entry:

CATEGORIES

Amateur:
1. Traditional – Includes wholecloth, crazy, partial appliqué, hand and/or machine pieced and quilted.
Minimum size 120cm x 120cm: maximum size 290cm x 290cm
2. Predominantly Appliqué - Hand and/or machine pieced and quilted. At least 75% appliqué;
Minimum size 140cm x 140cm: maximum size 290cm x 290cm
3. Mixed Techniques – Anything Goes! Includes embroidery, crazy quilting, embellishment, painting, trapunto and felting. Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
4. Small or Wall Quilt – Minimum size 50cm x50cm. Maximum size 150cm x 150cm
5. First-time Entrant - First entry into The Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc Members’ Show. Maximum size 290cm x 290cm

Professional:
6. Traditional – Includes wholecloth, crazy, partial appliqué, hand and/or machine pieced and quilted.
Minimum size 120cm x 120cm: maximum size 290cm x 290cm
7. Predominantly Appliqué - hand and/or machine pieced and quilted. At least 75% appliqué;
Minimum size 140cm x 140cm: maximum size 290cm x 290cm
8. Mixed Techniques–Anything Goes! Including embroidery, crazy quilting, embellishment, painting, trapunto and felting. Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
9. Small or Wall Quilt – Minimum size 50cm x50cm. Maximum size 150cm x 150cm

Open:
10. Miniature – may be either scaled down patterns or your own original design, including postcards and journal quilts. Maximum perimeter 200cm
11. Art Quilt - to be of an original design with no similarity to the works of another Artist.
Maximum size 290cm any one side
12. Pictorial Quilt - To be of an original design and a representation of a person, place or thing with no similarity to the works of another artist. Maximum size 290cm any one side
13. Group/Collaborative Quilt – made by 3 or more people, including at least one Guild member.
Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
14. Commercially Machine Quilted Quilt - the entrant’s top, commercially machine quilted by another.
Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
15. New Traditions From Old Favourites - New quilts designed and inspired by traditional block structures reinterpreted using non-traditional layouts. Maximum size 290 x 290 cm

Junior Quiltmaker:
16. Junior Member A (up to 12 years old) – Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
17. Junior Member A (13-18 years old) – Maximum size 290cm x 290cm

Special Awards include :

• Bernina Best Of Show
• Down Under Quilts Award for Best Use Of Colour
• Retaining The Tradition Award
• Best Reproduction Inspired By An Antique Quilt Award
• Contemporary Art Quilt Award
• Best Use Of Dyes & Pigments
• Awards For Excellence In Quilting : - Hand Quilting And Home Domestic Machine Quilting
• Encouragement Awards
• Viewers’ Choice

Please direct any quilt show entry queries to the Exhibition Secretary.

Designing with Strips Workshop - 11 February 2011

The Guild is putting together an exciting workshop program for 2011.  The first workshop will be:

Designing with Strips with Chris Timmins
Friday, 11 February 2011 (9.30am for 10-4pm)
Boronia Park Uniting Church: 93A Pittwater Road, Hunters Hill

From a set of strips sewn together you can design and create your own masterpiece. The quilt could be a Bargello, Circles from Strips or Take 6. All quilts are made by simple strip piecing patchwork technique that can be used to create exciting and spectacular designs. Some preparation is required prior to the workshop. A great workshop, which is easier than it looks. Suitable for all levels.  See the Guild website for more photos and information.

Download and return a Workshop Booking Form to reserve your place.

Contact the Vice President if you have any  other workshop suggestions or there are any techniques or skills that you wish to explore and develop.

Celebrate the Revamp of the Guild Website!

The Guild website has been freshened up with a brand new look; an easy-to-use dropdown menu to find your way around; completely updated information; a comprehensive Contact List for the new management committee  and a really useful consolidated Guild Calendar listing all the Guild events and activities for 2011. For extra colour and interest, images from the popular 2010 Guild Challenge are featured throughout the website. This blog has been "dressed" to match.

Take a tour around the restyled Guild website to see all the services and activities offered by the Guild. And if you happen to find any broken links or other glitches, be sure to let the Guild Webmaster know so that they can be fixed up.

Reminder: Art to Wear 2011 Closing Soon

Art to Wear is a juried exhibition of wearable art presented by The Quilters' Guild of NSW as part of the annual members' exhibition at the Sydney Quilt Show. The theme for 2011 is "Twitchers all of a twitter -- Aussie Bird" with a palette of Greens 70%, Blues 15%, Yellow 5%, Red 5%, your choice 5%.

Entries are open to individual Guild members. The closing date for entries is 21 December 2010. Download:

• Art to Wear 2011 Entry Form
• Art to Wear 2011 New Applicants Expression of Interest Form

Dr Annette Gero @ Burwood: 1pm, 4 December 2010

The final meeting of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc for 2010 is set for 1pm, Saturday 4 December at Burwood RSL.

11am demonstration by Cathy Jack Coupland
Shop: Logan's Patchwork Fabrics

Come along to hear Dr Annette Gero's presentation about her 2009 Guild Scholarship research in Berlin on inlaid quilts. She helped curate, and to learn from, a major quilt exhibition in Berlin, which was the world first on woollen inlaid patchwork.

Report on Alan Tremain Guild Scholarship & Textile Conservation Advice

In 2009, Alan Tremain received a $2,500 scholarship from The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc. to contribute to the cost of his visit to USA earlier this year. 

As documented on his application,  Alan’s main aims of the scholarship were to finalize practical applications for a quilt conservation, restoration and preservation thesis, knowledge acquisition to create a feasibility study for the establishment of an independent national quilt judging standard, and to observe and document quilt museum management, storage and exhibition principals. He wanted to interview prominent quilters as well as those involved in the historical preservation of quilt history like the creators of Mormon Trail Centre in Nebraska. 





As well, his aim included reintroducing Australian Quilt making to key museums, institutions and resource centres in America thus fostering greater exchange and interaction between our guild and exhibiting museums and quilt groups throughout the USA as we approach our 30th year.

 Alan's major purpose for the trip was to attend a nine day Nancy Kirk quilt restoration workshop in Omaha, Nebraska. He researched and acquired quilts, quilt tops, fabrics and patterns with a focus on the American Mid West. He also wanted to view quilt collections held by individuals and in both state and local museums in his travels. 

In the state of Nebraska, Alan spent time at the Durham Museum in Omaha, the Mormon Trail Centre in Pleasance, the International Quilt Study Centre and Museum and the University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln. He then travelled to Golden in Colorado where he visited the headquarters of Primedia, publisher of many quilt magazines, and viewed their QNL cover quilts exhibition, visited many historic houses, viewed a quilt at the Coors Brewery made from their ribbons and had access to some of the quilts in the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum's archives by helping them move to a new location. 

With Judith Trager he was also able to view some private quilt collections in Boulder. When he visited nursing homes to track down old quilts and their stories from their owners, he was lucky enough to be given some quilt patterns, quilt tops and fabrics.

Alan also took advantage of his time there to buy some quilts, quilt tops, Mountain Mist patterns, 1930s diecut quilt kits, cheater cloth fabrics from the 1940s to 1960s, quilt blocks and a number of feedsacks, all of which he showed us. We were very interested to see the crimplene quilt made from blocks of crossed tulips that was given to him by an 85 year old ex-dressmaker he visited in a nursing home.

For those interested in increasing their knowledge of old quilts, Alan recommended the Barbara Blackman “Clues in the Calico”  e-book, “Quilts of the Golden West” and the “Fabric Dating Kit Book” by Cindy Brick, and the Quilt Study books that have been published for each state in USA. For removing stains slowly in textiles, Alan uses the Herbon Prewash Stain Remover which is available from health food stores. 

Alan gave advice on the care, conservation and presentation of lace items, items of clothing, quilts and quilt tops that had been brought along by the workshop attendees.

As a result of his trip, Alan has increased his store of research notes and photographs, and hopes to contribute to a national standard for quilt research.

Newsletter News

The December 2010 newsletter will be dispatched to members very soon.  It's packed full of photos and articles including an introduction to the new committee; the striking array of quilts entered into the 2010 Guild Challenge; a selection of member quilts from The New Quilt 2010; quilts from Sydney quilt show guest exhibitor Gai Haines and more!

The first newsletter for 2011 will be distributed in early February (rather than March) so that quilt show entry forms can be posted out at the same time. Accordingly, the deadline for articles and advertising has been brought forward to 8 December 2010.

The newsletter editor always welcome articles and news items from members. Similarly new advertisers are welcome.  We accept colour advertisements in high resolution (300 dpi) jpg format.

ADVERTISING RATES including GST:

• Eighth Page Horizontal Only 65 x 92mm $82.50 each issue
• Sixth Page Vertical Only 136 x 60mm $110.00 each issue
• Quarter Page Vertical Only 136 x 92mm $165.00 each issue
• Half Page Horizontal Only 136 x 190mm $330.00 each issue
• Full Page Vertical Only 277 x 190mm $660.00 each issue

A 20% discount applies if you take out an advert for 4 consecutive editions.

Please contact the Publicity & Sponsorship Officer to place your advertisement. For more information, also see the Guild's Advertising Brochure (285KB pdf).

Southern Cross Needlework & Quilting Show @ Gresford: 21 November

Southern Cross Needlework and Quilting Quilt Show at Clevedon House East Gresford (Hunter Valley) on Sunday 21st November. 9am to 2.30pm. Gresford is about half an hour from Maitland.


The owners, Belinda and Ellis Richards hold community markets in the grounds of their historic house for the benefit of the community. We will be having quilts from Cessnock, Singleton, Maitland and Newcastle on show. Techniques will be mixed. Those attending last year were very surprised with the quality on show. There will be other stalls Devonshire teas and a BBQ on the day. The beneficiaries will be the Gresford Preschool.

One Step Futher 2010 Exhibition

Congratulations to Guild member Anna Brown whose work Bushwalk – Flora 4 was awarded runner up in the large quilt category in the One Step Futher contemporary quilt exhibition presented by Victorian Quilters. Other Guild members whose work was juried into the exhibition include Jan Frazer, Dianne Firth and Brenda Gael Smith.  The exhibition continues until 17 December 2010 at Whitehorse Art Space at Bx Hill, Victoria.

Bush Walk Flora 4 by Anna Brown

Textured Landscapes Exhibition: 14 Nov-9 December 2010

Caroline Sharkey travels to many places to experience the colours and shapes of the Australian landscape.  The Textured Landscapes exhibition opens at the Nexus Gallery in Bellingen at 5pm on Sunday, 14 November and continues until 9 December. This exhibition is all new work and has an abstract textured theme that Caroline has been developing into her work.  Her inspiration comes from the landscape, the yarn and fabric that she paints, embellishes and changes to produce stunning examples of colour and design.

Caroline works from her studio in Urunga, New South Wales.  She has regular exhibitions in Central Australia and has been artist/craftsperson in residence with Ayers Rock resort at Uluru for the past 10 years.  Caroline is also a generous sponsor of the Sydney Quilt Show and regularly donates framed textiles works for the Hangers' Prize which go both to the quiltmaker of the quilt voted as favourite by Guild volunteers on show set up day and a set up day volunteer whose name is randomly drawn from the roster list.

World of Beauty Winner @ Houston 2011

4 November Update: the complete IQF 2011 Winners Gallery is now online.

Congratulations to Guild Member Rachelle Denneny who has been awarded the "World of Beauty" $7500 major prize at the 2011 International Quilt Festival at Houston for her quilt Royal Amethyst.  (This quilt was also voted Viewers' Choice at the Sydney Quilt Show 2010.)

Royal Amethyst by Rachelle Denneny

Mariya Waters won a second prize and Jenny Bowker won a Honourable Mention for Sandstorm over the White Desert.

Sandstorm Over the White Desert by Jenny Bowker

Many thanks to our faithful correspondent on the ground in Houston, Lisa Walton, who reported on this exciting news.

Introducing the 2011 Guild Management Committee

A new Guild management committee was appointed at the recent annual general meeting.  Their names and contact details are set out below or you can download a copy of the 2011 committee directory (35KB PDF) for your records.  Thank you to these members for donating their time, energy and enthusiasm for the benefit of our Guild.

Sue Dennis: Sightlines Exhibition @ Houston

Guild member Sue Dennis is one of fourteen textile artists invited to participate in Sightlines, an installation of artworks featuring a sightline linking all the artwork in the exhibit. Each artist chose her own themes and created five to eight artworks, including four 8x8" linking pieces, covering a ten foot wide space.

The Sightlines exhibition premiers at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this week and features Sue's work A Dry Land.

2010 Guild Challenge Quilt Gallery

Fifty five Guild members rose to the 2010 challenge of incorporating a mystery fabric into a 60x40cm or 40x60cm quilt. You can view images of all of the entries in the online gallery.

Australia Wide Two: Official Opening 23 October

Australia Wide Two the next Ozquilt Network Inc. travelling exhibition of contemporary quilts will be launched at Fairfield City Museum and Gallery, 22 October to 5 December 2010. The official opening is this Saturday, 23 October 2010 at 2pm.

Guild members whose work has been selected for this exhibition include: Anna Brown, Sue Dennis,  Helen Gray, Kay Haerland, Alvena Hall, Judy Hooworth,  Alison Muir, Kerrie-Anne Riles,  Brenda Gael Smith, Carolyn Sullivan and Margaret Wallace.  The exhibition also features work by the selectors Pamela Fitzsimons, Margery Goodall and Belinda von Mengersen.

2010 Guild Challenge

What could you do with this fabric? Fifty five Guild members rose to this creative challenge and entered into the Guild's 2010 challenge. The resulting quilts were on display for the first time at the Guild's annual general meeting today.

First prize was awarded to Amanda Daly for her quilt Organically Grown.

Second prize went to Denise Coote for Sydney New Year.

Val Duncan was awarded third prize for her cityscape.

Heather Middleton received fourth prize for All Shagged Out.

Judges commendations went to Heather Watts for Go with the Flow and new quiltmaker and Guild member Josh Bennett for Shake Your Tail Feather. 

And Guild members attending the AGM voted for Leaf Storm by Judy Day as Viewers' Choice.

A big thank you to Country Pickin's at the Corner for coming to the party and providing prizes for the challenge. A slideshow gallery of all 55 quilt images will be posted soon.

NEW! Member Group Website Listing

Under the Guild's constitution, one of the Guild's key objectives is to bring quilters together and encourage the establishment of quilt groups.  Consistent with this objective, the Guild has set up a Member Groups page on the Guild website.  The listing includes contact details for:

• Eastern Suburbs Quilters  - Randwick
• Maitland Patchwork Quilters Inc - Maitland
• Seaside Heritage Quilters Inc Tuncurry/Forster
• Singleton Quilters Inc - Singleton
• Wagga Wagga Patchwork & Quilters  - Wagga Wagga
• Wentworth Quilters  - Guildford

If your group is interested in becoming one of our Member Groups, please complete and return the Membership Application Form. If your group is already a current financial member of the Guild and would like to be added to this listing, please complete and return the Group Member Listing Consent Form to the Guild Office.

Services available to a Member Group include entry into the group category at the Sydney Quilt Show; access to our library resources; two members from a group may attend Guild workshops at the member's price; and receiving the quarterly newsletter The Template.

Quilt Study Group of NSW Goes Hi-Tech

Karen Fail and Irene Manion

Irene Manion is passionate about fabric and stitch, and all the textile work she showed the Quilt Study Group of NSW at the Powerhouse Museum on August 14th exhibited her desire for perfection, a keen eye for design and her perseverance with detail that left me in awe.

Irene is a Visual Arts Teacher and has been for the past 20 years. Nothing could be more wonderful for students than to have a practising artist for a teacher who continues to experiment and investigate new techniques in her textile art. We were certainly impressed with her array of technique swatches – some which worked and others that didn’t.

In the 70s Irene experimented with batik designs trying to capture the landscapes in the Blue Mountains. This led her to develop a complex multi-layered dying and waxing techniques. Examples of this early work were breathtaking and made it hard to believe that only batik techniques were used. The detail was wonderful.

Over the last ten years, Irene has changed direction and is now using modern technology in her textile work. She incorporates dye sublimation prints of images she has developed from her own digital photos and drawings. These are modified in programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. She then has these images commercially printed onto fabric and generously provided us with a list of suppliers should we decide to experiment in the same way. We even had an opportunity to transfer print one of Irene’s images onto fabric for future use. Some of us even managed to get three images onto fabric from one print.

Once Irene has the image she wants, she uses computerised machine embroidery or free machine embroidery to enhance the digitally printed surface. She had many examples for us to look at but most impressive were the lorikeets, a beautiful wall hanging with birds in flight and at rest. Irene showed us a few of the printed fabrics which she rejected, again demonstrating her determination to get exactly what she wanted. Eventually the background fabric was ready with fewer  birds than had initially been planned so additional 3D birds were added. These were embroidered, padded and backed before being added to the background. We were quite in awe as we appreciated the work and time investment for this.

Irene very generously brought along her most recent work, which was part of “A Conversation with Rain” exhibition at Fairfield Art Gallery and Museum earlier in the year. Everyone spent at least some of their time examining this delightful work carefully.

Fabric and stitch, it seems can come in all guises and Irene Manion has certainly mastered the use of modern technology in her textile art and inspired some quilt study groupers to expand their horizons.

Report from Karen Fail.

Guild AGM @ Burwood: Saturday, 16 October 2010

The annual general meeting for the Guild will be held at Burwood RSL at 1pm on Saturday 16 October 2010. In addition to the AGM formalities, there is the premiere exhibition of the 2010 Guild Challenge quilts (incorporating a feature fabric) where you can cast your vote; a demonstration at 11am by Lynn Hewitt and the opportunity to pick up something special from Country Pickin's at the Corner - a generous quilt show sponsor.

Quilt National 2011

Congratulations to Guild members including Dianne Firth, Pamela Fitzsimons, Alison Muir and Carolyn Sullivan who each have a quilt juried into the prestigious contemporary quilt exhibition Quilt National 28 May - 5 September 2011.

Spontaneous Construction Exhibition

Spontaneous Construction, an exhibition of painting, sculpture, mixed media and textiles including work by Guild members Nic Bridges and Janine Matthews continues at Project Contemporary Artspace in Wollongong until Sunday, 10 October 2010.

St Ives Quilters Exhibition: 8 & 9 October 2010

Friday, 8th and Saturday, 9th October 2010
Venue: St Ives Community Church Hall
32 Horace Street, St Ives

Opening times: Friday and Saturday 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Entry: $5 (children under 12 free)

Featuring Members’ quilts and a special display of selected quilts of the late Narelle Grieve. Also members’ Craft stall, Raffle quilts and local patchwork shops. Refreshments.

Image:  Legacy by Narelle Grieve and Maree Gebhardt.  Retaining the Tradition Award, Sydney Quilt Show 2010.

Reminder: Textile Conservation & Restoration Workshop: 9 October

Textile Conservation & Restoration Workshop

2.00pm -4.30pm, Saturday 9 October

Powerhouse Learning Centre, Powerhouse Museum

This afternoon workshop with Alan R Tremain is FREE to all financial Guild members. This workshop will look at the practical implementation of Conservation and Restoration techniques for domestic textiles. Participants will need to bring along a quilt, quilt top or other textile to work on or be advised upon plus general sewing notions. Each participant should make direct contact with the tutor prior to the event in case specific work tools are required. The tutor will have available conservation items for purchase by participants.

To reserve a place in this workshop please contact Karen Fail or the Guild office.

Novocastrian Quilters Exhibition: 9-10 October 2010

"Novocastrian Quilters Inc present "Quilt Me a Rainbow"
Members' Annual Quilt Exhibition
New Lambton Community Centre, Alma Rd, New Lambton
9th - 10th October, 2010 from 9am to 4pm daily
Admission $5.00
Guest Lecturers 11am & 2pm
Hand made gift stall, challenge & school quilt displays.
Quilt raffle proceeds to 'Periwinkles' Dementia Social Support Group
Contact Elizabeth 49674363 or Marilyn at marilynurane@yahoo.com.au

Cherrybrook Quilters Exhibition: 25 & 26 September

Cherrybrook Quilters Inc will be holding an exhibition of members quilts.  This will be a showcase of outstanding quilts featuring works by some of Australia’s leading quilters, as well as a display of many other handmade items including glorious embroidery, cross stitch, furnishing items and toys. All proceeds from the exhibition, including the Raffle Quilt, will be donated to ovarian cancer research. Come and be inspired to stitch!
When: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September
Time: 10am – 4pm. Admission : $6.00
Where:  Cherrybrook Uniting Church hall, New Line Road, Cherrybrook (opposite Cherrybrook Public School).          
Enquiries: Anne Curry 0407 407 561

Stitch +Stitch=Magic Exhibition: 14-26 September

Guild members Cathy Jack Coupland and Carolyn Sullivan each have a contemporary quilt on display in the Stitch +Stitch=Magic exhibition at Craft NSW, 104 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney from 14-26 September.  The gallery is open 7 days, 9.30am- 5.30pm

Guild Committee Opportunities: 2010/2011

This is your opportunity as a member to contribute to the Guild's policy, operations and success through nominating for a position on the Quilters' Guild Committee or as a coordinator of a sub-committee Each year all committee and sub-committee coordinator positions fall vacant however the incumbents in the following committee positions will not be re-nominating due to having served the maximum three year term on the committee or due to changes in their lives:

• Vice President
• Membership Secretary
• Sponsorship & Publicity

Please take time to read the information about each position and consider nominating. All committee or sub-committee positions can be challenged. A vote will be taken should two or more members nominate. The closing date for nominations is 1 October 2010. (The AGM is on 16 October 2010 at Burwood.)  Download a nomination form.

VICE PRESIDENT

• Assist and deputise for the President when necessary
• Arrange Workshops or Special Lectures as opportunities arise and promote such activities in the Template
• Manage the Scholarship Program
• Host the social part of the Guild bi-monthly meetings
• Attend Judging Day and set-up day of the Annual Quilt Show (if available)
• Be available for duty at the Quilt Show
• Prepare quarterly reports for the Template

SPONSORSHIP/PUBLICITY OFFICER

• Seek Sponsors for Sydney Quilt Show
• Liaise with President and Exhibition Sub committee to create Quilt Show categories and allocate sponsorship appropriately
• Prepare full documentation (spread sheet) when Show sponsorship finalised
• Prepare all prizes for presentation at the show and ensure distribution to the winners
• Seek door prizes for general meetings
• Keep comprehensive and complete records of Sponsor contacts and logos.
• Attend Judging Day and set-up day of the Annual Quilt Show (if available)
• Be available for duty at the Quilt Show
• Seek publicity and advertisers for the Guild
• Liaise with Template Editor and Treasurer to provide advertising and invoicing information for the Template
• Prepare press releases for the Guild as required 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

• Keep all members records updated
• Print Labels for envelopes every three months for Template to be sent and make sure labels are on envelopes.
• Make sure Membership List is kept updated in Office
• Send Information Letters and Templates to all new Members
• Keep filing under control
• Attend all Committee Meetings and Burwood Meetings and be organised to give report
• Keep the week of the quilt show clear as with the Office Manager you are responsible to run the Membership Desk
• Also be available to help with Quilt Show Judging Day, Set up Day and the Take Down.

Report on April Hexie Madness QSG event

The Quilt Study Group of NSW (a sub-committee of The Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc.) held their April meeting at The Powerhouse Museum on Saturday April 24^th 2010. All members of the Guild are welcome to attend and there are no longer additional fees. 

This event titled “Hexie Madness” was designed as a giant ‘Show and Tell’ featuring hexagon quilts in all shapes and sizes. Members were asked to bring and talk about their hexagon quilts. The turn out was most impressive with over 40 participants and many, many more quilts. Brigitte Giblin (who has been a previous guest speaker for the Sydney Quilt Study Group) was unable to attend but kindly sent 4 of her recent quilts plus a number of quilts by her students. They all feature hexagons, some in conjunction with appliqué and other paper piecing designs.

Jennifer Corkish brought a number of her quilts, again incorporating hexagons within the design and she even had a few new and unfinished designs for students to anticipate making in future classes. A number of her students also brought along their hexie quilts made in Jennifer’s classes.  

Pam Curtis could not attend but generously sent her prize winning hexie quilts for us to look at.

Daphne Massie brought the first block in her project to replicate an old quilt found by her daughter; hopefully she will bring more blocks to future meetings.

The highlight of the show was the quilt made by Nolene McGuran which won Best of Show at the Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc. quilt show some years ago. Unfortunately we did have any quilt stands so we couldn’t show this masterpiece of design to its fullest potential but at the end we laid it out on the floor so everyone could get a good look.

At the end of the meeting the room was ringed with tables piled high with hexie quilts. I was so busy running around I didn’t get the chance to count them or to get the names of many of the makers - my apologies. Most of the members of the audience were fans of “Hexie” quilts, and those who weren’t left the meeting as converts. For example, on a recent Guild bus trip to Wagga Wagga, Margy Syrette was surrounded by quilters making hexagons of various sizes so she decided to try her hand at doing some. She was delighted to present her completed quilt.

There was so much to inspire us with the variety of design and fabric. It was a great day. Thank you to all who came along for bringing along your hexie masterpieces and helping publicise this most wonderful madness! Sandra Lyons.

Art to Wear 2011: Twitchers all of a twitter - Aussie Bird

Art to Wear is a juried exhibition of wearable art presented by The Quilters' Guild of NSW as part of the annual members' exhibition at the Sydney Quilt Show. The theme for 2011 is "Twitchers all of a twitter -- Aussie Bird" which features the colours (again of Australia)of our Rainbow Lorikeet. The designated palette is Greens 70%, Blues 15% Yellow 5% Red 5% your choice 5%” (ref ‘What Bird Is That’ page 422 Rainbow Lorikeet).

Entries are open to individual Guild members. The closing date for entries is 21 December 2010. Download:

• Art to Wear 2011 Entry Form
• Art to Wear 2011 New Applicants Expression of Interest Form

Fabric Colouring with Gai Rayner: 19 and 20 November

Fabric Colouring with Gai Rayner

Friday 19 November & Saturday 20 November 2010, Guild Office

Gai Rayner is a trained instructor with Genesis Creations. She enjoys experimenting with colour and is always pleasantly surprised at the results she can achieve using very simple techniques. She teaches fabric colouring and silk painting using Liquid Radiance paints. Liquid Radiance is paint NOT a dye. It is Australian made and owned and the paint is stable in the fabric once it is dry – no rinsing is needed unless salt has been used in a technique. It will colour all fabrics – cottons, synthetics, wool, linen.

Some techniques covered in the workshop include salting, heliography, colour tonings and Genesis Creations tie-dyeing. You will also learn to colour lace, cotton threads and embroidery cottons. By the end of the workshop you will have produced some stunning coloured fabrics using easy to master methods.

Cost will be $70 per person per day, with a minimum of ten students per workshop. Paint kits will be available for purchase at the workshop. A full kit including eight colours is $115. A starter kit including three colours of your choice is $50.

The Quilt Show on The Quilt Show

Thank you to Alex Anderson, Ricky Tims and The Quilt Show Daily Blog for the opportunity to present a slideshow of more than 20 prize winning quilts from the Sydney Quilt Show 2010.  You can view a complete gallery on the Guild website. The dates for next year's members' exhibition are 22-26 June 2011.

Textile Conservation & Restoration Workshop: 9 October

Textile Conservation & Restoration Workshop

2.00pm -4.30pm, Saturday 9 October

Powerhouse Learning Centre, Powerhouse Museum

This half-day workshop with Alan R Tremain is FREE to all financial Guild members . This hands on workshop has been organised as part of the Guild’s Annual Scholarship recipient program for 2009 and is being hosted by the Guild’s Quilt Study Group sub committee. This workshop will look at the practical implementation of Conservation and Restoration techniques for domestic textiles. Participants will need to bring along a quilt, quilt top or other textile to work on or be advised upon plus general sewing notions. Each participant should make direct contact with the tutor prior to the event in case specific work tools are required. The tutor will have available conservation items for purchase by participants.

To reserve a place in this workshop please contact Karen Fail or the Guild office.

Afternoon tea is provided, transport details are available at www.powerhousemuseum.com/visit/howtogethere.asp#public_transport
Car parking details for disabled participants, please contact Karen well in advance.

2010 Guild Challenge Quilts Due 27 August

The 2010 Guild challenge closes on 27 August 2010.  This challenge is fabric rather than theme-based and each entry must incorporate the mystery challenge fabric. This fabric is available from the Guild office for $2.20. If you would like the fabric to be posted to you, please send your details to the Guild office along with 5x55 cent stamps.

Download 2010 Challenge Entry Form (75KB pdf)

Reminder for 2010/2011 Membership Renewal

The Guild membership year runs from 1 July -30 June.  Have you renewed your membership for 2010/2011?!

Membership fees are as follows:

• New or Renewing $55 Australia $50 Overseas plus postage
• Junior Membership $22 Australia $20 Overseas plus postage
• Family* Membership $77 Australia $70 Overseas plus postage
• Group Membership $88 Australia (Australia only)
• Junior Group Membership** $44 Australia (Australia only)

To renew your membership, please download and complete a membership form and send it to:

The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc

Level 5, 276 Pitt Street

SYDNEY 2000

Payment can be made by cheque, money order, Mastercard or Visa.  Please add $1.50 if paying by credit card.

 

* Family means children and up to two adults residing at the same address

** Junior quiltmakers (up to 18 years of age) from the same school or area may form a group. Each junior quiltmaker may enter one quilt in the Sydney Quilt Show free of charge. See this blog post for more details.

Hunters Hill Quilt Show: 13-15 August 2010

The 2010 Hunters Hill Quilt Show will be held on Friday 13th – Sunday 15th August 2010 10:00am –4:30pm. The show is held in the Hunters Hill Town Hall, Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill.

Visitors are invited to browse, admire and critique the exhibited 80 unique quilts made by members of the group. They can buy new and old quilts, add to their stash at the Material Obsession quilt shop and finally, stop for tea or coffee and home made goodies.

One of the special features of the 2010 show is the Wagga exhibition. This features quilts traditionally made of necessity and from materials found in the Australian home including wool and clothing scraps. The end result of today’s wagga is a textile piece that perfectly compliments contemporary interior designs.

The show raffle provides an opportunity to win a choice of two raffle quilts, one traditional in design, Rhapsody in Red, a red and white red work quilt and the other a contemporary design, Sunrise, a riot of funky flowers.

The proceeds of the 2010 show will be donated to Giant Steps Sydney: a school catering specifically for children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Hunters Hill Quilters have had an ongoing relationship with Giant Steps Sydney for several years contributing quilts to raffle and auction at their fundraising events.

David Koch, co-host of the popular Channel 7’s Sunrise program, finance expert and author is this year’s judge. David will choose 10 quilts, judged on the basis of aesthetic appeal, a ‘best of show’ and 9 judge’s choice.

See the Hunters Hill Quilters website for more information.

Creating with Textiles using Modern Technology: 14 August

The Sydney Quilt Study Group of the Quilters' Guild of NSW next meets on Saturday, 14 August for:

Creating with Textiles using Modern Technology with Irene Manion.

Saturday, 14 August 2010

2.00pm - 4.30pm Powerhouse Museum in the Board Room Level 5

 Bring Show and Tell of any textiles in your collection that use modern technology.

Free to all Quilters Guild of NSW members. Afternoon Tea provided.

You do not need to pay an entry fee to the Powerhouse Musuem if you say you are going to the Quilt Study Group meeting.

Irene Manion is an exceptional textile artist who enjoys using modern technology in her work. In the 70s her work consisted of wall hangings depicting the landscape of the Blue Mountains using batik and developed complex multilayered dying and waxing techniques. In the last decade she has moved into working with modern technology. She creates dye sublimation prints of images developed from her own digital photos and drawings which are modified in programmes such as Photoshop and Illustrator. They are then commercially printed onto fabric. The next stage involves either computerised machine embroidery or free machine embroidery onto the digitally printed surface. Some quilting or 3-D development of the image is then used to give texture and depth to the final piece.

Camden Country Quilters Exhibition: 7-8 August 2010

Our 21st exhibition is on this weekend - in country Camden, New South Wales. Jump on the M5 and take the Narellan/Camden exit.

Camden Country Quilters Exhibition: A Quilter's Paradise

9:30am-4:30pm

Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 August 2010

AH&I Hall, Argyle Street, Camden.

Admission: $6

There will be a lovely raffle quilt and tickets may be purchased at the door.  Funds raised go to local charities.  There will be many beautiful qulits on display.  Of course there will be a table or two laden with handmade goodies lovingly crafted by our members as well as stalls selling fabrics, patterns kits, sewing bits and pieces and antique quilts. There will be a cafe will will run all day serving tea, coffee, homemade slices and cakes.  Sandwiches and soup available for lunch.

For more information, call Wendy 0400 390 322

Our Place Exhibition: 24 July - 5 September

You are invited to a new exhibition

OUR PLACE

Prints, paintings and textiles by

Pamela Ireland, Jacqui White, Linda Greedy

and Pamela Fitzsimons

Please join us for drinks with the artists on

Saturday 24 July at 6pm

RSVP to info@crag.net.au or phone 02 4991 6619

You can also join us with the artists ‘In Conversation’ on Saturday 7th August at 2.30pm in the gallery where you will have the chance to hear how they work, what inspires a them and ask any questions you have.

cessnock regional art gallery inc

16 Vincent Street

Cessnock 2325 NSW

Ph: 02 4991 6619

Fax: 02 4991 6620

Classic Oz Rocks! Art to Wear 2010 @ Gosford Regional Gallery

The exhibition of Classic Oz Rocks continue at Gosford Regional Gallery until Sunday 25 July.

Based on the colours of the Australian Outback, this exhibition of fashion design draws on some of Australia’s most talented textile artists. All garments designed for this exhibition have been created using a limited colour palette. Held annually as part of the Sydney Quilt Show in Darling Harbour, this is the first time that the Art to Wear section has travelled outside Sydney. This year’s exhibition features guest artist Cheryl Bridgart from Adelaide.

The New Quilt 2010: Artist Floor Talks

The New Quilt 2010: Contemporary Quilt Textiles exhibition continues at Manly Art Gallery & Museum until Sunday 25 July (open Tuesday-Sunday 10am - 5pm).  For extra insights into the exhibition, you are invited to join the artist floor talks at 3pm on Sunday, 18 July and 3pm, Sunday 25 July 2010.

Desire Lines #5: After the Rain

53cm x 112cm ©2010

Brenda Gael Smith