Sydney Quilt Show 2011 Prize Winners Gallery

Congratulations to Merelyn Pearce who was awarded Bernina Best of Show 2011 for her applique masterpiece, Preston Dreaming.  You can view Merelyn's quilt, along with images of other prize winning quilts at the 2011 Sydney Quilt Show Prize Winner's Gallery.

Preston Dreaming by Merelyn Pearce

In this final quilt,in the series of six, I have sought to  highlight the influence of Australian Aboriginal Art on the work of Margaret  Preston who strove to achieve a truly uniquely Australian artistic expression.

Super Raffle 2011: Drawn 4.00pm Sunday, 26 June

Tickets ($2 each) available from the Membership Desk at the Sydney Quilt Show (22-26 June).

First Prize: Winner’s choice of either the Elizabethan quilt made by The Foundation Committee – The Quilters Guild of the Central Coast OR Bernina 350 PE sewing machine sponsored by Bernina Australia

Second Prize: Item remaining from first prize

Third Prize: A Collectors Box of Gütermann Sewing Threads sponsored by Perivale Gütermann

Fourth Prize: A Sew-Ezi Sewing Table sponsored by Just Patchwork

Fifth Prize: A Craft Lamp sponsored by The Scissorman

Sixth Prize: 10 metres Moda Farics sponsored by PK Fabrics


Raffle quilt photo by Spy Photography

Sydney Quilt Show : 22-26 June 2011

The Quilters' Guild of NSW is proud to present its annual members' exhibition this week from 22-26 June in conjunction with the Craft & Quilt Fair at the Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour, Sydney.  This exciting event opens at 9am on Wednesday, 22 June and everyone is invited to attend the awards ceremony at the special time of 11am.

The 2011 Sydney Quilt Show will showcase:

• an exhibition of nearly 400 member quilts;
• 2010 Spot the Spots! Guild challenge quilts;
• Art to Wear -Twitchers all of a twitter -- Aussie Bird" which features a designated palette of lorikeet colours - Greens 70%, Blues 15% Yellow 5% Red 5% artist's choice5%”
• Art to Wear Guest Exhibitor - Wendy Wright;
• Best of Australia quilts (Best of Show quilts from across Australia for 2010) sponsored by Bernina;
• a selection of contemporary quilts by guest exhibitor Lisa Walton with daily floortalks at 1pm; and
• Kids Skills on Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, this year we are introducing a number of 30-minute floor talks on a variety of topics, using the quilts on display to illustrate the variety that's possible in quilt construction and design. Tours commence at the Best of Show quilt and are FREE of charge. See floor talk timetable below.

Wednesday 22 June

• 1pm - Guest exhibitor floortalk with Lisa Walton
• 2pm - Patchwork for Beginners: Lynn Hewitt

Thursday 23 June

• 11 am Art Quilts: Brenda Gael Smith
• 1pm - Guest exhibitor floortalk with Lisa Walton 
• 2pm - A Twist on Tradition:Kathy Doughty

Friday 24 June 

• 11am - Quilting:Maree Gebhardt 
• 1pm - Guest exhibitor floortalk with Lisa Walton 
• 2pm - Mixed Techniques:Amanda Daly

 Saturday 25 June

• 11am -  Kids talk: Amanda Daly
• 1pm - Guest exhibitor floortalk with Lisa Walton 
• 2pm - Traditional: Jane Gibson

Sunday 26 June

• 11am - Patchwork for Beginners:Lynn Hewitt 
• 1pm - Guest exhibitor floortalk with Lisa Walton 
• 2pm - Art Quilts:Brenda Gael Smith

Note:  The Guild office is closed during the week of the Sydney Quilt Show and will reopen at 10am on Monday 27 June 2011.

Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012 - Press Release

We are delighted that Jennifer Sanders has agreed to curate this exhibition (formerly The New Quilt), which celebrates the 21st year of this contemporary quilt exhibition and The Quilters’ Guild of NSW’s 30th year. The exhibition will be based on the theme Regeneration.

In her acceptance of curatorship, Jennifer Sanders stated that "Regeneration gives us the opportunity to encourage and foster new forms of quilted textile art – work which draws on the traditional skills and expertise and then explores new territories of expression on the exhibition theme. I am committed to engaging the audience in the stories behind the quilts."

One of Jennifer Sanders’ proposals is the use of "individual display boxes for each work showing the artist’s sources of inspiration, photos, sketches; samples of their fabrics and techniques – any material which the artist believes will help convey to the audience the story behind the finished work." She believes that engaging the audience in the creative process and the stories behind the quilts will enhance their understanding and appreciation of the quilter's art.

This indeed will be a new and exciting approach. Jennifer Sanders continued, "The ideas we are exploring to keep in dialogue with the selected artists as the works are made should help make the Regeneration exhibition project one in which the development process yields rewards for all involved as much as does the final exhibition in 2012."

Regeneration, Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012 will be held at Manly Art Gallery and Museum, 27 April to 4 June 2012.

Full details and an entry form are available here. Applications close 25 July 2011.

Territory Quilts 2011

Darwin Patchworkers and Quilters Inc is hosting the Territory Quilts 2011 exhibition at the Darwin Performing Arts Centre from 28 July to 1 August 2011. Enjoy the fantastic weather in Darwin at this time of the year, meet other quilters and see wonderful quilts!

Textured Treasures Workshop: 23 - 24 July

Join Lisa Walton for her Textured Treasures workshop:
Saturday and Sunday, 23 and 24 July 2011 (9.30am for 10-3pm)
Epping Creative Centre, Dence St, Epping.


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

Hurry - only three places left!

Join Jewel Pearce Patterson Scholarship Winner and Guild Member Lisa Walton for a two-day masterclass exploring colour, textures and embellishments. Techniques such as fabric painting, stamping, rubbing, foiling and beading will be explored and combined with your own inspirational images. Students' work from this workshop may be selected for exhibition at the Houston International Quilt Festival 2011 as part of Lisa's Scholarship Exhibition.

Art Quilt Portfolio: People and Portraits Publishing Opportunity

Lark Crafts is about start work on the 2nd book in the Art Quilt Portfolio series, which will focus on "People and Portraits."  If your work focuses on people and you are interested in being published, the Call for Consideration forms are now available on Lark's website: http://www.larkcrafts.com/submit/calls-for-submissions

The DEADLINE is 15 August 2011.

30th year logo and slogan competition

Get your thinking caps on! 2012 is the Guild's 30th year and we are planning a number of celebratory events. All members are invited to apply their creative talents to create a catchy and relevant slogan OR to design an image to be used as a 30th year logo. Or maybe you are inspired to create both!Full details and an entry form will be in the August issue of The Template, but you are encouraged to start thinking now! The closing date for entries is 28 September and the winner will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on 15 October.

And there's a prize - one year’s free Guild individual membership, free entry for up to two quilts into the 2012 Sydney Quilt Show, a five-day pass to the 2012 Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair, a ticket to the 2012 Exhibition Dinner and a free quilt valuation. What a great incentive to enter!

Bra decorating competition

Everyone is invited to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation by decorating a bra. All bras will be displayed in the foyer of the Glen Street Theatre during the Breast Wishes season in September 2011.

The maker of the winning entry will receive an Estee Lauder gift pack and two tickets to see this uplifting musical, Breast Wishes. So join the fun and celebrate breasts (and those who support them!).

There will be a silent auction of the decorated bras during the show's season, with all proceeds going the the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Enquiries: Anne Looby, by phone 0418 476 191 or email.

Friday Showcase reminder

Due to the preparations for the Sydney Quilt Show, there will not be a Friday Showcase in June. Join us at the next Friday Showcase on 1 July to see Kay Haerland's fabulous quilts.

Sewing in the Office: 23 May 10:30am-2pm

The next Sewing in the Office event for Community Quilts is on Monday 23 May 10.30am-2pm Bring along your sewing kit and join in the fun. For further information contact Maree Gebhardt.

Quilting: from little things...

Congratulations to Guild member Sarah Fielke whose new book Quilting: from little things... has recently been published by Murdoch Books.

The book includes instructions for twenty quilts - ten pairs of small quilts and large quilts. Each pair showcases a different technique, so that by making a small quilt first you can become comfortable with the technique before committing to making a large quilt. Congratulations Sarah!

Rajah quilt on display in Canberra

The Rajah Quilt, sewn by convict women as they sailed from England to Tasmania in 1841, is currently on display at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. It is part of the exhibition Not Just Ned - a true history of the Irish in Australia. Infrequently displayed, the Rajah Quilt is one of Australia's most important textiles.

The exhibition continues until 31 July. For more information, phone the National Museum of Australia on 1800 026 132.

Regeneration: Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012

Manly Art Gallery and Museum 27 April - 4 June 2012

A collaboration between The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc. and Manly Art Gallery and Museum

The New Quilt exhibition has been hosted by Manly Art Gallery and Museum in collaboration with the Guild for the past twenty years. For the twenty first year, it was agreed that a new vision for the exhibition be achieved. To this end, a decision was made to have a curated, themed exhibition with specific, visual selection criteria as the basis of being accepted into the exhibition. This is a move away from the past and it is hoped that it will offer opportunities for all textile artists to enter a quilt.

Selection criteria

1. All quilts must be proposed new work.
2. A 100 - 150 word statement, outlining the artist's response to the theme, "Regeneration".
3. Details of the design progression and colours, including sketches and drawings.
4. Up to five (5) images of previous works.
5. Materials to be used.
6. Dimensions of the work.

To submit an entry
Download the Regeneration: Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012 Entry Form (159KB PDF)
A non-refundable entry fee of $45.00 must accompany your entry, which covers up to two (2) quilts.
Completed and signed entry forms, including the six (6) requirements.
The closing date for entries is 25 July 2011.

Selection

Selection will be made on the basis or originality and innovative use of media. The curator's decision will be final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into. Entrants whose work has been accepted will be notified by mail/email and informed of delivery instructions.

For more information, please contact:

• Guild representative Cathy Jack Coupland: regeneration@quiltersguildnsw.com or
• Curator/Programs Coordinator Sarah Johnson: artgallery@manly.nsw.gov.au

Burwood General Meeting: 21 May 2011

The next general meeting will be held on Saturday 21 May at Burwood RSL. The program is as follows:

• Theme - Hexagon quilts - bring along yours to share!
• Demonstration - Jennifer Corkish - Hexagons (11am)
• Guest Speaker - Jennifer Corkish
• Shop - Quiltsmith from Annandale
  
• Feature group - Epping Quilters

Updated Guild Library Catalogue Listings

The Guild Librarian, Rhonda Taylor, has undertaken a comprehensive stocktake to bring you these updated catalogue listings:

• Guild Library Catalogue (by Author) (134KB PDF)
• Guild Library Catalogue (by Title) (93KB PDF) 

These listings include scores of new additions to the library including:

• A Quilter’s Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini
• Contemporary Dyecraft by Melanie Brummer 
• Hand-Appliqued Quilts, Whimsical Designs and Simple Techniques by T.B. Phillips 
• New York Beauty Simplified by L.J. Hahn 
• Quilts Made Modern by W. Ringle & B. Kerr 
• Redwork from the Workbasket by R.K. Brent
• Twelve by Twelve:The International Art Quilt Challenge by Brenda Gael Smith & others
• William Morris in Applique by Michelle Hill

You can download the complete list of  New Library Additions. 

7 May: Quilt Study Group meeting

The Quilt Study Group of NSW is a Guild sub-committee that promotes interest and research into quilting, particularly in Australia. The next meeting will be held on 7 May, 2-4pm and will include afternoon tea.

This meeting will include reports from Annette Gero, Karen Fail, Sandra Lyons and Liz Bonner on their project documenting quilts at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

Venue: The Ambassador Room at Burwood RSL, 96 Shaftsbury Avenue, Burwood.

Cost: Free to Guild members; $15 to non-Guild members.

6 May Friday Showcase: Judy Day

Judy Day presents Friday showcase at the Guild office at 10am on Friday, 6 May 2011. All welcome! ($5.50 entry fee).

Guild Scholarship

The Guild awards an annual scholarship to provide the opportunity for Guild members to develop their skills and expertise. Multiple awards may be given, up to a total combined value of $5,000 per annum and a maximum of $3000 per project.

Applications for 2012 close on 26 August and successful applicants will be announced at the Guild Annual General Meeting in September 2011. For more information, visit the Guild website.

Country Tutor Workshop Program

The Country Tutor Workshop Program was established for the benefit of country and regional members of the Guild. The program aims to provide access to instruction and ideas to enhance and develop the quilting skills of those members who cannot easily attend the city workshops and showcases.

At the time of application the applicant, ie the group, must have been a Guild member for at least one full year. It is preferable that any workshop participants outside the group are also members but this is not mandatory. After receiving funding for a workshop the group may not apply again for 2 years.

Applications for 2012 close on 31 August 2011. For more details and an application form, visit the Guild website.

Updated membership information

Membership of the Guild is open to anyone with an interest in patchwork and quilting. Beginners, professional quilters and those that simply admire the craft are equally welcome. By joining the Guild, you obtain access to all membership entitlements for your membership level as set out in detail on the Membership Categories page.

As from 1 July 2011, a joining fee of $15 will apply to all new memberships and lapsed memberships that are not paid by 30 September.

All membership fees are due 1 July each year and cover the financial year 1 July to 30 June. Download a Membership Application Form. For more information, visit the Guild's website.

Quilters' Country Luncheon

Braidwood Quilters Inc will be holding their Quilters' Country Luncheon on Wednesday 4 May. The guest speaker will be Dr Annette Gero.

Venue: The National Theatre, Wallace Street, Braidwood.
Time: 10am.
Fee: $25
Bookings are essential by email.

Springwood Community Quilt Show 29 April - 1 May

The sixth annual Springwood Community Quilt Show will be held from Friday 29 April until Sunday 1 May at Springwood High School Hall, off Grose Road at Faulconbridge. There is easy access off the Great Western Highway - turn right at the lights and sign for the Norman Lindsay Gallery.

The 2011 raffle quilt: Mountain Magic
Photograph used with permission.

Local Faulconbridge quilt artist, Petal Davies, has designed a unique pictorial wall hanging as this year's raffle quilt, which depicts the famous Three Sisters at Katoomba.

The show will include displays by two local quilters, Karen Cunningham and Isobel Lancashire. Nine sewing-related businesses will also be trading at the show, so be prepared for some excellent shopping opportunities.

Show hours: Friday 29 and Saturday 30 April 9am-5pm, Sunday 1 May 10am-4pm.
Entry: $5.
Enquiries: Phone Robynne on 02 4758 8869, view the show blog or email the organisers.

Roslyn Moules receives the Lut-Da Award

Congratulations to Roslyn Moules who was presented with the the Lut-Da Award at the Australasian Quilt Convention last week. The Award goes to a quilter who has made an outstanding contribution to their local or quilting community via the medium of quilting.

For many years, Roslyn has led the Guild's Community Quilts project, in which members meet to sew quilts for people in the community. Each year over a hundred quilts are given to community organisations. Roslyn's commitment to Community Quilts as project co-ordinator has been recognised by this Award.

Congratulations Roslyn!

Kay Haerland wins Australian National Quilt Award

Congratulations to Kay Haerland, whose quilt Under the Canopy won the Australian National Quilt Award, sponsored by Bernina.

Kay Haerland, Under the Canopy, 119 x 154 cm

The Award is presented to the maker of the quilt that is judged the best from the Best of Show quilts from the annual state guild shows around the country and was presented at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne last week. Kay's quilt won Best of Show at the 2010 Sydney Quilt Show.

Congratulations Kay!

18-20 April: the Guild at the Royal Easter Show

Visiting the Royal Easter Show in Sydney? Look out for quilt making demonstrations by members of the Guild on 18, 19 and 20 April, 9.30am-5.30pm.

Berry Quilt and Craft Show

The Gala Opening night of the Berry Quilt and Craft Show will be held on Friday 29 April 2011, between 7.30pm and 10pm.

The Quilt and Craft Show will display 150 quilts and there will be stalls and a cafe.

The show will be open on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May 2011 at the School of Arts, Alexandra Street, Berry (on the NSW South Coast). Opening hours are 9.30am- 4pm.

There is a $5 entry fee for adults and free entry for children. All welcome!

Guild Contact Update

This is a friendly reminder that the current e-mail address for the Guild office is:

office@quiltersguildnsw.com

Please update your address book accordingly.  (The Guild recently changed ISPs and e-mails sent to previous e-mail addresses will NOT be redirected.)  Contact e-mails for the Management Committee are set out below:

Friday Showcase reminder

Due to the Away meeting being held in Tamworth from 1-3 April, there will not be a Friday Showcase in April. Join us at the next Friday Showcase on 6 May to see Judy Day's stunning quilts.

Sewing in the Office: 28 March 10:30am-2pm

The next Sewing in the Office event for Community Quilts is on Monday 28 March 10.30am-2pm. Bring along your sewing kit and join in the fun. For further information contact Maree Gebhardt.

QSG Report: Japanese Textiles-Then and Now

Our guest speaker was Lynn Hewitt who is a past President & long time member of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc. Lynn has been visiting Japan since 2002, when she and Jane Gibson were invited by the city of Nagoya to represent Sydney and the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc at the International Quilt Fair. Since that first visit Lynn has been back 5 times, including twice as the tour leader for quilting tours. Apart from her own visits, Lynn's original interest began through her daughter, who learned Japanese and went there on a school exchange - thus beginning a series of return visits firstly by school children and then followed later by adults, a number of whom have become good friends with Lynn and her husband Ted.

 Lynn began her talk with a PowerPoint presentation showing a map of Japan to highlight the various areas where textiles are produced. As she progressed through the talk, Lynn described the different textile types and their production. She also explained the origin of the Kamon crest which we are so used to seeing in quilts today and how Sashiko was used to patch and mend garments. (A fireman’s outfit was made of many layers stitched together and when needed was doused with water to protect him from the fires). 

After discussing design elements of Japanese textiles and how, for instance, different plants symbolise the different seasons ( Spring - plum and cherry blossom, Summer- iris & a flowing stream, Autumn-chrysanthemum and Winter - bamboo leaves), Lynn went on to tell us about Yuzen dyeing. She explained how it is done, how it can take up to 4 months for the design to be transferred, and the different elements painted - hence the high price to be paid for many of the beautiful Kimonos we see (that is unless you are lucky to get to a second hand market or a quilt show, where a number of people from the audience later told us they has picked them up for a song).  Lynn then spoke about how the indigo dye was produced and how some cloths are dyed up to 150 times to get the pattern and colour desired. She showed us examples of the different Shibori dyeing techniques as well as some images of amazing quilts made using indigo fabrics

After her very informative talk Lynn showed many examples of the textiles she had described earlier. She then went on to show some of the quilts she has made using her Japanese fabric. Some of it was most unusual, one piece purported to be woven banana leaf, but she couldn’t actually confirm this as her Japanese didn't stretch that far. But it was an interesting piece to see!

 Following Lynn’s talk and her showcase there was a great ‘Show and Tell’ from the audience ranging from amazing fabrics picked up in the backstreets, kimono and yukata garments, and of course lovely quilts made from Japanese fabrics.

 

 

 

Jacaranda City Quilters of Grafton Challenge

The Jacaranda City Quilters of Grafton invite entries for their Exhibition Challenge, with the theme of A Song Title.

There are four categories for the Challenge:
Section A - A4 size (21cm x 30cm)
Section B - maximum size one metre
Section C - over one metre
Section D - Youth (age 16 and under. The quilt may be any size.)

Each entry may be quilting category Q (quilted by the owner) or P (professionally quilted).

Entries may also be made to Section E - these quilts are for exhibit only and do not have to be related to a song title.

Entry forms are available from Marian Brown, phone 02 6644 9434 or Anne Carter, phone 02 6643 1353 or email Jacs9@mail.com Entries close May 1.

The exhibition will be at the Grafton Community Centre, 59 Duke Street, Grafton on June 17 and 18 (10am-5pm) and 19 (10am-4pm). Admission is $5 for adults, no charge for children under 16.

Quilt Show at the Cathedral, Goulburn: 12 & 13 March 2011

“Quilt Show at the Cathedral” at St Saviours Cathedral Hall – Burke St, Goulburn on Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 13 March from 10am-4pm in conjunction with Goulburn ’s “Rose Festival”.

Entry is a gold coin donation which goes to Anglicare’s Emergency Accommodation in Goulburn.  For more information, contact Julie on 0404 106601

12 March Quilt Study Group meeting

The Quilt Study Group of NSW is a Guild sub-committee, which exists to promote interest and research into quilting, particularly in Australia. Members are committed to the study of quilts past and present with this study encompassing the social and historical context in which the quilts were made as well as designs, techniques and materials used in both vintage and contemporary quilts.

The first meeting for 2011 will be held on 12 March, when Lynn Hewitt will share her collection and knowledge of Japanese textiles and tell of the influence contemporary Japanese cottons have had on her quilts and clothing. Lynn has made many visits to Japan, enhancing her collection of Japanese textiles each trip. Bring your antique Japanese textiles for show and tell and, of course, those wonderful quilts made with Japanese quiting fabrics.

Venue: The Ambassador Room, Burwood RSL, 96 Shaftsbury Avenue, Burwood.
Time: 2.00 – 4.30 pm.

This is a free event for Guild members. Non-Guild members are also welcome ($15.00 per visit).

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters Exhibition: 11-13 March 2011

EASTWOOD PATCHWORK QUILTERS
2011 QUILT EXHIBITION
Friday March 11 – Sunday March 13
10am – 4.30pm
Historic Brush Farm House, Lawson St Eastwood

Stunning quilts: Cafe: Craft stall: Quilt shops

Raffle quilt supporting Achieve Australia

No admission charge

Reminder: Quilt Show Entries Close on 11 March

If you just looked at the calendar and are shocked to discover that it is 2 March already, never fear! there is still time for you to submit your entry for the Sydney Quilt Show 2011.  The closing date is Friday, 11 March. If you've misplaced your February newsletter, here are the forms that you can download:

• 2011 Quilt Show Entry Form (156KB PDF)
• 2011 Quilt Show Volunteer Form (94 KB PDF)
• Guild Membership Application Form (  196KB PDF)

Please direct any queries to the Exhibition Secretary, Deborah Laurie. (If you experience difficulties downloading the entry form, try the Alternative Entry Form 570 KB PDF. )

Casterton Kelpie Association Quilting Challenge 2011

The Casterton Kelpie Association Quilting Challenge in 2011 is to make a quilt no bigger than one metre square on the theme 'A little bit country'. Entries based on traditional or art/textile styles are welcome.

The closing date for entries is 20 May 2011. For further details, contact Anne James.

Correct dates: Australian Quilts in Public Places

Australian Quilts in Public Places (AQIPP) is an initiative of The Australian Quilters Association Inc. Entries are invited for the 2011 exhibition, which will have a theme of Forest Threads.

The exhibition will be held from 11 November to 21 December 2011 at Box Hill Art Space in Melbourne.

Contact for enquiries: Pam Hammer, phone 03 9873 4371.

Entry forms: can be downloaded here, or send a stamped self-addressed envelope to AQA - AQIPP, PO Box 224, Surrey Hills Vic 3127.

The closing date for entries is 5 October 2011.

4 March Friday Showcase: Elizabeth Long

Elizabeth Long presents Friday showcase at the Guild office at 10am on Friday, 4 March 2011. All welcome! ($5.50 entry fee)

Twelve by Twelve

Congratulations to Guild member Brenda Gael Smith who is one of the co-authors of the newly-published book, Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge. It is published by Lark Books and is now available.

Over the course of two years, twelve quilt artists from around the world challenged each other to create small quilts on a theme of one of the artist's choosing. The result: 144 twelve-inch art quilts created by the Twelve by Twelve group.

Members will recall seeing a presentation on this challenge by Brenda at the Burwood meeting in May last year. All 144 quilts have been on display at three venues in Australia in 2010 and are now travelling overseas.

Brenda will donate a copy of the book to the Guild so that members can share the story of the Twelve by Twelve international art quilt challenge. Look out for it in the Guild library soon.

Sewing in the Office: 28 February 10:30am-2pm

As many members are unable to participate in Community Quilts, the Guild has decided to have monthly Sewing in the Office . Held on the 4th Monday of the month from 10.30 - 2.00pm, all Guild members are welcome to come along. The first Sewing in the Office session will be on Monday, 28 February and here are the dates for the rest of the year:

• 28 February
• 28 March
• April-no Sewing in the Office
• 23 May
• June-no Sewing in the Office
• 25 July
• 22 August
• 26 September
• 24 October
• 28 November
• December - no Sewing in the Office

We will be making hand applique blocks for community quilts - the theme will be blocks suitable for children. Roslyn Moules has kindly offered to provide the fabric and templates, just bring along your sewing kit and join in the fun. For further information contact Maree Gebhardt.

Australian Quilts in Public Places

Australian Quilts in Public Places (AQIPP) is an initiative of The Australian Quilters Association Inc. Entries are invited for the 2011 exhibition, which will have a theme of Forest Threads.

The exhibition will be held from 11 to 21 December 2011 at Box Hill Art Space in Melbourne.

Contact for enquiries: Pam Hammer, phone 03 9873 4371.

Entry forms: can be downloaded here, or send a stamped self-addressed envelope to AQA - AQIPP, PO Box 224, Surrey Hills Vic 3127.

The closing date for entries is 5 October 2011.

Soul Searching Workshop: 14 May

Join Kathy Doughty from Material Obsession for a Soul Searching Guild workshp:

Saturday, 14 May 2011 (9.30am for 10-3pm)
Boronia Park Uniting Church: 93A Pittwater Road, Hunters Hill
Download and return a Workshop Booking Form to reserve your place.

As a shop owner, I see people searching for fabrics all day every day. Colour is often a confessed stumbling stone for many quilters. Confidence ebbs and flows as fabric fashions change and the way we view colours and combinations of colours. This class will teach you about you while exploring and your stash to make a fun quilt that reveals what you like and don't like to buy.  see the Guild website for more details.

Stop Press! Burwood General Meeting: 12 February 2011

You won't want to miss the first Burwood meeting of 2011, which has a theme of miniature quilts.

• Demonstration - Jane Gibson - Miniatures (11am)
• Guest Speaker - Maree Gebhardt - report on on her Guild scholarship relating to quilt valuation
• Shop - a Quilter's Hive from Georgetown
• Feature group - Eastwood Quilters

To add to this program we have an extra guest speaker, Anne Sommerlad. Ann will be discussing her miniature quilts and will have patterns for sale.

Don't forget to bring along your miniature quilt to share!

Burwood General Meeting: 12 February 2011

The first general meeting of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc for 2011 is set for Saturday 12 February at Burwood RSL. The program is as follows:

• Theme - Miniature quilts - bring along yours to share!
• Demonstration - Jane Gibson - Miniatures (11am)
• Guest Speaker - Maree Gebhardt - report on on her Guild scholarship relating to quilt valuation
• Shop - a Quilter's Hive from Georgetown
• Feature group - Eastwood Quilters

At this meeting, the Guild will be accepting donations of any sewing related items - pins, needles, threads, rulers, rotary cutters etc. These items will be forwarded to the Queensland Quilters to distribute to Guild members as part of a Queensland Flood Assistance initiative.  Financial donations will also be accepted.

Peacock Star by Jane Gibson
3rd Place Miniature Category - Sydney Quilt Show 2010

Quilt Show 2011 Button

Entries for the Sydney Quilt Show 2011 close on Friday, 11 March and the show itself runs from 22-26 June. Please assist in promoting the show by adding the QS2011 button to your blog or website. Here is the html code:

<a href="http://www.quiltersguildnsw.com/"><img src="http://www.quiltersguildnsw.com/quiltshowbutton.jpg" alt="Sydney Quilt Show"  /></a>

If you have a Blogspot blog, go to Dashboard>Layout>Page Elements>Add Page Element. Choose "HTML/Javascript" as your page element, click "Add to Blog", cut and paste the code and click "Save Changes". On the "Add & Arrange" page elements page, you can drag and drop the button at the desired place in your side bar. The button should look like this.

Please contact the Guild Webmaster if you require assistance.

PS: If you downloaded the code for the previous quilt show buttons, you will see that it has been automatically updated to display the 2011 button - no further action required!

2011 Sydney Quilt Show Entry Form

The February issue of the Guild newsletter The Template has been dispatched to members.  It is full of interesting items including the entry form and volunteer form for the 2011 Sydney Quilt Show.  The closing date for the return of entry forms is 11 March 2011.

Download the 2011 Quilt Show Entry Form (156KB PDF) for details about the categories and the conditions of entry. All entrants are requested to also complete a Volunteer Form. Please direct any queries to the Exhibition Secretary.

February 2011 Newsletter - look inside for the quilt show entry form!

Note:  To enter a quilt in the Sydney Quilt Show, you must be a member of the Guild for the current 2010/2011 financial year. Membership is due 1st July each year for the year ending the following June. Download a Membership Application Form (196KB PDF).

4 February Friday Showcase: Lisa Walton

Lisa Walton presents the the first Friday showcase for 2011 at the Guild office at 10am on Friday, 5 February 2011. All welcome! ($5.50 entry fee) Lisa is an award winning quilter and textile artist, maker and seller of hand dyed fabric and beads, and a very popular tutor. Lisa was awarded the final Jewel Pearce Patterson International Quilt Teacher Scholarship, in Houston, America 2010 and will be teaching Guild workshops on 23 and 24 July (information to follow).

Bushfire Sunset by Lisa Walton
(Machine quilted by Nicole Bridges)

Message from the President re Queensland Flood Assistance

Many members have contacted the Guild over the past weeks wanting to know what can be done to help the Queensland families who have lost everything in the recent floods. I have been in contact with the President of the Queensland Quilters and recently received this letter with details on how we can all help (copied below).

At the Guild general meeting on the 12th February at Burwood RSL we will be accepting donations of any sewing related items - pins, needles, threads, rulers, rotary cutters etc., these items will be forwarded to the Queensland Quilters to distribute to Guild members.  Financial donations will also be accepted.

Maree Gebhardt (President)
The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc

Hello everyone,
The recent floods in Queensland have caused terrible loss and grief for a lot of people. The size of this devastation is unimaginable. Queensland Quilters Inc. is organizing the collection and distribution of comfort quilts for flood victims.

We would appreciate the donation of quilts. The preferred sizes range from 1m x 1.50m (40”x60”) to 1.2m x 1.80m (48”x72”) but anything you are able to give is appreciated.
We are also asking for donations of the following:

• Quilt tops not yet quilted
• Cotton quilting fabrics for tops and backs
• Cotton wadding to make and finish quilts
• Quilting books and magazines in good condition

We have many Affiliated Groups, members and sponsoring businesses in affected areas. As they live and work in these areas, we are using this network to assess the need for these donations.

If your group would like to prepare sewing related care packs we will accept these also. We are also offering some financial assistance to our Affiliated Groups making quilts and we anticipate that they will use these funds to purchase requirements within their local communities. We currently have 70 groups across the state. One group we have heard from had their premises flooded and has lost their library, among other things.

If you would like to contribute financially this would also greatly assist us.
Please send all donations and contributions to:
Queensland Quilters Inc, GPO Box 2841, Brisbane 4001.

Sincerely
Kim Boland, President
Queensland Quilters Inc

Reminder: Designing with Strips Workshop 11 February

Download and return a Workshop Booking Form to reserve your place at the first Guild workshop for 2011:

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

Updated Guild Library Catalogue Listings

The Guild maintains an extensive library of books, videos, CDs and DVDs, as well as a large selection of slide sets and magazines. The Guild Librarian, Rhonda Taylor, has undertaken a comprehensive stocktake to bring you these catalogue listings that are current as January 2011:

• Guild Library Catalogue (by Author) (134KB PDF)
• Guild Library Catalogue (by Title) (93KB PDF)

Guild members are welcome to visit the office to chat with other quilters, browse and borrow books.  If that is not an option for you, requests can be submitted via email, post, fax or phone (not available to members outside Australia).  It is advisable to give a list of 6-8 titles, in order of preference, to ensure we can have some books in the post to you within days. You may choose to reserve a title that is unavailable at the time of your initial request.

Three books may be borrowed at one time (three magazines count as one book). The Guild pays the outward postage and the member pays the return postage. Books may be kept for one month; the due date is shown on the pocket in the front of the book. Please ensure that books are returned on time and in good condition.

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.