Quilt Study Group : Historic Houses Trust's Research Collection

Tour of the Caroline Simpson Library and Research Collection.

The Quilt Study Group of NSW has arranged for two tours of the Historic Houses Trust’s Caroline Simpson Library and Research Collection. It is located in the Mint Building on Macquarie Street and is open to the public from Tuesday to Friday. It contains many items of interest touching on the history of houses, garden design and interior furnishing in New South Wales. 

The librarian will show us paintings, prints, textiles, wallpapers and other large format collection items, and you can stay on to continue your research into your quilts by using their excellent specialist research facilities. See http://www.hht.net.au/collections/library for further details.

Numbers for each tour are strictly limited to 15 people but there are currently some places left on both dates. Please contact the Quilters' Guild of NSW Office (ph: 9283 3737) to secure your place on either of the tours.

When : 10am Wednesday 5th June and

             10 am Friday 21st June 2013

Venue: The Mint Building, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney

Advance Notice : Guild Retreat

For those members who look forward to the annual  Guild Retreat, please be advised that this year's creative weekend will be in September.
Redleaf Resort  is the extremely quiet accommodation at Blackheath in The Blue Mountains that has been booked for the "get-away"
There is a licensed bar, restaurant, conference facilities and many cosy fireplaces to ensure that the weekend is comfortable.

The Guild's website has further information for those who are thinking about committing to a weekend of fun, food and maybe,"finishes". It is always a casual gathering, and this location offers a chance to enjoy wonderful views, walks, wildlife, and interesting local cafe and craft shops with other quilters.

Dates : 13-15 September 2013
Time : 1pm Friday - 4pm Sunday
Venue : Redleaf Resort
             cnr  Evans Lookout and Valley View Road, Blackheath.

All members welcome.

Reminder: Bookings for Exhibition Dinner Close Soon

The Annual Exhibition Dinner is set for Friday, 14th June 2013 at the Rockford Novotel Darling Harbour with guest speaker Sue Dennis.

 Bookings for the Dinner close on Friday, 24th May 2013.

 Download and return the Exhibition Dinner Booking Form.

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea @ Burwood

Join the Guild general meeting at Burwood RSL this Saturday, 18 May for a special afternoon tea to celebrate Australia's Biggest Quilting Bee & Morning Tea with a gold coin donation for the Cancer Council.

PS:  If you would like to bake a slice/cake it would be muchly appreciated - thank you!

Sydney Quilt Show Acceptance Letters

A record number of entries were received for the 2013 Sydney Quilt Show. Acceptance letters were dispatched to entrants earlier in May.  If you have not received your acceptance letter, or have any other queries regarding your entry, please contact Exhibition@quiltersguildnsw.com

May 18 : General Meeting

The next General Meeting of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc. will be held on Saturday 18 May 2013.

Speaker/s  : Ian and Bernadette Hoy
Demonstration : Kerrie Hay from Berrima
Guest shop : Peg's Pieces
Block of the Quarter : Blue and White Irish Chain

Venue : The "Dome"
              Burwood RSL
              Shaftsbury Rd, Burwood
Date :     Saturday 18 May

Demonstration : 11am
Meeting Scheduled : 1pm

As this will be the last meeting prior to Sydney Quilt Show, please bring your completed Volunteer Forms if possible.

It will be of help to the Hostesses if a personal mug is used, to partake in afternoon tea.

Quilts at St Ives Show : 18 May

The 91st Annual St Ives Show, presented by the Northern Suburbs Agricultural and Horticultural Society Inc, is set to entertain Sydney families on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May at St Ives Showground, Mona Vale Road, St Ives.

Within the "Craft"  Exhibition catagory, there will be quilts to be viewed. Both Amateur and Professional quilters are vying for prizes in "Traditional", "Hand quilted", and "Machine quilted" categories.

Entry Fee: $5 (children free)
There is free parking at the grounds and free shuttle buses will run from Gordon Station.

2013 Sydney Quilt Show : Volunteer Form

Come and enjoy the Sydney Quilt Show from behind the scenes!

The excitement is now mounting for all of those members who are exhibiting a quilt at this year's show.
As always, to help make this event a success, the Guild needs your help.

If you have not returned your 'Volunteer Form' with a Show Entry, then please think about filling it in now, with shift preferences for any of the five days, plus Set-up Day, of the Show.
By signing up, you can make this a less stressful time for the hard working Exhibition Committee, so please consider lending a hand for an hour or two, or more.
Various responsibilities include 'White Glove' duty, as well as selling Raffle tickets and catalogues.
Everyone makes a new friend! and by volunteering, you can become more connected to the Guild, the  members and activities.

All volunteers will receive a Volunteer 2013 Quilt Show Badge as well as a catalogue.

Please contact the Guild Office should extra forms be needed.

Volunteer Forms must be returned by the 24th May. 

Block of the Quarter

Who doesn't love a Blue and White Scrap Quilt?
The next Block of the Quarter is a 10 inch - Irish Chain

Folk lore may be correct in asserting that Irish immigrants brought this design to the America colonies; the design becoming popular with pioneer quilters across the country.  An 'Irish chain' was a surveyors instrument, slightly larger than 10 inches. Another theory is that the pattern is an adaption of an old weaving structure. Historian Barbara Brackman states that the earliest recording of a quilt in this design is 1814.

Whatever its History, this block structure is easy for beginners as well as providing excellent blank spaces for decorative quilting.

Page 25 of February 2013 Template has the instructions for this easily rotary cut block, utilising off white with varying blue fabrics.

So, raid your stash please (who wouldn't love a new but traditional Blue and White quilt for their home), construct a block or two, and bring them to the Burwood meeting on Saturday 18 May, or post them to reach the Guild Office by 14 May.

Remember, "Winner takes all" and the drawing of the prize always provides much delight at Guild Meetings.

May Friday Showcase : Robyn Johnston

The guild has engaged the very experienced quilter, Robyn Johnston, as next presenter for Friday Showcase.
A 1972 USA patchwork publication about Seminole Piecing was the initial inspiration for what has become a 40 year devotion to the craft, with a constant application to learning new methods, as well as a subsequent  sharing of knowledge as a teacher.
Robyn will no doubt have many stories to tell about her international quilt journey, her involvement with Hunters Hill Quilters, all whilst illustrated by the wonderful quilts that depict that journey.

"Exploration in Isometric Universe" 2012 Member's Choice Award, Hunters Hill Quilt Show.

Date   : May 3rd 2013

Time  : 10am

Venue: Guild Office

All Welcome.

April Showcase Images

On Friday 5th April members of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc were treated to the colourful inspiration and creativity of fellow quilter, Catherine Butterworth.
All of her quilts display a faultless attention to construction and design detail, and it was wonderful to be able to view them so closely.

Catherine admits to having a twin personality when it comes to quilt making.... her birth place of the USA results in many quilts displaying a 'Traditional' appearance, whilst Australian influences cause other quilts to be extremely colourful, as her Wedding Ring quilt, below, shows.
Thankyou Catherine for sharing your  stories and beautiful quilts with other members.

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters: 3-5 May

 This is the glorious flyer for the upcoming 13th biennial Quilt Exhibition, being organised by Eastwood Patchwork Quilters. It is an illustrative section from one of the 2 colourful Canyon Star block raffle quilts that members have been creating. The stunning first prize quilt has an added magnificent applique bird in the centre. In 2011 their event was such a success that $8000 was raised as a donation to Achieve Australia. This year these talented quilters are supporting  Special Olympics Australia with raffle, donations and entrance monies.

Previous attendees at this very popular quilt show will know that the exhibition venue will again be the historic Brush Farm House at Eastwood. This year's quilt show will be held just one week shy of the 200th anniversary of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson setting off on the expedition that forged the first European crossing of the seemingly impenetrable Blue Mountains.

Exhibition details include:

Over 140 quilts on display

Craft Stall, Cafe, Quilt shops/merchants

Historical House tours

Demonstrations and workshops

There is Disabled Access and wheelchair available.

Venue: Brush Farm House

            Lawson Street Eastwood

Dates : Friday 3rd May - Sunday 5th May 2013

Times : 10am - 4.30 pm

Entry Free :  however donations are welcome.

Quilt Show Springwood : 26-28 April

If driving in the Blue Mountains recently, you may have seen some of the many colourful banners advertising an upcoming Quilt Show.  Quilters from the Springwood Community are staging an autumn exhibition in late April and invite all to attend.

Pictured, is the raffle quilt showing the current popular design trend of using an infinite variety of fussy cut hexagons, all exquisitely pieced, surrounding  a stunning centre panel.

There will be a "Featured Quilter" this year, and it is Nerida Richmond-Benson who will be displaying her Japanese-themed quilts on the stage of the venue.

Along with the many member's quilts to enjoy, there will be 10 quilt related traders, and a great cafe to patronise. Enjoy a weekend drive amongst autumnal colour and visit these dedicated, creative quilters!

Venue : Springwood High School Hall

             Grose Rd, Faulconbridge

Dates :  Friday 26th to Sunday 28th April

Times : 10-4pm each day 

Entry :  $5

Quilt Show Wauchope : this weekend

If you are heading towards Pt Macquarie this weekend then you are invited to attend the Biennial Quilt Show that Wauchope Patchwork Quilters' Inc are proudly putting on.

Wauchope is a thriving rural town at the heart of the Hastings River Valley. There is a great community spirit in this area, apparent at gatherings such as Farmers Markets and Quilt Shows!

All are invited to enjoy this colourful event, and meet members from one of our guild's Country Groups.

Venue : Wauchope Showground
             93 High St, Wauchope
Dates  :  Fri 12th- Sunday 14th April
Times : 10am - 4pm Fri & Sat
             10am - 2pm Sunday
Entry Fee : $5 (children under 12 free)

Quilting Success at the Royal Easter Show

The  Guild was well represented again at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Kay Haerland won the Quilters’ Guild of NSW award for the best quilt in the show and it is displayed in the Standard of Excellence case.

The Patchwork, Applique and Quilting categories in The Arts and Crafts  Section were entered by many Guild members.

Following, is a list of some of the Results, with successful Guild members marked by an asterisk.

Bed Quilt - Hand quilted                                Miniature Quilt

1.    Jan Duddle *                                             1. Judy Day *

2.    Rae Cashman *                                         2. Colleen Harradine *

3.    Carol Leitch *                                            3. Jane Gibson*

Bed Quilt – Machine Quilted                         Junior (14 and under 20) 

1.    Jessica Sullivan                                        1. Melissa Walden *

2.    Jane Gibson *                                           2. Rebecca Walden *

3.    Pauline Augustus                                      3. Sarah Greenstein                      

HC Linda Mead                                             HC Tegan Fry

                                                                       

Wall Hanging – Traditional                           Wall Hanging - Innovative

1.    Judy Day *                                                 1. Kay Haerland *

2.    Faye Clark                                                  2. Jeannie Henry

3.    Pauline Augustus                                        3. Jill Rumble

                                                                      HC Evelyn Gray *

Congratulations also to our Template Editor, Wailyn Mar, who won 1^st in Shortbread, 2^nd with Panforte, 3^rd with Damper and HC with Almond Bread in the Cookery section.  And congratulations to any other members who have had success in other sections.

April Friday Showcase : Catherine Butterworth

Members of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc may need to arrive at the Office early on April 5, if hoping to see closely the clever designing and fine piecing work of member Catherine Butterworth.
Catherine is the next presenter of this popular monthly Guild event, and she will illustrate her personal quilting journey with many of her wonderful quilts.

Like many quilters, sewing was an early hobby for Catherine, however she also had the advantage of the expertise and influence from other seamstresses and quilters within her family circle in Ohio.

Whilst the patchwork "bug" pulled strongly from the 80's, the familiar story of work and family commitments kept Catherine  from indulging too seriously, however in the past 10 years or so, Catherine has turned her passion into a teaching role, as well as designing and constructing many beautiful prize winning quilts.
Her quilts are meticulously pieced and domestic machine quilted after playing with varied fabrics and designing blocks that usually show a "Traditional" and yet original,  signature.

Date   : Friday April 5
Time   : 10am
Venue : Guild Office

All Welcome.

30th Anniversary Photographic Book

Urgent Reminder
As advertised in The Template Feb 2013, a hardcover book of photos of all quilts in the 2012 Sydney Quilt Show has been produced.  This is indeed a professional publication and a delightful reminder of what was an extremely successful 30th anniversary members' exhibition. If you were an exhibitor or had any connection to last year's show, then this is a "must" for the coffee table or studio!

The final date for ordering of this lovely book has been extended to 28 March 2013.

The Order Form for this publication was in The Template.  Alernatively, you can download the Quilt Show 2012 Book Order Form as a PDF.

Quilt Show: Goulburn this weekend.

Quilts at Mandelson's
Come and enjoy a rare showing of quilts from a combined group of well known Quilters.

Margaret Rolfe, Carolyn Sullivan, Judy Turner, Beth Miller, Ann Haddad, Helen Gray and Jenny Bowker have joined forces to present an amazing display of quilts representing their early forays into the Patchwork and Quilting arena, right through to the current endeavours that have brought them International recognition and success as either quilt artists, teachers and, or, authors.

Entry will support Goulburn Anglicare and is only a gold coin.
Morning and afternoon tea will be available in Mandelson's historic dining room.

A "market" section (cash sales only) will have these available for purchase :

• Bali Batik fabrics from Claire Ayling
• Superior Threads from Julie Woods
• Quilting Supplies from Bungendore Country Patchwork
• Quilts by Pattern - Beth Millar and Wendy Keegan

Dates : Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March 2013
Times : 10am - 4pm
Venue : 160 Sloane St
Goulburn  NSW

All welcome.