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.

Your 2013 Quilt Show Entry

Urgent Reminder
The Closing Date for the return of a completed Quilt Details Entry Form  for acceptance into this year's Sydney Quilt Show is this Friday 8 March

A maximum of two entries can be submitted, however if due to exhibition constraints only one can be accepted, please do not forget to indicate your first preference.

The Payment Details Form with Credit Card details or a Cheque for your entry (unless entering in the Junior Category) must also be included.

Please remember to attach a good quality photo of your entry (4x6 inches) showing the entire quilt top (up to its current construction stage)
This photo must be labelled with the name of the quilt and the name and address of the exhibitor.
The "top" of the quilt, for hanging directions, must also be indicated.

Exhibition planning is well under way and it would be helpful if your Volunteer Form could also be returned to the Guild Office as soon as possible.

Thankyou.  

Stitches and Craft Show

The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc will be having a display at this year's Stitches and Craft Show at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.

Dates : 7 to 10 March, 2013
Time : 10am - 4.30pm

Come along and say 'hello' to fellow guild members at the stand showcasing our guild.

Reminder : QSG Meeting March 9

Please join members of The Quilt Study Group on March 9 at The Charles Kerry Room of The Powerhouse Museum to hear Guest Speaker Lyn Dennis talk about her recent research into Heritage Quilts in the UK.

Miss Grimshaw's Quilt

This is just one of the quilts that Lyn photographed and will talk about.

Please bring your own English  Heritage quilts, or recent reproductions inspired by the designs of such quilts for sharing in Show and Tell after the talk.

Venue : Powerhouse Museum
Date : 9 March 2013
Time : 2pm - 4.30pm
Entry : Meeting cover charge of $5.00 for members and $10 for non-members
Free Entry to Museum for all. 

Afternoon Tea will be provided.

Twelve by Twelve Colourplay Exhibition, Sydney: 7-10 March

The exhibition tour of the Twelve by Twelve Colourplay collection has been extended to include Sydney.

Yes! all 144 art quilts from this series will be on display at the Stitches & Craft Show at Rosehill in Sydney from 7-10 March 2013. Guild member and one of the Australian Twelves, Brenda Gael Smith will be presenting a floor talk at 12 noon on Sunday, 10 March.  All welcome!

If you would like to learn more about the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Challenge, there's a fun article about the project on the Stitches and Craft Show website.

Stitches & Craft Show: Still Seeking Volunteers

Thank you to everyone that responded to the previous call for volunteers. The Guild still seeks volunteers to staff the Guild booth and demonstrate BYO sewing at:

Stitches and Craft Show 

Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney

7-10 March 2013

10am -4.30pm each day

(Free tickets provided by Expertise Events)

Please e-mail  the Guild President if you are able to assist to promote the Guild at this event.

Golden Textures Contemporary Art Quilt Exhibition

The official opening of the Golden Textures Contemporary Art Quilt Exhibition is at is at Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough, Victoria today Saturday, 23 February 2013 at 2pm.  The exhibition runs from 23 February – 7 April 2013 and includes works by several Guild members including:  Anna Brown, Dianne Firth, Susan Mathews, Alison Muir and Brenda Gael Smith.

Exhibition of Antique American Quilts

Avalon Quilters proudly invite all interested quilters and historians to a display of Antique quilts.

Two well known and respected collectors of quilts, Annette Gero and Trish Bloomfield have generously allowed quilts from their private collections to be available for this exhibition.

An entry fee and raffle proceeds will allow Avalon Quilters to support once again the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 

An American Vintage 1940's quilt  "Frances Wheeler Quilt" will be on display, and will be the Raffle Prize. It is a top that was hand-pieced in USA and then 70 years later hand quilted by Avalon Quilters. Tickets will be $2 each or 3 for $5.00.

Quilts and other quality handmade items will be for sale.

Further enquiries  Anne : 02 9918 7196

When :  Friday    1 March 9am-7pm

             Saturday 2 March 9am-5pm

Venue : Avalon Uniting Church

              Bellevue Avenue

              Avalon Beach

Entry : $5.00

February 23 : General Meeting

The next General Meeting of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc will be held this Saturday.

Speaker : Melinda Smith
Featured Shop : Quiltsmith
Group : Eastern Suburbs Quilters'

Venue : "The Dome"
               Burwood RSL
               Shaftsbury Rd, Burwood
Date    :   Sat 23 Feb 2013

Demonstration : 11 am
Meeting scheduled :  1.00pm

Come and join other members to hear the quilt journey of our Guest Speaker Melinda Smith, caretaker of many antique quilts, maker of reproduction and folk art quilts, and owner of the quilt shop "Quiltsmith" in Annandale.
Melinda is both a generous and enthusiastic business woman, guild member and quilt history lover, thus her stories, photos and quilts are bound to be extremely interesting.

Please bring any recent quilts for "Show and Tell" and your own mug for afternoon tea.

All Welcome.

Seeking New Guild Secretary

The Guild is seeking a new Secretary to join the management committee.  Margo-Lynne Lee has stepped down as Guild Secretary to complete her fine arts studies. She will be around to give any assistance. Please consider volunteering for this position.  E-mail the Guild President for further information.

Secretary Duties:

• Attend monthly committee meetings
• Reply to all correspondence as directed by the committee 
• Carry out any instructions given by the committee
• Take minutes of meetings if Minute Secretary is unable to attend
• Update list of committee and contacts
• Maintain calendar of Guild activities
• Attend Judging Day and set-up day of the Annual Quilt Show (if  available) 
• Be available for duty at the Quilt Show 
• Arrange Gala Dinner in June

Sydney Quilt Show 2013 Button

The annual members' exhibition of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc, the Sydney Quilt Show 2013 runs from 12-16 June 2013. Please assist in promoting the show by adding the 2013 quilt show 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 2012 button - no further action required!

Stitches & Craft Show: Call for Volunteers

The Guild seeks 3-4 member volunteers per day to staff the Guild booth and demonstrate BYO sewing at:

Stitches and Craft Show 

Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney

7-10 March 2013

10am -4.30pm each day

(Free tickets provided by Expertise Events)

Please e-mail  the Guild President if you are able to assist to promote the Guild at this event.

Quilt Study Group : March Meeting

Attention : Confirmation of Date
Please be advised that the next meeting for interested members of The Quilt Study Group will be held on  9 March 2013 

The Guest Speaker will be Lyn Dennis.

She will give an illustrated talk about her May 2012 United Kingdom  Quilt Research Trip.
Whilst there she was able to study some of the quilts in the collections of Norwich Guild Hall and (Lancashire) Gawthorpe Hall.
Lyn will share detailed information on approximately 10 - 12 quilts from each of these collections.

If you have any old English quilts or 'heritage' reproductions of such, to show, then please bring them along to share.

Venue : Powerhouse Museum
Date : 9 March 2013
Time : 2pm - 4.00pm
Entry : Meeting cover charge of $5.00 for members and $10 for non-members
Free Entry to Museum for all. 

Afternoon Tea will be provided.

Last Weeks Showcase

Lynn Hewitt, our guest 'Showcaser' last week, kept guild attendees constantly in awe during her amusing and informative trip down the memory lane of her quilting journey.

'Whirling Witchety Grubs'    Lynn Hewitt      ( Stack n Wack )  Photo thanks to Jan Foster.

With almost 500 quilts created (and many more in the cerebral pipeline), Lynn chose to bring a selection showing widely varied construction methods, differing background stories, "teaching" quilts, and several made during the workshops of other notable quilters. From painted to pieced, appliqued to embellished; Lynn has dabbled in all construction techniques, and generously divulged tips about every discovery she made along the way. She approaches her creative journey (and life) with a "can-do" philosophy, an enthusiasm that seems to rub off on all who know her.

As admitted, Lynn has a current mission to improve the standard of 'Binding' in the local quilting world. With her gentle, yet persuasive manner, it shouldn't be too onerous a task!

For those members who were unable to attend on Friday, several of Lynn's beautiful quilts will be on display in the Guild Office until the next Friday Showcase on April 5, when attendees will hear from  prize winning quiltmaker and teacher, Catherine Butterworth.

Goulburn Meeting : Details for attendees

Interested Sydney and environs Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc members who wish to attend the Away Meeting in Goulburn on Saturday March 2 are advised that the meeting will commence at 1pm  in  St Saviours Cathedral Hall, Montague St. Goulburn.

Afternoon Tea will be provided by the Goulburn group, however, attendees are advised to have lunch prior to coming to the hall.

Please remember to bring any quilts for "show and tell"

Members who have previously made a commitment to attend, should have arranged transport by now for this function, however, if there are any other quilters who may wish now to join the others and are having transport issues, please be advised to contact the Guild Office for information about who will be driving to Goulburn and/ or the Train travel option.

As announced in the previous 'Template Free' post, the very talented fibre and Textile Artist, Dianne Firth will be the Guest Speaker at this event.

Sydney Quilt Show 2013 Volunteer Form

To make the 2013 Sydney Quilt Show a success, we need your help. There are many ways you can be involved. In  particular, you could volunteer to help with white glove duty, selling raffle ticket and catalogues.

Each time slot during the show needs 12 volunteers so you can see how vital it is to have the cooperation of as many members as possible. Volunteers are also required for set up on Tuesday 11 June and take down on Sunday 16 June. If you have entered a quilt and will be attending the Show, it is expected that you will volunteer for at least two shifts during the exhibition.

Every volunteer will receive a Volunteer Quilt Show badge and a catalogue, a small thank you for the time you freely give to the Guild. Thank you for completing this form and offering your assistance. It is well appreciated.

Download Sydney Quilt Show Volunteer Form (416KB PDF)

Winner Takes All!

Block of the Quarter : Nelson's Victory

As illustrated on page 27 of The Template November 2012 this block uses pale pink, hot pink and yellow prints. It is an 8 inch block (finished) that is simple to rotary cut and chain piece.

There is still time to raid your stash and find swatches of these fabrics, construct a block or two, attach your name (on paper) on the back and then bring them to the February meeting at Burwood RSL on Saturday 23 February.

The Meeting Hostess is in charge of collecting blocks, with one lucky block maker winning all.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, then please think of posting them to the Guild Office to arrive before Tuesday 19 February.

Sydney Quilt Show 2013 Entry Form

The entry form and conditions of entry for the 2013 Sydney Quilt Show (12-16 June) are now available for download.

• Download Sydney Quilt Show 2013 Entry Form(324KB PDF)
• Download a Membership Form (280KB PDF).

Entry to the show is open only to financial members of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc.   New members are welcome to join up at the same time as they submit an entry form.  In addition to Category 4: First Time Entrant that is open to any amateur entering the show for the first time, there is a special Category 5: Novice section for any amateur quilter that started quilting after 1 January 2009:

The closing date for the return of the entry form is Friday 8 March 2013. Please direct any queries about the entry form to the Exhibition Secretary: exhibition@quiltersguildnsw.com

Key Dates for Members for 2013 Exhibition

• 30 January: Sydney Quilt Show 2013 Entry Form published online
• Mid-February: Entry forms posted to members in the February issue of the Template
• 8 March: Closing date for entries
• 1 May: Acceptance letters posted
• 5 June: Quilts must be delivered to "Drop Off Person" by this date
• 9 June: Judging Day (Sunday)
• 11 June: Set Up Day (Tuesday)
• 12 June: Opening Day and Awards Ceremony (Wednesday)
• 16 June: Final Day and Take Down (Sunday)

February Friday Showcase : Lynn Hewitt

It will be a privilege to have Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc member of 23 years and popular Accredited Teacher and two-times Former President Lynn Hewitt as Guest Presenter at the next Friday Showcase on Friday February 1st.

Since her last Friday Showcase in October 2007, Lynn has become a International Quilt Tour Guide,  furthered her knowledge of Japanese textiles and quilts, and  remained a prolific quiltmaker, Interstate  Judge and extremely active member and volunteer of the Guild and her local group. She was awarded Life Membership to the Guild in 2009 and is currently Hostess during Friday Showcases. As a very approachable 'White-Glover' at Quilt shows, Lynn enthusiastically imparts her knowledge and appreciation of this craft to all who enquire.

Pearly King and Queen   Lynn Hewitt       'Pearl' 2012 Guild Challenge

All members are invited to attend the next Friday Showcase to see and hear more of Lynn's quilting journey. 

Date : Friday Feb 1st

Time : 10am

Venue : Guild Office 

Goulburn Meeting : Further update

With the intended Group Coach Travel now having been cancelled, interest has been shown by some members to travel by train to the Away Meeting in Goulburn on March 2nd.

Country Link advises that such a journey cannot be booked until  Feb 16th.
All members intending to travel by train, whether for the weekend, or as a day trip only, are advised to make their own bookings through Country Link.

Only those Members who made a firm commitment to attend, and sent booking forms and deposits, have been contacted about the change of plans, with a car pool being organised for those who do not wish to travel by train. If you are not on the car pool listing, and wish to avail yourself of this option, then please contact the Guild Office immediately.

A group booking for accommodation at Best Western Centretown Motel has now been cancelled, and members intending to make a weekend of this function are advised to contact this, or other Motels,  individually for availability.

Members who are still unsure whether they will join others on this trip may be interested to know that the Guest Speaker at the Goulburn Meeting will be Quilt Textile Artist Dianne Firth.

Such an opportunity to hear Dianne's story of her creative journey should not be missed.

All are welcome and it is not too late to decide to come!

Goulburn Away Meeting : Update

Goulburn 1 - 3 March 2013
If you are thinking of joining other members for our Annual Away Meeting, then please contact the Guild Office ASAP.

Currently there are insufficient numbers to warrant transportation by commercial coach.
Some members are considering catching the train as a day trip - only, option.
The inclusion of  an overnight stay at the Best Western Centretown Motel is still feasible for those who wish to drive and visit the Patchwork shops en route, however room pricing for expected reduced numbers is still "in the pipeline".

If you can offer car-pooling, or desire to be included in another member's car, then it is imperative that contact be made with the office.
Only those who have already sent in a booking form will be contacted.

This Away - Trip is always fun, and a delight for the Hostess Groups, who enjoy sharing their love of this craft whilst meeting city members.

NSW Bushfires

Members of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc will be watching with horror the current                   out - of - control  bushfire situation in North Western NSW,  specifically the Coonabarabran and Warrumbungle State Forest regions.

Our hearts go out to our rural quilting "sisters", their families and neighbours who are currently evacuating whilst coping with deep sadness.

The loss of homes, stock, native wildlife and farming lands and infrastructure is tragic. 

May those who are east of this region, and in all other parts of the state, be safe tomorrow and in coming days. 

Workshop : Miniatures : April 2013

The first workshop for 2013 will be conducted by Guild Life Member Jane Gibson.

 ‘Miniatures’ is a 1 day workshop, and all who are familiar with Jane's exquisite creations will delight in learning the tricks to tiny piecing, with accuracy and flair. 

Please enrol by calling the office or downloading the workshop booking form on the web site

When  : Tuesday 9 April

Time   : to be confirmed

Venue : Epping Creative Centre

             Dence Park

             26 Stanley Road 

             Epping NSW

A New Year

Happy New Year to all members of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc.
May this year be creative and productive for everyone.
Some initial dates for your calendar :

Mon January 14  : Guild Office re-opens
Fri    February 1  : Friday Showcase with Lynne Hewitt
Sat    February 23 : General Meeting at Burwood

With June 5 being the final date for delivery of quilts for the Sydney Quilt Show 2013, there are just five months to complete your entry!

Quilt Shows can take a back seat over the summer months, however there is one week left to run for the wonderful exhibition by Kay Haerland in Gosford.
If you are visiting Sydney, Gosford is just a train trip away.