Quilt Study Group talk by Melinda Smith on 20th October 2018

On the 20^th of October Melinda Smith, the owner of the Sydney inner city shop, Quiltsmith, will give a talk to The Quilt Study Group of NSW. 

The talk will be held at The Glover Cottages, 124 Kent Street in Millers Point and is titled "Quilting from Behind the Counter - A Shop Owner's Perspective Over the Years".  

By using a timeline which shows how Quiltsmith evolved and is adapting to current market changes, Melinda will cover how Australian quilting has changed from her point of view as a quilter of many years' experience, a quilt collector, a bricks and mortar as well as online quilt shop owner, and as a sponsor of prizes at quilt shows. Of course, she will bring many quilts to show us as well.

Please encourage everyone you know who is interested in quilting to come along to the Quilt Study Group of NSW talks. The Glover Cottages is a beautiful light-filled venue for the talks and it is an easy walk through The Rocks area from either Wynyard or Circular Quay train stations. Quilt NSW guild members pay $5, non-guild members pay $10. Afternoon tea is provided and the talks start at 2pm. Check the Quilt NSW website or the latest Template Newsletter for more details.

The New Quilt: Call for Entries

QuiltNSW is excited to relaunch The New Quilt at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor, NSW from 5 February – 4 April 2021.

This juried survey exhibition showcasing the art of quilting is open to any textile artist resident in Australia whether or not they are QuiltNSW members. Entries close on 2 October 2020 - we know that is a way off but we want to give you as much notice as possible so that you can start planning your entry. Hawkesbury Regional Gallery is generously proportioned so large works and sculptural/dimensional works are especially welcome.

Think big, think bold – be adventurous!

Note:

• there is no set theme – submit your best work reflecting your creative practice
• a quilt means stitched and layered materials using any technique
• 2-D, 3-D, installation work, ceiling hung work, work on stretcher bars, and framed work are eligible subject to certain size parameters

Jurors: Judy Hooworth, Anna Brown and a representative of Hawkesbury Regional Gallery.

Download Conditions of Entry or see the QuiltNSW website.

Friday Showcase 5 October - Southern Quilters' Finishing School

The Southern Quilters’ Finishing School will present their quilts at the October Friday Showcase.

Photographed with their collaborative work of self portraits created for the “Southern Stars” category at this year’s Sydney Show, the group is about to celebrate their thirtieth year together.  Formed in Caringbah in 1989 to encourage each other to complete unfinished quilts from workshops at Lady Hill Patchwork Shop, members work on their own and collaborative projects.  Now meeting weekly in Gymea, they participate in Mystery Quilt, UFO and Fabric Challenges. We look forward to viewing a variety of both group and individual works and to hearing the stories behind them.

Friday Showcase is held on the first Friday of most months at our QuiltNSW office, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, close to Town Hall Station. The Southern Quilters' presentation this Friday, October 5, starts at 10am, with an entrance fee of $5 for QuiltNSW members and $10 for guests.

Vicki Martyn

Friday Showcase - Friday 7 September 2018: Pam Russell

Pam Russell is the presenter for our September Friday Showcase.

Pam’s journey as a quilter began in the mid 1980s when she took classes with Shirley Gibson, receiving a fine grounding in the basics of our craft.  Pam talks of her long time love of hand piecing and quilting and over her years as a quilter her attendance at many workshops has expanded her repertoire of skills.

During more recent years, Pam has enjoyed machine piecing and quilting, producing prize winning quilts.  Pam’s current quilts incorporate a variety of surface design techniques she has learnt through her membership of The Australian Textile Art and Surface Design Association and amongst those on show this Friday will be a selection which display her exploration of textile art.

Friday Showcase is held on the first Friday of most months at our QuiltNSW office, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, close to Town Hall Station. Pam’s presentation this Friday, September 7, starts at 10am, with an entrance fee of $5 and $10 for guests.

Vicki Martyn
Showcase Co-ordinator

The Return of The New Quilt

QuiltNSW is excited to relaunch The New Quilt at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery from 5 February – 4 April 2021.

This juried exhibition showcasing the art of quilting is open to any textile artist resident in Australia whether or not they are QuiltNSW members. Start planning - think big, think bold, be adventurous!

• there is no prescribed theme – submit your best work reflecting your creative practice
• a quilt means layered and stitched materials using any technique
• 2-D, 3-D, installation work, ceiling hung work, work on stretcher bars, and framed work will be eligible subject to certain size restrictions

Full details and entry form coming soon. Contact: thenewquilt@quiltnsw.com

To receive updates about the New Quilt, sign up to the mailing list:

Email Address

QuiltNSW Retreat - 13/14 - 16 September 2018

The 2018 QuiltNSW Retreat is fast approaching and there are a number of places still available for QuiltNSW members. The weekend is always most enjoyable with plenty of time for sewing and socialising. No set tasks or expectations, just come along and do as little or as much as you want. Only two hours north of Sydney it is an easy drive to Kurri Kurri where the retreat is held.

If you have never been to a retreat before make this year your first. You are bound to have a good time and meet new and possibly old friends too. For those who have been in previous years and haven't booked in yet please get your booking in soon - you won't want to miss this one!

Bookings can be made online or by phoning the office. All information and pricing is in the May 2018 issue of The Template.

Please direct any enquiries to Linda Butcher the retreat coordinator at almhbutcher@hotmail.com.

Linda Butcher

Friday Showcase with Chris Jurd on 3 August 2018

Chris Jurd is the presenter for our August Friday Showcase.

Chris has been a quilter for almost thirty-five years and has been teaching throughout NSW and interstate for the past seventeen.  Her work has featured in Australian magazines and associated DVDs.  In addition to performing the role of our Membership Secretary and a member of the judging team of QuiltNSW, Chris finds time to lead quilting tours to Houston.

Chris’s quilts have won several prizes at the Sydney Quilt Show, including a first in 2011 for “Lots of Dots” and a first this year for “Spinner”.  We look forward to seeing her quilts of strong colour palette in a variety of styles, with foundation piecing being her current preference.

Friday Showcase is held on the first Friday of most months at our QuiltNSW office, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, close to Town Hall Station. Chris’s presentation this Friday, August 3, starts at 10am, with an entrance fee of $5 and $10 for guests.

Quilt Study Group 16 August visit to Embroiderers' Guild

On Thursday the 16^th of August, the Quilt Study Group have arranged for a morning visit to the new Embroiderers’ Guild building at Concord West to view their collection of patchwork and quilted items.  

Because of space restrictions only 20 people can fit on this visit. Booking is essential so please ring the Quilt NSW Office on 9283 3737 to book your place. 

A $5 entry fee covers morning tea. Confirmation emails will be sent out closer to the date. Depending on the numbers, we may be able to arrange another visit later in the year.

Friday Showcase with Claire Jeon Tarim - Friday 6 July

Claire Jeon Tarim is the presenter for our July Friday Showcase.

Born of architect and calligrapher parents, it came as no surprise to Claire that she and her brothers and sisters developed artistic skills and that three of the four siblings of the family graduated with art degrees.

Claire’s major studies in illustration and design led to her early work in freelance illustrating.  Her love of natural fabrics, texture and colour now  combine in her silk and ramie Jogakbo (‘jogak' the Korean word for pieces and ‘bo' translating as wrapping cloth), the creation of which she says brings her both mental and physical pleasure.  We look forward to seeing a range of Claire’s Jogakbo pieces, which highlight the combination of exquisite fabric with featured hand-stitched seams.

Friday Showcase is held on the first Friday of most months at our QuiltNSW office, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, close to Town Hall Station.  Claire's’s presentation this Friday, July 6, starts at 10am, with an entrance fee of $5 for members and $10 for guests.

Sydney Quilt Show 2018 Viewers' Choice

The votes are in! First Prize Viewers' Choice goes to Anne Blythman for Floral Odyssey (Design Source: pattern by Yoko Saito).  This prize is sponsored Mid Coast Fabrics Online and MiniJumbuk.

Second Prize Viewers' Choice goes to Dianne Johnston for Abu Dhabi Memories. This prize is sponsored by Dyed and Gone to Heaven and MiniJumbuk.

View all the prize winning quilts in the Sydney Quilt Show 2018 Online Gallery.

Day 5: Sydney Quilt Show 2018

Sunday 24 June is the final day of the Sydney Quilt Show 2018. Join us at the International Convention Centre Sydney between 9am and 4.30pm including the following highlights:

• Jenny Bowker will be with her BERNINA Best of Show quilt After the Last Sky sharing her process and ready to answer your questions;
• 11.00-12noon floor talk by special exhibitor Bob James;
• 12noon-1pm floor talk by special exhibitor Anna Brown;
• 11am and 2pm Block Race - join the action in the Activity Centre where we are making and designing quilts for Streethearts;
• display and demonstration by member group Sydney Modern Quilt Guild who won first prize in the Group/Collaborative Quilt Category with their quilt NYE at the Opera House; and
• 4pm drawing of the Super Quilt Raffle 2018. Winners will be notified by telephone and prizes not collected will be posted at the winner’s cost.

NYE at the Opera House by the Sydney Modern Quilt Guild
First Prize: Group/Collaborative Quilt category 2018

We also take this opportunity to thank ALL of the Sydney Quilt Show 2018 Sponsors as listed on the QuiltNSW website. Their generosity and support are much appreciated. Please support them in return.

Day 3: Sydney Quilt Show 2018

Join us for day 3 of the Sydney Quilt Show 2018 from 9am-4.30pm on 21 June at the International Convention Centre Sydney at Darling Harbour.

Here are some highlights to help you plan your visit:

• 11am and 2pm Block Race - join the action in the Activity Centre where we are making and designing quilts for Streethearts.
• 11.00am-12noon floor talk by special exhibitor Bob James
• 12noon-1pm floor talk by special exhibitor Anna Brown
• Member group demonstrations and display: Camden Quilters (morning) and Hunters Hill (afternoon)

Day 2: Sydney Quilt Show

QuiltNSW welcomes you to Day 2 of the Sydney Quilt Show 2018 from 9am-4.30pm on 21 June at the International Convention Centre Sydney at Darling Harbour.

BERNINA Best of Show prize winner Jenny Bowker will be with her quilt in the QuiltNSW exhibition area throughout the day. Jenny also shares the backstory to this quilt on her blog atAfter the Last Sky

Block Races: 11am and 2pm

This year we will be running ‘Block Races’ at 11am and 2pm every day from Thursday to Sunday.

Members working in teams of two will be challenged to complete star blocks in the shortest possible time with a leader board running for the whole four days. In fact, there will be two options, a traditional block, or an improvisational block for the adventurous among us. All blocks will be used for charity quilts.

Other Highlights

• 11.00-12noon floor talk by special exhibitor Bob James
• 12noon-1pm floor talk by special exhibitor Anna Brown
• 2.30pm - floor talk by Sugy Kim Best of Australia 
• Member group demonstrations and display Eastwood Patchwork Quilters (morning) and Illawarra Quilters Inc(afternoon)

EPQ Gals Aviatrix Medallion: Eastwood Patchwork Quilters Raffle Quilt
Pattern by Elizabeth Hartmann

Sydney Quilt Show 2018 Prize Winners

Congratulations to Jenny Bowker who was awarded BERNINA Best of Show 2018 and first prize in the Pictorial Quilt (Open) category for her powerful quilt After the Last Sky:

Statement: 14th August 2013, Egyptian security and the army opened fire on supporters of President Morsi occupying the square of Raba'a el Adawiya. Between 817 - 2,000 were killed in the massacre. Based on a photo by Mosa'ab Elshamy.

Congratulations also to Caroline Sharkey who was awarded BERNINA Best of Southern Stars, first prize in the special themed category Southern Stars for her quilt Star Talk:

Statement: The Night Sky and Magnitude of Stars seen from a Desert Landscape just blows your mind! The Southern Hemisphere offers some spectacular sky, such as the Magellanic Clouds. A Star Talk 'On Country' by Aboriginal Elders is a MUST!

Here are photos that you are welcome to copy and share. Be sure to link back to the Sydney Quilt Show Online Gallery which features images of ALL of the wonderful prize winning quilts.

If you can't get to the show in person, check out the following links:
• Sydney Quilt Show 2018 Prizewinners Gallery featuring over 100 quilts;
• download the Sydney Quilt Show 2018 catalogue (2.4 MB PDF - text only)
• download Sydney Quilt Show 2018 Prize List (PDF)

Photography Policy Reminder

If you are attending the show, you are welcome to photograph the quilts in the show for personal use and to post images online or in social media provided you acknowledge the quiltmaker(s) and, if applicable, the designer of the quilt. It's easy to do - all the details are on the quilt tags! Many quilt labels also include social media details so that you can directly link to the maker's website, blog, Facebook or Instagram profiles.

If you share images of quilts in social media, help us generate interest in the show by tagging your photos with the hashtags: #sydneyquiltshow, #quiltnsw and #craftandquiltfair.

Day 1: Sydney Quilt Show 2018

QuiltNSW, with support from our principal sponsors Expertise Events and BERNINA, invites you and your friends to experience the colour and excitement of Day 1 of the Sydney Quilt Show 2018 at the International Convention Centre Sydney (22 June 9am - 4.30pm). Highlights include:

• the expanded display of quilt hoops showcasing a diverse array of quilt styles;
• 1pm awards ceremony
• live streaming of the announcement of BERNINA Best of Show on the QuiltNSW Facebook page
• publication of a comprehensive online gallery of prize winning quilts after the awards ceremony
• 2.30pm Meet The Maker: Sugy Kim, Best of Australia Quilt Colourful Retina
• displays by member groups Blue Mountain Quilters (morning) and Tresillian Project (afternoon)
• QuiltNSW Suitcase Challenge exhibition of 45 quilts – Remember