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.

Designing with Strips Workshop - 11 February 2011

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

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

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

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

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

Celebrate the Revamp of the Guild Website!

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

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

Reminder: Art to Wear 2011 Closing Soon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Report on Alan Tremain Guild Scholarship & Textile Conservation Advice

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

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





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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Newsletter News

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

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

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

ADVERTISING RATES including GST:

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

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

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

Southern Cross Needlework & Quilting Show @ Gresford: 21 November

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


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

One Step Futher 2010 Exhibition

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

Bush Walk Flora 4 by Anna Brown

Textured Landscapes Exhibition: 14 Nov-9 December 2010

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

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

World of Beauty Winner @ Houston 2011

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

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

Royal Amethyst by Rachelle Denneny

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

Sandstorm Over the White Desert by Jenny Bowker

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

Introducing the 2011 Guild Management Committee

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

Sue Dennis: Sightlines Exhibition @ Houston

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

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

2010 Guild Challenge Quilt Gallery

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

Australia Wide Two: Official Opening 23 October

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

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

2010 Guild Challenge

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

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

Second prize went to Denise Coote for Sydney New Year.

Val Duncan was awarded third prize for her cityscape.

Heather Middleton received fourth prize for All Shagged Out.

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

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

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

NEW! Member Group Website Listing

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

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

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

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

Quilt Study Group of NSW Goes Hi-Tech

Karen Fail and Irene Manion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Report from Karen Fail.