February 2014 Friday Showcase

The first Friday Showcase for 2014 of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc., will have Sydney quilter Beverly Hunter as Guest presenter.

Bev is a frequent attendee at Friday Showcase and is always complimentary about the creative pursuits of fellow quilters, however, as can be seen by these images, Bev is herself, an extremely accomplished piecer, applique devotee and hand quilter.

  

She particularly enjoys the peace and tranquility that hand work involves, having first raided her extensive scrap bag, considered her colours, and designed fresh settings and placements to traditional block designs.

This careful and methodical approach has resulted in her quilts winning prizes at the many quilt shows she enjoys exhibiting at.

Please come and share in the visual delight of Bev's Quilts ... as she says ..."Quilts do the talking"

Dates : Friday 7th February

Time : 10am start.

Venue : Guild Office

             Level 5

             276 Pitt St, Sydney.

All Welcome!

2014 Quilt Show Entry Form

The next Sydney Quilt Show runs from Wednesday, 9 July to Sunday 13 July 2014 (not June) at the Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island Expo facility (not Darling Harbour). Entry forms are posted out to members with the Guild newsletter in February. You can also download:

• 2014 Quilt Show Entry Form (460KB PDF) 
• 2014 Quilt Show Volunteer Form (94 KB PDF).

The closing date for entries is Friday 14 March 2014. Please direct any queries to the Exhibition Secretary.

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

This is an overview of the categories and awards for 2014. (And don't forget the Red & White Special Category next year in 2015!)

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
  1.1  Predominantly Hand Quilted
  1.2  Predominantly Machine Quilted
2. Predominantly Appliqué - Hand and/or machine pieced and quilted. More than 75% must be appliquéd.  Minimum size 120cm x 120cm: maximum size 290cm x 290cm
3. Small or Wall Quilt – Minimum size 40cm x40cm. Maximum size 150cm x 150cm
4. First-time Entrant - First entry into any State/Territory Guild's judged exhibition or competition or any National/International     judged exhibition or competition.  Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
5. Novice Quiltmaker– First time entrant where the quiltmaker started quilting after 1 January 2010.      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. More than 75% must be appliquéd.   Minimum size 120cm x 120cm: maximum size 290cm x 290cm
8.   Small or Wall Quilt – Minimum size 40cm x 40cm. Maximum size 150cm x 150cm

Open:
9.  Mixed Techniques–Anything Goes! Including embroidery, crazy quilting, embellishment, painting, trapunto and felting.  Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
10. Miniature – may be either scaled down patterns or your own original design, including postcards.  Maximum perimeter 200cm
11. Art Quilt - to be of an original design.  Maximum size 290cm any one side
12. Pictorial Quilt - To be of an original design and a representation of a person, place or thing.  Maximum size 290cm any one side
13. Group/Collaborative Quilt – made by 3 or more people  Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
14.1 Commercially Machine Quilted Quilt:Large- the entrant’s top, commercially machine quilted by another. Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
14.2 Commercially Machine Quilted Quilt:Small- the entrant’s top, commercially machine quilted by another. Maximum size 200cm x 200cm
15. Modern - New Traditions From Old Favourites - Modern quilts including those inspired by traditional block structures but  reinterpreted using non-traditional layouts. Maximum size 290 x 290 cm

Junior Quiltmaker:
16.   Junior Member A (up to Year 6) – Maximum size 290cm x 290cm
17.   Junior Member B (Years 7-12 including Year 12 work from 2013) –     Maximum size 290cm x 290cm

Special Awards include :

• Best Of Show
• Bernina Amateur Encouragement Award
• Bernina Junior Encouragement Award
• Retaining The Tradition Award
• Best Quilt Inspired By An Antique Quilt Award
• Creative Use of Colour
• Contemporary Art Quilt Award
• Best Hand Made Quilt
• Best Use Of Dyes & Pigments
• Excellence in Quilting Awards: - Hand Quilting (Amateur), Hand Quilting (Open), Amateur Domestic Machine Quilting, Domestic Machine Quilting (Open), Long Arm Machine Quilting
• Viewers’ Choice
• Hangers' Prize

Block of the Quarter

A simple and graphic stash-buster : The Four H - 9 inch Block  

Utilising just reds, blues and white, the pieces for this block are easily rotary cut, with one unit taking less than 1/2 hour to construct.

Please refer to page 30 of The Template November 2013 for accurate piecing instructions.

Either :  Post your completed self-named blocks to the Guild Office by Tuesday 11 February 

      or :  Bring blocks to the Burwood Meeting on  Saturday 15 February and hand in at the Welcome  Table.

All blocks go into the draw, and winner takes all.

Welcoming in a New Year of Creativity

The Guild Office is once again "Open for Business", and visitors in the near future can treat themselves to the loan of these library books...

With "Modern" quilts being the buzz word of late, it is worth exploring just how some quilts are attaining this new label.

The 9-13 July 2014, Glebe Island, Sydney Quilt Show has a rephrased Open Category Exhibition component : Modern - New Traditions from Old Favourites.

How can we as exhibitors or attendees accurately interpret and appreciate the subtleties of these entries?

Here are some identifying features of a "Modern Quilt":

• Big boxy pieced shapes in fresh colour palettes
• Graphic and dynamic designs using solid colours with contemporary flair
• Think "Modern Art"
• Pared back colour schemes : Less is More!
• Off center design construction 
• Dominant shapes using bright pops of colour, to provide stark contrast against "new" neutrals

The Guild Library is bursting with ideas. 

"Old" and Traditional designs can become Modern and Dynamic, just with a shift in interpretation , and these publications can spin one's thinking into new directions.

Please visit!

Office Holiday Closure

The Office of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc will be unattended from 3pm December 13 2013 until 10am January 13 2014.

All postal mail will be kept back by Australia Post.
All phone messages to the office will be accessed periodically.
All Library books should be retained until the office re-opens.

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Cathy Jack Coupland Demonstration Report

Guild attendees at last weekend's year end General Meeting were treated to a Thread Painting Demonstration by member Cathy Jack Coupland.

Kismet - Cathy Jack Coupland,  Judges Commendation - Mixed techniques Sydney Quilt Show 2013

Cathy very generously shared the many tips and tricks that she has formulated over  the years whilst producing through freestyle machine embroidery, ever increasingly exquisite and perceptive Fibre Art.

Cathy at the helm of her Mother's very reliable 40 year old machine

Moving beyond sheer pattern decoration and shape and colour relationship exercise, Cathy's philosophy of 'Sense of Place and Belonging' is being explored in increasingly personal works. Inspiration evolves from varying sources and with a commitment to excellence, Cathy devotes many hours to the perfection of her design work prior to the commencement of final works.

The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc is blessed to have a Fibre Artist of Cathy's calibre within their midst, and on Saturday presented her with a well earned Teaching Certificate.

Cathy is an accredited Teacher of Special Techniques.

Congratulations Cathy! 

Pearl Challenge on view

St Vincent's Hospital is once again supportingThe Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc with their display of one of the 'travelling suitcases' Challenge Quilts.

Currently on view in the first floor corridor between the Public and Private hospitals is the 2012 Pearl Challenge.

Mother of Pearls - Sally Hutton

Due to Display Case constraints, some of the heavily encrusted quilts have been unable to be included at this venue.
These quilts can be seen by the public until January 10, 2014.

St Vincents Hospital
390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst.

New Year Resolution

A challenged, yet enthusiastic group of quilters met at Epping Creative Centre this week to be inspired by the colourful, patient and comprehensive instruction of Guild Teacher, Jane Gibson.

With careful attention to fabric pattern detail, sharp cutting and piecing, and the ever encouragement from the maestro of 'Miniatures', attendees were soon overcoming their fears to produce delightful teeny tiny blocks, complete with sharp corners and submissive seams.

'Tricks' and short cuts to construction prowess were freely discussed, 'finishing' foibles were addressed,  new insights into fabric selections were gained, and the perceived horrors of bias edged miniature triangles were soon dispelled.
This was an inspiring workshop and Jane ensured everyone had fun whilst creating stunning blocks for future Miniature Quilts.

Detail - Feathered Star Miniature - Jane Gibson

Rhonda and Isabelle enjoying every moment.

Accuracy is achievable!

Catherine's magical and minuscule Log Cabin "homework" with the fabric used in construction.

And the New Year Resolution?

Join other Guild Members in 2014 for a workshop. Companionship and Creativity guaranteed. 

Request for donation of quilting accoutrements

Need help de-stashing?

Then Guild Member Valerie Garton can help!
She is looking for donations of fabrics, batting of any size, and "bits and pieces" that can be refashioned into tactile quilts, specifically for Alzheimer Patient stimulation.

Called "Fiddle Quilts" these items are not your average quilt for warmth... they have zips, lace, buttons, shoulder pads, shirt fronts, velcro, pockets, elastic on toggles, buckles and other "fiddly" things sewn on for the occupational therapy of those who reside at The Uniting Church Nursing Home in Haberfield.

Valerie is aided in this worthwhile exercise by residents of the neighbouring Retirement Home.
Should any member wish to contact Valerie regarding specifics of the donation materials required, or delivery of such, then please contact her on Ph No. 02 97435718
She will also be attending the forthcoming General Meeting of the Guild on Saturday, and can accept donated items there.

Guild Meeting Nov 2013

The final 2013 General Meeting of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc will be held on Saturday 30 November.

Please be advised:

• A different way of conducting meetings is to be trialled. During the "Business" part of the 1pm component, an update of what the committee have been doing since the previous meeting will be briefed, with verbal reports from Committee and Subcommittee members being given only if there is something important to relay. All reports of a general nature will be displayed for individual perusal on a notice board at the function room. There will be opportunity during the meeting for matters regarding the reports, to be raised, if required. This format is a Trial Only. Fine tuning and changes can be made for future meetings.

• The Constitution Subcommittee  will be presenting the new Constitution and advising upon recommended changes, with any questions and queries to be addressed. 

Date : Saturday November 30
Programme :
                   11 am : Thread Painting Demonstration by Cathy Jack Coupland
                    1 pm  :  General Meeting
                    Guest Speaker : Sue Cody
                    Featured Shop: Fabric Garden
                    Guest Group : Rosemount Quilters
Venue : "The Dome"
              Burwood RSL
              Shaftsbury Rd, Burwood

All welcome!

Hexagon Hype - 2013 Guild Challenge

More than 60 entries were submitted for Hexagon Hype, the 2013 Guild Challenge that premiered at the recent annual general meeting.  Congratulations to the following prize winners:

• 1st prize Prue Noonan The Hex
• 2nd: Elizabeth Newton Red Rubber Ball
• 3rd: Margy Syrett Who’s Choosing the News
• Judges Commendations: Catherine Porter Illusions and Keiko Arita Garden Corner
• Viewers Choice: Sandra Lyons

     
You can view all of the entries in this slideshow or in the online gallery 2013 Guild Challenge

Draft Guild Constitution for Comment

A Guild subcommittee is working on a new constitution for the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc.  The draft references the existing constitution, the model constitution under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) and the special requirements of the Guild. Guild members are invited to review and comment on the draft constitution.  Download:

• Draft constitution (225KB PDF)
• Summary of proposed changes to the constitution (100KB PDF)

The subcommittee will give a presentation on the draft constitution at the 30 November general meeting of the Guild and be available to answer questions.

Any comments on the draft must be submitted to the Guild secretary by 16 December 2013.

The Committee will then settle the draft to submit to members so that the constitution and resolution for approval will be sent to members with the Template quarterly newsletter in February 2014. The resolution will be tabled for approval at the April general meeting of the Guild.

Your input is welcome. This is an opportunity for members to participate in the development of the new constitution and to ensure the new constitution addresses the Guild’s current and future needs.

Houston Awards

At the recent International Quilt Festival 2013 in Houston, well deserved excitement emanated from the Australian quarter!  A number of Australian Quilters were awarded Prizes and International recognition for their artistry and  creativity.

Congratulations especially to Margo Hardie of Lake Haven, NSW, one of two recipients of The Founders Award sponsored by International Quilt Festival. Both she and the other winner made Traditional style quilts. Both receive $7500 as prize money.

Margo's "Gorsuch Family Quilt" was awarded the Retaining the Tradition Prize at the Sydney Quilt Show 2013

Gorsuch Family Quilt Circa 1840 Revisited

Rhonda Pearce of Glenbrook, NSW was awarded First Place in Traditional Applique Sponsored by Quilters Newsletter, for her "Baltimore Classic". Members may remember her showing this quilt during its construction phase at a Friday Showcase, and once finished, Rhonda displayed it in The Masters Section of The Sydney Quilt Show 2012.

Both Helen Godden and Jenny Bowker received Honourable Mentions for quilts.

Helen, from Latham Canberra, ACT, entered "Zen Magpies", in Art - Painted Surface

Jenny, from Garren Canberra, ACT, entered "The Quiltmaker", in Art - People Portraits and Figures; her tribute to Australian quiltmaker Margaret Rolfe. 

Congratulations to all of these Australian Quilters.

Quilt Show : Campbelltown

News from Campbelltown Patchwork and Quilters Guild of their forthcoming Quilt Show will delight all quilters who enjoy touring the Spring quilt shows  around the State.

Along with the Members Exhibition  there will be sales tables and traders, and a refreshments stall.

Date : Saturday - Sunday 9-10 November 2013
Venue : Campbelltown Civic Hall
             Cnr Broughton and Queen Streets,
             Campbelltown
Time :  10.00am - 4pm Sat & Sun
Entry :  $6.00 Adult
            $3.00 Children

ALl welcome!

Australia Wide Three Exhibition Inivitation

Australia Wide Three is a touring exhibition presented by Australia's organisation for art quilters, Ozquilt Network Inc.  With support from Queanbeyan City Council, the exhibition next opens at The Q Art Space, Queanbeyan,  ACT at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 29 October 2013.  There is an artist floor talk at 11am on Thursday, 31 October.  All welcome.  Please RSVP.

'Miniature' : Workshop with Jane Gibson

Rumours are that "Miniature" piecing and design skills will be needed for the 2014 Guild Challenge.

And who better to divulge the intricate skills of Miniature Quilt construction than the maestro of tiny piecing, Jane Gibson.

A Star Sampler Miniature Quilt Workshop will be taught by Jane at the end of November.

In this class, participants will learn the tricks of tiny cutting and accurate piecing using a rotary cutter and sewing machine. 

They can choose to copy the quilt Jane presents, or make one using their own design. A variety of block patterns will be provided to help in selection. She will also help those who are intrigued by the intricacies of constructing 1/8th inch logs, as shown in the tiny Log Cabin Quilts that Jane is known for. She says there is a very simple method to sewing tiny logs, and is willing to share her technique during the workshop.

There are still some vacancies in this workshop and interested members are advised to book in as soon as possible by phoning the Guild Office 

A downloadable Workshop Booking Form can be used or the hard copy (or photocopy) of the form can be used from page 29 of the August Template.

Date    : Tuesday 26 November

Venue : Epping Creative Centre

             Dence Park

             26 Stanley Road, Epping

Cost    : Members $65 / Non-members $100.

Invitation to Art Quilt Australia 2013

Art Quilt Australia 2013: People Place & Nation is presented by Ozquilt Network Inc and Craft ACT. The opening is at 6pm on Friday, 1 November 2013 and the exhibition runs until Saturday, 14 December 2013 in Canberra. The work of several Guild members is featured in this exhibition. There is also an exhibition of ceramics by Cathy Franzi. If you would like to attend the opening (see clickable invitation below), please RSVP to conference@ozquiltnetwork.org.au

You may also be interested in the curator and artist floor talks that are part of the Ozquilt Network Conference My Art Quilt 2013 on Saturday, 2 November. Non Ozquilt Network members are welcome to attend the conference. Complete and return the registration form in the information pack or make your booking using the Conference Gala 2013 Online Registration Form. Conference bookings close on Tuesday, 29 October 2013.

Download: Conference Gala 2013 Information Pack (Word Format)
Download: Conference Gala 2013 Information Pack (PDF Format)

November 2013 Friday Showcase

Leanne Harvey, long arm custom machine quilter, patchwork and sewing teacher, published designer and blogger at Mount Vincent Quilts, will present her textile journey at the next Friday Showcase in the Office.

Recognised for her creation of big, bright and modern patchwork, Leanne says it is the quilting that makes a 'flimsy' come alive for her.

She is equally passionate about finishing off the masterpieces of her clients, with individual and beautiful quilting on her Gammill. This love has now become a family business and, as she says, " I'm very lucky to work in a job that I love to do"

Leanne has been published in Down Under Quilts , and Australian Quilters Companion have one of Leanne's quilts, 'Lucy', in their current publication  - Quilts from Precut Fabrics.

'Lucy' is a colourful and bold quilt made from 2 Layer Cakes and  Leanne is holding this quilt in the above photo.

All members are welcome to Friday Showcase, so please come and support this young passionate,  and rural member of the Guild.

Dates : Friday 1st November

Time : 10am start.

Venue : Guild Office

             Level 5

             276 Pitt St, Sydney.

              

Bushfire Appeal

Images of the current NSW bushfires have been saturating the worlds media, and for those who are uncertain of the locations of affected areas, then be advised that much of the devastation has occurred in the commuter belt of Sydney.

Almost everyone in Sydney knows of, or works with people who live in the active fire zones.

A massive blanket of smoke and a white-hot setting sun, over Sydney suburbs, Sunday 20th Oct 2013

The Office of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc has been fielding a steady stream of phone calls from concerned members wanting to "help" in any way possible.

Tracy Greenway at Winmalee is the quilter to contact directly. Her blog: cookquiltcrochet has an update about The Springwood Salvation Army Patchwork Group who are co-ordinating a Blue Mountains Quilt Appeal for those who have lost their homes in the Springwood and  Winmalee areas.

Information Day for Quilters

Thursday 24th October

10am - 12 noon

Springwood Salvation Army

15-23 Francis Road, Faulconbridge

(This venue may change, depending upon current conditions) 

There is an 'email contact' section on Tracy's blog for those who wish to contact her directly with donations of quilts. 

Please do not donate quilts directly to the Salvation Army Charity Store in Springwood.

These quilters are also wanting donations of tops and all supplies needed to make quilts. 

A list of donation suggestions is also on the blog.

Please help in any way possible. Thankyou.

Illawarra Quilters' Quiltaway 15-18 Nov 2013

The bi-annual "Quiltaway" being organised by Illawarra Quilters is fast approaching, and there are still vacancies for those who wish to join this 'not-for-profit' Workshop Long Weekend.

Guest Tutors are all well known for their creative and fun classes, and attendees will not only learn new techniques and produce 'take-home' items, as well they will have their creative energies inspired for future projects. 

Brenda Gael Smith (teaching Strata Various and Shibori Serendipity),
Katrina Hadjimichael (teaching Spikes and Specks and Sherherazade Table Runner), and, 
Jennifer Corkish (teaching The Fruits of Life and printing and stencilling) all still have places in their classes.

Final numbers are needed by November 1st for all the 1, 2 and 3 day workshops being offered.

All Tutors, shared accommodation and meals are included in the varying price structure:
One Day : $170
Two Day:  $340
Three Day : $550

The Quiltaway is being held at The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops NSW.
Attendees are to arrive after 5pm on the 15th and departure is 4pm on Monday 18th November.

It is recommended that contact be made directly with the organiser Glenda Wise in the first instance  at
glendawise14@hotmail.com 
Phone : 0242856454

A $50 Deposit will be required if a place is to be reserved until a Registration Form has been posted.

Nothing to do except sew, learn and relax in good company!

All Welcome.