Quilting Owl

It is always exciting to see one of your own designs in print and so it must have been for Joan Taylor to not only see her beautiful quilt published as a project in the current edition of Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol. 20 No 5 "Whirls of Colour" by Joan Taylor AP&Q Vol 20 No 5 but to also see it featured on the front cover. Joan began her quilting journey about 6 years ago in one of my Sampler Quilt classes when she machine pieced and quilted this beautiful quilt. Joan's first Sampler Quilt designed by Frances Leate She returned for another series of classes to learn some new techniques and made my "In the Spirit of Christmas 1" quilt with a few variations.  It took her a little longer to finish this project and she has done some lovely machine quilting on the blocks. Joan's "In the Spirit of Christmas" quilt designed by Frances Leate By the time she signed up for the "Colourscope" class with Peter and me she was...

Today was the second class for a very keen group of new quilters at Cairns Craft Centre and it was very rewarding for me to watch them assemble their quilts - the first for many of them.  They could choose to make either a medallion or a two block quilt and I hope they enjoyed themselves as much as I did teaching the class. The students ranged from the young to the not so young and there were some lovely colour and fabric selections to see around the room. Karen's black, white and red quilt top looked stunning. Mary was so keen after the first class that she rushed home and finished her quilt adding a few extra borders.  It was even quilted and bound. Andrea's Star is now waiting for its final border. There was some serious work happening here. As is always the way, the camera ran out of battery before I could photograph more of the finished quilt tops so I hope I get a chance to do so when they are finished. Till next time Frances

Pippa at Welsh Quilts  is coordinating efforts to make a commemorative quilt for Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand, which suffered so much damage in the recent earthquake and she has asked for blocks from bell ringers and quilters.  Pippa has designed a block based on an old pattern called "monument" and here is the block I sent to her. I have also been catching up on my blocks for Barbara Brackman's Civil War quilt and here are numbers 17 and 18. "Comfort Quilt" - Block 17 CWQ "Union Square" - Block 18 CWQ My collection of owls is growing and they make me smile each time I go pass them. Till next time Frances

Here are some more lovely projects from the girls at Sunday Stitching last Sunday.  Kathy has been having a short break from quilts and has been experimenting by making some cute little dolls. Sue, a visitor from the South, is making this lovely cushion from a pattern by Sally Giblin.  I hope we get to see the finished project. Karen is teaching herself Hardanger and this is her first attempt.  Hopefully she will let us see her progress with this beautiful form of embroidery. Jenny had her latest Civil War Quilt blocks and, as ever, is up todate. Two new members joined the group last Sunday and Nora brought along the lovely bright beach bag she has just made and Mary had her new black and white shopping bag.  Both bags incorporated a fine plastic mesh which was very effective. Till next time Frances

There was a lively turnout at the Sunday Stitchers' gathering at Cairns Craft Centre yesterday and I think the wonderful sunny weather our area has been enjoying lately added to our good spirits.  As usual there was some wonderful show and tell and here are some of the quilts and quilt tops that the girls brought along. Jenny has been very busy and has started putting together the blocks for her Baltimore quilt with a vibrant red sashing with blue cornerstones.  Jenny has really got into hand blanket stitch applique and she had a couple of delightful small quilt tops to show us. Joan proudly showed us a UFO she can now cross off the list which is a quilt she started a few (?) years ago in one of my classes.  She also had a bright kids quilt top now ready for her to quilt. Thora has caught the "red and white" bug and has made this delightful small quilt - I just love houses! Sonjia's frog quilt is now finished and the yellow sashing really sets it off. Till next...