Quilting Owl

Last October we had the opportunity to visit Lancaster County in the US where the descendants of the Amish and Mennonites, who settled there after escaping religious persecution in 18th century Europe, continue to live their "simple" life even in today's hectic world. The Amish people are renowned for their quilting skills and there was much to see and do for enthusiasts of this craft.   We enjoyed a buggy trip around the beautiful countryside and a visit to the People's Place Museum to see a wonderful quilt display -  A highlight was our visit to the Quilt and Textile Museum in Lancaster which houses the world famous collection of Lancaster Amish Quilts in a beautifully restored building.  Naturally the book about this collection was added to our vast quilting library.     I couldn't resist bringing home a small Amish quilt to add to my small quilt collection - Till next time Frances

The Saturday girls have been very industriously stitching away on the Baltimore style block of the month project.  They have taken me on trust as I am still in the process of designing the original quilt - actually two quilts as one will be more traditional with a light background and be approximately 60 inches square when finished and the other quilt will have a dark background and be a smaller wallhanging made using the invisible machine applique technique. Lesleigh has been working on making each block twice in different colourways using needleturn applique and has had a very productive month.  The red, black and white is quite stunning - Jenny has finished her first block with beautiful blanket stitch - Thora was auditioning different fabrics deciding whether she was happier will a gold or light floral - Shirley was concentrating on getting around an inner point and looking forward to when she can embellish the blocks with embroidery - Janne was busy selecting fabr...

The winners of the free giveaway are Seaside Quilter and Janne D who suggested the bag be named "Coolamon" an aboriginal word meaning "carrying vessel"  - email me your postal address and I will get a pattern kit off to you both next week. I thought I would show you some other projects I have made featuring Australiana fabric - "Borders Abound" (this project was published in Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol 17 No 3) "Log Cabin Downunder" -  the first quilt I ever finished. A library bag for one of Peter's grandsons I can never resist collecting new bags so here are various other bags I have made - Till next time Frances

This weekend was a busy one for me teaching classes at Cairns Craft Centre.  Saturday was sampler day where the students come to learn new skills and improve their machine piecing techniques. Kay and Pris with their completed blocks from the previous class.  Kay has chosen lovely autumn tones while Pris has opted for beautiful Bali prints - Anita had also been busy sewing between classes making blocks featuring floral prints - On Sunday we held the "Cutting Corners with Rulers" class where the girls take on the challenge of designing their own quilts and try to incorporate some of their stash. Thora's kaleidoscope design is looking good and I can't wait to see the stunning border that she has designed to complete this quilt - Anita collects "cat" panels and she and Peter put their heads together and worked out a quilt design to feature some of these fun prints - I am looking forward to seeing this quilt evolve.  Jenny is concentrating on some...

The Aboriginal design fabrics are very popular sellers at Cairns Craft Centre so I thought I would do a project featuring these wonderful fabrics.  We will be making up pattern kits for the shop which include the instructions and the Aboriginal design fabrics to make this bag.  I haven't decided on a name yet for the project - any suggestions? To launch this new pattern design we are giving away two pattern kits so leave a comment and I will draw the winners next Thursday. Till next time Frances

In the latest edition of Australian Patchwork & Quilting (Vol 19 No 1) there is a project I designed called "Hampton Court".  (Kits are available for this project by contacting Peter at Cairns Craft Centre .) This quilt was made using soft antique florals and when I was finishing this project I kept thinking of the rose gardens I saw when we were in England last September.  We went to Hampton Court  Palace to visit the Royal School of Needlework and while there I really enjoyed walking around the beautiful gardens full of roses - something you don't see a lot of when you live in a tropical environment. While on an English theme, here is the finished wall hanging I made with the wonderful panel sent to me by the fabulous Sue (you can visit her blog here ).  We have visited the V&A Museum in London on many occasions but were very sorry not to be able to be over there this year for their special Exhibition.  This commemorati...

A very keen group braved Cairn's very wet conditions on Sunday to come along to the monthly get together and proudly displayed some of the projects they are currently working on. Lesleigh, a prolific quilter, produced her interpretation of the quilt "Adrian's Puzzle" and I discussed some border options with her.  The pattern for this quilt designed by Adrian Wolf was published in Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol. 17 No. 7 - Jenny's blanket stitch applique project using beautiful Bali prints is progressing well and I think she is very happy with these wonderful blocks - Joan had some blocks to show which she has made from the fabric she selected last month - I brought along some very treasured possessions which have been gifts from wonderful friends.  The first is a Commemorative Panel for the 2010 V&A Quilt Exhibition and I am currently putting the finishing touches to the wall hanging I have made with this panel - and in response to numerous requ...