Quilts in the Barn

Another fantastic Quilts in the Barn show was put on a couple of weeks ago. The show celebrated the works of students who had been fortunate enough to learn in classes run by Margaret Sampson George. Now I had no idea who Marg was until I met her in the barn on the last day of the show. I was totally blown away by the skill and detail these quilts displayed. Most of the works involved teeny, tiny stitches and a whole lot of applique. I was allowed to take photos but Marg asked me to only show parts of quilts on line so here are some snap shots of parts of quilts. Hope you enjoy.

There was so much to see. I just kept going round and round the rooms. Lots of work was sewn onto linen. Everything seemed to be patched using paper piecing. The quilts were large, vibrant and detailed. Some must have taken years to complete.

I am sure if you search on line for Quilts in the Barn you will find better and possibly full photos of the quilts.

So while my machine languishes in the fix it shop, I am even doing a bit of hand stitching myself.

The Stitches and Craft Show

Last week I visited the Stitches and Craft Show. I didn't take too many photos. There were lots of beautiful quilts to see, mostly done in the traditional style.

There was a beautiful quilt that followed the Mystery Quilt Blocks from 2012 Quilt Mania magazines designed by Yoko Saito.

This has all been done by needle turn, however, I saw a similar one created by one of the stall holders. Hers was done using vliesofix and just having a raw edge, more my style!
After seeing all the gorgeous fabrics used in the quilts, I couldn't resist buying some fabric from the same stall. They were half price. How could I resist?

They also had a really old quilt on show from Janet O'Dell's Antique Quilt Collection. In the same area they had a whole lot of quilts that were inspired by the antique one. I loved the way they all looked in their rows. Their geometric patterns really popped out when you looked through the lens of a camera at them.

The Crazy Tea Cosy Lady - Loani Prior was at the show again.
I do have a soft spot for her craziness.

It was a fun day out.

Too Hot

It's another sweltering day in Melbourne.

I went for an early walk while the air was still crisp, practised my new yoga moves, cooked, cleaned, did some school work and finally sat down to do some stitching but now I am just plain hot!

This weather doesn't mix with my internal temperature control. Hot from inside and out. I keep reading about snow and freezing on the other side of the world and it is hard to imagine. 

I machine stitched this quilt a few weeks ago around the main blocks.

Every block is the same but they look so different.

I love that!

 So, before I got too heated up, I hand stitched my first star.

This is the back of the quilt

And here is the front.

I decided to hand stitch the insides of each star rather than keep machine quilting.

There is nothing like using old cotton fabrics. They feel so cuddly and soft from all the wearing.

More Photos from Abroad Because I've done Nothing!

I have been very lazy with my blog, opting to read a bit here and there but really not entering my other world of stitching lately. It has all been a bit too frantic in the real world to be able to escape.

While I was abroad, I was constantly overwhelmed by the incredible talent Indian people have with textiles so I thought I would put up a few photos of what I was seeing all around me.

 I eventually chose 3 pieces from here but it was so, so hard and now that I am home I want more!

I did not know what to do when the owner emptied out this bag of treasures for me to look at. Each piece had been originally part of someone's clothing. How could anyone part with something that has taken so many hours to make?

Lots of places sold beautifully woven floor rugs

 Huge patchworks of mini embroidered pieces were hanging everywhere. These things represented years of work and here they were at prices that belied their worth.

 Each design was unique and magical on its own

 I just had to take a photo of this bedspread. I had seen something similar on Pinterest and was enchanted by the design. Well this quilt is actually one piece of fabric. The design is painted on and then there is some hand quilting all around. Fooled me but it looks great.

Lots of gold, mirrors and shiny stuff adorn some of these pieces.

There was a never ending parade of colour and talent.

I haven't even touched upon the mosaics and paintings in the palaces and forts.

You just have to go there!

It's Stitch and Bitch Night at my House

We stitch lots but actually don't bitch too much.

I was so lucky to be invited to join a group of people for their monthly stitching get togethers.

It is so much fun to be involved with like minded people and although these lovely people prefer the knitting and crochet stitch to the patchwork stitch, I have enjoyed their company and advice. I have been away from knitting for so long and am a little bit rusty with the purls and cables and the jumper I am making has been unwound so many times I could have made two by now.

Anyway to night it's at my house but I have no idea if anyone is coming because I hardly know these ladies. I'll just wait and see what happens.

Here is a gorgeous little dress Sue made for her granddaughter that I photographed last time we met.

I haven't been on the PC much but I have done a bit of stitching. I happily sat through lots of sessions of the Olympics and quilted a few spiderweb patterns on to this quilt.

This block had so much promise when it was just small but I don't like the way I have finished the edges. Anyway I am quilting it now and I do like the back. I ran out of fabric and didn't plan it well as to how far it should grow. No matter, it is done now and no one will really care except me.

There goes the doorbell!

Capri's Blanket

I have been working on this for a while but it is now time to put the back and binding on because the stitching is finished.

It is for my great niece Capri, cousin of Summer.

The blankets are like twins.

I'm not sure how practical the loose monkey arms and lion ears will be but time will tell.

I also received a delivery from the postman today.

The main reason I put in a order was for the Kaffe woven cotton on the bottom of the pile.

I tried to buy some in Melbourne but no one seemed to have it.

Unfortunately postage has gone up so much from the US, I decided I had to fill my allowable weight with more fabric so most of it was stuff that I needed. 

The coffee pots will make some oven gloves I hope.

The Parson Gray is to compliment the blocks I've already started for a new project.

I do like getting postal deliveries of fabric. It feels like my birthday. I could get addicted to it so maybe it is lucky US postage is increasing and local fabric prices are decreasing.

A Bit of Shopping and a Bit of Stitching

It's sale time for fabric.

 $5 per metre for backing fabric is brilliant so I snapped these up 

as well as some Loulouthi Velveteen (half price) by Anna Maria Horner that I am going to use for the back of my new baby blanket for my newest great niece.