Serendipity and the Art of the Quilt

Itajime Shibori

Brenda — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:14:26 +0000

So there I was, just quickly checking some blogs and e-mails before getting started on some sewing, and here I am still at my computer nearly an hour later. Sucked in! but in a good way. It all started when I went to Pink Chalk Studios and read Kathy’s review on Color Your Cloth: A Quilter’s Guide to Dyeing and Patterning Fabric by Malka Dubrawsky:

That in turn took me to Malka’s blog StitchinDye including a picture of a circle quilt very similar in appearance to the Confetti Wedding Quilt that I made for Amy (my sister) and Paul except that the circles are entirely dyed - there is no applique. And how are those glorious circles created? with perspex resist shapes and C-clamps sold by r0ssie via her etsy shop.

The technique of dyeing using clamped resists is known as itajime shibori. It is a technique used to funky effect in the Ocelot clothing line. I also used this technique in my Twelve-themed work - Double Six. Which reminds me, I really must get on with my pink piece, which may (or may not!) include itajime shibori.

Improvising at Material Obsession

Brenda — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:10:36 +0000

We were sewing up a storm today at Material Obsession in my Stacks of Improvisation workshop. Somehow I was so engrossed that I didn’t get to photograph everyone’s creations but here is a selection of works in progress and colour and desig exercises.
I am also teaching this 1 day workshop at the Australasian Quilt Convention 2010 and a longer masterclass format at Be Creative by the Sea 2010.

Quilting Art Inspiration

Brenda — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:02:43 +0000

Quilting Art: Inspiration, Ideas & Innovative Works from 20 Contemporary Quilters celebrates the works and insights of twenty contemporary quilters from across the United States with over 150 colour photos and profiles penned by Spike Gillespie. And there are studio peeks too.

Featured artists include Lisa Call, Jeanne Williamson, Robbi Joy Eklow, Joanie San Chirico, Deidre Adams and Pam Rubert.

Career Smart: fast forward your career

Brenda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:16:09 +0000

It’s been a long time since I last presented myself for a job interview but, when I did, it was rather nerve wracking. Anyone considering changing jobs or returning to the paid workforce would benefit from independent, honest and practical advice on preparing a resume and application letter along with some practical interview coaching. Kate Oszko from Brisbane, Queensland offers these services and it’s been my pleasure to help her set up a simple website to promote her new business - Career Smart:

If you would like assistance in establishing an online presence, feel free to contact me to discuss my website development and design services.

Stacks of Improvisation

Brenda — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:02:08 +0000

Playing with fabric stacks, freeform cutting and pinless curved piecing to create units is a useful contemporary quiltmaking technique that I cover in my new workshop Stacks of Improvisation. Here is one of my teaching samples which I finished using my FFF (Favourite Facing Finish) technique:
Stacks of Improvisation is one of four workshops that I will be teaching at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne in April 2010 - bookings are now open. See my Workshop Schedule for other places I’ll be teaching next year.

On the brink

Brenda — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:22:13 +0000

Our green grocer has a counter of discounted fruit and vegetables that are on the brink of going bad. Currently the special seems to be mangoes so I brought home some spotted beauties and made some Indian style mango chutney. A perfect accompaniment to my favourite curry. Yum!

Cotton candy pinks

Brenda — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:30:52 +0000

One way or another, I dyed 3+ metres of pink fabrics yesterday - that should be enough for a 12×12in quilt!

And speaking of things pink, I don’t know what is happening with the Bid-4A-Cause quilts but Lisa Walton has a good photo of the complete collection over on her blog. Thanks Lisa!

Into the pink

Brenda — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:20:00 +0000

With the weather forecast for a warm day and the wet area in David’s workshop temporarily clear, I seized the moment to do some fuschia dyeing for the first Twelve by Twelve Colourplay Challenge - pink! I’ll let you know how this batch turns out.

MY PLACE @ Colac

Brenda — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:10:45 +0000

This weekend is your last opportunity to see the MY PLACE exhibition in Australia:

Friday - Sunday
30 October - 1 November 2009
Colac Entertainment Centre
cnr Gellibrand and Rae Streets
Colac 3250 Victoria

There’s a champagne opening at 6pm on Friday. All welcome!

Bookings Open for AQC 2010

Brenda — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:08:54 +0000

Bookings for workshops at the Australasian Quilt Convention 2010 opened earlier this morning. You can book online or by telephone (+61 2 9452 7575). I will be teaching four, one day classes:

Thursday, 29 April 2010: Power Stripping
Friday, 30 April 2010: Scrap Queen Odyssey
Saturday, 1 May 2010: Strata Various
Sunday, 2 May 2010: Stacks of Improvisation

Other tutors are: Frieda Anderson, Eileen Campbell, Sandra Chandler Lawhon, Sue Benner, Rosalie Dace, Sue Dennis, Pam Furniss, Pam Furniss, Julie Haddrick, Gloria Loughman, Deborah Louie, Annette Morgan and Lessa Siegele. Bookings are filling fast!

And don’t forget that the WORLD PREMIERE of the Twelve by Twelve exhibition will also be at AQC 2010. (Yes, that’s Diane’s dandelion quilt and Terry’s chocolate quilt that you can see on the program cover along with some detail of my Dreamlines#3.