Hanging in Winchester House

Calling into Winchester House for a meeting during the week, it’s a good chance to see what quilt is on show.  And what an elegant quilt it was.  “Layered Leaves” was made by Mary Andrews in a class in 2011, and is just beautiful.  Close inspection showed the 3D flowers and lacy machine embroidered leaves, all done in hues of pink and green, all beautifully arranged on the background fabric.  The berries are little balls of felted wool, stitched in place, and the flowers are finished with beaded stamens.  Perfectly beautiful!

Layered Leaves, by Mary Andrews

April Club Night

Now that Daylight Saving is a distant memory, the evenings get darker much earlier, so does the drive to the hall for club nights.  But never mind, for everything there is a season, and we were lucky that it was a fine evening without any wind and rain.  Sandra welcomed everyone to the meeting, and then Diane explained the theme and size of the club challenge.  Further details about this will be printed in the newsletter.  Ruby and Kathy were the lucky winners of the raffles.

Robyn from Fox’s Cottage took the stage and displayed several of the new up-coming classes her shop will be running.  Next to take the microphone was club member Ute who has recently started an on-line fabric shop.  She related the story of how the family sold up their business and home in Germany, and moved out to New Zealand.  Seeking a home based business, Ute then decided to import patchwork fabrics.  Check out her website on www.thelifestyler.nz

A selection of Ute’s imported fabrics

Show and Tell brought along an interesting selection, as usual, from quilts for grandchildren, table runners, and wall hangings.

Quilt for a new grand-daughter

There was a nice selection of autum toned quilts brought along for our extra show and tell segment, including my Maple Leaf quilt.  I received the blocks in an internet birthday block swap, but it took me absolutely ages to finally put it together and finish the quilting.  Better late than never, I guess.

Made by Mary

Our speaker for the evening was Chrissie Sheed, President of Rose City Quilters, who told us of her quilting journey and how it has changed over the years.  She started off, as most of us do, making traditional quilts, and brought along one of her early examples, patchwork blocks alternated with candle wick blocks.

One of Chrissie’s early quilts

Then she discovered art quilts, with couching, beading, fabric manipulation, using rusted fabric and even papers.  Chrissie taught herself free motion quilting, and does the most amazing micro stippling.  She kindly handed her small art works around the hall so we could have a close look at them all.  I was a bit hesitant to look at the snake, but it is all done with fabric and stitching, and is an amazing work of art.

Chrissie’s realistic snake

It was another great club night, with an amazing speaker, good company, and time to catch up with fellow members.

Guest Speaker at Probus

Yvonne Symonds was “club speaker” at our Probus Club meeting recently, and did a marvelous job promoting Town and Country Quilters.   She explained about the charity quilts made by members, and also the benefit of the heart cushions made by members a little while ago for those ladies undergoing surgery for breast cancer.

We then saw a selection of quilts made over the years, including several challenges made with her “Evening Bags” house group.

Floral Bouquet Round Robin quilt

Dragonfly, made in a Jacqui Carl class

The tiny houses of Happy Villages were started in a class with Karen Eckmeter were just delightful.

Happy Villages

The Evening Bag Challenge 2014 composed of many small circles completed with different stitches in each came in for a lot of scrutiny after the meeting.  As did all the pretty little buttons and charms used too.  “Look at that one, and that one”, people were heard exclaiming.

Evening Bag Challenge of 2014

Thank you Yvonne, for your short talk, it was very interesting, and the ladies (in particular) in the Probus club enjoyed the opportunity to see your work.

Hanging at Winchester House

This month it is a darling little quilt stitched by Helen Cole, called “Dream”.  Helen enjoys doing stitcheries and like all keen stitchers everywhere, takes them away on holiday with her too.  She loves this quirky little wall hanging and when it has done it’s stint in Winchester House, cheering up patients and voluteer staff, it will be hung in pride of place in Helen’s sewing room.

Dream, by Helen Cole

AllComers Day

For those who like to attend the club AllComers Days, we would like to remind you that the stitching day previously arranged for Monday 28th March (Easter Monday) has been cancelled.

This has now been replaced with: ALLCOMERS’ DAY Saturday 9^th April.

Time : 9.30 – 4.00 pm.

Venue: Please note: This will be held at the Art Society Rooms in Bath Street.

Cost: $5

Please bring any projects you wish to work on, the materials you require, and your lunch.

There is a special aspect to this day as we are offering the opportunity to assist with any problems you may be having. Perhaps you have difficulties cutting accurately, or sewing an accurate ¼ inch or scant ¼ inch seam. Do you want to learn how to prevent those areas that have many seams joining together and form little mountains on the top of your quilt? Would you like to have a go at curved piecing, or make a few new simple sample blocks? Are you confident with binding your quilts? Or do you have a problem selecting colour ways for a new project or need assistance with something that you would like to do, needleturn appliqué, etc. Bring your bits and pieces and we will do our best to help. There will also be opportunities for show and share so bring along anything, even unfinished quilts you would like advice on, and are prepared to share with us.

These days are usually good fun and there is a good sharing atmosphere so we thought we’d try this format for this time. You are welcome to sit and work on your project all day if you wish, but you may ask for individual or group assistance throughout the day.

We limit numbers to 20 so it is helpful if you let me know that you are coming.

Lynne Ph 368 5970

March Club Night

There was a good turn out of members at the SGM held prior to our March Club Night to discuss the new Constitution.  Diane took us through some of the new points, and there was a little discussion from members.  The members unanimously agreed to adopt the new Constitution.  Sandra then gave a vote of thanks to Diane and Lynne for all the work thay had done to research and produce this document for the club.

The meeting then got underway, with notices read out.  Please note that the Allcommers Day scheduled for 28th March has been cancelled, as it falls on Easter Monday.  The raffles were drawn, with Lynne and Bev were the lucky winners. 

Show and Tell is always interesting.  There were baby quilts from new grandma-to be Sarah, teddy bear charity quilts from Lesley, a couple of bags, and Yvonne brought along a striking quilt with circular designs started in 2013 Symposium.  Everyone was keen to get up close and inspect the wedding memory quilt which Avon had made for her son and daughter-in-law.

Wedding quilt stitched by Avon

Our special Show and Tell segment this month was for row-by-row quilts, and quite a few came out of cupboards to be shown off.  Even mine, made for me to celebrate my 60th bitthday, by a group of quilting friends from my former home town.  Helen’s row-by-row quilt was especially poignant, as it recorded her journey when she underwent a cochlear implant a cuple of years ago.

Helen’s row-by-row had quite a story behind it.

Instead of a speaker, we had the popular Four Corners where  techniques and equipment were highlighted.  We saw the Acuquilter and the Felting machine demonstrated, quilt-as-you-go placemats, and how to make an interesting strip pieced block.  Thanks ladies, for showing us how everything worked.

Cheryl cutting circles

The evening finished with a cuppa and scone with jam and cream, a look through some magazines which were looking for a new home, then it was time to say goodbye and head off home.

Hanging at Winchester House

What’s on show at the Cancer Society’s building, Winchester House this month, I wondered.  Christmas is well and truly over so there is sure to be something new hanging up now.  I went along for a meeting there today and arrived a little early so I would have time to do a quick photo shoot.

And here it was – a vision of loveliness stitched by Mary Andrew.  Called “Elegance in Centenary”, Mary purchased the kit from Grandmother’s Garden shop.  Stitched with Mary’s perfect needleturn applique and hand quilting, it is indeed a lovely, elegant quilt, with a lovely country style pallette.

Elegance in Centenary, by Mary Andrews