Nostalgia Class No 2

What a wonderful day out it was.  There we were, a group of keen club members all ready and waiting to learn all about the best way to use vintage doilies and linens from our master tutor, Griet Lombard. The exquisite samples were on show, and we gathered around for some words of wisdom.  The first thing to consider, we were told, was how we were going to piece the finished blocks together – quilt as you go, or bagged out.  Mmm, that got us thinking.   Back we went to our tables to begin.

Janneke had been scouring the Op Shops and had purchased some doilies to sell at class for those who required a few more – these went like hot cakes.  It was interesting to discover that several ladies from Griet’s first class returned for a second time.    Barbara, Alison, Ruby, Madalyn and Lynne enjoyed themselves so much they were couldn’t wait to come back again, and happily joined in Class 2 with the rest of us.

All busy creating

Griet walked around the room, offering advice to those of us who had trouble getting started.  Lois had brought along her Mum’s wedding dress to use, but the advice was to practice on smaller blocks first to get comfortable with the technique before taking the scissors to such a treasure.  I needed help too -  I had decided to make a bag and had gone along with a plan in my mind, but was gently dissuaded.    My idea was  to use a vintage doily, with added stitched words,  on the front of a bag.  But no, you just can't plonk it right in the middle, I was told, it needs to be off centre.  Oh dear – I “don’t do” asymmetrical!  But perhaps this once I will give it a try – after all, we were being shown the ropes by an amazing tutor.

At intervals during the day we were called to gather around and Griet passed on various tips and techniques to us.  It was just as well that these were spread out as our poor little brains wouldn’t be able to retain too much info all at once.  Speaking for myself, I know my head was spinning – thinking is hard work!

Demonstrating on the sewing machine

The hall was buzzing with activity all day, with pretty blocks being created with small pieces of  lace, doilies, and vintage linen.  Some were adding  extra hand embroidery to their blocks, and  Cheryl free motioned stitched a spider’s web to one of her blocks, for luck.  Thanks must go to Cheryl for bringing along a big bag of embroidered organza samples for people to rummage through and take away.

Cheryl stitching a spider web, with Alison seeing how it is done

There was some lovely work done by the end of the day, beautiful blocks covered in lace, doilies, and Griet’s speciality, pretty little birds. We all had a great time and learnt all sorts of hints and tips.  Griet stressed that in this class anything goes, do what makes you happy!  With advice like that, we can’t go wrong.  Thank you Griet, you are a wonderful tutor, and a valued club member too.  And thanks to Lynne for organising the class for us.

Maureen with her pretty block, with Ute’s blocks on the wall

July Remnants Night

I love the monthly Remnants Nights, and it was great to see an increase in the numbers this month.  It was just as well that I turned the oven on early, as everyone had brought along something to warm us up for our shared meal.  We feasted on savouries, little sausage balls, cheese rolls, pizza, quiche and a delicious fish pie, made with freshly caught fish, we were told.  With tea and coffee and apricot slice to follow we were well fed indeed.

Several of the ladies had their machines humming along.  Ute and her young daughter Kata were both busy, Ute  with her pieced border strips, and Kata was in the process of making a blue and white bag.  Linda was working on the appliqué blocks from a Shop Hop quilt she purchased a while ago.  I love the combination of the rich dark blue against the yellow/cream background fabric.

Linda’s Shop Hop blocks

And Janneke was piecing a pretty little girl’s quilt which will be donated to a good cause.  With a nice soft flannel for the backing, it will be a very cosy little quilt indeed.  The pink and yellow Split Nine Patch quilt over the back of the chair was last month’s Remnant’s project.

 

What else?  Vickie and I were both tracing patterns for future stitchery projects on light boxes.  Leigh was working on her gorgeous “T’was the Night Before Christmas” project – I really love that design.  Wendy was turning tiny little hexagons into pin cushions, and Janelle was diligently stitching away at her beautiful paper pieced pink and green star blocks.

Janelle’s star blocks

Noeline had come along to use the large tables to pin up her green quilt and soon had the job completed.  This looks lovely, a dozen stitched blocks surrounded by green batik sashings and borders. I forgot to ask who this one was for.

Noeline pinning up her quilt. 

And we mustn’t forget Kaye who was sitting beside me adding embellishments to her Nostalgia blocks, from Griet’s class last week.  Kay had brought along a huge button jar to dig and delve through, just one of many such jars she has,  she told me.  I was interested to see these, as I’m attending Griet’s second class next week.

One of Kaye’s pretty blocks

Thanks to all who came along to Remnants.  Some came early and shared a meal together, some came a little later.  And as the evening progressed some left early as they didn’t want to be out too late, and a few stayed right to the end.  It really didn’t matter, as it is an individual choice.  It was great to catch up with some who hadn’t made it for the last time or two, and welcome new faces too.  I managed to turn all the lights off and lock up the hall at the end of the evening with a little help – next time I’ll remember to bring a torch with me to make this task easier.  Thanks ladies, it was a great night.

Remnants Night on Friday

Don’t forget that the Remnants Night is on this coming Friday 31st July at the Art Society Room in Bath Street.  The doors open at 5.30pm, and early birds bring something for the shared meal.  Tea and coffee supplied, and occasionally chocolate fish make an appearance.

If you can’t make it for the shared meal, just drop in when you can.  Plenty of room at the big tables for those who wish to bring their sewing machines and need to spread out.  Or hand stitching, even knitting, sometimes mending gets done, it really is your choice.  There is always good company, help on hand if required, plenty of fun and companionship.  Hope to see you there.

Tivaevae Quilts at Te Papa

Fancy a trip to Wellington?  There is still time to visit the exhibition of tivaevae quilts, “Out of the Glory Box” currently on show at Te Papa Museum.  Situated up on Level 5, with free entry, this is a stunning exhibition indeed in a riot of bright colours.  The quilts are hung down both sides of a light and airy long gallery, with still more hanging on rods from the ceiling.    Cook Islands tivaevae (quilts) are cultural treasures, painstakingly hand-sewn and often stored for safekeeping in family glory boxes.  Many of these quilts were presented as gifts to family members and reflects the vibrant cultural life of the Cook Islands

Over-view of the exhibition

The quilts on show had plenty of the expected Hawaiin style showing cut out floral designs which were appliqued onto a background fabric.      THis tivaevae tataura (applique embroidered quilt) has appliued hibiscus and orchid flowers, reminders of a tropical homeland.  The maker is unknown.

Colourful quilt featuring hibiscus and orchid flowers

Two colour tivaevae manu (applique quilts) are the quickest to make.  The quilter folds and cuts a piece of fabric into a symmetrical pattern.  Then this is unfolded and stitched onto a contrasting background, using an invisible stitch.  The taro leaf design was stitched in 1980s, maker unknown.

 

Two colour taro leaf design

Stitched by Jasmine Underhill in 1987, this lovely two colour quilt features the puarata flower, related to our pohutakawa tree.  The motif was designed by Jasmine’s aunt.

Two colour quilt showing the puarata flower

Unexpectardly, pieced quilts were also on show.    I did not realise that tivaevae quilts were also made from patchwork pieces, and as I read, are the most highly prized of all the Cook Islands quilts.  Mothers often present them as gifts of love to their daughters on their wedding day – with the understanding that the quilt will one day be used as a funeral shroud for the daughter’s husband.    These tivaevae ta’orei (patchwork quilts) require careful mathematical planning.  Quilter Paree Ringiao tells how she threaded hundreds of diamond shaped pieces of fabric onto a string, in a precise sequence.  Then she pulled them off one by one and carefully stitched them together, helped by her mother-in-law. 

Star quilt, stitched by Paree Ringiao, 1950s

This is just a taste of course, there are many more beauties on display as well.  Don’t miss this exhibition – you could combine it with a visit to the exceptional “Gallipoli – the Scale of our War” exhibition which is also showing.

Hanging at Winchester House

This blue and white beauty is currently hanging at Winchester House, and has a little story to tell.  Carol and her husband had an amazing five year journey travelling around New Zealand in their campervan.  And this quilt was stitched during that journey, all those lovely stitchery blocks and the hand quilting.  If this quilt could talk, I’m sure it would have some interesting tales to tell of people met,  places  visited and adventures along the way.

Carol’s blue and white quilt, stitched in the campervan

The medical staff, the volunteers who give their time, and the patients always enjoy looking at the quilts which brighten Winchester House, I’m told.  Many thanks to the club members who loan their quilts, and for Helen for  being the chief organisor.

July Club Night

The July Club Night almost sneaked up on us this month.   Yes, it was on the usual 2nd Wednesday of the month, as always.  But this month the second Wednesday fell on the 8th of July, instead of halfway through the month as usually happens, so club night was much earlier in the month, this time.  Luckily a good few members were not fooled and turned up on the correct night.  As an added bonus, it wasn’t raining, for a change.

We had a little club business to commence, and our President Sandra asked for suggestions to be made for interesting speakers and any classes that members would be like to see offered,  any thoughts can be written down and placed in the Suggestion Box.  Sandra also asked that members consider coming on committee, it may seem a long time away, but the months will rush by.  Raffles were drawn, and the lucky winners were Bev Hamilton and Lynne Burnham.  (I’m still waiting patiently for my name to be called out).

The items for Show and Tell were a little down this month, but just as interesting.  These included a cushion, a table runner, a cute little volts wagon wall hanging and several quilts. 

Made by Avon for a special friend

Our speaker for the evening was Sonya Revel, President of Rose City Quilters.   She loves doing appliqué and prefers using batiks as it doesn’t fray, and  likes to fussy cut most of her shapes to get the desired effect from the fabric, she told us.

Sonya Revell was our speaker

McKenna Ryan patterns in particular are real favourites, and Sonya enjoys doing all the fiddly cutting  out and putting the puzzle together. 

Eagle quilt

Christmas quilts are another great love, and there were several wonderful examples of these.  And I loved the Chicken quilt too.

 

Sonya was a very generous speaker, only too happy to share her tips with us, such as using embroidery needles for thicker threads  or top stitch needles for metallics and loosening the tension.  We all went up for a closer  inspection of her lovely work.

Small dolphin wall hanging

It was a very interesting club night, as always. 

Left Behind at Club Night

Have you lost a pair of fingerless gloves and a purse with a single key?  These were found lonely and forgotten on the seats at the conclusion of our Club-Night at Life Changers Hall last night.  If this is your property, the items can be collected from Diane at the Bernina Shop.