Welcome Clara

The last of this hot pink minkee was utilised to make a cosy blanket for Clara. The older siblings in this family have their own name blanket, so fittingly Clara did not miss out. Backed with a Tanya Whelan print, bought in an Instagram destash last year.



Winter Workshops

Recently I attended the Winter Workshops in Warracknabeal, hosted by Quilters Harvest in Warracknabeal. Again Shirley and Del provided to be the delightful hosts with the usual brilliant hospitality and warm welcome. The three tutors for the weekend workshops were Emma Jansen, Annette Blake and Jodie Carlton.

 

Annette displaying the strip piecing technique-- In her Stash Busting workshop.

Annette had a lovely display of quilts, and gave a talk of the history and significance of several of these heirloom quilts that she has made.

We all placed our fabrics across our work spaces, and Annette assisted in grading the fabric from darks to lights. Quilt designs and patterns were discussed, before we all began to cut and sew- to ensure we had a productive day.

The quilts shown below have all been made by Annette, providing us with much inspiration.

My choice of quilt -  to work towards.

 Most of Annette's work is 2 inch squares, enabling a variety of colours to be utilised in the quilts--and having the designs be vivid.  I had bought some charm packs of Joel Dewberry, Heirloom fabrics along to the day. I decided to cut these into 2 1/2 in squares to utilise the charm packs,  rather than into 2 in squares and have wastage.  Using a variety of lighter fabrics for the background, the couple of strips I made on the day, pieced together quickly. I have bought some more of the Heirloom fabric, and now wait for a quiet day to go back to the machine to piece some more strips for this quilt.



Source from here

 

Making a start on my next project!

These are some more photos of the productive work of the industrious pupils on the day. Amazing how placement of the blocks can change the layout of the quilts.

Emma Jansen taught her Harlequin Stars quilt. I previously had attempted to do this as a workshop with Emma, when she had her bricks and mortar shop - Ballarat Patchwork open. The days inevitably fell as the same day as our local Agricultural Show, sporting finals or at other busy times. I was delighted to see that this was the quilt pattern that Emma was teaching at Warracknabeal.

 

 

This was a fast paced and informative day, I finished one block, and hope to soon make several more blocks to piece together into a smaller throw quilt.

Emma has just posted a comprehensive tutorial  on her blog to assist with the piecing of the block. I will be referring to Emma's tutorial when I forge ahead in sewing further blocks.

 

I was too busy listening to Emma, and concentrating, that I took very few photos during Emma's workshop. Emma, however has put some photos on her blog of the productivity of her pupils each day!

 

Yet again, it is an absolute delight that a bricks and mortar shop in rural Victoria is able to provide a weekend of workshops with such talented tutors. We are fortunate indeed.