Look at our new Stand of Threads

I would like to let everyone know we now have a Stand full of Aurifil 50 weight thread. 

This gourmet cotton thread is great in the machine, but it really shines when used in hand applique projects.  We have added Aurifil to our thread offerings as a direct result of many requests from many customers.  You can see our full selection on the web-site under the section for Notions and Threads.

They just look like lollies.

This week we catch up with Anne Sommermerlad's Wednesday class.

Serious cutting was undertaken.

Some sewing was done.

This basket full of 1930's hexy flowers appeared.

But mostly it was a parade of finished tops or quilts.

Well done guys!

Staff update - Janet has put the center of her Flower Garden quilt together, she started this top at the Kim Mclean/Kaffe Fasset Workshop in February. 

Look at two of the blocks up close.



She's now eyeing off the borders.  Go girl.

Melinda

Wet and Wild in Sydney

It's raining.  This is possibly the biggest understatement of the week.  Thanks to all the intrepid quilters who have waded their way into the shop during downpour after downpour. 

Today I have some photos of Lynne Alchin Friday girls hard at work.

Look at the close ups, many beautiful quilts are made here.

New in this week is Dark Chocolate and Lilac by Sara Morgan for Blues Hill Fabrics.  If you have been looking for good mid-1800's purples here they are.

Now an update on Janet's Civil War blocks.  Here are her latest two.

I have brought all my Civil War blocks in and put them up on the design wall for a colour check.  I have been sticking to using random scraps, but you need to see them together to see if something tragic has happened.  I think they look OK, I might try to brighten it up a bit.  This is almost half the blocks finished. 

Melinda

Turn on the Heaters

It's been a bit chilly in Sydney, that is an understatement.

This week we have a look at Anne Sommerlad's "Elizabeth Jefferson's Coverlet" class.  Anne has one border to go and her quilt top will be finished, I'll post a photo of the finished masterpiece.  But, have a look at the beginnings of six Coverlets from the class.

As with all good medallions you start at the centre and work your way out.  I think these centres are beautiful and can hardly wait to see the borders being added and the quilts growing.

Look at the close up of these two, the elegant reproduction and the funky bright.  Just shows how versatile a quilt can be.  This class runs every second Tuesday of the month if you would like to have your own version of beautiful Elizabeth's coverlet.

Now for something completely different.  Susan, in Anne's class showed off her batik Log Cabin. 

Up close the colours just glow.  Susan's daughter will be thrilled.

New in the shop this week are "Summer House" by Lily Ashbury.  Lily is a new designer for Moda and we like what has turned up.  The colour is just right.

"Sweet Emile" is Jo Morton's (Andover Fabrics) newest selection of must have Civil War blenders.  Overall, its a carmel brown collection, but with some lovely slate blues and warm pinks included.

Melinda

Winter has blown into Sydney

What a week of sunshine, wind (big wind) and freezing temperatures.  Our thoughts go out to all our Blue Mountain friends who lost their electricity.  Some of the tales being told over the counter just sound horrible.  Makes you realise just how dependent we are on electricity.  How did we live before it arrived?  Was wool warmer then than it is now?  They did have lots of quilts though....

These fab quilts were seen on the premises this week.

We have a regular group of sewers called "Geraldine's Group".  This is Rose's Bordered Diamond quilt. 

This is Geraldine's Log Cabin quilt, she started the quilt in a Catherine Butterworth class.

If you have a group of friends, looking for a home we are happy to help.  If the room is free you can use it.  There is a small per head fee, and bookings are essential.   If you are in search of a group, don't forget our regular "Annandale Addicts" sewing days 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

Judy Day, our local hero of all things miniature, came looking for borders for her version of Kim Mclean's Lollipop Trees.  She has shrunk the 18" blocks down to 10" and we think it looks beautiful.

Nice.

Today, in the shop, Catherine Butterworth is teaching part one of her Googley Eyes quilt.  You may have seen it in the Darling Harbour Quilt Show. 

This is a unusual view of a beautiful quilt, but the creative juices were running.

Here are two stars under construction. We can catch up on them in the second class and see how they have developed.

Catherine is making this quilt for her daughter's birthday.  Wow.

 

Some new Brandon Mabley designs turned up in the shop this week.  Love the cardboard box!

Melinda

Hello July

This week we are in post-sale clean-up mode.  Take a look at this unusual sight in the shop.

Empty Shelves!!!!

Don't worry they are already full.

Val Moore's class on Friday had a mini workshop on the ever popular Cathedral Windows block. 

This is Val's lovely cushion.   This is a block that I admire, the finished result is beautiful, but somehow I have never managed to start one.  Well its on my list.

Here is Val in action.

Now we have some sneak peeks at new quilts coming up from some of our teachers.

Here is Suzy Miller's latest applique wonder.  This quilt is drop dead gorgeous two colour quilt.

This  is Anne Sommerlad's new Buttercup.  We fell in love with the central medallion.

I think this tip from Kate in Anne's Saturday class needs to be shared.



Binding Control.

Here are Janet's latest Civil War Blocks.

Melinda

DARLING HARBOUR QUILT SHOW

The best view is from the Gallery, so make sure you climb those stairs.

I spent all day Wednesday at the Show, and had a really great time.  The quilts in the Show this year are terrific.  There is a great variety of styles and the overall quality is wonderful.  Thanks to the NSW Guild for organising what is Australia's biggest quilt show.  Also thank you to everyone who exhibited, the Show is only as good as the quilter's who enter their quilts.

I awarded the Quiltsmith "Best Reproduction Quilt Inspired by an Antique Quilt"  Award to Sarah Fielke for her "Wing and a Prayer Quilt", shown above.  Sarah has taken a common mid 1800's Pennsylvania pattern, the Appliqued Eagle, and transformed it into this bright and vibrant quilt.  She referenced quite a number of antique Appliqued Eagle quilts as the source of her inspiration for the quilt, and drafted both the eagles and the quilt layout herself.  This is the perfect example of what the Award is about, looking into the past and recreating the past in a new and inspiring way. 

Here I am with Sarah in front of her quilt after the award ceremony. (Not the greatest photo of all times!)

The quilt is technically very good.  Here are two close ups so you can see the quilt, the big stitch hand quilting is perfect.

I would like to thank all the entrants into the Award, there were some beautiful quilts entered.

Also our Marj won Second Prize with her "Bullseye Quilt" in the Commercially Machine Quilted Category.  It's a beauty.

Well done Kim Bradley of Kimpossible Quilting for her custom quilting.

Marj pinning on her rosette.

So to everyone out there, I strongly recommend a visit to this year's Show.

Melinda