Tuesday, January 01, 2013
The Beginning of a New Quilting Year
How quickly the end of the year comes around and here we are at the start of a new one, all over again. Quilting is seasonal, like the weather and at this time of the year, I try to complete the largest of my pieces, for exhibition. Those who know me will question 'large' as these days, I cannot make anything larger than a metre square. When it is quilted with so many stitches, even that shrinks down by a couple of inches. I have worked very hard over the autumn and managed to finish my latest little quilt called 'Candy Kisses' and this is a taste of how it looks. It is made of white and pale pink silk dupion with added lace around the inner border. The flowers have been painted on with water colour pencils and it has been trapunto quilted over quite a large area. The quilt will be entered into Malvern this year, so if you are going there, you will be able to see it in full.
I have made a conscious decision this year to cut down on workshops and talks. I have only been giving a few over the past couple of years, but I am beginning to find that my enthusiasm for travelling to wonderful venues and meeting very kind and interested people will have to be curbed. A lot goes into the organisation of a workshop or talk away from home and it usually entails us having a holiday at the same time, which adds to the packing. I have been very privileged to be asked to visit lots of wonderful quilting groups, all over this country, but feel that the time has now come to take things a little easier. I am hoping that some younger quilters will be coming along behind who will be able to take over and enthuse and instruct with gusto. However, having said all that, I am always open to offers and suggestions!!!!!!!
With slightly more time to spare now, I can concentrate more on my own work so you will be seeing the result of this at Shows around the country. I have two or three new projects all planned out in my mind, so with the new year ready here, I had better get my needle and threads organised and get started.
As you may know, I have a new nine month, hand quilting, Block of the Month project, starting in this month's edition of Patchwork & Quilting magazine. I have already had several emails telling me how pleased you are about this. I cannot tell you how happy that makes me and with more time spent at home, hopefully I will be able to design some more projects which may be of interest.
I wish you all a very Happy Quilting New Year!
Jacquie
How quickly the end of the year comes around and here we are at the start of a new one, all over again. Quilting is seasonal, like the weather and at this time of the year, I try to complete the largest of my pieces, for exhibition. Those who know me will question 'large' as these days, I cannot make anything larger than a metre square. When it is quilted with so many stitches, even that shrinks down by a couple of inches. I have worked very hard over the autumn and managed to finish my latest little quilt called 'Candy Kisses' and this is a taste of how it looks. It is made of white and pale pink silk dupion with added lace around the inner border. The flowers have been painted on with water colour pencils and it has been trapunto quilted over quite a large area. The quilt will be entered into Malvern this year, so if you are going there, you will be able to see it in full.
I have made a conscious decision this year to cut down on workshops and talks. I have only been giving a few over the past couple of years, but I am beginning to find that my enthusiasm for travelling to wonderful venues and meeting very kind and interested people will have to be curbed. A lot goes into the organisation of a workshop or talk away from home and it usually entails us having a holiday at the same time, which adds to the packing. I have been very privileged to be asked to visit lots of wonderful quilting groups, all over this country, but feel that the time has now come to take things a little easier. I am hoping that some younger quilters will be coming along behind who will be able to take over and enthuse and instruct with gusto. However, having said all that, I am always open to offers and suggestions!!!!!!!
With slightly more time to spare now, I can concentrate more on my own work so you will be seeing the result of this at Shows around the country. I have two or three new projects all planned out in my mind, so with the new year ready here, I had better get my needle and threads organised and get started.
As you may know, I have a new nine month, hand quilting, Block of the Month project, starting in this month's edition of Patchwork & Quilting magazine. I have already had several emails telling me how pleased you are about this. I cannot tell you how happy that makes me and with more time spent at home, hopefully I will be able to design some more projects which may be of interest.
I wish you all a very Happy Quilting New Year!
Jacquie
