Today, we are so excited that our Mum is writing a blog post for us.
How do you introduce your Mum?
It's tricky isn't it?
We always joke that Mum has two passions in her life - her quilting and her family. Sometimes we are not sure which one comes first, but that doesn't matter really. She loves her quilting so much that even if we come in second, she loves us incredibly!!!
Mum has been quilting for over 30 years. In that time she has made many beautiful quilts ( and many many partly completed ones!!!) and developed a wealth of knowledge that she can share with us at a moments notice. She belongs to quilting groups, has organised quilt exhibitions, coordinated quilting bees to provide quilts for those in hospital and taught many people to quilt.
Mum was adamant that she didn't want her photo on the blog, but I don't think she will mind this one...
How do you introduce your Mum?
It's tricky isn't it?
We always joke that Mum has two passions in her life - her quilting and her family. Sometimes we are not sure which one comes first, but that doesn't matter really. She loves her quilting so much that even if we come in second, she loves us incredibly!!!
Mum has been quilting for over 30 years. In that time she has made many beautiful quilts ( and many many partly completed ones!!!) and developed a wealth of knowledge that she can share with us at a moments notice. She belongs to quilting groups, has organised quilt exhibitions, coordinated quilting bees to provide quilts for those in hospital and taught many people to quilt.
Mum was adamant that she didn't want her photo on the blog, but I don't think she will mind this one...
Her wedding dress was made by our grandmother, Mardi, another great sewing inspiration for us both.
Thanks so much for writing this for us Mum and for continuing to inspire us to sew and create.
Thanks so much for writing this for us Mum and for continuing to inspire us to sew and create.
To write anything other than a shopping list or a Christmas card is a challenge for me. I make quilts. I don't normally write. But how can I turn down a request from my best and greatest friends, my two lovely and talented daughters, Maryanne and Caroline who can both turn their hand to anything? I have been enjoying Sew Together since the day it began. To be so lucky to see the original items for the blog and to have been the recipient of some of those wonderful gifts, gives me great joy.
So here it is, my first blog post...
My quilting journey has given me many "best friends". It began in 1980 when our youngest, Caroline started school. A local community group was offering daytime adult classes, one of which was Patchwork and quilting. From day one of this class I knew I was hooked!! However, at that time in Sydney information about quilts was almost non-existent, so I was limited to the sample blocks shown in class.
Then everything changed. I was lucky to have some distant relatives who lived in the United States. On one of their visits to Sydney they were genuinely interested in my quilting and generously offered to send some quilting magazines "Quilters Newsletters". For the next 15 years every month, these wonderful magazines arrived bringing excitement and inspiration.
So here it is, my first blog post...
My quilting journey has given me many "best friends". It began in 1980 when our youngest, Caroline started school. A local community group was offering daytime adult classes, one of which was Patchwork and quilting. From day one of this class I knew I was hooked!! However, at that time in Sydney information about quilts was almost non-existent, so I was limited to the sample blocks shown in class.
Then everything changed. I was lucky to have some distant relatives who lived in the United States. On one of their visits to Sydney they were genuinely interested in my quilting and generously offered to send some quilting magazines "Quilters Newsletters". For the next 15 years every month, these wonderful magazines arrived bringing excitement and inspiration.
From this little drawing...
came this...
Note from Maryanne - yes that is all hand quilted!
15 years on, these magazines are still in use and are a great "best friend". They bring back memories of the past, I enjoy their company in the present and they give me inspiration for the future.
In time, many other magazines for quilters arrived on the market, some imported from the United States, others locally produced. All are interesting but why are my old Quilters Newsletters still my favourites?
Even though the covers usually feature quilts with amazing wow factor, prize winners or "I could never do that quilts", the contents include every level and style of quilt ever made. There is something for every quilter, traditional and modern, different colour palettes to experiment with, tutorials and chatty articles - in fact they are the forerunner of today's blogs.
With the passing of time they have become "timeless". Dated hairstyles and clothing (Did I ever wear that?) only add to the entertainment factor.
So do keep some of your old magazines, particularly those you bought at the beginning of your crafting journey. They will become your best friends.
In time, many other magazines for quilters arrived on the market, some imported from the United States, others locally produced. All are interesting but why are my old Quilters Newsletters still my favourites?
Even though the covers usually feature quilts with amazing wow factor, prize winners or "I could never do that quilts", the contents include every level and style of quilt ever made. There is something for every quilter, traditional and modern, different colour palettes to experiment with, tutorials and chatty articles - in fact they are the forerunner of today's blogs.
With the passing of time they have become "timeless". Dated hairstyles and clothing (Did I ever wear that?) only add to the entertainment factor.
So do keep some of your old magazines, particularly those you bought at the beginning of your crafting journey. They will become your best friends.
Although it is fun to trip down memory lane, here is a little more practical advice!!!
Rulers are my best friend
You can never have too many of them. There are rulers for all occasions but the ones I can't live without are my long ruler (22.5" x6") and my square rulers (16" and 6.5"). My very favourite is my Scrap Saver.
Rulers are my best friend
You can never have too many of them. There are rulers for all occasions but the ones I can't live without are my long ruler (22.5" x6") and my square rulers (16" and 6.5"). My very favourite is my Scrap Saver.
It is designed to be used for cutting half square triangles and its markings go from 1 1/8" to 3 7/8". Stitch two of these triangles into a square with a 1/4" seam allowance and you will create a square with a finishes size of 1" to 3". Magic!!! No fiddly finding 3/8" and 7/8" measurements on your grid ruler. Every time I cut fabric my trusty Scrap Saver is with me and any small odd shaped pieces are cut in to half square triangles. It gives me a great collection for my scrap quilts!
The last but not least best friend is my hexagon template
I like the 3/4" size and the 1/4" border style allows me to mark both the seam and the cutting lines, making it quick and accurate for handwork.
Patchwork and quilting tools have come a long way since my first efforts were to draft every template on sand paper. How lucky we all are to have have some many "best friends" available to us!
Happy quilting and crafting.
Happy quilting and crafting.
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