Material Obsession

SEW WHAT...ever you want!

After what has felt like an eternity, I finally got some time to sew.  It didn't really matter what I sewed, just that I did. At first I felt rusty and awkward.  So I turned the radio up and got to work banishing all care and worry from my mind.  Ah, the simple breath of it.

 This project  just spilled out yesterday as if it had been waiting complete in my mind. It felt great.  It still needs some quilting and fine tuning in some spots but progress has been made and just in time.  I started this with Roslie Dace last year at AQC and then had to back burner it for all the other things on the go.  Since I am returning to Rosalie's class this year at AQC I thought it better get nearly finished. Phew, what a relief.  

Yep. Rugby season started this weekend.  That number 18 on the bench is number two son waiting for his opportunity to go out there and get pummeled.   Honestly, one has to wonder what the attraction is.  Number one son has a whopping black eye and this one is covered in bruises but hey, "It's just rugby MOM!!!" The sensation of fear and tribal thrill came back straight away as I sat on the sidelines. Yikes.  Soccer started too but the soccer is so much more civilized, so to speak. 

 

So after a day of sport (10 hours of it) it is lovely to turn the mind to pretty things.  Like the things that happen in Marg Sampson's class. 
Some projects at the start look like they'll take forever but Kelly is moving right along with this one.  

Check out these funky birds!  As this quilt starts to take shape I fall more and more in love with Marg's work.  There is a special, mad quality about fabric choices and randomness that creates unique pieces.   The elements of design are a pure delight and every time I walk through the room my imagination goes nuts.
Hexagons are happening all around as well.  We have just gotten delivery of Holy Peepers, acrylic hexagons templates for viewing and cutting fabrics.  The fussy cut is addicting and the Holy Peepers give just the right amount of focus for deciding which parts of the fabric need to be revealed for the hexagons.  As soon as they came in we packed them for Melbourne so I can't show you what they look like but they come in a range of sizes and will do the trick for these great projects.

 

The diversity in the shop never ceases to amaze me.  From one day to the next we move from the sublime influence of Marg to Brenda Smith and her Stacks of Improvisation.
It starts with black and white and then becomes a rainbow of colors.

Buckets full of fabric become...
Brenda is scheduled to teach another workshop on 29 May featuring her Power Stripping class.
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/  Check out her website for more info on it and if you are interested in booking into the class just ring or email us about it.  These classes provide a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and to enhance your work. 

In Design Circle last week we got to see a lot of progress.  Alex pulled out several UFO's since we last met and had heaps to show.  Check these out!

  

Show and tell time...
 

Cath is up to the borders on this little Stashbuster.   Adding the circles is just the kind of extra touch that makes a quilt special.
 

The design wall and a bit of a group discussion takes ideas one step further.  Cath came in with a sense of where she was going with this Churn Dash quilt but a short time later it was completely different...enhanced.  These blocks are randomly cut into half squares with out a ruler.  By adding the sashing and then piecing into it this quilt takes on a new spirit of interest.

 

Better late than never, Sheena arrived having completed this stunner. 

Sheena did the workshop with Brenda Smith last year.  The piecing techniques she learned have been popping up in the latest projects and in Sheena style as you can see here.  Remind me to get more close ups of this top which is a real journey.

 
Sheena is posing here with Beth, one of our Block of the Monthers visiting from Nebraska.  It is surreal for all of us when we meet names from the various programs.  It was great fun to meet Beth in person, show her the shop, introduce her to all the MO team and get a bit of an feeling for her.    We had a lot of laughs with Beth before she headed out the door to further her Australian adventure!  Wait til her sisters see what she got!

Deborah has her medallion center pieced together now and is looking at applique options for the surrounding borders.  This photo does not do the color justice as this is such a fresh and lovely start to a quilt.  What you can't see in this photo either is the delicious banana cake that Deb made for class.  Between that and the fresh picked figs from Julie's garden we had a real treat for morning tea...just a bit of extra fun!

There's still more in the old camera file and  more sewing to be done but a paint brush has my name on it for the afternoon.  Then...it's nearly time to pack the bag and head off to Melbourne.  Ah, the idea of a hotel room never seemed as good as it does today.  No building materials in sight, no mud in the kitchen, no men!  (that might be the best part!) Four solid months of living in door/ out door confusion is wearing on me.  I need to put something down where it belongs and know it will be there when I get back to it and that it won't be covered in something.  Enjoy. kathy

It's possible, KimPossible!

 Here's something brand new and particularly interesting for those of you looking to use your machine to finish off quilts with creative spirit! Kim Bradley has stylized designs inspired by her homeland New Zealand folklore symbols.  The designs spring from the Maori He Matau (fish hook for those of us that don't speak Maori!),  Ponga Ferns.  This range (yes that means there will be more!)  is called  Moko Stitch Templates...templates that make machine quilting and applique a breeze! The templates can either be used to trace onto vliesoflix or they can be used for quilting design outlines.

Here you see the Fish Hooks both large and small options.  The blue lines have been traced around the edges and then filler patterns have been drawn for quilting.  Each template comes with filler sketch ideas.  Use one or use them all, that part is up to you.  The thing is the templates provide a bouncing off point as well as a technical reference.

Moira has the drawings and the templates and is concentrating on filling the space in her block.

Wendy got stuck into it straight away and this stunning piece was done today!

The Kimpossibilities are endless!  Use them as individual blocks or flip them up and down borders.  OR, but wait, there's more...trace them onto vliesoflix and iron them on for appliques shapes.

Kim then went on to demonstrate painting onto the shapes for even more dramatic effects.

These templates used today in class are hot off the press.  Kim will be at AQC in Melbourne next week so stop by her stall, Kim Bradley Creations for a closer look at these designs and more.  More info on this hot new development to come! 

stay tuned for more good stuff! Kathy

 

 

 

 

Covered in Cloth

Now you see me (or you don't!) completely blown away by Working Cloth, the newest of new ranges of patchwork fabrics by Julie Paterson of Cloth.  The love affair with all things Cloth started many moons ago.  Intense yet innately organic, it's generally silk screened onto hemp and linen fibers at decorator weight. This latest, lighter product speaks to an inner peace. It grows and grows on you until you are completely overcome.  We went nuts when it arrived the other day, as you can see.  There will be 27 different fabrics based on seven of Julie's favorite designs.  All are printed by hand, locally in a Sydney tin shed on a linen cotton blend...its for those that like to sew with their imagination...and who doesn't? 

We have it cut into fat quarters, 1 meter long strips and one meter pieces which work really well making skirts...just come in any day and check us out wearing ours! (I have two already!)

Kim surprised us all on Tuesday night with her Cloth skirt made with the Study Hall Skirt by Anna Maria Horner.  Product review...pattern was fun and EASY and well, she bought enough fabric to make two more so it must be a success!

Just when we were about to roll all of this onto the bolts in walked Lyn with her gorgeous hexagons.  In one second we had hastily grabbed them off of her and thrown them down on the pile.  How fabulous is it to mix the traditional with the new!  The colors were beautiful together and the mind boggled at the ease with which they sat on the fabric.

See the range in shop or come see us in Melbourne at the Australian Quilt Convention version of Material Obsession booth Stall 43!  We have just sent the courier off with 20 crates of kits and stuff!  How we will fit that in our booth is up to the heaven's now.  Anyway...fingers crossed. 

Back to the routine...classes have resumed after the break.   

I just had to show this one.  Noah got to wear his senior jacket for the first time this week.  I caught his eye as he exited the house and saw just a touch of pride.  Just a touch.  Don't tell him I told you but I nearly shed a tear which is not allowed at our house (AWWWWW MOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!)  Sam is wearing pants that had to be let down nearly 3 inches since last September.  Oh the lankiness of 14.  Off they went happy as can be, as  you can see. Not.

They aren't the only ones back to class.  Classes here have resumed and my camera is just bursting with photos of excellent work.  Vicki has been progressing nicely with her Kim Mclean BOM.  This is her first applique quilt and it is proof that it is possible, particularly if taken in small manageable doses.  Not sure how we will keep Vicki busy after this...

 

Jodi has been away for a few months but has returned in full steam ahead mode.  Check out this beautiful quilt.  It is full of secret surprise delights and all hand quilted.

 

I love the border and the one different strip and the blacks thrown in with the pretty fabrics.  Lovely.

ok.  That's it for now.  I have heaps more to show you but since the packages have all gone off and we can at last hear ourselves think again the first thought I heard was HAIRCUT NOW!  So, I am off for a snip and a chat at quilting.  Feel the serenity. kathy

Fun Patch "Work"

Beryl has gotten her top together.   We've seen this "work" in progress but check out the border.  How nice is it that Beryl has positioned the border fabric so that it not only frames the quilt beautifully, and consolidates the Aboriginal feel of the quilt but it also relates to the curves of the blocks.  Its a one piece border that works the fabric to suit the top. 

Borders can often stop us in our tracks.  As we look at the quilt we think, "get this finished" and often that urge can stop us from thinking about what makes the quilt look finished instead of just being finished.  Everyone in class yesterday laughed at me (while I was out of the room I  might add!) for suggesting that adding a pieced border should not be considered work.  Ha Ha Ha. I love a pieced border even if I do have to take a deep breath before diving back into what could be considered a finished project. This 60 degree triangle quilt looks so much more interesting having the borders added.  I'll tell you but I hate to that it hurt to make the decision to add them.
However, in the end it was worth the extra "work".

 

This starry quilt was what brought on the laughter.  All this effort in these blocks would only be enhanced by a pieced border.  In the end we found the perfect sashing and border...not pieced after all but it is always worth considering.   

Suzanne is progressing beautifully with this quilt.  I was shocked to learn that she hadn't seen Collaborative Quilting before so we sat her down with the parts department of said book for the next border.  Where, I ask you, would this quilt be without those two pieced borders adding graphic energy and direction??? Who's laughing now?

 

And how about an About Face for Beryl on this quilt!  The hexagons are OUT!  Strips of triangles with fun spotty sashing are IN!  Very fun.  This turned an uninspired frown upside down!

What do we have here?  These strips are going to turn into something wonderfully scrappy and fun to do! 

The General's Wife is one of my new quilts.  It is made using the new Moda line of French General called Rural Jardin.  If one was inclined to use jelly rolls this might be a fun pattern to try.  If not, it's a great pattern for eating scraps or fat quarters.  I really enjoyed making it and will be releasing the pattern at the AQC in Melbourne along with several other new projects.

We had some visitors from New Zealand the other day. 

It is always a pleasure to hear it said, "We are visiting Sydney and we just had to come to this shop!"  We love the gasps as visitors see things they recognize from the books and blog.  These women are either sisters, cousins or sisters in laws and daughters.  It was a cacklefest of women related in many ways and enjoying a common interest.  How fun.

Hmmm. What else.  I have to say my brain is fried today.  The renovations have been amped up now that we finally have a roof.  We are now looking at finishing things which means lots of decisions must be made as I arrive home knackered from a long day cutting kits.  Bathroom tiles, flooring, bathtubs and sinks.  Yikes.  Throw in a camera crew yesterday and again tomorrow and life is basically a skim job at the  moment.  Let me know if you saw Australian Renovations on the Foxtel How To Channel last night!  They do the general lead in and out segments in our house but we will be the last episode on June 17th. Ah, yes, that is the week of the Quilt and Craft Fair at Darling Harbor!  How much excitement can one gal take!!! 

If you are looking for a project to "work" on this quilting season be sure you come to our stand in Melbourne!  If I say so myself...we have outdone ourselves this year bringing together kits in standard favorites as well as super fun new patterns.  The kits will be in three styles being Contemporary, Pretty or Reproduction so all you have to do is decide what style you like and we will have something gorgeous for you!  Enough prattle now.  Back to...play. Kathy

Egg Break

The other day I spent the afternoon at the Royal Easter Show representing the NSW Quilters Guild.  It was relaxing and enjoyable to sit and watch the families go by with all the booty. It was another thing on the list of things to do these holidays but at the same time it was nice to stop and think about what quilting looks like from the outside.  Everyone commented on "the work" involved, the "patience" needed, the "time".  I might have looked confused to them at first because being so ensconced in the world of quilting I don't think about it as work (most of the time unless basting) and the idea of patience...well that is just a reason to go faster which also solves the time problem...sort of.

Anyway, as I was running past all the Easter Show delights I saw this.

I stopped in my tracks as memories of these dolls overcame my sense of urgency to get somewhere else.  Where was I when I had one of these gorgeous creatures?  The look of them all crowded together in their pink and purple with those big eyes...what a delight.  I thank them for making me stop and remember. I was fully aware that there were heaps of things to look at and enjoy all around me.  Food, rides, displays, and activities abound at the show but I was missing it all.  So I slowed down and had a look.

 

Somebody remind me to show these tanks to John.  I love the look of them for out in the garden, that is when it reappears  under the construction site.  I have always loved those Kangaroo Paw Flowers as sort of the Aussie version of Snap Dragons.
 

The quarter horses steering the steers proved a bit of excitement and I could only wish that I was there for the day instead of dashing before the rain.  I arrived home to one curious dog that I am sure wondered where I had picked up the smell of manure.

Easter Sunday we had an indoor shower.  Please get the roof on...please!  Then a lunch out.  My how the kids have grown.  First time Easter Sunday, number one son brings date. 

I caught said young date looking over my shoulder the other night as I worked on my quilt and asking questions.  Ah, soon I shall snare her if only to help her endure the cricket season!

Shame about the view which was most distracting all afternoon and into the evening.

It's been lovely having the boys home and off the routine...time to enjoy doing the little things. 
Number two son is off to Queensland on the rugby tour.  I keep seeing his quiet excitement at being the one getting up early to get the bus to somewhere with his mates. 

While they have been off school we have been busy bunnies at the shop packing up gorgeous kits to take to AQC.  So gorgeous in fact that some have disappeared already!!! This one, Red Center has been a HOT seller.  We made heaps and now have to start all over again to make more.  You can find the pattern in Better Homes and Gardens this month along with some other nice projects and recipes. 

 

So, time to take time and reflect on some little things. k

working like a dog...

...more than 1,000 words.   Oh, for the dog's life.  Evidence of hard work, discipline and change is every where at the moment.  Still no place to sit down at home, unless one is very creative like Cheeky.  One might wonder what possessed her to seek refuge in a wheel barrow but it looks pretty comfy and really, at this stage, any place to relax at all will do.

We had our term final of Stash Management this week.  So many good projects on the go.  It is wonderful to see things starting to take shape from an idea.

Step one for Anne was to applique these little flowers onto white squares.

Step two came from a pattern we are working up for release at MO.  It gave Anne an idea for setting her flowers.

 

Add strips and off she goes!!!
 

These Aboriginal fabrics are really fun to work with.  There are heaps of variations, colors and graphics to choose from and they always look fabulous.

Lyndsay started these blocks last Stash management.  She used the pattern from Kaffe's V&A book for the center medallion and the worked out the border.

 

Step two for Lyndsay was setting the squares... 

It is a nice combination of traditional focus and then lots of random, clean bright colors.  It takes time to sort through the options but the effect is fantastic. 

Laurel is working her way through her stash having used the wedge ruler to make these half circles.  The edges are turned under using the rick rack and the strips are joined using a fun multi-colored confetti dot fabric that unites all the different fabrics and adds a bit of whimsy to the quilt.  By the end of the day this top was together! 
Marie got these flowers together last time we met.  She is using the Petal Shapes Template by Darlene Zimmerman that we have just discovered to make flowers with her stash of Japanese fabrics.  More steps to come on this one soon!

Nikki found some gorgeous vintage fabrics while living in Boston for a few months last year.  She used them into inspire this lovely palette of gray, red and yellow.  Using the 60 degree ruler made the triangles easy to assemble for this dramatic effect.  It is a nice mix of new and old looking fabrics.  Plaids, I have to say are becoming my new "black".  I just love seeing them get a go these days. 

Beryl brought in this fabric to use.  The 60 degree triangle came out to play again and by cutting up the fabric Beryl was recreating a different pattern.  There is a leap of faith needed to do this class.  It is sometimes hard to cut into fabrics without a clear sense of direction.  For some, the free wheeling, trust it to work philosophy works really well and others suffer through it.  I think these triangles make a dramatic pattern and I can't wait to see them with the rest of the fabrics to see what secondary patterns appear.

 

Dinozag, sideways, someday I'll learn how to flip photos to the right angle.   However, this pattern always looks great up/down or side to side.  Stripes at tops and bottoms, a variety of favorite fabrics in the middle and an impressive quilt result.  Theresa has finished this and was ready to start a new project.  Although she had some stash fabrics, she opted to start the new project based on Culture Blend.  This quilt was orginally done in Aboriginal fabrics... 

Theresa wanted to work in a "new" color zone.  So we picked a few favorites and mixed and matched to come up with a new, stuning combination for this pattern.  OH yeah!  Looking good.  Soon it was looking good on the wall!

We are getting ready to hit the road this year.  Material Obsession will have a stall at AQC this April for the first time.  We are in serious pack it up mode at the moment deciding on what delicious fabrics from the shop will be packed with what to make up some unique quilts.  If you are looking for a quilt project that is...well...different come visit our booth. 
Just for starters we gathered our favorites for Garden Party and the whole time we were exclaiming about how  we'd like to make up the kits ourselves.   

And another one that has a big drool factor is the Pebbly Beach kit by Wendy Williams of Flying Fish.  If you would like to have a go at curved piecing this is a winner.

 

Wendy has also gotten a bit busy with the Kaffe Oil Cloth and made up a very cute tote bag pattern.  Modeled here by one of our younger customers!
 

It's all happening.  However, I am not sure if I won't be the next one napping in a wheel barrow.  Just for a tad of an update - the brothers Doughty got the front verandah down and only nearly killed themselves twice. 

Its a big drop out the front door now.  I have to lock the door so that I don't forget and then accidentally run out there and land my head. 

This particular part of the demolition construction might mean that things stop getting worse soon.  However, they did leave one keen owner builder with a few nasty scraps and a healthy respect for concrete slabs.  

So, at this point I'll say we are closing for Easter Weekend.  Closed I tell you!  We will reopen on Tuesday 6th of April.  That doesn't mean the patchwork Easter bunnies won't be hard at it (or seeking refuge in the shops from the turmoil at home). 

I might also announce that on Tuesday Material Obsession is getting...wait for it...AIR CONDITIONING!!! YA HOOO!  After the hottest summer ever and sweating bullets upstairs and behind the scenes we are seeking relief from the elements.  Awesome!

Enjoy your chocolates, time off with family and friends and perhaps a bit of sewing!  Kathy and the team at Material Obsession