Quilt Guild Exhibition

I don't often talk about the Guild I belong to but we have just opened our biennial exhibition and it would be great to see you there, if you happen to be in the neighbourhood.

We are back in the Academy Gallery for the exhibition and our quilts are looking wonderful hanging on the gallery walls.  Its' a great spot on the waterfront in Wellington and very close to where they hold the WOW show each year (if you don't know about WOW do have a look - it is a veritable visual feast and brings a whole new meaning to creativity!).

Above is a view of the gallery - the quilt in the front is by my stitching buddy Marilyn, Scully Series #4 Protection Blanket. A wonderful quilt that I keep mentioning to Marilyn that I would happily own... Marilyn won a merit prize in the Upcycled category.

Behind it is a quilt that you may recognise of mine - Gateway. I made it early last year and I am thrilled at how fabulous it looks hanging. It's been quite a while since I made it and gifted it to my friend for her birthday so it is lovely to be able to spend some time with it again.

And here I am - the proud maker, out from behind my peg apron. I was incredibly lucky and very surprised to also win a prize - Best Contemporary Quilt. Such a thrill.

 

 

If you in Wellington I hope you will be able to drop by and see many of the other lovely quilts - the exhibition is on until Sunday 7 October. I hope to see you there!

 

 

Stitching Stories

I've been steadily working away quilting over the last few days and have made tremendous progress - makes me wonder why its taken me so long it get to this point really! The quilting is making a big difference to the quilt. I thought you might like to have a look... I particularly like toile fabrics so often tuck a few into my quilts. They add a point of interest and a difference from the mainly floral fabrics that I put into these quilts. This woman looks as though she is turning back to her friends to share a story or a joke, while she does to me anyway.

I thought you might also be interested in a couple of the pieces that I have put onto the back. Below is part of the label for the quilt. As you can see it is a large embroidered piece that compliments those on the front. It has the usual things written on it that labels have but on this one I have also drawn a diagram identifying which of the embroideries were done by family members, Mavis and Jill, and also noted their full names and dates of birth and death. All documented so that they won't be lost in the mists of time.

One other piece that I was thrilled to find is this linen tea towel was a calender from the year of my sister-in-laws birth. I embroidered around the date of her birth - you can easily see how late I am running with the quilt! The tea towel was in mint condition - never used at all. And best of all in Kay's favourite colour, orange, as befits a child of the 70's. She hasn't seen this part yet - there have to be a few surprises after all.

Once I've given her the quilt, which won't be long now as I've started stitching down the binding, I might even let her know about the blog!

If you are in Wellington on Saturday Coast to Coast is on in Lower Hutt. Its a great day for quilters from the wider Wellington region to get together for a massive show and tell, speakers and merchants and to catch up with each other. There will be door sales, so do pop in if you are close - I'll be there, with my quilt which will be complete with binding. Hope to see you there.

The Best of Intentions

You might have thought from my last post that I swearing off bringing more things into my already crowded sewing room, but of course that isn't quite the way it tends to work. A couple of weeks ago I got a call from my sister in law to say that there was a garage sale close by that I needed to call into as there was lots of embroideries and linen there. I mean to say - what are you supposed to do when you get a call like that?

I must say I have never seen anything quite like it. The house was literally full up with treasures being sold and when I spoke to one of the men selling I heard more of the story - his mother-in-law had died 18 months ago and it has taken them that long to get to the stage they had. There were a number of rooms in the house at the time she died that couldn't even be entered as there was so much put into them - china, ornaments, dolls, records, books, toys, kitchen items, furniture, infact just about anything you can think of. He said that his mother-in-law had for many, many years visited all the local garage sales and without fail bought things that she then squeezed into her house until she could scarcely move around it.

I feel deeply for the family - what a burden to have to devote yourself to working through it all. And inspite of our recent experiences, which were nothing compared to this, I did the only thing I could and took some of the textiles off his hands and into my welcoming arms.

I have a real soft spot for breakfast tray clothes and was delighted to find this one. The woman carrying the coffee pot is so jaunty.
This lovely lady joins others that were already in my collection including this rooster, who is crowing - If you be wise 'tis time to rise. How irresistible!
And this dog who is ready to face the day.

Next time someone makes me breakfast in bed (or should that be next time I do it for myself) I really will have to use one of these. They bring such a smile to my face they would be a great addition to the pleasure of coffee and the paper in bed. And honestly - what more can we ask for at the start of the day?

Focusing the mind

There's nothing like a close examination of your diary to really focus your mind. This weekend I came to the realisation that it is only one month until we head away for my brother's wedding and we have a lot of things to pack into that short time. Some would call it an act of denial but this sent me quickly to the sewing room to finally get cracking on some gifts that I may (or may not - depending on who is reading...) need for a holiday that is coming up in a mere 6 weeks. That's right - the Christmas rush is almost upon us.


Being ever mindful of the state of the world economy, and in the knowledge that something handmade is so much better than anything I could find in the shops anyway, I decided that a close examination of the stacks of fabric that I seem to be hoarding would yield some interesting possibilities. In no time at all I had the bag production facility in full swing - I'm rather pleased with the results.... a rather nice Liberty number....
something more restrained for one of my quieter relatives and then a couple for the floral lovers among us.... Someone asked me a couple of days ago if I had found a use for lace doilies, which got my fingers into action. I think they are just perfect for some bag embellishment...

and I've hand stitched a couple onto the very boring hoodie that I seem to almost live in at this time of year when the weather is still so changable. They have made this garment far more 'me' and I've had lots of positive comments about it already. I'm starting to think that there are a few other garments in my wardrobe that could do with some similar attention.I think there may still be a couple more bags to come, but first I have 34 feet of hand stitching to get through to get the binding on the wedding quilt done. The quilt has arrived back from being quilted and I'm thrilled with it. Sue has done a fabulous job, as always. However the amount of binding to be stitched down is slightly daunting - just as well I like hand stitching.

Somehow I think the new quilt that is in the brewing might be a post holiday activity, but then it's always good to have something to look forward to!

Spring was in the air...

This feels almost like being in the confessional - spring was definitely in the air yesterday, after what feels like weeks and weeks of non stop rain - and what did I do? Walk in the sunshine, drinking it all in... No. I escaped to the room that houses my sewing machine and fabric (but not the quilt room you understand - that causes angst in the family!) and had a bit of a play. It was so much fun....

I made a cover for my inspiration journal - I've been jotting things down and sticking things in it very dutifully all year and this weekend it was finally full. So in celebration I decided it needed a special cover of its own, featuring some of the things that have occupied so much of my mental and creative space so far this year - recycled jeans and those wonderful Andy Goldsworthy curves. I also thought this was a very suitable use of my work in progress from my small art quilt group. One of my sons decided that it was so cool that it just had to go on the blog. Such enthusiasm from a 9 year old!I did do some other things too - I made a hanging sleeve for a school quilt that has sat around the house for far too long (delivered dutifully to the school this morning) and I also started pulling out fabrics for the next quilt on the list - a wedding quilt for my brother and prospective sister in law who are marrying in December. Nothing like a bit of pressure.

Finally today I got out into the sunshine for my walk to work - it made me grin just like the sculpture below, which is known in our family as "my old friend,Mr Banana".
It is next to our Houses of Parliament - some things with family names are just too difficult to explain.....

Progress and yet more Diversions

There's been lots going on here - actual progress on stitching projects, success in sending children back to school (large sigh of relief) and starting a new job. It won't surprise you that I am actually most pleased about the stitching projects! Good progress has been made of the quilts for our Guild exhibition, which is just as well given they have to be dropped off on Saturday....


In the process of getting onto those I had to clear a path into the sewing room (husband hates it when I call it that - he harbours illusions that it is a room for the whole family to use...I don't think so! Clearly he needs to read some Virginia Woolf!!) In the process of the general tidying I came across this fabulous fabric that I found while in the Hawkes Bay earlier in the year. Thought you'd like a look - I think it may become a table runner....one day....

Then there is my fabulous new apron - from Trade Me - the moment I saw it I knew it was destined to move to my house. It is in mint condition and a complete mystery. It is a peg bag with one large pocket and was a printed pattern, as you can see it in a few spots. But the Portugal label on the waist band is a puzzle. It even has drawn thread work in the middle of the heart. I love it and the kids are getting genuinely scared that I am going to wear it out of the house!
Speaking of mysteries I have solved the riddle of the Dutch cloth that I last blogged about. The lovely Helen, from Show Your Workings, ran the dutch text through Babel fish and it suggested the following "This way if the bluebird taps at home, it taps nowhere." This is actually strangely related to its real meeting. I showed it to a Dutch friend ans she said that it has a meaning like the old saying "there's no place like home" and that it roughly translates to the clock ticks nowhere like it ticks at home. Hence the embroidery of the old clock on the piece. So Babel fish and Helen were sort of on the right track, if you just stand back and squint a bit from side on...

One of my lovely stitching friends has had bronchitis lately and needed some knitting to keep her occupied during the recovery - and I was the beneficiary by receiving this wonderful knitting bag. I must admit that I had pointed out the pattern to her in a book with many admiring comments. And lo, it was produced...
complete with the most fabulous Amy Butler lining, which was not called for in the pattern but deemed essential by my ever stylish friend.
It's definitely going to do the trick in encouraging a few more knitting projects - just as soon as I get the partially completed quilt and embroidered blanket out of the way....

The perils and pleasures of mid-winter

I've been having a bit of break from blogging while the school holidays are on here and the focus has instead being on how to successfully entertain three children simultaneously. It hasn't been a complete success. I generally seem to only succeed with two of them at once, leaving one claiming terminal boredom. I find that this winter holiday is the toughest - the weather is generally miserable and the kids seem to think that the weather means they should be able to watch non-stop DVDs and play computer games. I suspect it is slightly harrowing for all four of us and that we are all looking forward, in one way or another, to the start of the new term next week.

Having got that off my chest, so to speak, I have managed to fit in a couple of textile related pursuits. I got the card quilt completed and submitted in time to meet the Guild deadline. Here it is temporarily hanging at Guild last week. I'm pleased with it and will be happy to have it back home, which is a lot more than can be said for some of my challenge efforts in the past. One memorable effort was so grim that it was confiscated by friends for serious rework with the injection of multiple brightly coloured strips. As it was they considered it looked like "something my cat had vomited in the middle of". I kid you not - that was their exact words. They are burnt onto my memory. It was duly returned greatly improved. Hopefully they won't think that similar action is required this time!

I've also managed to add to my vintage embroidery collection. When I found this Dutch piece on Trade Me it was a "must buy" for me. If anyone can tell me what the Dutch text says, I'd be most grateful!
I've also found a new winter activity to join the knitting. I've been thinking of doing this for a while and started it this week after finding the perfect blanket locally in an op shop. I'm embroidering the English translation to a Maori proverb at one end, and it will have the Maori text at the other end. The proverb comes from the Maori tribe that my husband and children whakapapa to (are descended from). It is about the rewards of hard work so I'd always thought it would be good to send children off to university with. However, given the kids are only 13 and 9 I decided that I really couldn't wait that long! Must have been the preoccupation with getting them out of the house and away from the tv which led to my fortuitous find.... funny how things work out. I'm very pleased with it and think that there are likey to be more coming along, providing I can find the blankets. I have a collection of quotes just itching to be stitched.

Fabulous Ironwork

I can't help it - my eye is just drawn to it. A combination of the line and, so often, the curves. Here are more favourites, from Melbourne...
and Napier - I nearly bought this, but couldn't work out how to carry it home without a car (my husband was so pleased!)
These were tempting too - another time I think...
And just to prove I can do something with textiles - here are completed curtains in son number two's room. I've also finished the curtain for son number one (you have to do things simultaneously when you have twins to avoid endless complaints and strife in the house) - so the only outstanding order now is from my daughter...

I am getting so sick of cutting denim!!! Probably time for a new cutting blade....

In the beginning

Yesterday I came across an absolute treasure in one of the local charity shops. I had scooped it up as another piece of denim to go into the unending curtains, checked the price ($3!!!) and saw that it had some writing on it, so decided to take it home for a closer look.

And when I did I discovered I had the myth creation story of Wellington printed onto the front of a strapless, fitted denim dress. It's a little hard to read in the photo - it says:

In the beginning

Taniwha Ngake, Whataitai

Carving the land

Te-Whanganui-a-Tara

This is the Maori legend of how Wellington and our beautiful harbour was created - Down the back of the dress is a cascade of silk - ruched and hand stitched. I can't imagine how it came to be in that Charity shop - perhaps it was a student textile project that the creator wasn't happy with. I will probably never know.

I feel like I have found a precious gift right at the beginning of Matariki - the Maori New Year.

One Person's Trash

is another person's treasure, so the saying goes. I spent a lot of time up in my sewing room today cutting yet more pair of old jeans into squares for the curtains - I'm really starting to go off denim! One of the real plus sides of doing so much cutting work was that I was facing this little corner of the room, which is home to some real treasures of mine. The one that never fails to bring a smile to my face is this knitted house. I found it at a local school fair a couple of years ago on the craft stall, for the princely sum of $2. There was no question that it was coming home with me. Someone was clearly pleased to have it out of their house and I was thrilled to have it in mine. I haven't yet found the right shaped object to show it off to perfection - the house cover is square, so definitely not designed for a tea pot and much to big to fit on the head with any vestige of style. Maybe it was just made for the fun of it. It certainly has had a lot of care and attention lavished on it as all four sides are detailed with separately knitted shutters and lots of added embroidered flowers. As you can see it has pride of place on my bookcase, which has been the cause of some hilarity to my non-textile friends and family. There is something about it they will just never understand, but I'm sure you do. This is my other favourite knitted piece - a real tea cosy this time. The moment I saw it with the cluster of red flowers around the top I knew it had to come home to my house. I enjoy trying to imagine the women who made these things. I know creating them will have bought them pleasure, just the same as they give me when I catch sight of them.

Here is the companion to the strolling dogs of yesterday, another by my grandfather. I'm so pleased I have these to treasure and to share.

Where did that week go?

Time seems to have flown by but there has been lots of work in progress here at Sustaining Stitches. I always seem to have a few projects on the go and this week has been no exception. I've been planning new curtains for one of the children for a while and have been saving up old denim to make the curtains from. We saw a very inspiring picture of curtains made out of denim in an old copy of Inside Out, an Australian interiors magazine. The child in question got very excited at the thought of being able to stow various treasures in the pockets. Last weekend I finally sprung into action - cutting 10 inch squares and sewing them up into strips like a patchwork quilt.

The activity was really helped along by the discovery of 7 pairs of jeans for a mere $2.50 at our local Op (thrift) shop! So exciting - and so sustainable. So I have the first of three curtains complete - its as large as our king size bed and weights a ton! Hope the curtain rails will be able to support it... Of course the other issue with the curtains is what I may find hidden in the pockets by the time he's a teenager.... Oh well I can always sew up the pockets in a few years time I guess!

But wait - there's more... I've also finished the binding on my Japanese quilt and also knitted a pair of fingerless gloves. Photos to come in the next exciting installment...

So how does this make me feel??