Springwood Quilt Show 2019

Blue Mountains: May 2019

Just before I left town in 2019, I decided to take in the Springwood Quilt Show (2019).  It was a lovely day, a pleasant drive up into the Blue Mountains and of course, some pretty amazing quilts.  The vendors were fantastic and lined the hall with VERY tempting wares.  I even got to meet a few famous names.  Margaret Sampson George was there with her very special applique style, Rachaeldaisy’s students showed just how innovative her work is, and Chris Jurd tempted me with some fantastic modern pieces, with patterns available.  All this and the local quilters offered an enticing assortment of goodies for morning/afternoon tea if you wanted to sip tea (refreshment and contemplation) and stay close to the action.

We had time to stop at Post Office Patchwork at Glenbrook – never enough fabric, right?  Just needed to keep the stash buoyant, as one must. 

Obviously, I did not make it home empty-handed.  All I need do now, aside from live till I’m 150 (at least), is to make all these quilts up!!

Some photos from the show.  The first is definitely Margaret Sampson George and the third down, Susan Lenehan, but the others escape me as I didn't take note of their makers. Enjoy!

Quilts at Last

Atlantic ICW #2

Georgetown, SC 22-25 Apr 2018

Moving north lead us to Georgetown, South Carolina and the informative Gullah Museum.  Pride of place in the exhibits goes to Gullah artist Vermelle "Bunny" Smith Rodrigues’ amazing quilts.  The quilts are folk art story quilts telling the history of the Gullah people and are used to inform visitors at the Museum.  Centre place however is reserved for her famous Michelle Obama Quilt that tells of Mrs Obama’s ancestral connections to the area.  

I was granted permission to photograph these quilts when we visited the Gullah Museum, which is well worth the effort, especially if you sit a while with very friendly and informed docents to really appreciate Gullah history.  Not in Georgetown?  Then read a little about the history here on Wiki.

My understanding, simplistically, is that the whole plantation system revolved around the use of slave labour and many slaves were brought in from West Africa to cultivate crops of rice, tobacco, indigo and sea island cotton.  African people brought into the Low Country during colonial times developed their own creole language and maintained a culture rich with African influences. I found this interesting Pinterest site with lots of exciting examples of Gullah art; not quilting but very inspirational anyway.  

Stop by the Museum in Georgetown to discover the joy of story-telling and quilts.

Inspiration Unlimited

I've been sitting on my photos from the Sydney Quilt Show since - when was it - in June 2107!  It was so good to have it back in Darling Harbour.  Our little group made a good day out of the show with some hard-liners going back for another day at least.  

Here are some quilts that I found particularly inspiring...I think I'm a big Jen Kingwell fan too!  Let me say though, the work of Carolyn Sullivan should be inspiration to us all.  

Starting with an Edna Ostrich

Sheep will never be the same!

Carolyn Sullivan

Detail of work involved in Carolyn Sullivan's art works

Who doesn't love a vibrant star?

Scrappy Jen Kingwell pattern

This year, I plan to take a better camera with than just my phone.  See you there...

A Common Stitch or Two

Vienna
6^th October 2014

We arrived in Vienna excited to begin further explorations of Europe and of course, visit friends.  Vienna can only be described as a picture-perfect postcard; hardly a surprise that it was once the centre of the universe for a wealthy, influential dynasty.  The Hapsburg Empire (1278 – 1804) ruled with dogged determination over much of Europe for six centuries.

Needless to say, there are grand palaces galore, art collections to die for, costumes & textiles that make your heart skip a beat and music most splendid.  In today’s world, the Viennese also seriously enjoy their coffee, cake, beer, wines and food.  

We felt right at home!

The lads were out for a day on the town!

Yes, that's silk wallpaper, folks...

As far as textiles go, we caught glimpses of exotic silk wallpapers, portraits of grand ladies bedecked in all manner of finery and lederhosen & dirndl (traditional regional dress) worn for pleasure as we walked the Ringstrasse.  The best showing we had though was Annette’s lovely work.  Who could argue!  (Sadly, skies were grey and lighting not the best to take these shots.  We’re learning heaps about European weather and chilly winters….)

Thanks for sharing your lovely quilts!

Whilst Shopping in Gosford

Caroline Bay Quilters

I'm not sure how I found out about it but the Gosford Regional Art Gallery (in itself a wonderful place to visit) had a showing of quilts in early April this year.  Of course, I should have been getting ready for Sunday's lunch - I had the Randwick Girls up for a little Island time.  But I remembered I had to do a bit of "shopping" on Saturday and skived off early to catch this lovely exhibition by the Caroline Bay Quilters.

I'm going to try to get a place at Quiltsmith to do Linda Butcher's fabulous Tea Caddy Parade Quilt.  Just perfect for my Indian friendship blocks (waiting patiently in the UFO box).  Lovely show, lots of hard work!

Ginza Lowdown

Sensational Quilts

This was one of those days when you are so pleased someone else is responsible for knowing where and when you have to be in certain places.  Our schedule was punishing but we wanted to make the most of a day in Tokyo and a visit to the Quilt Exhibition.  We obligingly bought our bento boxed lunch, stopping to admire a few interesting ones on the station platform, and marvelled at how polite everyone was. 

The train arrived on time, in exactly the right spot (marked on the platform) and within a short time we were speeding our way towards Tokyo on the Shinkansen – say that again, the Shinkansen. 

Mt Fuji declined to make a show for us, although we took photos anyway because our trip back to Kyoto would be much later in the evening. 

Meiji Shrine is located in a park, a tranquil spot in a busy city.  Built in 1920 in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, it was destroyed in WW2 and reconstructed in 1958.  It’s the place to see traditional Shinto weddings.  Somehow, our timing was perfect and we saw some lovely traditional costumes.

Shinto Wedding at the Meiji Shrine

In contrast, it would seem that some of Tokyo’s youth prefer a more outlandish dress.  We stopped on our way in Harajuku (also see Jingu Bashi) to people watch as the young ones strutted their stuff in wild to conservative costume; more for each other I think, than the many tourist cameras flashing.   Close by is the Omotosando-dori area where we (over) indulged at the Oriental Bazaar, a wonderland of all things exotic for tourists, including textiles.  I concentrated on buying fabric tailor samples which are just so lovely.  Maybe I’ll stop looking and get on with some sewing?  No promises – even to myself! 

Nurses & Doctors were the theme for this year..

After negotiating the subway (& deciphering ticket machines) we made for the fabulous Ginza Quilt Exhibition.  We were not able to take photos of this quilt show, so all I have is of a few that decorated the front window and entrance to the exhibits.  The Empress’s Kimono was on display too (just one of many I’m guessing) but no photos so no memory…  The exhibition was inspirational, the merchant’s stalls amazing and we took a headful of ideas away with a few notes & sketches; and a certain envy of the high quality workmanship! 

Outside the Quilt Exhibition, we were fortunate to meet up with one of Margaret’s friends.  We spoke briefly before heading off for some more shopping, this time “real” fabric stores.  A highlight was the multistorey Yuzawaya (I think?), although a cash only policy came as a shock to us at the end of a big spend day.  Y & I were already over our daily limits having hit Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi and were weighed down by our earlier purchases anyway.  But soldier on we must; somehow our wallets stretched to buy just that little bit more.

(There’s plenty of helpful & up-to-date information on the internet if you want to visit fabric & craft stores in Tokyo.  Try this advice from comeonilene who can direct you to some interesting shops. Enjoy the planning process!) 

Timely Preparation

Insight

Konichi-wa.  Japan was my first “textile” dedicated trip.  Not only were we to be plunged into textile practices that have remained unchanged over hundreds of years, we were to base ourselves out of historic Kyoto.  I had not realised how culturally significant textiles were and the depth of respect for master practitioners.  We were privileged indeed. Margaret Wright led our group and made sure, with regular newsletters prior to departure that we were prepared in some small way for what we were about to experience. 

Margaret was also involved in the Quilt Study Group’s exhibition of Japanese stitched textiles “Common Threads” (4April, 2000).  Artist Wendy Lugg and textile collector Sue Leighton-White had collaborated and produced some exquisite works for our viewing pleasure at the Japan Cultural Centre in Sydney.  All this and we hadn’t even left home yet!  Arigato…….

Australia Day 2013 with the Island Quilters

Island Quilters Exhibition (26th January 2013)

We made use of Meg's perfectly positioned house to display our works (again!) this year.  And Wally who is more than handy with a hammer (and could now organise an exhibit in the Met).  Wyn & Margaret took very good care of the sales table/raffle, Sandra played clarinet to add an up-market touch and Margaret K's balloons were very popular. 

Although the group is now down to a handful of stitchers, somehow we managed to fill the verandah and lounge area with a very nice display, mostly in the “modern” style (thanks to Vanessa who is positively driven).   It really is exciting to see the quilts hanging.  Somehow it adds another dimension.  This year though, we didn’t hang any in the garden in case it rained.  Thankfully, a tropical deluge waited until the following day. 

This is my NYC quilt (fabrics purchased in City Quilter & Purl Soho)

So, another extravaganza!   But even now, we are talking about next year….     

New Suit Fits Well

Can it really be 12 years ago...
In the streets of Takayama

Well, I've spent more than a few hours hunched over the computer lately trying to sort out Textile Tourist's early years.  Having been on something of it's own tour through various homes in cyberspace since 2008, this early chapter of the current blog is happy to settle finally into a little bit of Blogger space.

I've decided to keep it running as a separate entity (for now) adding posts on textile adventures and tours undertaken before 2011.  I've made some effort to dig up all my Japan photos so that will make it into cyberspace one day soon.  Of course, I've forgotten much of that trip and sadly didn't keep a journal.  Always learning!

Now I would like to announce that for a little while anyway, I will be sewing (quilting) not computing...

Home at Last

Across the Bowling Green

It’s nice to be home again!  Especially as we have completed the worst of our renovations and can (almost) start to live in our entire house.  For some years now it’s been 1/3 living, 1/3 storage and 1/3 renovation.  A moving feast over 5 or 6 years and we are both just about over it!  One of this year’s tasks for me is soft covers, cushions and curtains so I’m looking forward to a bit of sewing time.  The garden shed, with its new timber floor, timber blinds and paint job is ready for action since its makeover (and cleanout) before we left earlier this year.

Kookie knows we're home

This time of year is so wonderful and the island is resplendent with its fresh lavender coat.  The jacarandas are flowering madly.  We’ve had a few bush visitors already and were especially pleased to welcome a large blue tongue lizard and a scratching bush turkey into our yard.  Even the possum is still bumbling and crashing his way across our rooftop in the early evenings.  The Cap’n is now driving a mulcher instead of a boat and the kookaburras couldn’t be happier.  Easy snacks reveal themselves in the leaf compost.  All in a day’s work!  Add to this the squawk of the channel billed cuckoo in the tree tops and we’ve quite a menagerie to host.

Our Bush Turkey's cousin who has a cushie job at Australia Zoo 

This month the Café is hosting an exhibition of aprons.  I did manage to get one finished in time but made it into a quilt.  Of course!  Some years ago friend Yvonne had given us a challenge “stash buster” and since then I’d added a few similar pieces to the collection. Its “I’d rather be quilting” theme seemed just right for an apron-shaped wall hanging. When it came time to quilt the apron, I remembered back to the days of feeding hungry boys.  Bottomless pits.  “What’s for dinner, Mum”, a regular refrain, is now stitched in with lots of menu ideas too.  A reminder of fun times & their favourite meals!....

Additional Insight

While on the topic of visionary artists, and I’m not sure if he fits that “category” but have you seen the textile art of Jimmy McBride?  I picked up a copy of Quilters Newsletter Magazine to catch up on my fibre arts fix, and there in issue # 423 (Aug/Sep 2011) was a 4 page spread on Jimmy’s work.  Like Von Bruenchenhein, he works in a science fiction narrative but in this case develops quilts using reclaimed textiles.  What I have found particularly inspiring is that he works in series.  You can clearly see how his ideas have developed and grown; how he has experimented with various techniques to effect and made ready-made fabrics look like they've been taken from a palette of oils.  So, spend some time browsing Jimmy McBride’s inspirational quilts over on his web site and be prepared to learn….. 

Find insight into his creative process on his blog and enjoy the quilting narrative.  I like the idea of stepping outside of yourself and having a storyline to help focus your creative endeavours.  His other sewing projects include a few clothes – shirts and jeans.  So good to see the art of home “dressmaking” as my grannie called it, is surviving and looking good against an overabundance of cheap Chinese imports.  When you’re done, you can see more of Jimmy’s quilts on etsy. 

While we’re on a theme – how about these outa spacey fabrics from Sew Materialistic in Brooklyn!  Is there something going on in Brooklyn we don’t know about?

Australia Day 2011

Australia Day on the Island was quite a success in 2010, so the quilting ladies were asked to host another exhibition this year. 

Thus began the mad dash to complete UFO’s in time.  To be fair to our viewing public, we didn’t want to repeat too many of last year’s quilts.  Somehow, we made the deadline (despite the heat) and came up with quite a selection to hang inside and out.  Margaret’s house is close to the Ferry wharf so our visitors arrived to a colourful welcome.  See for yourself…

I think it was well worth the effort!  We even had a few musicians along during the day to set the ambiance. 

It was hard work to organise, but well worth the effort.  We even had the odd offer to buy our quilts, but somehow that's another issue for discussion.  What is an acceptable price to ask for our handiwork and are people prepared to pay that price. 

It was so uplifting to see our quilts hanging and the variety of work we had produced over the years.  Hanging offers a whole new level of appreciation and inspiration.  See my comments re: hanging your groups or your own quilts. 

So, what are we planning for next year?  Don't ask - the UFO pile is getting dangerously low!

Visitors arrive on our trusty Island Ferry, the Sun.