Patchwork is Everywhere

Posted on February 13, 2014 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

Have you been watching the Winter Olympics in Sochi? The bravery and skill of the athletes amazes me, no way would you catch me hurtling down a mountain head first on what looks like a travel ironing board!

But, I am really loving seeing patchwork everywhere through the games. On the banners, the competitor’s vests and all types of signage.

The designs are, of course, based on a patchwork quilt. The designers, Bosco, wanted a design that would reflect the traditions of the Russian culture and reflect the ideals of the Olympic Games.

They stated “they had a wealth of choices to represent Russia’s rich diversity, but in the end we settled on something familiar, warm and welcoming: the patchwork quilt”. Patterns in the quilt pieces were taken from fabrics, ceramics, folk art painting and clothing.

Its fantastic to see quilts being used in such a high profile way, maybe it will encourage a few others to take up this traditional art form.

The official Sochi.ru website shows the patterns that were used to derive the designs, there is a sliding bar that links with images of the patterns that link to information about each pattern and photos showing the location of the patterns in the banners. Its well worth a look. Click here to be taken to the site. Then click on Look of the Games.

From the official 2014 Sochi-RU site, this is how they describe the choice of the quilting theme: The Sochi 2014 Look of the Games concept is a logical continuation of the philosophy behind the sochi.ru brand. It offers a new interpretation of different cultures, traditions and ethnicities which together form a united and powerful visual identity. At the heart of the Look of the Games concept design lies the principle of the “patchwork quilt” – a combination of 16 designs representing the most famous traditional Russian arts and crafts, ranging from Gzhel to Khokhloma. – See more at: http://www.flarefabrics.ca/blog/index.php/patchwork-as-olympic-motif/#sthash.jJvFl6YT.dpuf

A Quilting Challenge from Space

Posted on February 6, 2014 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

You may remember the previous post on Karen Nyberg, the NASA astronaut who took her patchwork into space with her.

Karen has now issued a challenge to quilters worldwide to create a star block to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the Houston International Quilt Festival.

To read more about Karen’s challenges trying to stitch in space, follow this link. There is a great YouTube clip of Karen talking about her difficulties completing her 9×9 block.

EPQ receives Australia Post Our Neighbourhood Community Grant

Posted on November 3, 2013 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

We are very proud to be the recipients of a community grant from Australia Post through their Our Neighbourhood Community Grant programme.

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters supply little quilts to the Social Welfare Department of Sydney maternity hospitals. The quilts are offered to parents of babies who have died, to wrap their baby while they say goodbye. The group completes about 350 quilts per year which are distributed to three hospitals. The hospitals would like more and have suggested they could use twice that number, and other hospitals have requested our support.

Recently a hospital which supports Aboriginal Health in one area has requested the use of indigenous type fabrics be used in some quilts.

The financial grant will be used to purchase bulk supplies of suitable materials to expand the scope of this venture for the next twelve months. At present the group supplies some fabric which is supplemented with donations from members.

The committee anticipates preparing individual quilt kits with all materials included, ready to be distributed to members for construction of the little quilts. A small fabric label will be sewn to the reverse of the quilt noting it is a gift from Eastwood Patchwork Quilters.

Mad Hatters Quilt Gathering

Image

First Quilter in Space

Posted on June 17, 2013 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

When astronaut Karen Nyberg is launched to the International Space Station, she’ll bring something entirely new to the space frontier: the art of quilting.

“I enjoy sewing and quilting,” she explained during a televised interview from Moscow. “I am bringing some fabric with me, and thread. I’m hoping to create something. I don’t know what yet it will be — that’s part of creativity. It comes with the feeling of the day. So I have the supplies at my hands to create, if I get the opportunity and the creative notion to do so.”

When she’s launched into space on May 28, she’ll be taking four “fat quarters” with her (pieces of fabric that are 18 by 22 inches), along with some needles and thread. But up-cargo limitations and safety issues mean she can’t take a sewing machine, an iron, paints, a rotary cutter or other common tools of quilters.

Kim Bradley Designs new shop

Posted on June 16, 2013 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

Well known quilter, Kim Bradley has opened her new shop for business.

It is located is located at Unit 7 / 9 Packard Avenue Castle Hill, in the industrial area. Its not far from Victoria’s Basement.

For more information click here

Best of Show

Posted on May 21, 2013 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters is proud to introduce the Best of Show winner of the 2013 Biennial Exhibition – Louise Smith.

Louise is a long term member of EPQ and attends the Tuesday meeting almost without fail. Her enthusiasm and expertise is demonstrated in the outstanding quilt that she produced.

Louise Smith and her Best of Show quilt – Bonaparte and Bohemia

Louise also won the Traditional Predominantly Hand Quilted and Best Hand Quilting awards for this quilt.

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters Raffle Quilts

Posted on April 18, 2013 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

Here are the absolutely stunning raffle quilts that Eastwood Patchwork Quilters. Funds raised from the sale of raffle tickets will go to Special Olympics. Tickets are available from various shop locations and from all members, and of course at our exhibition to be held on the weekend of 3,4,5 May at Brush Farm House in Lawson Street, Eastwood.

EPQ first prize raffle quilt

Raffle quilt centre detail

The clock is ticking . . .

Posted on April 17, 2013 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

Time is passing quickly, the exhibition draws nearer. Here’s some information to jog your memory.

The Eastwood Patchwork Quilters exhibition venue is Brush Farm House at Eastwood, once home to Gregory Blaxland the explorer. Coincidentally, the week after our exhibition is the 200th anniversary of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson departing on their expedition that eventuated in the first European crossing of the Blue Mountains…………….what a great event to work with our beautiful quilts.

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters has nearly 100 members, our group has been operating continuously for over 25 years and we are proud to still have some original members. This is our 13th biennial exhibition and our 2011 event was a huge success with 140 quilts on display, plus displays of baby quilts and bags. With our raffle and donations we were able to donate $8000 to Achieve Australia.

This year Eastwood Patchwork Quilters is supporting the Special Olympics – an organisation that inspires people with intellectual disability to reach their personal best through regular sport and competition.

Our venue – beautiful Brush Farm House in Eastwood

A couple of interesting opportunities

Posted on April 7, 2013 by eastwoodpatchworkquilters

Chris Jurd Fans Take Note

If anyone is interested there are a couple of vacancies in the Chris Jurd Foundation Piecing Class at Material Obsession on the 2nd Friday of the month from 10am – 3pm

So, this means this week – Friday 12th April

. . . and when you’ve been inspired by our exhibition and need a new challenge you can go on Friday 10th May

Cost is $65 per class, you can do one or more and you can claim you EPQ rebate if not already used.

Robyn Shipton will be there on Monday, so for any enquiries or bookings call 9819-6455

ABSTRACT QUILTS IN COLOUR

LECTURE by GWEN MARSTON

THURSDAY 11 JULY 2013

7pm for 7.30pm

Quilts made in solids have an impressive history. They were the first quilts to be taken seriously as art. In 1971, Amish quilts from the collection of Jonathan Holstein and Gail van der Hoof constituted the first major museum exhibition of quilts shown at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

Using her new abstract quilts as examples, Gwen discusses her work in solids and points out some of the great characteristics inherent in solids.

Gwen’s work in solids began with studies of Amish quilts and she has continued to work with solids over the past 3 decades. In this lecture Gwen talks about Amish quilts and how they have influenced her work. Gwen discusses her new abstract work in solids and points out some of the great characteristics inherent in solids. The lecture is illustrated with quilts from her book Ideas and Inspirations: Abstract Quilts in Solids.

Auditorium, Mary MacKillop Place

7-11 Mount Street
North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia

The nearest train station is North Sydney (5 to 10 minute walk).

There is metered parking in Mount Street and several private car parking stations within walking distance

Public buses stop on Miller Street and the Pacific Highway in North Sydney. We are a five minute walk from the bus stops and two minutes from North Sydney Post Office which is on the corner of Mount Street and Pacific Highway

Proudly brought to you by

Quiltsmith and The Cottage Quiltworks

To book please ring 02 9550 4947 or 02 99974661

Tickets $50.00 – light supper provided.

Eastwood Patchwork Quilters Inc.

Category Archives: quilting