We were lucky enough to have Sandra tell us all about her quilting journey – complete with quilts. So many of us could relate to the first sampler quilt – and the fact that even Sandra had a few UFOs.
Sandra also explained how she became a quilt shop owner. Many of you will remember “Cherish” quilt shop in Tecoma. Now Sandra had no plans to buy a quilt shop, but when Cherish closed she couldn’t bear the thought of not having a local quilt shop, so re-opened it, with her friend Lesley, as “Foothills Fabric and Threads” – they have since moved to larger premises (still on the Burwood Hwy) and a trip to the Dandenongs is not complete without a long visit there, a welcome cuppa and a lovely chat, oh and a purchase or three!
Thank you very much Sandra.
We were blessed with a big crowd, made even more exciting by a visit from Gloria and her sister from “across the ditch”. We would have loved to see their show and tell, but they came over with practically empty cases – to fill with Oz purchases. We do love it when we get visitors from interstate and/or overseas.
.
Ramona – made , not a disposable 9 patch – which is what I thought I wrote, but a beautiful disappearing 9 patch table runner – out of fat 8ths, and isn’t it gorgeous? Wyn, our resident tall person held it up for us – thanks Wyn xx.
Robyn has encouraged her Mother to do stitcheries and this one shows that her Mum needed not too much encouragement – in fact Robyn is having trouble keeping up with turning the stitcheries into wall-hangings, table runners etc., but if this is any indication – both Robyn and her Mum are a great team.
Louise did her usual superb job with this stitchery pocket – boy can that girl sew!!
Lucky baby Lenny – Fran’s latest grandchild has a wonderful quilt to play with made by his proud Grandmother. The front is a Spotlight pattern and the back a 5” charm pack. Lovely bright fabrics for a new baby to look at.
Wendy received this fabric in a Quilt show bag and has turned it into a very handy, striking bag. Also, to our ageless Wendy happy 42nd anniversary in Australia! We are so pleased you chose us.
What an achievement – Maggy has made this beautiful version of “Winter Wonderland” – such beautiful stitching – and apparently there is more to go! The blue thread she used was a brilliant colour choice.
Deidre working on this beautiful long stitch –can’t wait to see it finished.
Deidre also brought along fabric sanitary pads she has been making for girls and women in Africa. Something we take for granted is not available to so many in Africa and other third world countries. Young African girls usually miss school during their periods as there is nothing available for them to use. Instead of sending over disposable pads, many kind people around the world make up these re-usable, much less costly and environmentally friendly. Wyn plans to put the pattern for these up on our “files” section, but there are many patterns available on the internet. When making the pad section Deidre uses blanketing in between the fabric layers. A shipment is going to Africa in November – if anyone wants to make some, please post them to me in the next few weeks and I can give them to Deidre – e-mail me helen.evans@nanderil.com.au
for my address. We do have so many lovely, kind quilters, not just in our group, but all around the world. Thank you Deidre for bringing this to our attention.
Julie brought along the completed bag she had been working on at our previous meeting – cleverly, it holds two plastic thread containers, so will be very useful and pretty too.
Jennifer – showed us how her “Oriental#2” QAYG quilt is coming along – so stunning and the photo doesn’t do it justice – there was a photo of another piece – yet to be joined, but alas it seems lost in cyberspace – sorry Jennifer.
We were thrilled to have a visit from the famous Dorothy, who Wyn has told us so much about over the years. Dorothy actually taught Wyn sewing/textiles at Mordialloc/Chelsea High School – not too many years (decades?) ago.
Dorothy is wearing her challenge apron – it is designed for dementia patients. An occupational therapist mentioned that there was a need for patients to have something to play/fiddle with, so Dorothy has added worry beads, a zip, mittens, a soft ball to “squish” and other items to feel – similar to what you would do for an activity blanket for a toddler. What a wonderful job she has done.
Jane has put together this gorgeous redwork quilt, using patterns from Bronwyn Hayes. She chose farm themed stitcheries to work on as it is going to her niece, who works as a governess on a property in the outback. What a lovely gift.
Jo has been knitting beanies for premature babies. Look at how tiny they are. Very kind of you Jo and, I am sure much appreciated. When our Elizabeth was born, her head was the size of a tennis ball – I was lucky enough to have a mother-in-law who knitted what I thought were tiny bonnets for her before she was born – just in case she was early. I thought – I’ll never use these, but guess what? They were too big. We were lucky enough not to need something this tiny, however, and I am sure we all feel for the parents of these tiny ones.
Sandra got hooked – or re- hooked on working with wool, and came home from the US with quite a lot. She is working on this button hole stitched Christmas table runner. Very noice!
Gloria from NZ did manage to include some of her great patterns in her luggage and very kindly donated some for us to raffle – so there were some surprise raffle draws. Thank you so much Gloria.
And if you remember previous months’ blogs, Wyn went with a church group to Tanzania earlier in the year and, as well as teaching English at the University there, taught sewing to many women - who took to it like a house on fire. A committee has since been set up over there, a teacher employed and the plan is for the women, using the treadle machines Wyn’s group donated, to make the school uniforms for the diocese.
So, lots of good stories this month.
Until our next meeting on November 2nd, happy sewing everyone.
Your roving reporter,
Helen Evans
Devon Meadows, Vic
