Elm Grove Patchwork

Changing Times

Our world is changing so quickly with this dreaded COVID-19 virus.  I hope you are all well and for those who have been forced into self isolation I hope you have wonderful projects to work on and a stash of fabric to keep you going.

My shop is open as usual. I am disinfecting surfaces and have alcohol wipes (hand sanitiser will replace these when available). I am requesting all people sanitise their hands upon entering the shop, and the eftpos terminal is being sanitised as well. Hopefully such measures will help in preventing the spread of the virus.

If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram you would have read that the Australasian Quilt Convention in April has been postponed until August 20-23, later this year. It is disappointing, but on the bright side, it gives me more time to have new projects to share with you. The Colac Quilt show, which was to run from 27-30th March has also been postponed, no alternative date has yet has been given.

Over the past weeks I have been busy making up lots of bundles of fabric, stashing them away for the quilt shows. I have now put these out on the shelves and have listed them on my website, you will find them for sale in the fabric section, under the heading Bundles and Pre-cuts. 

I've been busy writing the pattern for my latest project, the basket quilt and also tinkering away with some new small projects. Sorry no photos I can share with you yet. So here are some photos of what the ladies in appliqué group are working on.

Celebrating Mary Brown Quilt by Robyn

 

Antique Wedding Sampler by Jenny

 

Reverse appliqué by Marianne

 

Wool appliqué by Judy

 

The border triangles for The Antique Wedding Sampler by Evelyn

 

Coral's beautiful work. (sorry forgot the project name)

 

English Paper Piecing by Cathy

 

And some more Maggie Maguire's Garden hexagon flowers.

For now,

Stay calm and stitch on!

Hexagon Flowers for Maggie Maguire's Garden

It been a wonderful thrill to see and hear of so many people now making Maggie Maguire's Garden, with a second round BOM being offered with Homestead Hearth in the US, who are also offering it as a bright modern option as well. 

Maggie Maguire's Garden Quilt

 

Making the hexagon flowers can get a little challenging as you work deeper into the quilt. At our monthly appliqué group yesterday I caught up with Di who is well into the journey. She has made some gorgeous hexagon flowers which she has allowed me to share with you.

Aren't they stunning! Thanks Di for allowing me to share them.

I hope this has given some inspiration if you are struggling with ideas. You can see that stripes and border fabrics bring a lovely balance into the quilt. If you only have small pieces of fabric, try alternating fabrics in the outer round, it can give stunning results.

Happy stitching!

Our Applique Meetings Have Resumed

Yesterday was our first Appliqué meeting for the year. After breaking up early December and not meeting in January, it was lovely to be back at the hall, catching up with everyone and seeing lovely projects in work.

Show and tell is always a highlight of the day. Dellas has just completed this bright, cheery quilt with fabrics from Lori Holt.

Lyn has complete a sweet Maggie Grace's Garden (pattern by Di Ford)

Frances has been making this gorgeous baby quilt for a new grandchild who is due this week. With just the binding to go Frances has made it in time.

And Carolyn has completed 'Magic Eye' (pattern by Emma Newman). Carolyn decided she would hand quilt this one, have never hand quilted before. It is magnificent. 

Being a member of appliqué group, means committing to a challenge each year....I am quite a bossy group leader.  There are always moans of resistance when the challenge is mention, but everyone is brave and makes a commitment. Usually we have check-ins along the way, and as people complete their challenges they are ticked off the list. This year I have decided to change it a little. Yesterday each member was presented with a card onto which they had to write their challenge. This was placed in an envelope and sealed. At our December meeting we will open the envelopes and hopefully there is a completed project to match the challenge. It should be a fun meeting.

It has also been back to school for my kids. This the year I am down to two. 

I asked them to replicate the photo I took 10 years ago, back in 2010. Oh what a difference ten years can make. Back then I decided when the kids got haircuts, I packed their lunch boxes and they wore what I laid out. Now I have very little say, but I certainly don't miss making those 5 lunches boxes up each day.

Keep on stitching. x 

2018 Challenges

As part of my monthly appliqué group I have been running an annual challenge. At the start of the year each member is asked if they would like to participate in the challenge. The aim is to commit to a project that you would like to see finished by the end of the year. I was delighted to have almost every member of our group commit to the challenge in 2018....... even if it was through coercion.

Every few months we have a quick trip around the room to check on progress, and I do allow members a chance to re-negotiate their challenge about half way through the year.

Our final meeting for the year is always a highlight. Each member brings along a plate of food to share, and we have a pooled lunch together. There is always an abundance of food, drink and treats. After lunch we have our show and tell, with many of the challenge quilts being shown in their completed state. This year we had a magnificent display, with some ladies sitting up late the night before to complete the challenge. 

Let me show you some of the work, although I do apologise for the poor quality photos.

Here is Lynette's Hand Pieced Star Quilt. Lynette started this quilt in a hand piecing class with Annette Blake and was determined to finish it this year. 

Di also started this quilt in a class, Ballaarat Beauties with Michelle Yeo. So nice to see the top completed.

Marianne committed to finishing this lovely bright quilt. A few late nights leading up to our meeting saw the top completed.

Jenny toiled away at The Mary Brown Quilt, designed by Corliss Searcey of Threadbear, exceeding her goal of completed blocks. Im sure it will be finished now in 2019.

Our dear member Marlene, presented her lovely Caswell Quilt, again designed by Corliss Searcey. Beautifully quilted and bound, it is truly delightful.

Heather had a wonderfully productive year (actually she always does), this is her Pendle Hill quilt, designed by Di Ford-Hall. It is an extra large quilt and Im sure Heather has sewn it completely by hand. The photo does not do justice to its beauty. 

With Pendle Hill finished, Heather moved on to completing Mary Queen of Bedford, another design by Di Ford-Hall. Just the outer border to go.

Hazel worked away at this quilt, a design by Willyne Hammerstein. Again the photo does not do justice to the beautiful intricate work that has been done. The colour choices are superb.

Janine finished her version of Okehampton a design by Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork.

And we all held our breathe as Jocelyn unfurled a complete top of La Passion designed by Grit from Germany and found at Grits Life blog. The quilt has 17,250 half inch hexagons.  If you have been following this blog you may remember me showing Jocelyn's progress here back in July. Amazingly, Jocelyn completed other works in amongst this quilt. 
 It was a most successful year, and I can't wait to do it all again.

Wishing you all the happiest of New Years. I hope your year is filled with sunshine, joy and happy days with endless sewing time.   Lenora.

 

September Show and Tell

I'm extremely lucky to have the company of such a motivated and productive group of ladies who attend my monthly appliqué group. Last month Carolyn shared with us her beautiful Auntie Green Quilt, designed by  Carolyn Konig. Carolyn has been participating in the BOM program.

It has been a delight watching this quilt slowly evolve, it will be treasured for many decades to come.

We have another productive member, Monica. Circumstances have kept Monica away from our group for a little while, but she arrived back this month with some great quilts to show.

Fairhaven designed by Michelle Yeo

and 'Discovery' a Quiltmania BOM designed by Petra Prins.

Barb has just finished quilting and binding Ballarat Beauties designed by Michelle Yeo.

Jocelyn is continuing on with her La Passion quilt designed by Grit.  

She has sewn over 17,000 hexagons so far.

Next is a completed top made by Di. This is Di's version of the Emma Mary Quilt designed by Judy Newman.

And finally Antoinette has made this beautiful quilt designed by Robyn Falloon.

Sometimes there is too much inspiration for the time we have available.

Again just a reminder that I will be closed tomorrow Saturday 8th September.

Happy Stitching!

July Applique Gathering

Yesterday was the first Monday of the month, and also our monthly appliqué meeting. It is always inspiring to see the lovely show and tell, and just to wander around the room checking out what everyone is working on.

I enter the day with great intentions of taking photos, but often I get so caught up that I forget to, or worst still, I forget to post them. Yesterday I remembered. Lets take a look.

Hazel's beautiful Ballet Avec Kaffe Fassett quilt, designed by Willyne Hammerstein. Just the border to add

 

Here's a closer shot. The quilt is entirely hand pieced.

 

Miss Matty's Parlour by Marriane. Hand pieced and hand quilted. Delightful work.

 

Jocelyn is working away at this beautiful hexagon quilt. Over 9000 hexagons have already been sewn and only another 7000 odd to go. Its been lovely watching this quilt grow.

 

Coral is on the home stretch with this beauty designed by Kim McLean

 

Lyn is also working on a hexagon masterpiece

 

Annie is making Irene Blanck's 'Confetti Quilt". 

 

Kay was making pentagon flowers for her Pendle Hill quilt

Anne is hand piecing her 'Maie' quilt designed by Periwinkle Patchwork.

 

and Helen is working on the Charlotte Quilt from Wattlebird designs.

I'll try and remember to keep taking photos.

Happy stitching, Lenora.

 

Show and Tell

If you are living here in Southern Victoria, I hope you are keeping warm and dry. It is vile weather with high winds, hail storms and drenching rain. Although it is probably nothing compared to what our friends in Houston have experienced.

With the start of a new month, so too comes the our monthly appliqué day. A few members were unable to make it this month due to travel and sickness, but the show and tell certainly did not let us down.

Sharyn presented this beautiful hand pieced quilt called 'Maie', which she has made completely from her scrap basket. Not the best photography on my part with the sun showing through, but it does show how neat Sharyn's hand piecing is.  

Handpieced 'Maie' by Sharyn

Next Mary showed her recently completed Little Boys Britches. Again my apologies for the shine through which is giving a blurry effect. After making lots of quilts for her grandchildren, Mary has enjoyed working on a quilt for herself. She has used the Little Boys Britches Starter Kit, which I have put together.

Little Boys Britches by Mary

Antoinette delighted us with her beautiful Clamshell quilt, a workshop she started with Irene Blanck. It has recently returned from the quilters and just needs the binding sewn down. I must confess, I have been looking at the recently arrived 'Timeless' range and the previous 'Reflections' range both by Jo Morton and I have been thinking how nice they would look mixed up in a clamshell quilt.....

Clamshells by Antoinette

And finally, Carolyn (who has the great ability to set goals and stay on track) brought along her beautiful Auntie Green quilt. It is thrilling to watch the progress of this quilt. 

Auntie Green by Carolyn

At the start of the year a number of our members set a challenge of what they would like completed by the end of the year. Most people are on track, although I think that maybe over the the past two months some of us may be lagging a little. With four months of the year left, it is not too late to make amends. We have recommitted and look forward to productive days ahead.

Ps. My son's football team won again on Saturday. They are now through to the grand final! My fingers are doubly crossed. The shop will be opening at the slighter later time of 1.30pm this Saturday. I may or may not have a voice left, but I will be open. 

Liberty Gatherings with Show and Tell

Just before I raced out the door for AQC I had a delivery of Liberty Gatherings, a shirting range from Primitive Gatherings of Moda. 

Liberty Gatherings

They are entered on my website here. There has been a real drought on shirting fabrics so it is nice to see some fresh new designs coming in. I have another range due in the coming months.

This Monday 1st May was our monthly Appliqué Day. We entered the hall to find a burst hot water service. Not to be deterred we quickly changed venues to the nearby Childers Restaurant. While conditions were a little more cosy than usual, we still managed to have a great day.

Jocelyn has completed a magnificent Okehampton quilt, designed by Karen Styles, and was just finishing off the binding.

Okehampton made by Jocelyn

Her sister Heather, has just completed the Pieced and Appliquéd Medallion quilt (designer unknown)

Pieced and Appliqued Medallion made by Heather

And some work in progress,

Broderie Perse by Jane

I have recently had lots of enquiries about the possibility of running a Saturday group, and I was ready to make an announcement for some upcoming days I have planned. I have been thrown a curve ball with the hall temporarily out of action, but please stay tuned, while I work on plan B.

This Thursday 4th May is Warrnambool Race day. Elm Grove Patchwork will be open from the usual time of 11.00am - 3.30pm.

Happy Stitching!

I'm blaming Global Warming

Do you think that if the Earth is warming up, there is a chance it is moving quicker? I don't know about you, but I am sure the hours in each day are certainly passing faster than ever before.

Last time I dropped in, I was excited about the pending Friendship Frolic. Well it has been and gone, but was truly a lovely week. It was wonderful to see so many ladies having a great time out, enjoying some great discounts, lucky draws and importantly enjoying the company of their friends. It was heartwarming for Linda and myself that so many people travelled so far to join us.

One of the highlights of the week was meeting Tess, who brought along her magnificent 'Farmers Wife' quilt.

It is always a joy to see a farmers wife.

Over the course of the week I ran a competition to guess the number of buttons in the jar.

The lucky winner was Shirley Bassett, who guessed the correct number of 897. I must thank my daughter Sharna who patiently counted very single button.

After the Frolic concluded Linda and I met and we drew the lucky passport. Congratulations to Wendy Leersen who now has $150.00 to spend at each shop. We have decided to run the Frolic as an annual event, so if you missed out this year be sure to join us next year.

On the weekend of July 4th -5th I was delighted to host Michelle Yeo for a weekend workshop. Michelle, who is an expert at foundation piecing,  kindly offered the choice of three quilts; Ballaraat Beauties, Georgetown Circles and the magnificent quilt Fairhaven.

The majority of ladies embarked on the Ballaraat Beauties quilt, learning the technicalities of Foundation Piecing. It was a bit daunting at first, and I did notice people sewing very slowly on their machines. The ladies left Saturday afternoon feeling a little overwhelmed and I sure a little brain tired. However happy smiling faces reappeared early Sunday morning and by Sunday afternoon the machines were quickly churning out completed blocks some of which included inset Y-seams. Amazingly I managed to grab a few photo's.

Carylin's Fairhaven

 Monica's Fairhaven

Marlene's Fairhaven

Michelle's Georgetown Circles,

and here are some blocks from the ladies who are making Ballaraat Beauties .

Many thanks to Michelle for joining us for the weekend. It was fantastic being able to draw on such a wealth of knowledge.

 

Following on from Michelle, Monday was the Nullawarre Appliqué Group's meeting day. Once again we had a great turn up and some lovely show and tell.

You may remember this work in progress from last October.

 

Well Sharon has kept up the great work, add some stunning borders.

This is not a great photo, but it does show you the enormity of the project, and is a credit to Sharon who has managed to complete the top in under 12 months. Now for the hand quilting.

 Lynette is on the home run with Jane's Garden a quilt pattern designed by Di Ford Hall.

 

Anni shared her recently completed Bronte's Garden designed by Robyn Falloon.

and Kay has completed this stunning quilt top which I am failing to remember the name of. 

It has certainly been a fun filled few weeks.

Lenora.

Settling in

It is a little hard to believe, but it is now three weeks since I opened this new door.

 

It has been such a happy time, with lots of people coming to check out the new place and enjoying the brighter more spacious area. I have actually found it hard to close the door each evening and go home. There is still a lot to do, especially in the garden and the car park area, but I am waiting for the hot weather to subside before I tackle it.

Inside I have been busy making little displays

and grouping fabrics to make for an easier shopping experience.

 

I am delighted to have two quilts hanging, designed and made by Veronique Diligent, who owns Wattlebird Designs.

'Charlotte'

and 'Louis'.  They look wonderful hanging on the walls.

Last week we had a lovely appliqué gathering with the special guest appearance of Irene Blanck. Irene travelled down from Melbourne to spend the day with us, and delighted us with a show and tell of many of her quilts. Once again I was nearly too engrossed to think about grabbing the camera, only managing to grab these few. 

Irene's clamshell quilts, and her Aunty Green's Garden.

The day was topped off with my daughter Amy who is doing an apprenticeship to be a Pastry Chief, offering Crocenbush for dessert. (a reward for the early morning starts I am enduring with her).

With school now back, I feel some sort of order has returned to my days. Hopefully I can keep up with posting. Back soon.

Lenora.

 

 

Applique Group Show and Tell

Monday was the October meeting of the Nullawarre Applique group. We had a lovely day stitching and talking. I was able to give a quick demonstration on the back basting applique technique that I learnt from Brenda Papadakis, and we had a lovely show and tell session.

Lynette's freshly completed A Merry Christmas Garden by Gail Pan (BOM Run by Gum Valley Patchwork)

Jocelyn is working on Carolyn Kognig's pattern Charleston Rhapsody.

 

Lyn has now completed hand quilting Eva Grace (Pattern by Irene Blanck)

And also brought along some of her older quilts to share with the group.

 

Floral Hopscotch (pattern by Irene Blanck)

 

Two Lillies (based on a pattern by Robyn Falloon)

 

and Gypsie Jazz (designed by Robyn Falloon).

 

Sharon kindly brought along some of her past projects,

Tea and Scones (pattern also by Robyn Falloon)

and this is Sharon's present project, a half inch hexagon quilt. Sharon is making this quilt with fabric she has left over from another past project....... her Dear Jane Quilt.

 

Sharon made this Dear Jane totally by hand,  hand pieced and hand quilted. It was quite a privilege to be able to study it so closely. The work is amazing! 

It sure is inspiring to see such lovely quilts in the flesh. Thanks ladies for being part of the group and thanks for sharing your beautiful quilts and knowlede and allowing me to share on this blog.

 

Irresistable Applique

Yesterday we held the July gathering of the Nullawarre Applique Chapter. Unfortunately a mix up with hall bookings, meant our regular meeting was put back a week, which did impede some members from attending. However we still had a lovely gathering, with lots of stitching and chatter.

Like always, show and tell was a highlight of the day. Marlene brought along her lovely appliqued Princess Feather quilt. A great combination of both hand and machine applique.

Our new member Lyn, showed her Eva Grace quilt, a pattern by Irene Blanck. Lyn, who is a beautiful hand quilter is in the process of quilting this quilt. Lyn explained how she purchased very few fabrics, adopting the "I just see how it works" attitude. It has worked beautifully Lyn!

Lyn has also just completed her version of Auntie Greens Garden, another pattern by Irene Blanck. The decision was made to omit the final border, and keep the quilt at this size which fits nicely on a single bed, perfect for her grand-daughters.

Lyn chose a pale pink print for her background and wonderful bright fabrics for the applique pieces.   

 

What I am really enjoying about our regular gatherings, is the amount of information that is being shared. Lyn, who has been appliqueing for many years, gave lots of explanation about how she completed this quilt. Lyn explained that most patterns have certain elements whereby the correct placement is crucial to the overall success of the project. You must ensure that this placement is correct, such as the position of the wavy vine in the middle border above.

It is extremely difficult however, to replicate exact placement, once you start stitching. Different background fabrics behave differently, templates are made differently and stitching tension is different. And sometimes....patterns can evenly be drawn differently to how they appear on the quilt.

Lyn explained that to applique this quilt, she first appliqued the central wreath, then skipped the next border, going straight to the wavy vine. She then went back and filled in the middle area with the stems, leaves and flowers, using the pattern as a great guide, but not worrying if the placement was not 100% perfect.  As Lyn explained, it doesn't matter if a stem is shorter or a leaf is rotated, no one will ever notice. But they will notice if the vines don't fit or are not evenly spaced.

I think we all learnt or re learnt something from hearing Lyn speak.

I am also remembering a conversation I had with a friend during the week. She told me how she omitted some rather fiddly elements of a design, (that she knew she would not enjoy working on) with a lovely fabric, fussy cut to give much the same effect.  

Experience is a wonderful thing, and if we can draw on the lessons learnt from others, it can save a lot of frustration and heartache.

 

So, what did I work on?? Would you believe, a new project.......Corliss Searcey's Caswell Quilt. 

 

This is my first block. I have been admiring this quilt for such a long time, watching blocks appear on other blogs. I have had quite a few customers call in, looking for bits and pieces to use in this quilt, and a number of ladies are working on it at our gatherings. The more I have saw it, the more  irresistable it has become. No doubt it will be a slow work in progress, but I am sure an enjoyable one.

Lenora.

An absence of sorts

I was going to name this post Hiatus Blogis....but when I said the word, it just didn't sound the way it should.

I feel like I have been neglecting this poor old blog, and I guess I have. It happens when you have lots going on, but the timing is not right to share. What do you say, when you can't say what you want to say? 

Since I last dropped in, some great fabrics have arrived in store.

The complete range of Old Sturbridge Village by Judie Rothermel:

 

 

A sampling of Romantic Renassiance.

 

And a sampling of Winterlude by 3 sisters for Moda

I am endeavouring to enter these onto my website, but in the meantime please email or phone if you need assistance with ordering.

I made the trip to Melbourne the week before last for the Victorian Quilters showcase. It was an honour to be sitting beside Linda White as she was announced winner of both her category "Traditional Professional" and also "Best of Show". Congratulations Linda! So thoroughly deserved.

Away from the shop I am playing Mum to 110 (and I can only accommodate another 10 so the hardest work is nearly done) of these little folk. All the dairy calves are now born, just a run of beef/dairy cross to finish up with. Don't let those lovely dark eyes and that sweet pink nose fool you....I have landed many a kick, and am butted on a daily basis.

Happy stitching,

Lenora.

 PS. Another quick reminder that the Nullawarre Applique Chapter will not be meeting today due to the hall being double booked, the meeting will be next week, Monday July 14th.

Nullawarre Applique Chapter

On the first Monday in May, the Nullawarre Applique Chapter met again at the Nullawarre Hall. 

Coral kindly shared some of the beautiful quilts she has made, this one being Princess Feathers a pattern by Kim McLean.

And here is a peep at what some other ladies are working on.

Andrea has made a start on Lolly Pop Tree, another pattern by Kim McLean. (Can you see the machine basting line that Andrea has sewn as a registration line?)

 

 

 

Marlene's is continuing along with  Jane's Garden, a pattern by Di Ford. Don't you just love that bird.

 

 

Barb is also making Jane's Garden.

 

Jocelyn is working on the Cocheco Sampler.

 

 

And Hazel is working on a Sue Daley pattern called Lancaster. 

 

At the meeting Coral also gave a quick talk on her experience using applique paper. With our Next  meeting on Monday 2nd June, I am looking forward to seeing the progress that has been made on these projects.  Thanks ladies for allowing me to share them.

Lenora.