Our day at the Guild

The quilt show committee were very excited to be the featured group at the last meeting for the year of the NSW Quilters Guild. Most of the committee was in attendance at the meeting at Burwood RSL Club where Suzanne spoke about the committee and the work we all do to make the show happen.

Apologies for the quality of the pics - the venue is really dark!

There was time for show-and-tell with some previous raffle quilts on display.

We even previewed next year's raffle quilt tho it's still a top waiting to be quilted.

This is Alice's Tea Party designed by Lyn Alchin from a few years ago

...and this is last year's quilt Seven Sisters.

One of our committee members was also the guest speaker for the day.

Chris spoke about her quilting journey and had lots of show-and-tell too.

We're all looking forward to a break over Xmas and will be back in January with more on the Raffle Quilt's journey around the local quilt shops.

Merry Xmas to all!

Still Life- By Nerida Richmond Benson

Another gorgeous quilt constructed by our Guest Quilter, Nerida Richmond Benson. This highlights the use of traditional and modern design to construct this "Still Life."

Guest Quilter for 2013- Nerida Richmond Benson

The guest quilter for 2013 Springwood Community Quilt Show is well know mountain resident, Nerida Richmond Benson. Nerida has lived in Canada and the United States for many years and was inspired by the revival of quilt making in these countries.She returned to Australia in 1996 and has taken up resinence in Leura. 
Many of Nerida's quilts reflect her time spent in Japan, visiting her daughter. Her love of Japanese fabrics and her skill in sashiko stitching are evident in many of her quilts. The Amish people and their beautiful quilts have also influenced her craft.
In more recent years there has been a movement away from the traditional, geometric designs to more creative, abstract quilts. At times, these pieces of art incorporate her love of poetry and offer the viewer a story or an invitation to become part of the adventure of the quilt. She has created several quilts with pockets that contain small souvenirs from bushwalks in the local area. We are excited to have Nerida as our guest quilter for 2013.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Support for local community

Members of the Springwood Community Quilt show Committee recently attended a meeting of the Rural Fire Service at the Paragon in Katoomba. A cheque for $6000 was presented to Maurice Cooper- OAM and Superintendent David Jones- the Blue Mountains District Manager of the Rural Fire Service. Committee members include Suzanne Laird, Tania Gunther, Robyne Stuart and Susie Anderson. The Blue Mountains Rural Fire Service and Springwood High School are the recipients of funds raised each year.

The Shape of Things to Come

Hundreds of hexagons and a stunning centre panel help make this year's raffle quilt a winner. Last night's committee meeting saw the hand over to Susie
 for the final stage of machine quilting . Can't wait to see the end result .

Spring in the Mountains

Just three days after this year's raffle quilt 'Homage' was being pieced together, snow began falling in the Upper Mountains. By lunchtime, this historic Leura cabin, built in 1917 was nestled in a blanket of white.
We wonder if the original settlers here had fine quilts and covers for their beds or did they use hessian sacks and sugar bags to cover themselves at night? Maybe we should pay homage to the early settlers and reflect on their lives, especially in the freezing weather similar to this day last Friday. 

What a beautiful quilt!

We had the best day recently bringing the raffle quilt together ready for quilting.

Here's Marilynn and Moyra setting the Hewson panel in the centre.

Marilyn drew up all the hexagons for us to sew and it all fitted perfectly.

Measuring the centre.

Some of the gorgeous fabrics in the blocks.

More gems!

A partial glimpse of the whole quilt.

Suzie our amazing quilter and Moyra doing some last minute urgent pressing.

All the girls tacking the outside edge. Thanks to Robyne for providing the venue.

The last step of appliqueing the top to the border.

Just need the backing now and it's off to Suzie to work her magic.

Stay tuned!

It's all happening!

At our recent committee meeting you can see everyone was hard at work on the 2013 raffle quilt. We have named it "Homage" as a tribute to the early patchwork pioneers of Australia and also a  commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the crossing of the Blue Mountains.

I wonder what Rachael's thinking?

Marilyn drew up all the templates for us to sew the quilt - such a clever girl.

Petal concentrating on all those intersecting seams.

We all arrived at the meeting with our completed rows and they just need to be joined together.

We have chosen one of the John Hewson reproduction panels for the centre and the top will be appliqued onto a small border.

As you can see the quilt will be stunning and should be a great fundraiser next year.

Local quilter Nerida Richmond-Benson has agreed to be our featured quilter at the show. Can't wait to see all her beautiful work displayed on the stage.

Stay tuned for more on the show preparations as the date gets closer.

The 2013 Raffle Quilt Takes Shape..

Enthusiasm was the perfect word to describe the feeling at the recent Springwood Quilt Show committee meeting as the hexagons we'd all been working on were revealed.

As we laid them out in rows we couldn't help admiring all the wonderful fabric combinations and clever fussy cutting.

We had fun tweaking the layout here and there to get an even flow of colours and patterns and soon the layout was decided upon.  

Are you wondering what is going in the centre and what are we going to do with the borders??
 Stay tuned.... all I can say is you wont be disappointed!

A new beginning

Sewing has started on our raffle quilt for the 2013 Springwood Community Quilt Show!

We had a fun day sorting fabrics and preparing packs to be taken away and sewn into lots and lots of hexagons.

Here's part of the committee hard at work last Saturday.

Some girls were a bit apprehensive about all the hand sewing involved but when it's shared around lots of helpers the task is diminished don't you think.

Fabrics were chosen or discarded.

Tania and Suzie deep in discussion.

What a lovely combination.

Thanks to Marilyn for doing all the prep for the blocks - only 263 of them!

Can't wait til the next meeting to see it all coming together.

Fantastic results

Well over 1200 visitors attended the 2012 Show. People traveled from across Sydney and the Blue Mountains and the number of interstate and country visitors is also growing. 

Many of our exhibitors support the show by volunteering their time and energy to assist with the many tasks. With their unflagging support, the show has developed a great vibe and a reputation for being a “show not to be missed”. Our grateful thanks are offered to these many women and men. 

The committee acknowledges the generous support of the Bendigo Bank this year in supporting our fundraising efforts. This  year the Rural Fire Service will receive $5750 from the profits raised, and $3,000 will support  Textiles studies at Springwood High School.

Planning for the 2013 Show has already started. The 2013 Show will be held on 27-28-29 April, and we encourage everyone to put the date in their diary and join us for another display of exciting patchwork, fun buying and delightful café food.

What a great show!

Well it's come and gone for another year and what a show it was. I don't know the numbers through the door yet but on Friday and Saturday this was the view from the stage most of the day. Lots of happy quilters/shoppers.

We had all sorts of visitors too. Didn't grab this couple's names but I hope they enjoyed the quilts and the cafe.

This young man is a star! This is Patrick from Lawson who is eight years old and this is his first quilt. How lucky are we he decided to enter it in this year's show. Patrick did all the sewing after mum did all the cutting and it was quilted by Sue Bell.

We look forward to seeing more of Patrick's work in future shows. Isn't it great to see young quilters displaying their work and even better when they are of the male variety.

Patrick was then off to play soccer - multi-skilled isn't he!

This beauty was the Viewer's Choice quilt for the show - Judy Sanday's My Tree of Life.

A Sue Cody design which was quilted by Carol Pratley.

Click on the pic for some close-ups of the amazing applique and fabric choices. That green linen background is the perfect fabric. Well done Judy.

This quilt was Friday's Viewer's Choice - Dragonfly Dreams by Lesley Prince from Orchard Hills

and this was Saturday's Viewer's Choice - Hexagons Galore by Judy Lyell.

Thanks to all entrants for making this one of the best quilt shows around. Without all your hard work we wouldn't have a show.

Guest quilter Lynne Alchin and the lovely Isobel Lancashire at the presentation.

Isobel sat on the stage for the duration of the show, hand quilting and chatting to all and sundry

(I think she had a ball!) and Lynne was busy promoting her classes and her beautiful quilts.

Sad isn't it to see all our hard work taken down and packed up in @ 2 hours.

Now for a well-earned break for the committee and then we'll start thinking about next year's show. Stay tuned!

Almost forgot the exciting bit!! The winner of the raffle quilt was "Robert" with just a phone number on the ticket. Hope he at least knows what a quilt is and appreciates this beautiful piece.

It won't be his til after the Darling Harbour quilt show where it is an entrant. Thanks to all the buyers of tickets with the money going to our local RFS.

Talk soon.

SHOW DAY!

Rachael's Quilt

What a day!

Doors opened at our new time 10.00am.  Instantly the cafe was put to the test.  Barista Jackie, did a fantastic job all day.  Committee member Carol has the enormous responsibility of keeping the cafe running smoothly over the entire weekend.  Her soups are fuel for the soul.  Many volunteers drop off cakes and slices, this is greatly appreciated. 

Bendigo Bank have lent a marquee that is erected outside for those who wish to take a break in the outdoors.  Today the sunshine was glorious to sit with a cuppa and cake!

The above photo is of Rachael's quilt hanging high on the wall. The size of her flying geese have to be seen to be believed.  Spectacular! It is even better in the flesh.

So what are you waiting for, come and enjoy yourself at the Springwood Community Quilt Show. Entry remains at $5.

ONE MORE SLEEP TO GO ......

All hung and ready

On Thursday, over 135 quilts were received between 10.00am - 12 noon by our committee receiving team of Vicki and Tania.  At this stage the quilts were checked for labels and correct size rod pockets.  All details were check referenced and logged.  All entrants received a receipt and free entry ticket.
Sometimes an entrant can be concerned while handing over their quilts, but be assured we take extreme care with each and every quilt entrusted to us and treat them like the precious cargo that they are.

After a quick lunch the magic of creating a Quilt Show happens.  Eager volunteers arrive, most from previous years, now knowing the procedures.  First time volunteers are always welcome.

We are guided by Chris with the master plan in hand. Quilts have rods slipped through their rod pockets and are hoisted to the top of the poles.  Colours and designs are starting to consume the hall as each row is completed.  At this stage many oohs and aahs are heard as the hangers see for the first time some beautiful work unfolding before them.

Bygone Beautys Display

Maurice Cooper, from Bygone Beauty's of Leura,  has a collection of his blue and white tea pots on display. Maurice very generously gives the committee vouchers to be handed out to the first 1,000 visitors .  This voucher entitles you to enjoy a devonshire tea for two, pay for one at his Leura Tea House.  The committee thank Maurice very much for his ongoing support of the Springwood Community Quilt Show.

TWO MORE SLEEPS TO GO ...

The above photo shows the hall in readiness for the stands to be built.  Thankyou to all the volunteers who gave up their ANZAC afternoon to set up the hall.

Building the stands is achieved from the plan Marilynn has worked on using the width and length size only, from the entry forms received of the quilts being exhibited.

Goes to show how important those measurements are.