What's happening in the lead up to the show..

It's less than a month until the show so it's all go go go from here on in.

A huge thank you to everyone who have entered their quilts. We wouldn't have a quilt show if it wasn't for you. So now we have all the entries what happens next?

All the information about the quilts is compiled into spread sheets. Using this information Marilyn does the huge job of creating a hanging plan. She is a wonder woman with figures and organising and always does an amazing job. The hanging plan is important for a few reasons. Firstly so we know how many quilt frames and what size quilt frames we need to order. It's the master plan that everyone follows on the day of hanging the show. In addition to that each quilt is allocated a number that corresponds with where it hangs and this is invaluable for organising the collection of the quilts at the end of the show.

Volunteers will get an email 2 weeks before the show to notify them of their shifts. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their valuable time. It looks as though we've got a great team of wonderful helpers!!

We are still taking offers for homemade cakes and slices, especially for Sunday. We've found we can never have enough tasty treats and no matter how much we all bake they always sell out. If you would like to contribute a baked good email us at springwoodquiltshow@hotmail.com.

In the meantime you can get your quilts ready by making sure they have a label and a hanging sleeve with a minimum of 8cm. If you're not quite sure how to make a hanging sleeve follow this link to an easy tutorial.

Lots of fun times ahead!!

Calling for entries!

It's just one week to go until entries for our 2017 quilt show close!! That means it's time to get those quilts out, measure them up and enter the details on the online form.  We also have an option for you to print out a form, fill out the details and send it to us. We don't require photos and there's no entry fee.  It really couldn't be easier!

Did you know you can enter 3 quilts? so don't stop at one. We love all quilts and quilted items. They don't have to be your latest project, enter an old favourites, or a beautiful quilt your grandmother made. Have you got a vintage quilt that you'd like to share?  Encourage your friends to enter too.

Drop off day isn't until the 27th of April so you have plenty of time to finish any half finished quilts, gosh, you could even start a quilt today and get it finished in time. Entering a quilt in a quilt show is the best incentive to get projects finished.

Entries are open to everyone in the Blue Mountains region which we classify from Bathurst - Penrith to Windsor. If you live elsewhere but have made a quilt from a class or a pattern with a Blue Mountains teacher, or had it quilted by a Blue Mountains quilter we'd love to have your quilt in our show. We're pretty flexible about this, as long as the quilt has a connection to the Blue Mountains in some way then it's eligible.

We ask that you volunteer some time as well, we have lots of different jobs and the shifts are just two hours. We also have an option for you to make a cake or slice for the cafe. Read more about volunteering at this blog post.

The money we raise for the show goes to the Blue Mountains RFS. Last year we gave them a cheque for $8,000 and the previous year it was $10,000. We also donate money and supplies to the Textiles dept at the Springwood High School.
All funds raised are because of the wonderful quilts you enter and the valuable time you contribute to helping run the show.

We'll stop waffling now so you can get your entries in. Don't leave it until the last minute. Now is the perfect time! If you have any questions email us at  springwoodquiltshow@hotmail.com



PS, All the flower photos were taken on bush walks in Springwood.

A chat with Anne Sommerlad

In the lead up to the quilt show we thought we'd check in and have a chat with our 2017 featured quilter, Anne Sommerlad. Anne such a prolific quilter that not only has she been busy publishing patterns in magazines she has been making new quilts for our show as well.  Read on to hear Anne's answers to our questions.

Are you having a theme for the quilts you are showing as 2017 featured Quilter?

· I don't have a particular theme for my display as I'm a very eclectic designer - I like to have a dabble in all styles

Are you making any special quilts for the show? 

·  My main focus for the show is in getting my version of Cherry Time completed. I originally intended to make it using similar fabrics to the raffle quilt, but thought seeing as you have all done such a beautiful job of it with the Japanese colourful fabrics, I would try something a little different. So I am making it with Oriental black and metallic gold fabrics. As my stash didn't include any metallics, guess what...? I have been collecting and no doubt, will have so many left that it will necessitate a few more designs to use them all up.  I have been using a combination of machine and hand work on mine - machine appliquéd all those tiny leaves!!!

·  I have also made a quite modern project "Eclipse" - design inspired by 1960's retro wallpaper - a scrappy Civil War fabrics quilt called "Toccata" and a rather lovely small quilt featuring William Morris fabrics. These will be my "newbies" for the show.

Do you have recent sewing news or magazine patterns ?

 ·  In the last few months I have had 4 projects in Quilters Companion; "Tarantella" in #80, "Rhapsody" and DVD in #81, "Starburst" in #82 and "Scrappy Stars" in #83. Also I am off to deliver "Cyclamen" to Michelle Marvig this morning (my hexagonal shaped quilt with stunning quilting from Susie Anderson) to be featured in an up and coming issue. Hope it's back in time for the show!!!

Is there anything in particular about being a featured quilter that you are looking forward to?

 · I am really looking forward to the show - it was Springwood Quilt Show that gave me my start in this "job" when I was asked to design the raffle quilt for the 2007 show ("Hanazono"). Then encouraged by Robyn Stuart and Susie Anderson, I decided to jump in the deep end, leave the "comfort and safety"(ha ha) of the Department of Education and teach and design full-time. I have no regrets!!

 Here is a sneak peek of Anne's amazing black and gold Cherry Time blocks, This quilt is sure to be a show stopper!!

Visit Anne Sommerlads website to see more of her quilts

Or follow on the facebook page Anne Sommerlad Designs to keep up to date with her latest news.

2017 Quilt Show Bookmarks

Have you seen our 2017 quilt show bookmarks?

Not only do they have all the information you need to know about the show on one handy card. 

they're also good at wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day. 

Watch out for our wonderful bookmarks at quilt shops throughout the Blue Mountains and Sydney. 

Featured Quilter for 2017

We're pleased to announce that Anne Sommerlad is our featured quilter for the 2017 Springwood Community Quilt Show.

Anne is a Blue Mountains quilter and prolific pattern writer who teaches throughout Australia. If you haven't attended a class with her you have most likely seen her name appear in Australia's leading quilt magazines. She has just finished a DVD filming for Quilters Companion (#81) featuring machine applique products and also has projects in the current issues #80 and upcoming issues #82, #83.

Anne's techniques cross the whole spectrum of quilting from piecing, foundation piecing, machine and hand applique in styles from traditional to modern. Here are some pictures of just a few of her many quilts to show you the variety of styles she works in.

Chocolate Truffle

Catherine Wheels

Elizabeth Jefferson's Coverlet

Funky Felines

Hopscotch

 Free-Form Flowers

Raspberry Sundae

You can see we're in for a treat to see a whole display of her quilts taking center stage at the show! To see more of Anne's quilts visit her website and wander through the 5 pages of quilt patterns. With so many beautiful quilts to choose from it'll make you wonder how will she decide which ones to hang at the quilt show.

You can read more about Anne on her website, Anne Sommerlad Designs and follow her on Facebook here.