R.F.S. Fund Raising Efforts

This year members of the Springwood Community Quiltshow Committee were able to hand over a cheque for $6000 to the Blue Mountains R.F.S. On Thursday 7th November, Paul Mc Grath, Liason Officer for the Blue Mountains  R.F.S.  attended a luncheon at the fabulous Bygone Beautys tearooms in Leura to accept the cheque for 2013 fund raising. Randall Walker, Chairman of B.M.L.O.T( Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism) also attended.

Randall, Maurice, Paul, Susie, Moyra, Suzanne and Vicki.

 

The money provided is used by the R.F.S. to replenish supplies and equipment. This will be especially valuable following the recent devastating bushfires in our local area.

The delicious lunch was provided by Maurice Cooper-OAM of Bygone Beautys who also assists in raising money for The Red Balloon.

 

 

A most enjoyable lunch.

 

Committee members enjoyed looking at the beautiful teapots on display. We can't wait to see what Maurice brings along to our show in April.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Quilter- Ann Langley

Our guest quilter for 2014 will be local quilter, Ann Langley. Ann has worked in T.A.F.E. since the 1980's teaching fashion and later patchwork at both Katoomba and Blacktown T.A.F.E. She enjoys working with a variety of techniques and fabrics to create interesting designs.

                                                    Ann at Home at Wentworth Falls

One of Ann's favourite techniques is using hand applique to produce beautiful designs and effects. This quilt below won 3rd prize at the Sydney Quilt Show in 2008 and is based on a design by Ann Daggs.

3rd Prize -Sydney Quilt Show 2008

Hand Applique

 



Ann has previously taught at the Stitching Post in Katoomba, Wentworth Falls- Hearts and Hands and Bernina Patch at Penrith. She is presently teaching small classes in the Hawksbury area.

 

 

Remembrance Poppies

 

This stunning quilt based on a design by Pam Bono was made for Ann's mother who loved poppies.

 

Ann- busy at play.

 

Ann spends many happy moments in her huge sewing room with her small dog, Shandy for company.

 

 

Local quilters are excited to have Ann as the guest quilter for the 2014 Springwood Community Quilt Show. Looking forward to it.  

 

October Meeting

During a stressful week in the recent Blue Mountains bushfires many families lost their homes and thousands were evacuated. The committee met a week later than usual and discussed our plans for the 2014 quiltshow. We reflected on the importance of our fundraising efforts for the R.F.S. and the planned hand over of $6000 raised from last year's show.  Susie studied the completed top for the 2014 raffle quilt.


Susie studies the raffle quilt

The following day, Arthur and Susie (standing on the milk crate) hold the raffle quilt in filtered light to display the gorgeous designs.


Grace's Quilt
2014 Raffle Quilt

Our next raffle quilt!

One show finished and another begins! We have chosen a design which is our interpretation  of an English quilt from the 1820s. The original quilt lives at Gawthorpe Hall in the UK and it is amazing.

We've had two sewing days so far - sorting out fabrics to start with ...

...lots of options from all our stashes.

There will be nine of these blocks, EPP by committee members and the wide sashing is appliqued hexagons.

Chris removing hexagon papers from her sashing strip...

 Suzanne says it's so much more fun ironing patchwork than ironing clothes!

Carol working on the last block.

Suzanne and Chris with the all-important morning tea staples.

We are on track to have the top finished and to the wonderful Susie Anderson for quilting by November. That's the plan anyway!

The Springwood Community Quilt Show for 2013 has now come to a close.

Here are a few photos from our last day. Hope you enjoy them.

Sharon one of our happy volunteers at the entry desk.  Our raffle quilt, 'Homage' hangs behind her. 

Where would we be without our man power?  Graham and Steve dismantling the gazebos' which gave us great cover for outside seating.

More great manpower, tireless volunteer Bob, just the right height as well.

Folded quilts ready to be collected.

The Committee thanks Bendigo Bank Katoomba branch, who happily supply three gazebo's for use throughout our three day Show. 


More photos and updates on our Viewer's Choice and Raffle Quilt winner shortly.

Thank you to all our volunteers and everyone who came and supported this year's great Quilt Show. Proudly known as the Premier Quilt Show event in the Blue Mountains. 

For now, it is time for a rest, before the Quilt Show Committee re groups to start planning for the 2014 Show. 

Our special guests

Isobel Lancashire (Blue Mountains quilter and stalwart member of the NSW Quilters Guild), Susie Anderson (committee member and respected long-arm quilter) and Nerida Richmond Benson (Featured Quilter) enjoyed talking about their shared passion for quilts at our Show.

HOW DO YOU HANG THE QUILTS SO HIGH ON THE WALLS?

This question was posted on a previous blog post.  Although answered in writing, nothing tells you better then a photo.  In a nutshell: we use two pool poles with a large hook firmly attached at one end. The quilt is threaded through its rod pocket then lifted to a pre drilled screw that has been left in place from the previous year. This is a very safe way to hang a very large quilt for the 'hangers' and careful handling for the quilt.

The above photo is of Kathy's quilt, The Civil War Chronicles and the pole lifters are of another great husband helper, Arthur and volunteer Judy.