Castlemaine Applique Exhibition

I have just arrived home from a wonderful visit to Castlemaine in Victoria. There were such treats in store - the inaugural exhibition of the Castlemaine Applique group, an Applique workshop organised by Threadbear, a visit (or three) to Threadbear quilt shop, meeting other bloggers/quilters, shopping and more...

On Sunday I visited the Exhibition. I discovered they were open at 9 am - earlier than advertised - so I got to have a good look around before the crowds...

and I'm in...

In the window on the way in ...beautiful!

The raffle quilt - amazing applique

What a great venue to highlight the quilts - and the morning light streaming in the windows made the quilts glow : 

 

I have only seen one blog post on the exhibition so far (no doubt there will be more!). Sue-Anne has posted lots of lovely photos of the displayed quilts - do have a look there. I took loads of photos too but am trying not to double up with her so here are some others...(I did get permission to post)

Not all quilts were hung - some treasures were folded or draped :

Beautiful red and white!

Lovely grouping looks quite antique in morning sunshine

I couldn't see a label on this folded quilt but isn't it striking? :

The lighting shows up the lovely quilting

Tiny quilt - I am guessing 18" but could be less...just perfect

From the tiny to the very large...

Stunning clamshells!

 Broderie perse centre

Gorgeous borders on Mrs Millers Journey by Meghan Leslie - somehow I forgot to photograph the whole quilt. I don't know about you, but I love that background...

Interesting to read the story on the card on this next quilt - the quilt looked perfect and the colours are magic IMHO : 

Sue Jones' Ann Daggs - love the fussy cut birds

So many quilts, so much talent, impossible to pick a favourite!

As if that wasn't overwhelming enough - there were also some great shopping opportunities.

here...

That is Threadbear as it was rarely seen at the weekend  - a quiet moment before opening time. It was a different story later on! It was my first visit and I was quite taken with the repro fabric selection, wow - brought home some treasures to embellish the stash. 

and here...

A quilting friend led me to this discovery ( thanks Kelly) - Habadash - full of fascinating vintage haberdashery treasures. I couldn't resist the vintage peg bag, and the piece of linen toile. The velvet buttons and tape might not be vintage but I can see uses in making stitchery gifts: 

I'm all out of time - will post again soon about the Applique workshop.