Thursday 20 March 2014

Threadbear's Applique School

That was last Saturday on my visit to Castlemaine in Victoria. 
Since then it's been a busy week what with work and life...but I've been keen to post about this great workshop. It was a very full day of mastering applique techniques  - half the day with Di Ford and half with Margaret McDonald. 

This is the very generous collection of goodies we each received in a bag on arrival. And there was chocolate and lollies, but that has vanished ...who knows where.

3.3 metres of fabric included
Both Di and Margaret have taken these same fabrics  and used many similar appliqued elements (broderie perse, chain borders, dresden plate, drunkard's path etc). But their quilt tops are distinctly different. Neither tops are completed - due to time constraints - but are wonderful samplers of many applique techniques. And don't they both have a gift for fabric selection!

Di's quilt

Margaret's quilt
There was a lot to cover and it was heads down frantically stitching technique samples. 

A busy class
Here is a compilation of my meagre samples ( finished them in the evening due to being a bit of a slow poke on the day - too much chat).


For me there was a bit of a 'light bulb' moment -  adding a border to a quilt does not need to be just a straight-edged strip of fabric (or even a pieced strip) stitched to another. With the use of fussy cut appliqued borders there are all sorts of interesting new possibilities to add charm and movement to the quilt. 
Looking at the close up of Di's pink border below - it is a  strip of fabric that has been fussy cut in a wave edge and appliqued on to a tiny printed stripe  - magic!   


Appliqued mitre corners

Margaret has similarly fussy cut the light green border (below) and appliqued it onto a mustard print. And what a stunning applique chain border! She devised her own special technique to construct this and it worked a treat.



Broderie perse flowers and leaves, and more fussy cutting.

Di's centre

Margaret's centre
So much inspiration, great teaching, delicious catering, and my 'quilting cred' has just gone way up because I can now say "I've had a class with Di Ford"!
There was a lot of  blogger meet-n-greet going on. I can now put a face to Ruth from Ruby's rhetoric. Do check out her projects - there is even a beautiful Morrell quilt if you look back through the posts.

By the way - I have finished my son's beanie well in time for his birthday. Here it is - nothing bright and beautiful, sigh, but just what he ordered . 

And here is some progress on the EPP pinwheels for my Ann Randoll marathon quilt. See - they do come together quite fast by this method - so portable and easy to do a little at a time. Almost all of this was stitched in my evenings on the 5 day trip to Castlemaine. One or two of the fabrics are new acquisitions from Threadbear.
Happy stitching :)

28 comments:

  1. Margaret McDonald worked so fast I never had time to get close up photos of her version so it is lovely to see your photos.

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  2. Wow, that must have been such an amazing and inspirational day. Love what you achieved, I probably would have been too starstruck to sew anything!

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  3. Beautiful quilts, how lucky you are ;) thanks for the great pics Hilda

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  4. That must have been the 'mother of all applique lessons ';-) ! How wonderful to have learnt from these teachers! I was lucky enough to do workshop with Di Ford at Petra Prins' in Zutphen The Netherlands, and I learnt so much, it was so inspiring and she is a lovely lady!
    I love the pictures you are showing, thank you for making the effort!

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  5. I love all the patterns that come from Australia!! I think I relate more to your Australia quilting patterns than the ones that come from my own country - of course a lot of you do more hand work too where as I am in a minority here for that!!

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  6. What a wonderful workshop and the goodies are fabulous. Sure wish the workshop was available in my part of the world! Oh well, I'll just learn by watching you make your masterpieces!

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  7. You must have been in quilting heaven! What an incredible roomful of talent!! Bet we will see your all ready exquisite work take on an even more exciting direction. Thank you for showing side by side images of the two quilts. I am going to bookmark your posting for future fabric reference!! Talk about using fabrics to create a look...wow!

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  8. Love the broderie borders! It is always fun to see and try different techniques, even if you never use them. Lucky you to get the opportunity to take such a great class!

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  9. What an awesome opportunity for you to learn from these ladies. There are always new ideas to glean from. I especially like the border print appliquéd as a border. Who would have thought. But I have to say, your work is exquisite as well!

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  10. Oh my, what a wonderful opportunity to be able to attend these classes with these wonderful teachers. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Not sure whether to say you were very lucky to be able to attend or to say that I'm very jealous LOL It all looks lovely. Will be following your progress with interest.

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  12. Now I am really excited Hilda because I am going to do the same project when she comes to the UK. Sounds like you had a fabulous time.

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  13. How incredible for you to take that class! I'm blown away by the pictures--so much inspiration. Can't wait to see where you go from here with your lovely work after taking all this in.:) Thanks for sharing!!

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  14. Wow, what a fantastic opportunity - it sounds like it was so inspiring!

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  15. Thanks for the inspiring a photos! It must have been a wonderful class--your samples are beautiful!

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  16. What fabulous classes and such inspiration. I love that idea of appliquéing a curvy line for a border, will need to check my stash to see if I have any fabrics that might work for this. And that chain border is wonderful. Your appliqué cred was already really high in my opinion!

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  17. What an amazing opportunity that was to meet with such talented designers/quilters!
    I love the pictures of Di and Margaret's quilts - so inspiring!

    Your son's beanie looks wonderful and your EPP pinwheels are fabulous!
    You are making great progress on that quilt!

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  18. What a great class. Thank you for sharing your pictures and your light bulb moment. I just bought Di Ford's book Primarily Quilts and I have been fascinated by the same technique with the borders that she shows in the book.

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  19. Sounds like you had a wonderful time, those borders are just so clever and effective. Are those sprigs around Di's blue flowers embroidered or drawn? I totally agree with Heather, you already had plenty of appliqué cred!

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  20. How amazing to be able to take that class. Their quilts are just mind boggling to me. So wonderful!

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  21. A workshop from Di Ford, how wonderful!
    Beautiful quilts from Di and Margaret.
    Greetings,
    Floor

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  22. What a great workshop that would've been!! Thank you so much for sharing your photos and the inspiring tip of fussy cut borders. I've got Di Ford's book but hadn't focused on that technique. The beanie for your son looks wonderful, such a great colour, like the bark of a tree.

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  23. What a fabulous day you had! Isn't it great to learn new techniques/ideas? Your brain must be spinning!

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  24. Hi Hilda, Wasn't it a fantastic day! The girls from Threadbear had gone to so much trouble - great food and very generous goodie bags. Your photos of Di's and Margaret's quilts really do them justice. It was such an unexpected pleasure to meet you on the day.

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  25. So very interesting to see your beautiful pictures of 2 great quilts! Sounds like a fantastic class!! I like your son's beanie :0) it's the perfect color to go with everything.

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  26. I love to read your comments on blogs. It seems we follow all the same people. I am a follower and want to let you know that your work and blog are outstanding. First time comment; but not last. Thank you for sharing.

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  27. that class looks amazing. How wonderful to spend time with other quilters.
    I love those border treatments! really adds so much without additional piecing and fussy applique. Must remember that!

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  28. Hilda, Di Ford Hall is full of inspiration and she is always happy to share with others she simply enjoys what she is doing and it shows. I love Marg's work and especially the quilt she had at the CAG exhibition.

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