Resources

Book review November 2024

Quilting for Show by Karen McTavish


When I saw this book in the ‘Minerva’ bookshop, my initial thoughts were ‘this would be a great reference guide for our exhibition committee’ and the DVD could be watched by groups of members who are feeling ‘challenged’ by the thought of having their quilts judged.

Having watched the DVD, I think this book is for us all. I’ve personally learned a lot about free motioning techniques (marking a quilt), wetting and squaring it up for binding, hiding threads. It’s given me a whole new perspective on quilt judging and preparing a quilt for a show.

The book was published in 2007, at a time when machine quilting was gaining dominance over hand-quilting. It includes the most beautiful broadcloth quilts and award-winning quilts, along with Karen’s commentary on why a quilt was a show winner. Karen demonstrates, using her long-arm machine, how to do feathers, cross-hatches and rope borders.

There are not enough months before our next show to allow every member to borrow the book and DVD for a month. Therefore, as librarian, I want to be creative about how this book is loaned over summer, so that it benefits as many as it can. The DVD is best watched on a TV screen, so perhaps get a group of quilting friends together for coffee and aim for a fast turn-around and pass on to the next group who want to

borrow it.


Piece & Love by Diana Brinton and Audrey Mann


What child wouldn’t love a cup-cake for their birthday party or a paint-box quilt for their play-room? This book is a gorgeous collection of fun quilts for children. The

projects range from wall hangings to twin-size quilts.


Previous Reviews

Simply Moderne 

Final edition

Do you love art quilts? Were you unable to make it to last November’s International Quilt Festival in Houston? Simply Moderne Issue #36 brings exhibition highlights to your armchair. The issue also includes 11 projects. I love smitten kitten, bunny bonanza is adorable and the X-factor is on my to do-list (just need to do some more curve-sewing practice!). Sadly, this is the final issue of Simply Moderne (Quiltmania publishing is no more!).


Vibrant Landscapes

Gloria and Tony Loughman

The feature book for this newsletter is Vibrant Landscapes by Gloria and Tony Loughman. Gloria Loughman was a tutor at Symposium 2022 and I remember her talking about her book. Her husband, Tony is a photographer, and this book features quilts she has created, inspired by Tony’s photographs.  The book features landscapes from Australia and around the world. Opposite each photograph is the quilt that Gloria was inspired to make. Text describes the memorable moment that is associated with the place. This book is a one of a kind!  We have several books by Gloria in our library. Remember if a book is on loan, you can add your name to the card to reserve it (but if you are not at the meeting on the night it is returned, it may be lent to someone else).

Corinne

New York Beauties & Flying Geese 

10 Dramatic Quilts, 27 Pillows, 31 Block Patterns

by Carl Hentsch 

If you are looking for projects to build your skills, are wanting a cushion to lift a room or make a gift to cheer a friend - then I can highly recommend this book!


Carl Hentsch is a Tula Pink fan, and his book will inspire you to use colour and fabric combinations boldly. Just about every combination of his flying geese and New York beauty blocks are presented. This was the perfect project for some Edtya Sitar (Laundry Basket Quilts) linen fat quarters I’ve been saving for a rainy day and the block I've made is going to be an eye-catching cushion (coming to a show and tell Thursday night meeting soon!). I love the try and test concept and that you can practice with a smaller version of your block first. If you go for broke and head for a quilt, you can use any quilt fabric left-overs to make a complementary pillow. I can absolutely see myself borrowing this book again and doing a full-scale quilt.


This book was sitting on the library table at our last meeting and caught my eye.  It has been repurchased because it wasn’t returned by a previous borrower. A friendly reminder, please keep any books you borrow in a safe space, and remember to return them, so other club members can benefit  (don't on-lend them to friends of friends!). If you've lost a book, please tell me (so I know). We have been fortunate to replace the copy we lost  but not all our books can be replaced.


I'd love to keep this book and own it but I don't need to, because I know where I can find it when I want it again. I'm excited by its possibilities and hope you will be too! 

 

 Corinne 


Fabric Weaving - Play with Color and Pattern

Matthew Boudreaux and Tara J Curtis


You gotta weave it to believe it!

Learn the art of fabric weaving with 12 fun and fabulous projects! Not only is fabric weaving perfect for crafters, garment sewists, and quilters―it is also an ideal entry point for non-crafters who want to join in on the fun. Mathew Boudreaux of Mister Domestic and Tara Curtis of WEFTY Needle walk you through every step of the process, from selecting materials to preparing and using your weaving board. Try out simple, classic patterns as well as more complex triaxial designs, incorporating woven textiles anywhere you'd use fabric! Weave the worries of the day behind with this truly relaxing and tactile handcraft.

Source: Amazon

Nautical Quilts - 12 Stitched and Quilted Projects celebrating the Sea

A collection of stitched and quilted projects celebrating a life on the sea by internationally renowned designer, Lynette Anderson. A brand new collection of beautiful quilted and stitched projects by internationally-renowned designer, Lynette Anderson. Lynette brings her distinctive style of patchwork mixed with exquisite hand embroidery and applique to the theme of nautical quilts. This subject was inspired by her own family history and her grandfather's career in the navy, giving it a very personal flavour. This collection of projects celebrating the sea includes large and small quilted projects so there is something for everyone. Choose from full-sized quilts, wall hangings, a needlework roll, pillows, bags and wall hangings, all illustrated with step-by-step artworks and instructions. AUTHOR: Lynette Anderson is an incredibly popular, experienced quilter, fabric designer and author of six successful quilting titles with a loyal, international following. She regularly travels to all the key shows in the US, UK, Japan and Europe and has an international programme of workshops at retail outlets and events around the world. SELLING POINTS: . A unique theme for a quilting title that is sure to resonate with quilters, particularly Lynette's loyal fans. . Lynette has a very strong sales history: her previous titles have combined sales of 100k. . Many of the projects feature Lynette's trademark stitchery and applique - hand embroidery is a currently a strong trend in craft.

Source: Amazon 

Recent Books

Esprit Nomade

(Nomadic Spirit)

Odile Bailloeul

Nomadic influences have been inspiring Odile’s designer work for a long time: the gypsy route, starting from India, crossing the Slavic countries, touching the Nordic lands, and settling in Camargue and Andalusia, sparks her imagination…

Some creations in this book will prompt you to go outside: bags, nomadic covers, travel blankets, a picnic set… Others will transform a corner of your home or terrace into a place for dreaming, with the deckchair, the quilts, and the cushions. The key thing is that this universe provides you with joy and well-being! Motifs originating from the folklore and folk art from around the world, an abundant and inspiring Nature, colours that sing together, an accumulation of small hand-made treasures fill this colourful book, which offers 23 projects to create.

Odile is a French artist who was tutored in the Applied Arts. She lives is a cosy place, tucked away in Western France with her husband, her cat, and a lovely caravan in their garden. This colourful character, with fiery red hair and flower-covered clothes, who loves tinkering, writing books, and painting, has created numerous textile creations for companies such as Free Spirit, ribbons for Renaissance Ribbons, and decorative objects and jewels in a splendid bohemian style.


Simply Moderne - No 35


Inside Simply Moderne n°35 Winter 2023 issue:

New detailed projects:

Simply Moderne No 34

Contents include 

Inka Trails by Margarita Korioth
Kaleido-kites by Mieke Duyck
Rockbridge by Rachelle Craig of Rachelle Handmade
The Scary Woods by Karen Walker
Pickled Apple by Rachelle Craig of Rachelle Handmade
Gateway by Everyday Stitches
Autumn Colours by Anne Marie Saudo
Honey Kisses by Moira De Carvalho of Quilt Design Duo
Box Canyon by Diane Harris of Stash Bandit
Pumpkin Patch by Marcea Owen of Cotton Street Common


Making Happy Quilts  - Mieke Duyck

Collected in her first book are the latest, original and charming quilts created by Mieke Duyck! Endowed with a keen colour sense, Mieke likes to revisit traditional blocks in an original way, mixing genres. Fabric choice determines the style, conventional or more modern, and the result is always appealing and surprising! She is as skilled working by hand as by machine, and also loves to play with today’s tools such as rulers for specific cuts, for example, to simplify the task. Mieke is definitely a quilter of her time, drawing her inspiration from the source to stimulate her exuberant imagination. Eighteen small and large projects are on offer in this refreshing book! 

A critics review of Playful Precut Quilts from British Patchwork and Quilting


 About the Author

Amanda Niederhauser learned to sew at a young age, and fell for quilting after graduating college. Always inspired by fabric, she designs quilt patterns for her blog, magazines, and Etsy. Amanda lives in Southern California, USA with her husband, three children, and her cat Mufasa.

Embrace the ease of quilting with precuts! Mix and match 15 blocks for endless precut quilts Modern precuts meet classic quilt blocks! Stimulate your creativity with 15 pretty patterns that show off 12" blocks in an engaging variety of settings and sizes. Make a sweet sampler quilt with all 15 blocks or repeat motifs for endless variations. Wherever you are on your quilt journey, these precut-friendly patterns make it a breeze to mix colors and prints. With designs that will appeal to every quilter, this book will quickly become your "go to" when you want to make a table runner for your friend's birthday, a baby quilt for your newborn niece, or a throw for your parents' anniversary. Pinwheels, stars, cats, and hearts! Sew 15 fabulous precut quilts for all seasons Sample 15 traditional blocks in layouts you'll come back to again and again * Easily piece dozens of projects--runners, baby quilts, bed covers, and more.

New in June

Millefiori Quilts 5 by Willyne Hammerstein

The description of this month's book comes from Quiltmania Inc.

"Willyne conquered the hearts of quilters everywhere. Just look at the amount of the famous Passacaglia, from Millefiori Quilts 1, which appear every year and at every contest! Her speed in creating all of the blocks and putting them all together in outstanding compositions, is matched only by her passion for vivid colours, and her excitement in creating new quilts with thousands of small pieced fabrics. This fifth entry in the Millefiori series is like a beacon, standing proudly to mark our dear Willyne’s 80th birthday!

17 splendid quilts await you.
And be prepared: she is already working on the 6th book…"

Raconteur—The Storyteller’s Collection, a multi-award-winning quilt, is your next take-anywhere project. Sew a collection of miniature pieced hexagons from Cinzia White’s storytelling sampler. Make the king-size quilt your next long-term project, or pick and choose from 359 block designs to make a project of any size! A mix of hand-stitched and machine-pieced 2 ¼” blocks are organized in 59 collections. Full-size foundation paper patterns are included when possible, with some helpful notes on English paper piecing. It’s perfect for traditional quilters, fans of Dear Jane, and scrap addicts

What Once Was Old...features a wonderful collection of vintage-inspired projects. Ms. Sullivan makes use of vintage linens, buttons, and other items to make pincushions, pillows, wall hangings, and quilts.


Vibrant Landscapes

Gloria and Tony Loughman


A collaboration of textile art and photography by Gloria and Tony Loughman. This book, comprising 204 pages, showcases a portfolio of Tony's inspirational images alongside a gallery of Gloria's quilts. Three projects, detailing new techniques that feature in recent quilts, are included.

Patchways

Sue Ross

For those who love trying their hand at multiple techniques, Sue Ross’s first book is a feast for those who love English Paper Piecing (EPP), appliqué, fussy cutting and Broderie Perse. Complete with full-size patterns and instructions and lavishly illustrated with color photos, the book also contains a chapter dedicated to her vision, her process, and some of her go-to embroidery stitches to help you think out of the box. After you have read this book, Sue Ross will help you will never look at color nor fabric the same way!

Chris Jurd is an Australian artist who lives in the Sydney area. She has been quilting for almost thirty years and teaches in her home as well as at many shops and workshops. Chris is also very active in The Quilters’ Guild of NSW.

A prolific artist, every year Chris creates numerous patterns to sell in her Etsy shop. She loves original prints in vibrant colours, using them with flair in her pieced and highly geometric quilts marked by bold design. Chris also uses English paper-piecing, which she describes in the book’s technical section. Her signature is the frequent use of black to emphasize some elements of the design and to give dimension to her quilts. This method is evocative of the stained-glass technique, revisited with a modern touch and much originality. The book includes a brief section on technique, in which Chris reveals her tips and hints. Fourteen quilts are fully explained and accompanied by their full-sized templates.


Choose from a variety of hand- and machine-sewn styles including stitch-and-flip, envelope-style, lined circles, Suffolk puffs and cathedral windows. Each technique is photographed step by step, and then each completed, discrete block can be transformed into a stunning quilt project, which comes complete with full instructions.

Pick one great fabric to create a stunning block! Learn how to arrange one-block wonder hexagons around a panel, how to blend colours into the panel, and how to sew it all together.


Try the foolproof approach to creating art quilts, for all skill levels. Learn key design elements, surface design techniques and insights into the artistic process. You can be an artist!

 

Library Catalogue

Kapiti Coast Quilters own an extensive library and books are available for browsing or borrowing at our meetings.  If borrowing a book please write your name and phone number on the card and give to the librarian on duty.  Please be sure to return these books before they become part of your forgotten personal collection.  Other borrowers may be waiting.

KCQ Library Books By Author June 2022 - click here

KCQ Library Books by Subject June 2022 - click here

KCQ Library Books by Title June 2022 - click here

MISSING LIBRARY BOOKS

Earlier this year we asked members to take as many books as they could from the library to help the Bridge Club lay a new carpet. Now that everything is resettled we have discovered that some of the books are yet to be returned. Ctrl Click here to see the list. Please return them at a club meeting or drop them into Fibre Flair.


Bobby Duncan's Notes on preparing your quilt for exhibition and judging 

Notes on what judges look for:

1. APPEARANCE

a. How does the colour and design work together to create visual impact?

b. Cleanliness – remove pet hairs and stray thread, remove marking lines

c. No puckers or pleats in back

d. Quilt lies flat

e. Design in scale in piecing, applique and quilting

f. Does skill of execution relate to complexity of design?

g. Does the quilt encourage you to come forward and take a closer look?


2. DESIGN

a. Do all elements of the quilt (fabric, colour, pattern, quilting, border and edge

treatment) produce visual balance and cohesion?

b. Sashing and borders complimentary, and a part of the design of the quilt

c. Ensure border design not cut off by binding

d. Is the scale of the design suitable for the size of the quilt?


3. WORKMANSHIP

a. .Points match, straight lines straight, curves smooth.

b. Seam allowances – press towards darkest piece.

c. Applique securely and smoothly attached with small stitches. Avoid shadowing from

light fabrics over dark. Circles round, no pleats or pointy bits.


4. QUILTING

a. Quilting stitches even

b. No knots or tags where start and finish

c. Trapunto stuffing smooth not lumpy

d. All over quilting design enhances quilt and not detract from motifs

e. Colour and weight of thread enhance not detract from quilt

f. Is design sized to suit the quilt design?

g. Does the sashing on borders get cut off by binding?


5. BINDING

a. Binding should be full, with top, back and batting all enclosed

b. No pulling or twisting, corners lie flat

c. With faced binding, ensure corners are square.


6. GENERAL

a. Ensure you follow the rules

b. Acknowledge pattern or workshop on which quilt is based

c. Keep the back of your quilt as good as the front.

d. Be brave and enter your quilt – you are a winner just for having the courage to enter.



Equipment

Members also have access to the following resources:

Handy Links

Nearby Quilting Fabric Shops

Fibre Flair - 52 Main Rd, Waikanae.  Phone (04) 902 9908 

Fox's cottage Fabrics Foxton - https://www.foxscottage.co.nz/ 

Village Books and Crafts Palmerston North http://villagebooksandcrafts.blogspot.co.nz/      Facebook page

Aimees Homestead Quilts Palmerston North https://www.facebook.com/AmieesHomesteadQuilts/


Online Quilting Craft & Fabric Shops

Grandmothers Garden https://www.grandmothersgarden.co.nz/

New Zealand Fabrics and Yarn https://nzfabs.com/

Cushla's Village Fabrics http://cushlasvillagefabrics.co.nz/

ThumpaCat Fabrics http://thumpacat-fabrics.co.nz/

Busy Bee Quilt Shop http://www.busybeequiltshop.co.nz/                                               

Plume Art (Jenny Hunter) http://www.plumeart.co.nz/                         

JJ's Crafts https://www.jjscrafts.co.nz/

Stitchbird Fabrics https://stitchbird.co.nz/                                     

Fox's cottage Fabrics https://www.foxscottage.co.nz/                           

Aimees Homestead Quilts https://www.facebook.com/AmieesHomesteadQuilts/

Crafty Pear https://www.facebook.com/crafty.pear/                                             

Angels in gumboots https://www.facebook.com/AngelsInGumbootsQuiltsAndDolls/

Wellington Sewing Centre https://www.sewingdirect.co.nz/


An interesting website shared by a New Jersey Senior Girl Scouts group after they used this resource page as part of their virtual studies and wrote to tell me how useful they found our page.  The site they shared has interesting quilting history, exhibition links and other topics of interest to quilters. https://www.onlinemattressreview.com/bed-decorations-quilting-101/

Another guide troop found our page interesting while working on their textile art badge where the girls have to choose a textile method and find tools, materials, patterns and resources online to learn the basics.  Corinne then shared this interesting link they found for removing stains from fabric.  Despite the name this site covers a wide range of common household stains. Thank you Corinne & Nancy.  https://www.winecellarinnovations.com/custom-wine-cellars/guide-removing-wine-stains

 Annie Pruitt's granddaughter, Elise, found this interesting site about quilting after browsing our website. https://naplab.com/guides/bedroom-blankets/ 

Quilting Services

Nearby Guilds

Coastal Quilters, Plimmerton - a group of enthusiastic quilters from Wellington to the Kapiti Coast who have a passion for quilting. They meet at the Plimmerton Pavillion, Sunset Parade, Plimmerton on the second Saturday of each month at 1.30pm. Twice a year they have a workday instead starting at 10:30.

http://coastalquilters.org.nz/

Wellington Quilters Guild - formed in 1990 and still going strong.  Monthly meetings for members and visitors on the second Thursday of each month at St John's church hall, corner of Willis and Dixon Streets, Wellington.  Visitors $4.

https://www.wellingtonquilters.org.nz/

The Foxy Quilters Club - 3 Whittaker Street, Horowhenua, Foxton 4814 

Town & Country Quilters Levin

http://townandcountryquilterslevin.blogspot.co.nz/

Rose City Quilters

http://rosecityquilters.blogspot.co.nz/

Meetings held at The Lychway, 5 Roy Street, Palmerston North.  4th Wednesday of the month.  Doors open at 7pm - Meeting starts at 7.30pm. Saturday sewing usually 3rd Saturday.

Capital Quilters Lower Hutt

http://capitalquilters.blogspot.co.nz/

Pine stream Quilters

Meet on the last Thursday of every month, 7:30 @ Lane Park.  Visitors welcome.

Club email jo39@xtra.co.nz

Aotearoa Quilters Directory of Guilds

http://www.aotearoaquilters.co.nz/guild-directory/

Poem

The Patchwork Quilt - a poem by Helen Lowrie Marshall

Life isn't given to us all of a piece,

It's more like a patchwork quilt -

Each hour and minute a patch to fit in

To the pattern that's being built

With some patches light - and some patches dark,

And some that seem ever so dull -

But if we were given to set them apart,

We'd hardly know which to cull.

For it takes the dark patches to set off the light,

And the dull to show up the gay -

And, somehow, the pattern just wouldn't be right

If we took any part away.

No, life isn't given to us all of a piece,

But in patches of hours to use,

That each can work out his pattern of life

To whatever design he might choose.