Author: lynkeoghquilts

Many of my sewing friends have completed Sue Spargo projects. I have always been in awe of the beautiful hand stitching effects they have created…..so I decided to give it a go.
A small Sue Spargo project ‘Rooted’ fitted the bill. I really enjoyed learning how to embroider using Sue Spargo techniques and guidelines. I found it a lovely, relaxing pastime to create texture and colour. The finished quilt is a bright, happy addition to my sewing room.
The machine quilting was a way of putting my own mark on the design. I tried to use the quilting to add extra texture and patterns.

Each year the Australian Quilt Convention sets a challenge. This year’s challenge is titled ‘On The Map’. All entries must be 90 cms square and can include a variety of techniques. Judging is based on the makers unique interpretation of the theme, excellence in design and craftsmanship. Thirty finalists are selected to travel Australia throughout 2025, being displayed at various craft and quilt shows.

I am thrilled my quilt ‘Keep me on the Map’ is a finalist.

In a world where climate change is impacting our environment on a daily basis, many of our iconic creatures are facing a challenging time.

Such is the case of the Gang Gang Cockatoo, a favourite of many of us, but now on the endangered list. 

They nest in old tree hollows in eucalypt woodland forests. This habitat has been severely impacted by bushfires and with climate change, their young are dying in the nest from heat stress due to increased temperatures.

I am sure many of you share my sentiment to protect their habitat and Keep them “On the Map”.

It is always so rewarding when you enhance your projects with free motion quilting. A simple repeated design can give lots of texture to your quilt. By lowering your feed dogs and gaining confidence with moving the fabric under the needle, your patchwork and appliqué projects take on a whole new look. It is a skill that improves with practice. An excellent way to gain confidence is by quilting fabric panels. Here is a panel that incorporates very simple quilting, mainly stipple, loops and curves. With practice you can combine these elements into smooth flowing designs.

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year, celebrating with family and friends. All my house guests have left and the Christmas decorations packed away for another year.

I have been designing a new quilt, based in my husband’s Scottish heritage, using thistles and Celtic designs as my inspiration. It is always challenging to work out how to transform a vision in my head into an appliqué design on paper and then how to manipulate the fabric to give me the desired finish.

I am happy with the progress so far….

I chose fine French cotton fabrics as they have a close weave. This project has too many tiny points to needle turn so it will be machine appliquéd using fusible web. The finer cotton will hold up better for this technique. I have restricted the colour pallet to soft mauves and purples on a cream linen background.
I think the Celtic knot borders will be a bit of a challenge………

The Celtic Knot in the border is called Eternity…it is the design in my gold ‘Scottish’ eternity ring we bought while visiting the Isle of Skye.

Over the past few years I have taught my ‘Bits and Pieces’ sampler quilt at a local quilt shop, Rosemont The Patchwork Shop at Mogo.

I had many workshop samples and decided to incorporate them into a single quilt. There were enough blocks to make a lovely cot size quilt. I had fun free motion quilting each block.