Author: lynkeoghquilts

I have always been drawn to the old towns of Europe with their cobbled streets, beautiful ironwork, arched stone and heavy wooden doorways. A photo from a family holiday to Kotor, Montenegro, provided the inspiration for this small quilt. It measures 50cm X 70 cm.

The base fabric is plain unbleached calico. I outlined the image using a fine point permanent black pen then coloured it with Inktense Pencils, using water to release the colour.  The calico has so much sizing in it, the colour doesn’t bleed. Once dry and pressed gently with a hot iron, it was sandwiched together.

All the quilting is free motion in black thread over the black pen outlines.

I am really pleased with the overall ‘rustic’ appearance of the finished piece, plus very happy that it won 1st place in the Challenge.

Each year Canberra Quilters Guild hold their members judged exhibit to showcase work completed over the year. Canberra displayed beautiful weather, sunny days and lovely autumn colours in all the deciduous trees.

Everyone who entered their work should be congratulated. It was a colourful and beautiful display of all things ‘Patchwork and Quilting’.

I was fortunate to win prizes for all my entries.

‘Isabel’ placed 1st Large Quilts Professional and also received a judges encouragement award for Applique.

‘Memories of Alex’ placed 2nd Small Quilts Professional and also received Excellence Mid Arm Machine Quilting Award

My friendship group of 8 ladies entered a quilt ‘Loretta’s Kaleidoscope’. We all contributed to making the blocks and I did the machine quilting. This quilt was awarded 1st Group Quilts.

Each year there is also a challenge set. A small quilt measuring 50cm X 70cm. This year it was Doorways and Portals. My entry ‘Doorways’ was awarded 1st place.

2023 Virtual Exhibition

I have been working on a workshop sample that incorporates lots of different quilting patterns. It showcases how simple quilting can be used to enhance the patchwork design. This is a cot panel that has been quilted with straight line quilting to represent in the ditch, simple ruler work and beginner free motion patterns. All the designs provide excellent practice for those just starting their quilting journey. By combing simple patterns and feathers you can create lovely texture and interest to your project.

I had a lovely weekend with a great group of ladies at a 2 day sewing retreat, run by The Sewing Shoppe, Fyshwick , ACT. It was held at a golf club on our beautiful NSW South Coast.

Over 2 days we explored various techniques from foundation piecing, raw edge machine appliqué and English Paper Piecing to make my ‘Whimsical Houses’ Quilt. Everyone was very enthusiastic and enjoyed creating their own version of my quilt. It was lovely to see how they explored colour, looked at fabric values and created their own interpretation of my original design.

Lovely news today… ‘Waratah in Full Bloom’ is one of the 30 finalists in the AQC challenge.
It will be displayed in Melbourne at AQC in April, then tour the Craft and Quilt Fairs in Australia throughout 2023.

The quilt maker had to make a quilt 90cm X 90cm…their interpretation of the theme ‘In Full Bloom.

The 30 finalists feature traditional designs and contemporary styles.

It is a lovely honour to be included in this display of beautiful quilts.

Quilt maker’s statement….I am in awe of our beautiful native flora. Living on the South Coast of NSW our home is surrounded by natural bush. In 2019 millions of acres of NSW were ravaged by devastating bushfires, leaving a black and scarred landscape. Over the past 3 years we have watched it slowly regenerate and come back to life. The radiant Waratahs, in all their glory, showcase the beauty and colour found in nature. These Waratahs were captured in a photo taken by my husband. In full bloom, they are a symbol of the vibrancy and resilience of our iconic Australian wildflowers.