Tara Glastonbury is a modern quilt artist, designer and curator known for her bold use of colour, exaggerated scale, strong geometry and a preference for using recycled textiles. Her work is divided between exhibition pieces and a more crafts-based practice designing quilt patterns.
A few changes to our meeting format will start from February. The hall will be open from 7.00 pm for a Sit and Sew style gathering. A speaker if there is one will be at 8.00 pm.
Instead of a meeting in January, we will be having a Summer Picnic at Nortons Park, Wantirna South, on Monday Feb 6 starting at 10.30 am. (weather permitting)
What a delight to have the very colourful Rachel Daisy speak at out September meeting. This was after a well attended workshop on the weekend where members constructed blocks for their own version of Grow Free, Wildflowers. After just two days there were an impressive number of blocks completed.
Rachel began by explaining that Daisy is her nickname coming from her twenty years as a florist. As her work often features flowers it has stuck and she is quite happy about that.
Her style is eclectic, she takes a technique and sees what she can do with it. Pushing both design and construction limits. The quilt from the workshop is one made during lock down using scraps. Like many quilts made at this time it is rather large.
But then again so are many of Rachel’s quilts.
Grandiflora features an enormous dahlia and was noticed by Victoria Findlay Wolfe as a great example of the style of improvised quilting she was featuring in her 2012 book.
So it can be found in 15 Minutes of Play – this certainly helped get Rachel’s work noticed.
The Red and White quilt was made for the NSW Guild’s 2015 challenge. Doilies are used as fabulous flowers. Chunky Blooms are based on real flowers, for example the ones at the bottom left are stylised callistemons. They are on a denim background – so a rather heavy quilt.
Rachel likes working with denim, and having made a quilt with old jeans she had a lot of left over pockets. The result Pockets full of posies.
The folded technique used in the award winning quilt Whizz Bang has been used in multiple quilts since. An excellent example of how Rachel likes to play with fabric and update old techniques.
Ric Rac Razzamatazz is the first pattern Rachel has written. She wanted to find a way to create an orange peel quilt by machine. Not liking the look of raw edge appliqué the over size ric rac solved the problem and the quilt also features lots of yo yos another favoured element.
Seeing possibilities outside the quilt world Rachel entered her tea towel quilt I love a sunburnt country into the Pro Hart award in Broken Hill where it was awarded second prize alongside works more in the fine art tradition.
We look forward to future show and tell nights were we will see not only the completed results of the September workshop but also where Rachel Daisy’s inspiring talk has taken our members.
Members of our group entered many quilts in this event which was held in real life after delays and a virtual showcase last year. Waverley Patchworkers also provided support in the form of sponsorship of major awards including Excellence in Domestic Machine Quilting won by Best in Show “Dresden Dancing” by Robyn Coots.
Dresden Dancing – detail
Congratulations to all members who exhibited, and to those who also won ribbons in the following categories. What a talented group!
Judges Commendation from Julie Adamson – Heather Cartmel
Bathwick Revisited
3.1 Mainly Pieced – Amateur – Highly Commended – Val Jackson
The 2022 Quilt Show exceeded all expectations of both the organisers and the viewers. Here is a little sample of what went on at the Show.
Set up on the Friday went very smoothly thanks to many, many willing volunteers. A little hiccough with some last minute scaffolding out the front was creatively disguised.
Given Waverley’s reputation it was not surprising that the cafe was very busy from opening to closing time.
Then inside the hall it was beautiful quilts in every direction as far as the eye could see.
The display of work from Waverley Art Quilters created a lot of interest.
And of course the Bright and Beautiful Challenge gave voters a very hard time.
The winning entry was by our busy librarian Wendy who was delighted to receive viewers choice, named the Morna Sturrock Award in memory of our founding Patron.
The Waverley Quilt Show is an exhibition of members work. Each member is encouraged to exhibit their recent work. Given that it has been four years since our last show the number and size of quilts was very impressive. It was not possible to hang all entries given space constraints, but every member who submitted work was able to see it hanging in all its glory.
Choosing quilts that stood out from the others was difficult.
The June Lyons Award is selected by the Quilt Show Committee and is the work of one person. This year the award went to Endemism by Karen McGregor, both original and thought provoking.
President’s Choice is named in honour of Dawn Burrows our founding President. This time it was selected by Heather our immediate Past President and current Vice President. Jan Smart’s needle turn appliqué version of the Caswell Quilt that was quilted by another member, Naomi Hynes was a popular choice.
The viewing public voted for Linda Crouch’s amazing Fibonacci Fandango as show favourite.
The Marie Hart Award which goes to a quilter who has been quilting for less than five years was selected by Marie’s dear friend Ronnie, who chose Campagnia by Heather Stephens because she knew Marie would have loved it.
The winning ticket in the raffle conducted in conjunction with the Bright and Beautiful Quilt Show is number 2465 held by Susan Kefalianos of Hawthorn.
Susan is thrilled to be the lucky winner of the quilt Chasing Rainbows.