Australian Quilt Study Groups

Katrina Hadjimichael's QSG talk in March.

2012-02-13T14:06:00.000+11:00

Come along to hear Katrina Hadjimichael talk for the Quilt Study Group of NSW at the Powerhouse Museum at 2pm on Saturday the 17th March 2012.

Katrina states that-

"I have been trained in classical archaeology and have always been fascinated by history and the objects that past generations have made. I have been quilting for 20 years and teaching my own designs for the past 10 years. My recent work has centred around a group of quilts inspired by antique English quilts. I have named these quilts after the houses featured in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice": Pemberley, Netherfield, Longbourn and Rosings. I also love to make quilts that look old using my large stash of reproduction fabrics and traditional designs. I am currently writing a series of articles for "Quilters' Companion" magazine detailing the history of patchwork designs and quilting techniques."

Katrina also has a blog http://katrinahadjimichael.blogspot.com.

Some of Katrina's students will be bringing along their quilts so you can see the different variations created from her patterns. Here is one of her best known quilts - Pemberley

Talk on Australia's Quilt Heritage by Annette Gero in April 2012 for the National Trust of NSW

2011-12-30T13:28:00.004+11:00

A National Trust lecture on quilts by Annette Gero will take place in Heritage Week 2012. It will be an illustrated talk and cover Australia's quilt heritage and the history of the women who made them.

Start Date		Saturday 21 April 2012
Start Time		10:30:00 AM
End Date		Saturday 21 April 2012
End Time		11:30:00 AM
Name of Event *		Parramatta Lecture Series 2012: The Fabric of Society : Australia's quilt heritage and the history of the women who made them. An illustrated talk by Annette Gero
Venue Name *		Northcott Conference and Function Centre
Venue Address *		1 Fennell Street North Parramatta, NSW 2150 Australia
Organising Property/Committee/Branch *		Parramatta Properties with Friends of OGH & EFC

Event Description *
The Parramatta Lecture Series 2012 will highlight the history of women's work in its many facets, with a focus on colonial times. Dr Annette Gero, historian and author of “The Fabric of Society - Australia's Quilt Heritage from Convict Times to 1960” has been documenting and collecting quilts since 1982. She curated a stunning exhibition shown at Old Government House in 2000. The thread that holds this patchwork of Australian history together is that every story told includes the making of a quilt. Each story draws on women's memories, diaries, their letters to relatives, official records, newspaper and magazine articles reflecting the current domestic influences. Annette will bring along some quilts to illlustrate the talk and will be selling copies of her book.
What is on offer?	· talk/lecture · food/drinks included in ticket price
Cost *	Paid Event
Members	$10.00
Non Members	$15.00
Bookings essential *	Yes - see http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/events/ for details or phone 02 9635 8149
Tickets essential *	Yes
Event suitable for:	· Adults

Report on the 2011 QSGA "Unfolding Tradition" Seminar

2011-12-02T14:57:00.000+11:00

The seventh Quilt Study Group of Australia Seminar was heldat the Immigration Museum in Melbourneon the 5^th and 6^th of November 2011 and was hosted by theQuilt Study Group Victoria. The QSGV convenor, Janet O’Dell, opened the seminarand gave an opening talk, standing in for the keynote speaker, Dr Annette Gero,who unfortunately was unable to attend.

Janet spoke about the Braddyll quilt she bought in 2008 in England. It ismade from a variety of wonderful dress silks in the grandmother’s flower gardenpattern with background hexagons of honey yellow silk and a rich purple borderwith a gold fringe.


The Braddyll Quilt

It was made in 1842 by three sisters, the last in line ofthe once wealthy and prominent Braddyll family of Conishead Priory in Cumbria.We learnt of her fascinating research to date into the history of the familyand the Priory, reaching back to the twelfth century.

Margaret Rolfe then presented Annette Gero’s planned talk, discussingthe quilts inspired by, recreated or adapted from Annette’s book ‘Quilts: The Fabricof Society’ during a quilt challenge run by the Victorian Quilters in 2011.


Gail Fry Chalker and Margaret Rolfe


Admiring the Challenge quilts on show

Wesaw images of eight of the original quilts and were able to view in detail thequilts made by the prize winners, which were hung around the room.

For more details about the challenge, see http://www.victorianquilters.org/forms/VQFOSPP.pdf

Lynette Nilaweera then spoke about the Wool Quilt Prize andthe National WoolMuseum in Geelong. The collection started in 1983 inThe Meat Market Craft Centre in North Melbourneas the “Running Stitch Collection” and was expanded in 1995 when a MelbourneTextile group approached the Museum to hold a competition. The collection hasgrown with the biennial acquisition of the winner of the only wool quilt prize awardedin Australia and New Zealand, andthrough the donation of quilts and waggas by owners and quilt makers. They alsohold a number of wool sample books in their collection. The quilts in thecollection were made from the 1890s to the present day. We were shown images ofseven representative quilts in the collection and then were delighted to seeimages of the 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 prize winning quilts from the competition.

See http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/nwm/for more details of the Museum and the Prize.

The Martha Bergin quilt, currently on display in the GoldRush section of the Melbourne Museum, was the subjectof Margaret Rolfe’s talk. The centre of this wonderful 1843 Irish appliquéquilt is embroidered with Martha’s name, and the place it was made (Athlone) andthe date it was made.

Corner of the Martha Bergin Quilt


Centre of the quilt

Margaret discussed the source of the chintz pieces that werebroderie persed onto a white linen background, mentioning a possible link to Martha’sfather’s drapery in Athlone, and similarities to another Irish quilt made aroundthe same time in nearby Toomyvara. Margaret described how Martha Tipping née Bergin(1822–1883) came to Australiavia America in 1846 at thetime of the Great Irish Potato Famine and ventured into the gold fields of Victoria. It waswonderful to hear the story in the presence of her descendant, Dr EdmundMuirhead, and his wife who donated the quilt to the Melbourne Museum.

For more information, see http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whatson/current-exhibitions/melbournestory/favourite-objects/martha-bergins-quilt/

After lunch, Bronwyn Cosgrove detailed the conservation workundertaken on the 1840s Dickens Quilt by the National Gallery of Victoria. Itwas acquired by donation in 2007 and had spent years rolled up in a shed incountry Victoria. It is a wonderful coverlet of 16 frames madein cotton, glazed cotton, chintz, silk and wool and its condition posed seriouschallenges to restoring it to display quality. It had a large amount of mould,mildew, soiling, dye bleeding and iron mordant deterioration, along with rodentand silverfish damage. They estimated 30 to 35% of the fabric had been lostwhen it was brought in. Bronwyn took us through the five steps taken to clean,dry, stabilize and repair, then mount the quilt. The Gallery estimate that forthe stitch stabilization period along, three conservators spent almost 600hours working on the quilt. It was displayed in 2009 for four months but it isuncertain when next it will be on view. It is included in Annette Gero’s book“Quilts: The Fabric of Society” and can be viewed at http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/col/work/80980

Two members of the Strathdate (Bendigo) Quilters Inc talked to us abouttheir project to restore, research and document the 1895 Signature Quilt. It wasbrought to them in 2006 and contains 264 embroidered signatures of local menand women of the day (including prominent business people, local councillors,clergy, senators and MHRs, musicians, theatrical people and other communitymembers).

They took us through the history of Bendigo, especially during and after the goldrush. As the provenance is not certain, they believe the quilt was made as afund raising item at the Golden City Fancy Fair in 1895 for the Sisters ofMercy Convent High School. We learnt of the history of some of those people whosigned the blocks .

Centre of the 1895 Signature Quilt

For more information, see http://www.bendigoweekly.com.au/news/quilt-needs-a-home

On Sunday, Alan Tremain started the day by showing some ofthe quilts, quilt tops and items he purchased when he travelled to USA using theQuilters’ Guild of NSW scholarship. He showed us some quilts from Gees Bend, feedsack quilts and individual quilt items and discussed their background in detail.We also saw his latest purchase, a hatchet block quilt, along with recentquilts and quilt tops he has made as educational samples.


Alan Tremain talking about his quilts


Alan's Hatchet Quilt

You can see some of these items in the presentation Alan gave as part of his Guild Scholarship requirement on our blog at http://australianquiltstudygroups.blogspot.com/2010/11/9th-october-2010-talk-by-alan-tremain.html

Janet O’Dell started her talk, ‘Traditional Bed Turning ofSelected pre-1850 Quilts and Coverlets’, by showing us the Maldon Crazy Quilt.It was won in a raffle around 1900 and is now owned by Sandra and Ken Jones,who were present for the talk.


The Maldon Crazy Quilt

It was made by Sarah Jackson née London, and consists ofvelvet and silk appliqué pieces outlined in gold threads. It has had new braidedging and backing added and is a wonderful crazy quilt that we all examined ingreat detail. You can read more about the maker at

http://livehistoryhobart.com.au/calling-all-you-quilters/

Janet then showed us part of her extensive collection ofquilts, coverlets and quilt tops made in the UK,USA and Holland. She loves hexie quilts, star quiltsand medallion (frame) quilts and this is reflected in her purchases over theyears.


Janet O'Dell (left) pointing to details on one of her quilt tops

If you would like a copy of the seminar presentations, includingphotos and descriptions of Janet’s quilts, the Seminar CD costs $A10 includingp. & p. within Australia.Please send orders and payment to:
QSGV
P O Box 120
Briar Hill
Vic 3088
Make cheques payable to Victorian Quilters Inc Quilt Study Group.

Call for Entries - Antique Quilts of Ireland Exhibit at the Galway City Museum.

2011-11-24T15:07:00.000+11:00

We are looking for antique Irish quilts to feature at the Galway City Museum during the 1^st International Quilt Festival of Ireland. We would like to feature quilts especially around the time of the Great Famine (1845) and up to 1930.

These quilts will be on display for three weeks at the Galway City Museum starting from one week before the festival to one week after the festival. All quilts will be showcased in our festival program and in our online Showcase of Quilts.

How to submit:

If you’re interested in sharing one of your Antique Quilts please contact Suz at suz@iqfoi.com for all submissions and questions. IQFOI will pay the costs of shipping to and from Ireland.

Many thanks

Alan R Tremain

Director – Oz Quilt Design

Can you identify this antique quilt?

2011-10-29T14:03:00.002+11:00

It’s dated “Begun 1865, Done 92”, made from ¾ inch hexagons,mainly in silk, backed with strong calico with no wadding and edged with a thincord. The initials LT are embroidered in a blue hexagon and the remains of severalblue tags along one side suggest it may have been hung on a wall – perhaps,because of the cross motifs, in a church.

Its present owner is Margaret Cook and it is stored with DrAnnette Gero and is in a very fragile state.

Margaret thought the quilt had been made by a member of the Bell family of Beaudesert in Queensland. It was in the Paddington, NSW,terrace house she bought from the estate of Pamela Bell. However, Pamela’sfamily have no knowledge of it; they and her friends Margaret Olley and LynClarke suggested it may have been in a piece of antique furniture that Pamelabought some time after she bought the house in 1968.

Daphne has made an exact copy of the quilt for Margaret and below is a photo of her at our recent QSG meeting showing us her copy and talking about her search for the origins of the original quilt.

If you can shed any light on this find, please contactDaphne Massie care of the Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc.

Report on the 17th September 2011 talk to the Quilt Study Group by Jennifer Corkish about her inspiration when designing quilts based on antique quilts.

2011-09-20T19:08:00.000+10:00

Jennifer Corkish is a noted quilt designer and teacher wholives in the Southern Highlands of NSW and whospecialises in antique looking quilts. She spoke to us about her inspirationwhen designing quilts and the process she follows for reproducing antiquequilts. She was accompanied by five of her students who showed us their quilts,completed and in progress, demonstrating the variety of modifications to herquilt patterns that can be made.


Jennifer (2nd on left) with her students

Jennifer told us that she looks at quilt auction and sale websites,museum collections, magazines, books, quilts brought along to Quilt Study Groupmeetings, private quilt collections and old embroideries to inspire her indesigning her quilt patterns. She often takes ideas from different quilts tocome up with a design that is modified in class to meet each of her students’aims, sewing preferences and fabric choices.

Here are 3 students' variations of one of her designs –

We were taken through a series of images of antique quilts,their source details, Jennifer’s designs inspired by those quilts, and then wewere shown 2 to 3 examples of quilts made in her classes from her patterns. Jennifercarefully explained exactly how each pattern was created and then varied foreach student. Many of her Australian quilt inspirations came from photographsin Dr. Annette Gero’s books (the Frederica Josephson quilt, the Roebuck quilt,the Sarah Evans quilt, Elizabeth Hardy’s 1840 quilt, Jessie Wilson’s 1870Medallion with Heart quilt, Mary Tolman’s 1850s hexagon quilt), Jenny Manning’sbook and Aunt Clara’s quilt from the Powerhouse Museum.

Her inspirations are many - patterns on tiles, photographsof quilts in the Victoria and Albert Museum andthe Beamish Collection in the UK,and antique quilts she saw at Houston in USA. Jennifersaid she prefers to use ordinary materials to design her quilt patterns – graphpaper, propelling pencil, compass and protractor, but she has been known to useEQ7 and Photoshop software. Her final statement was apt: “I can’t imagineliving without a needle and thread. That’s why I design, colour, stitch andteach others to do the same.”

Liz Bonner.

Report on the 30th July 2011 talk by Trish Bloomfield about the joys and pitfalls of collecting old quilts.

2011-08-03T19:28:00.001+10:00

Trish Bloomfield owns over 100 old quilts and quilt tops, most ofwhich she has bought over the internet. She came along with a sample of them toshow us and illustrate her talk on how to become a more discerning buyer of oldquilts. She started by showing us some quilts that were made in China andrepresented as being antiques that she owns and uses as everyday quilts on herbed. She said she has seen brand new US$50-60 quilts on e-bay being bid up toUS$500–600 so it was very good to hear this warning.

Trish gave us a number of hints for trying to make sure youpay the correct price for a quilt. She believes that firstly you must researchquilts by reading as many quilt history books as possible and checking variouswebsites on the internet before you commit to buying an old quilt. Sherecommended http://hartcottagequilts.com/archquiltsas the major site to look at for recent commercially made reproduction quiltsthat have been sold on e-bay as old ones. The three photos above are examples of such quilts she has bought or been given. Also, by googling the block name usedin a quilt you are interested in buying, you can see if there is a suspiciouslylarge number of them for sale.

We learnt how she cares for her quilts and quilt tops and sheexplained how she keeps a numbered catalogue of all the quilts she buys. Shetransfers this information onto old doilies which she then sews on the back ofthe quilts. Examples are below –

Trish showed us some of her first purchases and somewonderful examples of how her taste in quilts has changed over time. Some greatpurchases included a whole cloth Mennonite wedding quilt that was advertised asbeing cotton, but turned out to be made of silk, a rare blue Marie Webster kitquilt, a Ruby McKim state flower quilt, a 1960s cross stitch kit quilt and abright poly cotton 1960s Seven Sisters quilt. She finished her talk by showingus her latest purchases of a French bouti petticoat bought from a Swiss antiquedealer’s website and two North England wholecloth quilts.

Report on the Quilt Study Group Meeting covering the Powerhouse Museum Quilt Documentation Project held on the 7th May 2011 at Burwood

2011-06-28T19:55:00.000+10:00

The meeting was held to report on the progress of the helpthat four committee members of the Quilt Study Group (Karen Fail, Annette Gero,Sandra Lyons and Liz Bonner) have been giving the textile area of the Powerhouse Museum with research and documentation oftheir quilts. In late 2010, we met Christina Sumner, the Principal Curator,Design and Society, to discuss how we could help the Museum with its quiltcollection. Due to staff cutbacks, there was a need to improve thedocumentation of the quilt collection and volunteers were needed to supplementthe work of that area, as they had already done in a previous project todocument the Museum’s rug collection.

Christina was delighted to accept our offer of assistance. Afterwe discussed how to best approach the work and learnt how to fill in the form tomake it easy for Christina to upload the information to the Museum’s computersystem, we then chose our quilts to study and document from a file of possiblecontenders that Christina had selected.

Annette chose a patchwork quilt (98/48/1) made from militaryuniforms that was similar to one in her collection. Karen chose a set of 3 quilts (2001/13/1) byBarbara Macey called ‘Dream Series – Once in a Lifetime”. Sandra chose awoollen machine-pieced, hand embroidered quilt (96/393/1) made by JocelynCampbell. And Liz Bonner initially chose an undocumented North England whole cloth quilt (A8645) made by Hannah Coulson but afterdiscovering on the National Quilt Register that 2 other quilts made by Hannahhad also been donated to the museum, decided to research and document all 3 ofHannah’s quilts.

In February 2011 we visited the Museum’s quilt storage areawith Christina Sumner to view our chosen quilts and then our hard work ofresearch and documentation started.

Karen Fail ran the audience through the Powerhouse Museum’sonline quilt collection catalogue, then showed the documentation requirements –the form used - and explained in detail the different sections we have tocomplete.

Annette started the quilt presentations proper by showingphotos of her military quilt and the one she has researched for the Powerhouse Museum. The Powerhouse army quilt issupposed to have been made in Tasmaniafrom war army uniforms from the British 90th Regiment of Foot c1870 by thesoldiers’ wives. The connection was made because some soldiers who fought inthe Crimean war were then given land grants in Tasmania in the 1860s. The quilt is handstitched from trousers and jackets but analysis, by Annette and a militaryhistorian, suggests it was probably made in England and brought here as it isalso all made by "one hand". Comparison photographs of the 2 quiltswere shown and discussed.

Liz then talked about the 2 whole cloth and 1 strippy NorthEngland quilts made by Hannah Coulson (1826-1903) which were brought to Australiain 1912 by her daughter, Ruth Ritson, and which were donated to the Museum byher granddaughter, Lavinia McFadyen in the late 1980s. The town of Allendale in Northumberland,England, is famous for the designof North England whole cloth quilts andHannah’s forebears lived in the area for generations as lead ore miners. Aftercovering the important dates in Hannah’s life (researched from various genealogicalwebsites) and the story of how the quilts were brought to Australia, Liz then covered the generalcharacteristics of North England quilts andhow they specifically relate to each of Hannah’s quilts. One of the quilts,A8645, was only the third quilt in the museum’s collection and is quite aspectacular example of the fine design and quilting of this type. FromLavinia’s letters that accompanied the quilt donations, it appears there aremore of Hannah’s quilts in Australia,possibly in the Inverell district of northern NSW, and initial enquiries therehave resulted in the discovery of one pink and white strippy. But the mostimportant wedding quilt Hannah made for her only son, John Reed, who died in Queensland in 1918, isyet to be found.

Hannah Coulson (seated)

Sandra then spoke about her research on the embroideredwoollen quilt, made by Jocelyn Campbell in 1990. There is a large amount ofinformation about the quilt on the Powerhouse Museum’s website soSandra’s work mostly involved confirming those details. We inspected thedetailed photographs of the quilt with great interest and, because she was ableto talk to the quilt maker, Sandra was able to add to our knowledge of thequilt itself and Jocelyn’s later quilts.

Then Karen spoke about Barbara Lacey, her quilting process andher quilts. Barbara has been quilting for 40 years and was a recipient of theRajah Award for outstanding service to the quilting community in 2010. We sawphotographs of some of her major quilts and Karen spoke at length about herconversation with Barbara and her explanation of the techniques and choice ofmaterials in her quilts.

Quilt Documentation for the Powerhouse Museum talk this Saturday

2011-05-03T13:31:00.001+10:00

Join the Quilt Study Group (NSWQSG) at 2pm on Saturday 7thMay 2011 at Burwood RSL as the committee members reveal the results of theirresearch into quilts held by the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

The quiltcatalogue was in need of an upgrade and the committee of the QSG was invitedby Christina Sumner to begin the lengthy process of reviewing it for the Museum. Four members of the committee, Dr Annette Gero, Liz Bonner, SandraLyons, and Karen Fail selected a quilt each to review and have been luckyenough to see the quilts, photograph sections of them and with further research,review and if necessary add to the existing documentation held by the PH about thehistory of the quilts and quilt makers. Once completed, the newinformation will become available online.

A new form was designed for the purpose and we have beenreviewing and adding to the catalogue for three months. This process has takenlonger than expected as in some cases, the quilts were not known to us and weneeded to see them. Of great interest to us and the Powerhouse Museum are thethree North Country quilts (A8645, 85/1274, 85/1275) made by the same women,Hannah Reed, who Liz Bonner is researching. The donor, Hannah’s granddaughter, hadprovided many family records and photographs but none of this information hadbeen collated and recorded in the quilt catalogue. Liz will be sharing herfindings at the meeting on Saturday.

The PH quilt collection, while not huge, is representativeof quilt history in Australiaand included in the collection are several contemporary quilts including a triptychby Barbara Macey (2001/13/1) along with her 'suitcase' quilt, which wasincluded in the Quilts Covering Australia travelling exhibition which was partof the 1988 Bicentenary Celebrations. Karen Fail has been researching Barbaraand her quilts and will share the work of this outstanding and very influentialAustralian quilt maker.

One of Dr. Annette Gero's specialities is Army Quilts andshe is currently studying the example at the PH (98/48/1), which is supposed tohave been made in Tasmaniaaround 1870 from war army uniforms from the British 90^th Regiment ofFoot, and will share her findings. While Sandra Lyons has looked at an amazingwool quilt (96/393/1) called ‘Goodnight, Sleep Tight’ made by Canberra quilt maker, Jocelyn Cambell.

It has been an exciting journey working ChristinaSumner and learning how to correctly 'curate' items for the PH. They in turn aredelighted to train us and to have us add our expertise to the informationalready available.

We are hoping to introduce you to this process of cataloguingand researching quilts in a way that is acceptable to museums andother institutions. So in the programme on Saturday, you will have achance to look at the paperwork that we are using, and see how it is done.This initial training may lead to further training as other opportunitiesfor assisting institutions and their quilt catalogues arise.

If you want to research any quilts in the Powerhouse Museumscollection, their database is online at -

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/

2011 Australian Quilt Study Group Seminar

2011-05-01T18:27:00.000+10:00

The next Australian Quilt Study Group Seminar will be held in Melbourne on the 5th and 6th of November 2011.

For the first time Victoria will host this very special event. The Seminar brings quilt enthusiasts together for a weekend engaged in quilt study. In addition to the presentation of research and a renowned keynote speaker, other events include a show-and-tell of remarkable quilts and an on-site quilt exhibition.

The Seminar presents the opportunity to view quilts from new perspectives, discuss aspects of women's and cultural history, and learn the latest in documentation and research.

Details are yet to be finalised but if you are interested in attending and would like to be on the mailing list for entry forms and brochures please send your contact details to:

The QSGV Convenor, Janet O’Dell
P O Box 120, Briar Hill 3088
Tel: 03 9434 7127
Email: janet@techinfo.com.au

Report on the 12th March 2011 Japanese Textiles: Then and Now talk

2011-03-19T22:14:00.000+11:00

Our guest speaker wasLynn Hewitt who is a past President & long time member of theGuild. Lynn has been visiting Japan since 2002, when she and JaneGibson were invited by the city of Nagoya to represent Sydney and theNSW Quilters' Guild at the International Quilt Fair. Since that first visit Lynnhas been back 5 times, including twice as the tour leader for quiltingtours. Apart from her own visits, Lynn's original interest beganthrough her daughter, who learned Japanese and went there on a schoolexchange - thus beginning a series of return visits firstly by schoolchildren and then followed later by adults, a number of whom have become goodfriends with Lynn and her husband Ted.

Lynn began her talkwith a PowerPoint presentation showing a map of Japan to highlightthe various areas where textiles are produced. As she progressedthrough the talk, Lynn described the different textile types andtheir production. She also explained the origin of the Kamoncrest which we are so used to seeing in quilts today and how Sashikowas used to patch and mend garments. (A fireman’s outfit was madeof many layers stitched together and when needed was doused withwater to protect him from the fires).

After discussing designelements of Japanese textiles and how, for instance, different plantssymbolise the different seasons ( Spring - plum and cherry blossom,Summer- iris & a flowing stream, Autumn-chrysanthemum andWinter - bamboo leaves), Lynn went on to tell us about Yuzen dyeing. She explained how it is done, how it can take up to 4 months for the design tobe transferred, and the different elements painted - hence the highprice to be paid for many of the beautiful Kimonos we see (that isunless you are lucky to get to a second hand market or a quilt show,where a number of people from the audience later told us they haspicked them up for a song). Lynn then spokeabout how the indigo dye was produced and how some cloths are dyed upto 150 times to get the pattern and colour desired. She showed usexamples of the different Shibori dyeing techniques as well assome images of amazing quilts made using indigo fabrics

After her veryinformative talk Lynn showed many examples of the textiles she haddescribed earlier. She then went on to show some of the quilts shehas made using her Japanese fabric. Some of it was most unusual, onepiece purported to be woven banana leaf, but she couldn’t actuallyconfirm this as her Japanese didn't stretch that far. But it was aninteresting piece to see!

Following Lynn’s talkand her showcase there was a great ‘Show and Tell’ from theaudience ranging from amazing fabrics picked up in the backstreets,kimono and yukata garments, and of course lovely quilts made from Japanesefabrics.

The Rajah Quilt on display in Canberra 17 March to 31 July 2011

2011-03-08T18:09:00.000+11:00

The National Museum of Australia in Canberra will have the Rajah quilt, sewn by convict women as they sailed from England to Tasmania in 1841, on display as part of their exhibition "Not Just Ned: A true history of the Irish in Australia". The exhibition runs from the 17th March to the 31st July 2011. See http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/irish_in_australia/ for further details.

2011 Australian Quilt Study Group Seminar

2011-02-13T15:19:00.000+11:00

The 2011 Australian Quilt Study Group Seminar will be held in Melbourne this year on November the 5th and 6th. The Seminar is being hosted by the Victorian Quilters Inc. Quilt Study Group. Details about the event should be available in April on their website - http://www.victorianquilters.org/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=24

"Japanese Textiles Then and Now" with Lynn Hewitt

2011-02-01T17:57:00.001+11:00

Join us with Lynn Hewitt in the Ambassador Room at the Burwood RSL, Shaftsbury Road, Burwood at 2pm on Saturday the 12th of March.Lynn will be showing pictures and samples to illustrate some of the history of design and textile traditions in Japan.

Lynn has made many visits to Japan enhancing her collection of Japanese textiles on each trip. She will share her collection and knowledge of old japanese textiles and tell us about the influence contemporary Japanese cottons have had on her quilts and clothing. Bring along your own antique Japanese textiles for show and tell and, of course, those wonderful quilts you have made with Japanese quilting fabrics.

9th October 2010 talk by Alan Tremain on Quilter's Guild of NSW Scholarship and Textile Conservation advice

2010-11-23T13:22:00.000+11:00

In 2009, Alan Tremain received a$2,500 scholarship from the Quilter's Guild of NSW Inc to contribute to thecost of his visit to USAearlier this year. As documented on his application, Alan’s main aimsof the scholarship were to finalize practical applications for a quiltconservation, restoration and preservation thesis, knowledge acquisition tocreate a feasibility study for the establishment of an independent nationalquilt judging standard, and to observe and document quilt museum management,storage and exhibition principals. He wanted to interview prominent quilters aswell as those involved in the historical preservation of quilt history like thecreators of Mormon Trail Centre in Nebraska.As well, his aim included reintroducing Australian Quilt making to key museums,institutions and resource centres in Americathus fostering greater exchange and interaction between our guild and exhibitingmuseums and quilt groups throughout the USA as we approach our 30th year.

Alan's major purpose for the trip was toattend a nine day Nancy Kirk quilt restoration workshop in Omaha, Nebraska.He researched and acquired quilts, quilt tops, fabrics and patterns with afocus on the American Mid West. He also wanted to view quilt collections heldby individuals and in both state and local museums in his travels.

In thestate of Nebraska, Alan spent time at the Durham Museumin Omaha, the Mormon Trail Centre in Pleasance,the International Quilt Study Centre and Museum and the University of NebraskaState Museum in Lincoln.He then travelled to Golden in Colorado where he visited the headquarters ofPrimedia, publisher of many quilt magazines, and viewed their QNL cover quiltsexhibition, visited many historic houses, viewed a quilt at the Coors Brewerymade from their ribbons and had access to some of the quilts in the RockyMountain Quilt Museum's archives by helping them move to a new location. WithJudith Trager he was also able to view some private quilt collections in Boulder. When he visitednursing homes to track down old quilts and their stories from their owners, hewas lucky enough to be given some quilt patterns, quilt tops and fabrics.

Alan alsotook advantage of his time there to buy some quilts, quilt tops, Mountain Mistpatterns, 1930s diecut quilt kits, cheater cloth fabrics from the 1940s to 1960s,quilt blocks and a number of feedsacks, all of which he showed us. We were veryinterested to see the crimplene quilt made from blocks of crossed tulips thatwas given to him by an 85 year old ex-dressmaker he visited in a nursing home.

For thoseinterested in increasing their knowledge of old quilts, Alan recommended theBarbara Blackman “Clues in the Calico” e-book,“Quilts of the Golden West” and the “Fabric Dating Kit Book” by Cindy Brick,and the Quilt Study books that have been published for each state in USA. For removingstains slowly in textiles, Alan uses the Herbon Prewash Stain Remover which isavailable from health food stores.

Alan gaveadvice on the care, conservation and presentation of lace items, items ofclothing, quilts and quilt tops that had been brought along by the workshopattendees.

As aresult of his trip, Alan has increased his store of research notes andphotographs, and hopes to contribute to a national standard for quilt research.

NSW Quilt Study Group Goes Hi-Tech - August 14th at Powerhouse Museum

2010-10-12T18:16:00.000+11:00


Karen Fail and Irene Manion

Irene Manion is passionate about fabric and stitch, and all the textile work she showed the Quilt Study Group of NSW at the Powerhouse Museum on August 14th exhibited her desire for perfection, a keen eye for design and her perseverance with detail that left me in awe.

Irene is a Visual Arts Teacher and has been for the past 20 years. Nothing could be more wonderful for students than to have a practising artist for a teacher who continues to experiment and investigate new techniques in her textile art. We were certainly impressed with her array of technique swatches – some which worked and others that didn’t.

In the 70s Irene experimented with batik designs trying to capture the landscapes in the Blue Mountains. This led her to develop a complex multi-layered dying and waxing techniques. Examples of this early work were breathtaking and made it hard to believe that only batik techniques were used. The detail was wonderful.

Over the last ten years, Irene has changed direction and is now using modern technology in her textile work. She incorporates dye sublimation prints of images she has developed from her own digital photos and drawings. These are modified in programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. She then has these images commercially printed onto fabric and generously provided us with a list of suppliers should we decide to experiment in the same way. We even had an opportunity to transfer print one of Irene’s images onto fabric for future use. Some of us even managed to get three images onto fabric from one print.

Once Irene has the image she wants, she uses computerised machine embroidery or free machine embroidery to enhance the digitally printed surface. She had many examples for us to look at but most impressive were the lorikeets, a beautiful wall hanging with birds in flight and at rest. Irene showed us a few of the printed fabrics which she rejected, again demonstrating her determination to get exactly what she wanted. Eventually the background fabric was ready with fewer birds than had initially been planned so additional 3D birds were added. These were embroidered, padded and backed before being added to the background. We were quite in awe as we appreciated the work and time investment for this.

Irene very generously brought along her most recent work, which was part of “A Conversation with Rain” exhibition at Fairfield Art Gallery and Museum earlier in the year. Everyone spent at least some of their time examining this delightful work carefully.

Fabric and stitch, it seems can come in all guises and Irene Manion has certainly mastered the use of modern technology in her textile art and inspired some quilt study groupers to expand their horizons.

Report from Karen Fail.

Annette Gero 4th December 2010 lecture on Inlaid Quilts

2010-10-02T19:25:00.001+10:00

As winner of the 2009 NSW Quilters’ Guild Scholarship, Annette Gero will be talking to us about her research in Berlin on Inlaid quilts at the Guild's December meeting at Burwood. Annette helped curate and learn from a major quilt exhibition in Berlin, which was the world’s first on woollen inlaid patchwork.

Inlaid patchwork quilts? Remember the 1776 quilt which Pam Holland reproduced? This quilt uses a technique little known today, but which was used 200 years ago. This technique is known as inlaid or Silesian piecing. The technique itself may be indicative of the origin of piecing.

You probably all know that Annette has acquired one of these quilts - the House of Commons Quilt (with all the people in the centre) - which was made by the same technique.Due to her ownership of this quilt, Annette was involved in the Berlin exhibition. She will show us slides of the other inlaid quilts that have been found and tell some of the amazing stories behind them.Some of these quilts are also in Annette’s book, 'The Fabric of Society', which will be on sale after the talk.

The talk will take place as part of the Guild meeting which starts at 1pm on Saturday, the 4th December 2010. The venue for the talk is the Burwood RSL, 96 Shaftsbury Avenue, Burwood, NSW.

Report on the April 24th 2010 Hexie Madness event

2010-09-11T20:26:00.001+10:00

The Sydney Quilt Study Group (now part of the Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc.) held their April meeting at The Powerhouse Museum on Saturday April 24^th 2010. All members of the Guild are welcome to attend and there are no longer additional fees.

This event titled “Hexie Madness” was designed as a giant ‘Show and Tell’ featuring hexagon quilts in all shapes and sizes. Members were asked to bring and talk about their hexagon quilts. The turn out was most impressive with over 40 participants and many, many more quilts. Brigitte Giblin (who has been a previous guest speaker for the SQSG) was unable to attend but kindly sent 4 of her recent quilts plus a number of quilts by her students. They all feature hexagons, some in conjunction with appliqué and other paper piecing designs.

Jennifer Corkish brought a number of her quilts, again incorporating hexagons within the design and she even had a few new and unfinished designs for students to anticipate making in future classes. A number of her students also brought along their hexie quilts made in Jennifer’s classes.

Pam Curtis could not attend but generously sent her prize winning hexie quilts for us to look at.

Daphne Massie brought the first block in her project to replicate an old quilt found by her daughter; hopefully she will bring more blocks to future meetings.

The highlight of the show was the quilt made by Nolene McGuran which won Best of Show at the Quilters’ Guild of NSW show some years ago. Unfortunately we did have any quilt stands so we couldn’t show this masterpiece of design to its fullest potential but at the end we laid it out on the floor so everyone could get a good look.

At the end of the meeting the room was ringed with tables piled high with hexie quilts. I was so busy running around I didn’t get the chance to count them or to get the names of many of the makers - my apologies. Most of the members of the audience were fans of “Hexie” quilts, and those who weren’t left the meeting as converts. For example, on a recent Guild bus trip to Wagga Wagga, Margy Syrette was surrounded by quilters making hexagons of various sizes so she decided to try her hand at doing some. She was delighted to present her completed quilt.

There was so much to inspire us with the variety of design and fabric. It was a great day. Thank you to all who came along for bringing along your hexie masterpieces and helping publicise this most wonderful madness! Sandra Lyons.

Creating with Textiles using Modern Technology with Irene Manion

2010-07-30T09:49:00.003+10:00

Bring Show and Tell of any textiles in your collection that use modern technology.
Free to all Quilters Guild of NSW members. Afternoon Tea provided.
Note: You do not need to pay an entry fee to the Powerhouse Musuem if you say you are going to the Quilt Study Group meeting.

Irene Manion is an exceptional textile artist who enjoys using modern technology in her work. In the 70s her work consisted of wall hangings depicting the landscape of the Blue Mountains using batik and developed complex multilayered dying and waxing techniques. In the last decade she has moved into working with modern technology. She creates dye sublimation prints of images developed from her own digital photos and drawings which are modified in programmes such as Photoshop and Illustrator. They are then commercially printed onto fabric. The next stage involves either computerised machine embroidery or free machine embroidery onto the digitally printed surface. Some quilting or 3-D development of the image is then used to give texture and depth to the final piece.

1930s Quilts EVENT REPORT

2010-04-07T08:03:00.004+10:00

On the 27th February 2010 at the Powerhouse Museum, Jennie Burton gave the Quilt Study Group of NSW members and friends a 30 minute talk about 1930s quilts. She brought along some 1930s quilts, quilt tops and feed sacks from her collection for us to see. She told us that she is drawn to these quilts for their colourful scrappiness and put the making of these quilts into historical perspective, referring to the influence of the depression years of the 1930s, changes in fabric dyes, the mass production of bed coverings and then the revival of quilt making between the wars.

During the Depression the number of advertisements, patterns and articles about quilts in newspapers increased so that many women had scrapbooks containing planned quilts (not dissimilar to us now). Popular patterns included the Dresden Plate, Butterfly, Grandmother’s Flower Garden, Sunbonnet Sue, and Double Wedding Ring because they all involved using up fabric scraps. “Use up, wear out, make do or do without” was the motto for these women. Quilting in the 1930s also provided a way for some to make money by designing quilt patterns, making and selling quilts and quilt kits and by winning prizes at quilt shows. Quilts were also a softer side of the Great Depression and the importance of sewing and quilting bees took the quilters’ minds off their troubles.

The feed sacks, which provided cheap fabric for the 1930s quilts, were originally made from plain calico and were hand sewn by the farmers with hand written labels. Later they were sewn by machine and had pre-printed labels that had to be soaked off in order to use them. The feed sack bag and sack manufacturers then came up with the idea of using patterned fabrics thus leading to their use in making curtains, dresses, quilts and even underwear. The finer grades of feed sacks were used for holding sugar or flour, the coarser ones for corn or chicken feed. Now they are discovering whole attics full of feed sacks which are coming onto the market.

Jennie then showed us some American feed sacks which prompted Annette Gero to show us her Australian feed sack. Among the many wonderful quilts from Jennie’s collection we saw one unusual quilt with black baskets, another with a yellow background and a vibrant ‘Trip Around the World’ quilt with such perfectly matching fabric that she believes it could only have been from a quilt kit.

Many of those attending the talk then brought out their quilt and feed sack treasures for us to enjoy. Annette Gero, Alan Tremain, Karen Fail and Melinda Smith had quite a few of their own 1930s quilts, quilt tops and feed sacks for us to look at. There were some unusual patterns and colours amongst the quilts including a number of embroidered quilt tops, a feed sack pre-printed for embroidering and one cot quilt – these usually do not survive. The show and tell generated a long discussion about dating fabrics and patterns from this era and the appropriate techniques for handling and cleaning such fabrics and quilts. By the end of the event, we had more than 35 quilts and quilt tops, along with 11 feed sacks decorating the room for our closer inspection.

Helen Lancaster - A Retrospective

2010-03-20T11:18:00.002+11:00

14th Aug 2010 - Contemporary Quiltmaker Helen Lancaster will bring a retrospective of her work to the Quilt Study Group at the Powerhouse Museum from 2pm to 4pm.
Many of us have enjoyed wonderful contemporary textile exhibitions at the Fairfield Gallery over the last 10 years. Its commitment to textile art is unique among the galleries of Sydney and is largely due to the enthusiasm and support of conceptual environmentalist, Helen. Since her first exhibition in 1980, Helen has used textiles in unique ways to make comments about the environment, focusing on the Great Barrier Reef.
This event will be held in the Powerhouse Learning Centre, at the PowerhouseMuseum.
Entry is free for members of the NSW Quilters' Guild and afternoon tea will be provided.
Access to the Powerhouse Museum is via the walkwayover from Chinatown and by walking from Central Station. Seehttp://www.powerhousemuseum.com/visit/howtogethere.asp#public_transport for details. If you contact the event owner, Sandra Lyons, on 9589 2537 beforehand it is possible to arrange for car parking in the Powerhouse's parking area for disabled drivers. Or you can use the drop off area near the entrance to the car park which provides easy access to Level 2 where our events are held.

Skint, Talk by Dr Annette Gero

2010-03-12T16:03:00.002+11:00

Skint: Exhibition talk by Dr Annette Gero.
Sunday 18 April 2.00pm — 3.00pm.
Free with museum entry.
Annette Gero, author of “The Fabric of Society” and notable collector of Australian textiles will bring in samples of her extensive collection from the 1920s and 1930s for viewing. Annette will speak about the culture of ‘making do’ from ordinary Australians in the period between the wars and about the recent revival of handicrafts such as rag rugs and “waggas”. Annette’s collection is extensive and culturally significant to the social history of Australia.If you have a “wagga”, quilt or textile item form the Great Depression years, we invite you to bring it in to show.
In conjunction with Skint! Making do in the Great Depression
Sunday 18 April 2.00pm — 3.00pm Free with museum entry

Skint!

2010-03-10T09:48:00.004+11:00

Making do in the Great Depression explores the spirit and flavour of life in Sydney in the 1930s: the community spirit and political activism, everyday life and key events and personalities of the period. It brings together evocative images, objects, oral histories and film to help us understand the story of Sydney in the Great Depression.

Major sponsor Museum of Sydney

Saturday 27 March — Sunday 25 July, 2010

'Block boys at St Peters' (detail), Sam Hood, 22 April 1935, Courtesy of Mitchell Library,

State Library of New South Wales

The Museum of Sydney: Location: Corner Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney, NSW 2000
Contact: 02 9251 5988
Admission:Adult $10
Child/Concession $5
Family $20
Members free
Hours: Daily 9.30am – 5pm

http://www.hht.net.au/whats_on/exhibitions/exhibitions/skint_making_do_in_the_great_depression

Textile Conservation & Restoration Workshop

2009-12-16T11:40:00.002+11:00

9th Oct 2010 - Conservation Workshop - a hands on workshop by Alan R Tremain from Oz Quilt Design. This half-day workshop will look at the practical implementation of Conservation and Restoration techniques for domestic textiles. Participants will need to bring along a quilt, quilt top or other textile to work on plus other notions to be advised. Alan will have some specialty items including sewing needles and thread for participants to purchase if necessary. Karen Fail will take bookings for the event. To reserve a place at the workshop please contact her via email at kfail@bigpond.net.au
This event will be held in the Powerhouse Learning Centre, at the Powerhouse Museum.
Entry is free for members of the NSW Quilters' Guild and afternoon tea will be provided.
Access to the Powerhouse Museum is via the walkway over from Chinatown and by walking from Central Station. Seehttp://www.powerhousemuseum.com/visit/howtogethere.asp#public_transport for details. If you contact the event owner, Karen Fail, beforehand it is possible to arrange for car parking in the Powerhouse's parking area for disabled drivers. Or you can use the drop off area near the entrance to the car park which provides easy access to Level 2 where our events are held.

Hexy Madness - Old and New

2009-12-16T11:36:00.001+11:00

24th April 2010 - Hexagon Madness - Old and New. Join many other hexagon lovers at the Powerhouse Museum to pour over antique hexagon quilts, be enthralled by the many modern interpretations of the hexagon and to learn more. We hope to have several well-known quilt makers who specialise in hexie quilts along to show off their quilts. This event will be held in the Powerhouse Learning Centre, at the Powerhouse Museum on 24th April 2010 from 2pm to 4pm. Bring along any of your hexie quilts, old or new, for us to see. Entry is free for members of the NSW Quilters' Guild and afternoon tea will be provided. Access to the Powerhouse Museum is via the walkway over from Chinatown and by walking from Central Station. See http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/visit/howtogethere.asp#public_transport fordetails. If you contact the event owner, Sandra Lyons on 9589 2537 before hand it is possible to arrange for car parking in the Powerhouse's parking area for disabled drivers. Or you can use the drop off area near the entrance to the car park which provides easy access to Level 2 where our events are held.

Road to Condo #3 by Judy Hooworth

2009-12-16T11:19:00.002+11:00

After lengthy negotiations with the Powerhouse Museum and Christina Sumner Principal Curator - Design and Society, the Sydney Quilt Study Group has brokered and funded the acquisition. At the final meeting of the Sydney Quilt Study Group, the members voted to use outstanding funds for the acquisition of a contemporary work by a NSW quilter. (The quilt study group is now known as the Quilt Study Group of NSW and is a subcommittee of the Quilters Guild of NSW). The final choice of quilt was made by the Powerhouse Museum.

Road to Condo #3 (138cm x 157cm) 2004
Torn and layered cotton strips stitched to two layers of cotton fabric. Machine stitched and quilted. Pellon batting. Black cotton backing. Zigzag stitched edge. Signed and dated with embroidery.

Artist's statement
I've travelled to Condobolin many times since I was a small child to visit my favourite uncle and aunt. Visits to Condo were special, and each visit made a huge impression on me. The colours of the landscape stay in my memory, and the variations from season to season, year to year are enduring images in my colour vocabulary. The trips to Condo were a revelation, my introduction to the extraordinary landscape of the bush.

My quilts record my impressions of the journey, the importance of family relationships and my feelings about the passing of an era that meant so much to me.
Judy Hooworth

Exhibited in Quiltessence, Fairfield City Museum and Gallery, 2002; Quilt National 2003, toured 2003/2004/2005; Sydney Quilt Show - awarded 4th prize, Art Quilt Open; Stitched in Place, Orange Regional Art Gallery 2007.
Published in Show Catalogue for Quiltessence; Quilt National 2003: the Best of Contemporary Quilts.

Gentle Arts - 'Textiles'

2009-11-11T07:08:00.002+11:00

For anyone who has some free time in Sydney this Saturday, the Powerhouse Discovery Centre at Castle Hill in Sydney is having a textiles-focused open day. Anyone visiting Sydney may like to add it to their trip! Here is a brief overview of the day. For more detailed information about the day, go here: http://castlehill.powerhousemuseum.com/events/open_day.php
The Gentle Arts 'Textiles' Saturday 14 November 10.00am-4.00pm
Join us when the Powerhouse Discovery Centre presents an Open Day celebrating the 'gentle arts', focused on embroidery, quilting and needlework in the Powerhouse Museum's collection. Highlights of the Open Day include; a lecture by Powerhouse Museum Conservator, Suzanne Chee, on textile preservation and how to display needlework; displays and demonstrations of fine embroidery and patchwork quilting and a hands-on workshop where visitors can take part in embroidering a convict bonnet as part of the 'Roses from the Heart' convict bonnet project, developed by Tasmanian artist, Christina Henri. Visitors can also spend time in the Centre's Collection Lab to view a selection of quilt panels from the Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt Project and meet some of the Discovery Centre volunteers involved in the conservation of the quilts.

Enthusiasts of Contemporary Quilt Art

2009-11-04T09:53:00.002+11:00

DIANNE FINNEGAN INVITES YOU
TO HER EXHIBITION
November 5th to 28th 2009

BAROMETER GALLERY
13 GURNER STREET PADDINGTON

OPENING NIGHT
Thursday 5th November
6pm to 8pm
RSVP by Monday 2nd November
dianne@diannefinnegan.com.au
t:02 9957 2401

Gallery open Thursday to Saturday
12pm - 6pm or by appointment
t: 02 9957 2401 m: 0420 372 401

View works www.diannefinnegan.com.au

Jennifer Burton - 1930s quilts

2009-10-20T09:16:00.000+11:00

27th February 2010 - Jennifer Burton will give a 30 minute talk about 1930's quilts and will bring along some of her 1930's quilts for us to see. Please bring along your own 1930's quilts or quilt tops or any you have made that are reproductions of or inspired by these quilts for the members' show and tell after her talk. Afternoon tea will be provided.
The talk will be held at the Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo in one of the Powerhouse Learning Centre rooms on the second floor at 2pm.

Soft Furnishings Project - Old Government House

2009-10-20T08:52:00.004+11:00

Fabric Samples Thistle design for Drawingroom sofas

Quilt Study Group of NSW visit to Old Government House Parramatta on 10th October 2009. Fourteen members of the Quilters' Guild of NSW visited Old Government House for the last event of the year organised by the Quilt Study Group of NSW. The building, which is home to one of the finest collections of early colonial furniture in Australia, has curtains, braids, bed hangings, mats and othersoft furnishings that were made by hand for the rooms on the ground floor of the house. Because of the expense of sourcing the soft furnishings from commercial sources, the National Trust decided to call for volunteers to make them instead. Thus was the five year long Soft Furnishings Project created. There are 20 or so volunteers who form the main team of the Project. They worked under the guidance of Dr James Broadbent, who sourced the fabrics, and Elizabeth Wright who worked on the designs. Some had existing skills but many developed new skills for the tasks at hand. These included painting on velvet, spinning cords for bell pulls, and the painstaking work of binding silk thread over vellum strips to form tassels. Rug making and upholstery skills were also required. The tassels and fringes, which would have cost thousands of dollars if purchased from European workshops, were all made by hand by the volunteers. After a very informative guided tour of the house four of the Soft Furnishings Project volunteers kindly took us back to the rooms where their work was exhibited and explained exactly how they had created the items. Back in the Soft Furnishings Project work room we were allowed to touch the items, and the ladies demonstrated how they had created these amazing braids, curtains, mats etc. Thelma, Sue, Nerida and Fran were all veryhelpful and informative in sharing their knowledge and experience with us. If you want to see the house and visit the Soft Furnishings Project room to look at their exhibits and source references, the volunteers for the SoftFurnishing Project are at Old Government House on Wednesdays between 10 - 2 pm.
Phone 02 96358149 to confirm the project volunteers will be there before visiting.

The E. Dickens Quilt : Rare early 19th century quilt

2009-10-10T10:46:00.003+11:00

Late in 2007 the NGV acquired, through generous donation, a rare and valuable ‘frame’ quilt about which very little was known. The quilt was given to the donor two decades earlier by someone who had, in turn, been given it by relatives who were also unacquainted with the original maker.
Quilting was a common pastime of genteel and middle-class women in colonial Australia, yet there are only a few extant examples of these quilts in Australian collections. Quilts of this type were particularly popular in the first half of the 19th century, with examples using similar fabrics and designs found in England (and subsequently Australia) from between 1800 and 1860.
A large medallion-style, pieced patchwork, the quilt comprises many graduating, linear borders around a central panel. The particularly impressive central design consists of appliquéd cotton chintz partridge and flower motifs executed in the broderie perse technique (a technique used to appliqué small flowers and leaves using a tiny chain stitch). While on the reverse, embroidered in black cotton crossstitch is the enigmatic dedication: E. Dickins / The Gift of Her Mother / Finished When 60 Years / Of Age.
Sadly for us, no date accompanies this dedication, although it has been suggested that the embroidered ‘signature’ may mean that the quilt was sent to an early Australian settler as a gift – a practice that has been previously documented.
When the quilt first arrived at the NGV it was in a fragile condition. Damp storage had caused mould and mildew to develop while the presence of iron in dye mordants had corroded fibres, resulting in areas of discoloration and loss over time. The surface of the quilt was badly soiled and despite initial cleaning with a low-suction vacuum, it still appeared grimy.
On the recommendation of our Textile Conservator a wet-cleaning treatment in de-ionised water was undertaken (to remove degradation products and to minimise their effect on the quilt in the future). The challenge, however, was the quilt’s large size. A tank was custom-built by NGV’s Conservation Art Technician, which enabled the quilt to be completely submerged. At times this required the assistance of nearly all the conservation staff! Yet the result has left the quilt in a much-improved state both visually and structurally.
Through the process of acquisition and a combination of expert opinion and curatorial knowledge, the NGV has also endeavoured to recover some of this quilt’s lost history.
A quilt is usually dated from the most recent fabrics used in it. In this case, we discovered that many of the printed cotton fabrics along the outer patchwork bands were similar to those seen in 1840s dresses from the NGV Fashion & Textiles Collection. The floral chintz was also found to resemble fabrics from the 1830s. The most exciting revelation, however, was that the central bird chintz fabric could be identified as an English furnishing chintz called Partridge and May Tree printed circa 1815, making our quilt a valuable piece of textile history.
While the name of the maker and the actual date of the quilt’s completion may never be known, it remains a rare surviving example of textile endeavour and a significant example of early domestic skilled handicraft.

Assyrian Australian Association: Textile Exhibition

2009-10-01T08:53:00.001+10:00

29 September 2009 - 11 October 2009
To be opened by Smithfield MP Ninos Khoshaba on Saturday 3 October at 3.00pm.
This textile exhibition will showcase magnificent artworks produced by women of the Assyrian Australian Association meeting each week at Fairfield. It will be a good opportunity to see their unique work.
(Fairfield City Museum and Art Gallery, Cnr Oxford St & The Horsley Drive,Fairfield)

ArtCloth: Engaging New Visions

2009-08-27T14:16:00.000+10:00

Inaugural International ArtCloth exhibition
Fairfield City Museum and Art Gallery, Cnr Oxford St & The Horsley Drive, Fairfield
29th August - 11th October 2009.

Opening at 2.00pm Saturday, 29th August by Joan Truckenbrod, Professor of Art & Technology, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, USA.

The list of participants in the exhibition includes: Laura Beehler, USA Claire Benn, England Regina Benson, USA Jane Dunnewold, USA Susan Fell-McLean, Australia Claudia Helmer, Germany Cas Holmes, England Ken Kagajo, Japan Helen Lancaster, Australia Jurate Petruskeviciene, Lithuania Jeanne Raffer Beck, USA Julie Ryder, Australia Joan Schulze, USA Tjarya (Nungalka) Stanley, Ernabella Arts, Australia Norma Starszakowna, England Tjunkaya Tapaya, Ernabella Arts, Australia Annie Trevillian, Australia Joan Truckenbrod, USA Jurate Urbiene, Lithuania Els van Baarle, The Netherlands

For further information visit Jane Dunnewold's website www.artclothstudios.com

Craft and Quilt Fair, Canberra

2009-08-05T10:22:00.001+10:00

Have a craft filled winter weekend in Canberra at this year's Craft & Quilt Fair, August 6 - 9, Exhibition Park In Canberra!

Visit our website and see what's on at this year's fair. From local and international craftspeople to inspiring displays and fantastic shopping, your weekend will be packed full of crafty things to see and do.

In addition to the Craft & Quilt Fair, you'll also enjoy some quilt history in the nation's capital.

The National Gallery of Australia had delved into its quilt collection and selected some beautiful historical quilts to display. These Australian quilts from 1890 through to the 1920's show a variety of styles and techniques. There will also be lectures on the National Gallery of Australia's quilt collection.

Come to the fair to see, learn and buy everything to get crafty, and then stay in Canberra to appreciate the long history and passion our country has with quilt making.

For more details, visit www.craftfair.com.au
See you there!
Judy and the Craft Team

Stitches through Time

2009-06-24T11:00:00.002+10:00

A talk on Australian Antique Quilts by Dr Annette Gero will be held at:
11.30 am, Sunday 19 July 2009
The Tebbutt Room Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, Windsor
$15 per person -light luncheon included Bookings essential.
Mail cheque or money order to:
The Friends of the Hawkesbury Art Community & Regional Gallery Inc,
PO Box 462 Post Office, Windsor NSW 2756

Wrap Unwrapped

2009-06-23T07:52:00.002+10:00

An exhibition of works inspired by the wagga rug
Parliament House of NSW
Fountain Court, Macquarie St Sydney
7 July – 30 July 2009
Monday to Friday. 9.30am – 4.00 pm
Free Admission
Artists will be at Parliament House NSW every Friday to talk about the exhibition and to collect wagga rug stories from visitors.
There will be a free, illustrated, 1 hour, talk and discussion on 17 and 24 July at 11:00 am in the Parliamentary theatrette.
Further information
Mail: PO Box 621 Balgowlah, NSW. 2093
Email: wrap_wagga@hotmail.com
Phone: 95972982 (Annette)
Blog: http://wrap-wagga.blogspot.com/

Textile Art Collection of the NSW Parliament

2009-06-05T20:08:00.001+10:00

An Invitation to Tour the
Textile Art Collection of the New South Wales Parliament
with artist Diane Groenewegen
This tour takes you through the textile artwork of the NSW Parliament. Diane, your guide, will explain these artworks in terms of technique and history and reveal some of the behind-the-scenes stories associated with their creation. At the time these were commissioned she was the President of the Craft Council of NSW and is a well-known textile artist and teacher. Join us for a unique opportunity to view and learn about these important works.
Date: Friday 17 July 2009
Times: 10:30am -12noon (registration 10:15am)
or 2:30pm - 4:00pm (registration 2:15pm)
Cost: $10 (includes colour booklet)
Venue: Parliament House is in Macquarie Street, almost opposite Martin Place. Public transport is recommended as parking at the Parliament is not available. The nearest train stations are Martin Place and St James. Participants should enter Parliament via Macquarie Street and make their way to the Legislative Assembly reception desk.

The program is organised by the Education Section of the NSW Parliament.BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, please contact us on:
9230 2047 or email: education@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Airing of the Quilts

2009-06-05T07:58:00.002+10:00

AIRING OF THE QUILTS, a selection from the national collection from 1st August to 11th October.
The Canberra quilt exhibition is on during that time, August 6th to 9th. So think about a trip to Canberra.

2009-06-05T07:43:00.003+10:00

On Wednesday, 27 May 2009 Exhibition and Free Talks at NSW Parliament House.

WRAPs next exhibition is at NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney from 7th July to 30th July 2009.

Monday to Friday only. 9:30am to 4:00pm.

At 11am on 17th July and 24th July there will be a free, one hour, illustrated talk and discussion in the Parliamentary Theatrette. This will be about the history of the wagga, the background to the exhibition and the stories collected along the way.

WRAP is a group of The Embroiderer's Guild NSW Inc. The textiles are on show from the the 7th to 30th but they could only committ to be there to sell catalogues and talk to people on the Fridays only.

History of the Wagga- NSW Parliament House

2009-06-05T07:43:00.002+10:00

On Wednesday, 27 May 2009 Exhibition and Free Talks at NSW Parliament House.
WRAPs next exhibition is at NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney from 7th July to 30th July 2009.
Monday to Friday only. 9:30am to 4:00pm.
At 11am on 17th July and 24th July there will be a free, one hour, illustrated talk and discussion in the Parliamentary Theatrette. This will be about the history of the wagga, the background to the exhibition and the stories collected along the way.
WRAP is a group of The Embroiderer's Guild NSW Inc. The textiles are on show from the the 7th to 30th but they could only committ to be there to sell catalogues and talk to people on the Fridays only.

Dr Annette M. Gero - Patron

2009-05-11T20:15:00.002+10:00

CURRICULUM VITAE
Dr Annette M. Gero
PO Box 398 Neutral Bay,
NSW 2089
a.gero@unsw.edu.au
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: QUILTS AND TEXTILES
1983 Joined The Quilters Guild of NSW
1985 Elected Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts (FRSA London), in recognition of research of historical quilts.
1988 Committee, for Australian Bicentennial quilt exhibition
1996 Faculty, Australian Academy of Decorative Arts, Sydney
1996 Founder and Convenor of the Sydney Quilt Study Group
2000 Work in relation to Australian quilts archived in National Library of Australia
2001 Convenor, Quilt Study Group of Australia
2002 Postgraduate Guest Lecturer, School of Fine Arts, Newcastle University.
2003 Elected Board Member, International Quilt Study Center, Nebraska
2003 Associate Fellow, International Quilt Study Center, Nebraska
2007 Patron, Sydney Quilt Study Group
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES : QUILTS AND TEXTILES
Annette Gero, one of Australia’s first quilt historians, has been documenting and collecting quilts since 1982. She has travelled widely around Australia giving lectures and exhibitions on the history of quilts. For this work she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts (London). She was the first Australian to present a paper on the history of Australian quilts at the American Quilt Study Group Symposium in 1987 (Australian Patriotic Quilts) and at the quilt symposium "In the Heart of Pennsylvania " at the University of Lewisberg, Pennsylvania, USA, on Australian Waggas in 1988. She has also presented papers on her quilt research at the Quilt Study Group of Australia seminars; “Unleashing Collections”, the symposium of the NZ Costume and Textile Section of the Auckland Museum Institute; and at overseas conferences in Edmonton, Canada, New Zealand, France and London, UK. She has also studied quilt conservation and quilt documentation at workshops in the USA. She has published over 80 articles in magazines and journals on Australian quilt history.

She is perhaps most highly recognised for her own quilt collection which as been regarded as a "National Treasure" by the Manly Art Gallery. Her collection contains Australian, English and American quilts which have been exhibited in over 30 exhibitions throughout Australia in Regional Art Galleries, in NSW, Queensland and Victoria and through The National Trust. Her Australian quilt collection has been invited to the International Houston Show (USA) in 2002 and in 2003 to "Mosaiques d'etoffes : a la recherche de l'hexagon" at the Musee des Traditions et Arts Normandy , Martainville, France. In 2006 her quilts were exhibited in France at the textile museum, Musee De L'impression Sur Etoffes, Mulhouse and at the European Quilt Symposium at Ste Marie aux Mines, Alsace. Her first book “Historic Australian Quilts” was published by the National Trust in 2000. Her second book “The Fabric of Society. Australia's Quilt Heritage from Convict Times To 1960” with Kim Mclean is to be published this year.

Letter From Karen Fail

2009-05-11T07:40:00.002+10:00

Quilt Study Group of Australia
PO Box 398, Neutral Bay, NSW 2089

Dear Members,
It is exciting times for the quilt study groups of Australia.

The Quilt Study Group of Australia (QSGA) was formed by Margaret Rolfe with a small group of enthusiasts in Canberra, ACT. The group exists to promote interest and research into quilting in Australia. Members are committed to the study of quilts both past and present, this study encompassing both the social and historical context in which quilts are made. The group encourages the preservation of significant historical quilts and while not itself having the resources to preserve quilts, will aim to facilitate preservation through appropriate organisations and institutions.

At the recent Australian Council of Quilters meeting, all Presidents of the state guilds agreed in principal to embrace the idea of forming a quilt study group in their state. Currently, ACT, WA, Qld and NSW have active study groups.

Following the British model to some extent, it is proposed that each state guild to form a focus group or sub-committee to maintain the current quilt study group or to form a new quilt study group in their state. Members of each guild would then be able to join in all activities of the quilt study groups and current quilt study group members are encouraged to join their local guild. Most members of the existing quilt study groups are already members of their state guilds and hence would only have to pay one lot of membership fees under the new structure.

To this end, The Sydney Quilt Study Group is being unincorporated as it is brought under the umbrella of the Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc and the group will be now known as the Quilt Study Group of NSW. It is hoped that each state will name their study group similarly. For NSW members, the Quilters Guild of NSW usually renew membership in on June 1 but have agreed to have memberships paid for at the Quilt Show in Darling Harbour. Contact the guild office on (02)92873737. Other states, please contact your state guild for further information on membership if required.

The aims and objectives of the Quilt Study Group of NSW will not change. It will still continue to be committed to the study of quilts both past and present as stated in the original aims established by Margaret Rolfe and restated at the beginning of this letter.

Currently, as members of the Quilt Study Group of Australia, you receive a newsletter, which provides you with information regarding events and news. From now on matters relating to the Quilt Study Group of NSW will be published in The Template and all other state quilt study groups will be able to publish information in their state guild’s newsletter. Everyone will have access to information on the web via the Quilt Study Groups of Australia blog at australianquiltstudygroups.blogspot.com Here you will find information on what’s on, what’s been on, reports on research, interesting quilt finds and other matters of interest to quilt study group members. We are hoping this is a vibrant blog with lots of information for and from the Australian quilt study groups.

It is intended that the biennial seminar which has proved so popular each year since its inception in Canberra will continue with the responsibility for the seminar moving from state to state. In 2008, The Southern Queensland Quilt Study Group hosted a very successful seminar with well over 100 participants from just about every state in Australia. It is hoped that there will be another seminar in 2010/2011. You will be able to find all information, registration forms etc regarding the next seminar on the blog.

Currently, ACT, NSW and Qld have embraced this new structure, while WA, SA, Vic and Tas have agreed in principle and are investigating their options. NT is making enquiries regarding the availability of quilts to study in their state before committing to forming a quilt study group. It is suggested that a committee of 4-5 people can happily organise the activities of a quilt study group and I am delighted to report that the current committee of the Sydney Quilt Study Group are continuing as the committee for the Quilt Study Group of NSW. Karen Fail – Convenor, Liz Bonner – Minute Secretary, Janet Marwood – Treasurer, Sandra Lyons – Reporter and Dr. Annette Gero remains the Patron of the Quilt Study Groups of Australia.

This will be the last formal letter you will receive from the Quilt Study Group of Australia or the Sydney Quilt Study Group. From now on you can find information about your quilt study group’s activities in your guild’s newsletter or on the blog. Put the address in your favourites list. australianquiltstudygroups.blogspot.com

Warm regards and best wishes,
Karen Fail and the committee of the new Quilt Study Group of NSW.

A Conversation with Rain

2009-05-07T08:33:00.004+10:00

A national innovative contemporary textile exhibitiion to stimulate and inspire the artists. A challenge has been sent out to artists to develop new and innovative textile artworks. This exhibition will involve work sthat address environmental issues. This exhibition is curated by internationally recognised textile artist Helen Lancaster and involves thriy selected contemporary textile artists from all over Australia.
Fairfield Art Gallery & Museum,
Corner Oxford and The Horsley Drive, Fairfield. Phone (02) 9609 3993

A Conversation with Rain by Helen Lancaster

Floor talk with Helen Godden

2009-05-07T08:15:00.007+10:00

Helen Godden & one of her pieces -Screeching Cockatoo

Floor Talk with Helen Godden 11.30 am, 10th June at the Quilters’ Guild of NSW Quilt Show at Darling Harbour. Helen will have several of her prize-winning quilts on display and will be talking about her design inspiration through to finished work.
Drawing, painting and designing have always been an integral part of Helen Godden’s life. Now that she has discovered that she can ‘draw’ with a sewing machine, her artistic life has developed a new dimension, taking her to unexpected heights. With a background in clothing design and production, Helen also completed commissioned paintings for clients. It was not until 2000 that Helen began her interest in quilting when her mother, Pat, asked Helen to design a stained-glass style quilt featuring Australian birds and flowers. Soon after, Helen discovered free-motion quilting and a whole new artistic dimension opened up to her. “A constant in my life has been the need to be creative and design on a daily basis. My mind is constantly thinking design and colours, and creating images in my head that must be allowed to flow from the imagination to the paper,” says Helen.
Helen is a multi-award winner with her quilts receiving awards both nationally and internationally. She most recently won the Master Award for Innovative Artistry at the ‘Quilts: a World of Beauty’ exhibition in Houston in 2005 for Mekong Gold. Now well-known for her free-motion machine quilting, Helen confesses that she has completely succumbed to the lure of working with fabric.

Soft Furnishings at Old Parliament House

2009-05-07T08:00:00.003+10:00

Soft Furnishings at Old Government House, Parramatta.

To see the results of the five year long Soft Furnishings Project – designed to recreate as far as possible the tastes and style of Mrs. Macquarie during the residency of Governor Macquarie until 1821.

The tour will be up to two hours led by a member of the Soft Furnishing Project.

$5 payable on the day.