Sunday 21 April 2019

Shweshwe

Hello Everyone,
Alison on the blog this week and now that I have your attention, I need to explain that Shweshwe "is a printed dyed cotton fabric widely used for traditional South African clothing.Originally dyed indigo, the fabric is manufactured in a variety of colours and printing designs characterised by intricate geometric patterns. Due to its popularity, shweshwe has been described as the denim, or tartan, of South Africa." (Wikipedia)
We were visited by Theresa Loots from South Africa who is visiting her daughter, Vicki Du Plooy.
Theresa told us about her remarkable recent journey in quilting. Having no patchwork experience at all, she decided to make her first quilt ever from a Dresden Plate pattern designed by Alyssoun Ryves which she found on the internet. She was so inspired by the experience that she was determined to find out more about the designer of her quilt and tracked us down.
Theresa donated some Shweshwe fabric and has challenged us to make it into a quilt.
She was then treated to a visit to Carl Ryves' house to view the original quilt.
Shweshwe fabric

Grace, Carl, Theresa, June and Vicki
Things to remember:
This Thursday is ANZAC Day so we won't be meeting.
There will be a Wagga workshop on the following Thursday.
The raffle quilt blocks which were meticulously prepared by Christie have been handed out.
Please follow the markings very carefully and make stitches as small as possible.

Show and Tell:
Baby quilt made by Beryl R. for the Grace Centre

Cot quilt made by June for a women's refuge

Cot quilt by Jenny for a family member who is having a baby

Friday 12 April 2019

Another Enjoyable Day

Hullo Everyone,

I do like my Thursdays. It is a very pleasant way to spend a day.

I cannot join you next week and the following Thursday is Anzac Day. We will back as usual on May 2nd.

News:

* We received a very nice letter from the Womens' refuge that Robyn has introduced us too. They are very appreciative of the cot quilts and little teddies and bunnies that we have given them.
Making these larger cot quilts - 40" x 40" - is an ongoing commitment.
If you have a spare moment, think about whipping one up.

* Carolyn from the Grace Centre could not come this week. She will now come to collect the Kangaroo quilts and the baby quilts on 9 May.

* Christie has been busy preparing the pieces for the Traditional quilt for our show next year.
Next week Iris will have paper bags of the pieces to be sewn together including instructions.
The pieces can be sewn by hand or machine.
The pieces are quite small so hand sewing may be more accurate.

Quilt Shows:

* Springwood  Community Quilt Sow is on from Friday to Sunday 26-28 April  from 10 am to 4 pm.

* Eastwood Patchwork quilters show is on from 3-5 May from 10 am to 4:30 pm.

Pop-up Shop for Achieve Basket:

Achieve (formerly Crowley House) is having a pop up shop at 427 Darling Street, Balmain next
week from 9 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday.

Jenny needs some 7" zips for the bags she makes for the show. If you see any at Achieve please pick them up for her.

Next Community Day Workshop:

Grace and Helena will be conducting a Wagga Workshop on May 2nd. Grace has lots of tips and will guide us through the process. The waggas are the biggest seller for us at our show so making one is very well worthwhile.

Show and Tell:


Cot quilt for the Womens' refuge from Grace.


And two from Robyn S.



 A baby quilt for the Grace Centre from Bev.


 And four from Carolyn. Carolyn's stash is never-ending.


 This pretty quilt is from Iris. It will be a quilt for Community.


Until next time ....

Friday 5 April 2019

A Rewarding Day

Hullo Everyone,

As it was Community Day this week, we held a workshop for the wonderful charity, Days for Girls.
Janelle and her colleague arrived with two overlocking machines and two sewing machines.
Some members had brought their own sewing machines as well as the two in our cupboard.
We set to work and made 60 bags for the Days for Girls kits, cut up 6 metres of fabric which was sewn and holders for the pads were turned ready for use.
It was a very busy and satisfying day.
Janelle also showed a video of girls receiving their kits in Africa. The girls cheered when they were told the kits contained two pairs of underpants. They also understood that during their periods, they could still attend school.
The work that Days for Girls does is amazing.

Retreat:

We now have 25 members going to our retreat in September. if you want to come, please call Kurri Kurri to book your spot. Narelle has the details. Please let Narelle know once you have booked.

Kangaroo Quilts:

Members brought in  35 kangaroo quilts for the Grace Centre. They all look wonderful. These will be displayed at next meeting for us all to see.
Members from the Centre will visit us next week to collect them as well as the normal baby quilts we have.

The Achieve Sewing Basket:

They are having a 40% off sale for the next couple of weeks. Also a note that they no longer collect books.

Eastwood Quilt Show:

I have listed upcoming shows in recent blogs.
The Eastwood Show at Brush Farm House will be held in early May from 3 to 5th, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Anzac Day:

April 25 is Anzac Day. As the day falls on a Thursday this year, there will not be a meeting on that day.

Next Community Day Workshop:

Helena has asked me to advise you that she will be holding a Wagga Workshop on 2nd May.
Winter is approaching and we need to start making Waggas to sell at our show next year.
What better time to learn how to make one and give it a go.

Show and Tell:

Helena made the cot quilt below from some fabric she purchased in Scotland. Robyn will take it to the Mothers and Babies Refuge together with the other cot quilts we have made.



This quilt was made by the Blue Group from scraps from the cupboard. 



Helena made the four cute baby hats for Robyn to take to one of the many charities that she supports.



This quilt, made by the Red Group, has been chosen to go to the Sydney Community Centre to be raffled to raise valuable funds.



Below is the front of the educational folder that Days for Girls has produced to explain the human reproduction system.
Also I have included a photo of two of the bags that contain the undies, waterproof liner, plastic bag, and holder for each kit.



Until next week .....