Page 101 - The Digital Cloth Issue 3

to offer. and different occasions. I also I use perle 8 thread and love
like that there are always new how the big stitches add another
I tend to take inspiration from and interesting things to try or layer of texture and colour. I
traditional techniques and see to inspire new projects. quilt with all sorts of
how I can use them in different stitches, crosses, zig
contemporary ways. A friend once At the moment the different zags, seed stitch, anything that

told me that I walk the line folded fabric blocks from my adds interest and character to
between traditional and modern Whizz Bang book are my favourite the quilt.
which I think is an apt thing to make. I’ve made about
description of my quilts. Some 20 of these quilts and I still I live in the Blue Mountains, an
other words that have used to have ideas for more quilts using hour west of Sydney Australia.
describe my quilts are them. Seeing the It’s a beautiful place with
whimsical, swell-Egant, kaleidoscopic patterns emerge as National Parks with amazing
happy-go-lucky, and often having the blocks grow is quite magical bushwalks to explore and
an added twist. and entices you to try them in impressive views to admire.

different layouts and colours. Mountains and valleys full of
I like to play with colour, trees, waterfalls, rocks to
preferring bright mixed Sometimes it’s fun to just sit climb, clouds to watch, all
patterned fabrics and at the sewing machine and simply sorts of birds and wildlife.
including texture where I can piece fabrics together If I need to clear my head I
through different fabrics or improvisationally, to see what like to get outside for a walk
with quilting. I seem to be emerges. Liberated, wonky or and stretch my legs. Seeing
working more and more with 3 crazy piecing is my most colours and shapes in flowers,
dimensional elements such as natural way of sewing. It is trees and rock formations is
blocks with folded points, always a joy for the freedom it always inspiring. These don’t
yo-yos, appliqued doilies etc. allows and the surprises that always translate directly into

can occur. my work as pictorial work but
I love scrappy quilts, the more maybe as colour ideas, lines of
fabrics or colours the better. Other times I like branches, layered leaves. Also
I like the idea of seeing new hand-stitching whether it be moving and staying fit is
things each time someone sees piecing or applique because it’s important to me as I want to be
my quilts. I also try for big portable and can be done healthy so I can sew and create
impact to draw you in but then anywhere. for many years to come.
little details to charm those I am lucky to have a sewing room
who look closely. For example, I’m a fan of Yo-Yos or Suffolk where I can make mountains of

Blooming Doilies quilt which a I Puffs. I overheard someone say fabric mess as I concoct my
made for the Sydney Quilt Show they were boring and old creative experiments. It’s very
2015 Red and White challenge was fashioned and that spurred me basic but functional in its set
quilted with 5 different shades onto using them in fresh modern up with furniture that I can
of red perle8 thread, so even ways. move around to suit different
though it’s a 2 colour quilt I projects. I chose to have white
was able to sneak in some Hand quilting is one of my walls to reflect light and white
variety of colour. favourite things to do. tiles so pins and needles don’t
Quilting is that part of the get lost in the carpet. It’s my
One of the great things about process where the quilt is on happy place and I love spending
patchwork and quilting is that its way to being finished, a time with my fabric, listening

there are different techniques chance to spend quality time to music or podcasts as I sew.
for different times and adding final touches.