Guest Speaker at Vic Quilters 25th Anniversary Gathering

It was great to meet up with lots of lovely ladies at the Victorian Quilters Inc AGM today.  It was a special occasion because they were celebrating their 25th Anniversay since inception with a number of Foundation members and past Presidents in attendance.

I had the honour of being the guest speaker.  Despite a technical hitch (my PowerPoint presentation would not work!), I talked about my “Journey with Jane Austen” and my passion for history and stitching.

I brought as many quilts as I could fit in two suitcases, as well as some patterns and kits (plus warm clothes).

Here is “Pemberley”, always my signature quilt.

“Longbourne” also made the trip.

Unfortunately, I was unable to share all the slides I had prepared of my Whitecroft Traditional Tours trip to England to walk in the footsteps of Jane Austen.  I did talk about visiting Chawton in Hampshire and seeing “the” Jane Austen quilt.

Jane spent the last eight years of her life here, which was a very productive time for her writing.  Amazing to see the tiny desk where her masterpieces came to life.

And here is me, just a bit excited to see the quilt.

The first time I visited in 2015, a small section of the quilt was on display.

In 2017, more of the quilt was visible.

The colours and detail are very beautiful.  Jane knew how to fussy cut!  She was also very symmetrical!

This is where Jane Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral.

I described all of my other Jane Austen quilts during my talk, they can all be seen by clicking here.

I am looking forward to spending the next two days with some lovely ladies to learn my techniques for making “Meryton”.

Work in Progress And Some Completed

Here is a feast for the eyes from recent class work.

At Post Office Patchwork, Glenbrook.

This is Margaret’s very lovely centre of “Longbourne” with her hexagon border in position.

These very beautiful blocks for “Lambton” are being made by Caroline.

At The Stitchers Cupboard, Camden.

This is a very pretty and soft version of  my “Lydia” table runner by Bev.

Jan has been steadily working on her hand stitchery for “Ode to the Rose”.

At Jukejema Quilting Barn, Nowra.

Gorgeous “Spikes and Specks” blocks by Sue.

Lovely centre for “Highbury”.

Cool modern version of “Lambton” 

Hobbysew, Kings Park.

Stunning “Pemberley” blocks by Sandra.

Beautiful “Hartfield” blocks by Anne.

Fabulous compass blocks for “The Way Ahead” by Wendy.  This will be an amazing quilt.

Christine has finished the appliqué on her “Granny’s Garden” Folder Cover.

Jennie was working on “Spikes and Specks” blocks.

And here is gorgeous Sharon with her completed version of “Spikes”.  Congratulations, it is amazing!

I have completed the machine pieced and appliquéd medallion quilt I was working on for Summer School in January 2019.

Here it is and I have called it “La Belle” (thanks Natalie).

Visit to the Redberry Quilters

It was great to meet a lovely group of like minded ladies who belong to the Redberry Quilters.  I was the guest speaker at their AGM recently.

I took lots of quilts for show and tell, including a number of my Jane Austen quilts.  This is Hartfield.

Lambton

Longbourne

Netherfield

Also, some machine pieced quilts, this is the new one “Desert to Sea”.

This is Bloomin Logs.

The Way Ahead.

And this is called Paradise, just to prove I don’t always use reproduction fabrics.

I took lots of patterns, kits and samples for a little shopping.

It was a beautiful day to visit this beautiful part of the world.  Thank you for your hospitality, ladies.