Quilting Biography of Brenda Gael Smith
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I grew up in Warkworth, New Zealand and almost flunked sewing in high school. I gravitated back to the sewing machine when I was at university and made my very first quilt in 1984. It was a glorious seersucker affair, made from factory offcuts, and provided instant warmth and a feeling of home in various student houses as I studied political science and law. My next foray into quiltmaking was not until the turn of the century. Emerging from the fog of a protracted and demanding business transaction (I was a commercial and regulatory lawyer in another life), I decided to make a cot quilt for a friend's baby. What serendipity! Patchwork, quilting and textiles have since developed into a compelling and rewarding avocation. In July 2004, I was awarded a creative skills certificate by the City & Guilds of London Institute after completing an online patchwork and quilting course with Linda Kemshall of Design Matters. In July 2006, I undertook an exhilarating 5-day improvisations workshop with leading contemporary quiltmaker, Nancy Crow. I make and design quilts at my home at Copacabana on the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales in Australia. |
