Quilting successes

Now that things have quietened down slightly on the Exhibition Secretary front, I’ve been able to “walk the floor” and take in the beauty and exploration embodied in so many quilts exhibited in this year’s show. Yesterday, I had the pleasantly meditative task of attaching quilt numbers to 50+ calendar challenge quilts, armed with only a list of the quilt names (the ID numbers were hiding behind the quilts out of easy reach). Matching some quilts to numbers was easy, others were more cryptic but I think I got it right in the end. The 30cm square quilts are delightful.

Today, I strolled a few market aisles but only bought some hand dyed fabrics from Lisa. Lisa and Nicole won first prize in the commercially machine quilted quilt category with Lisa’s striking quilt “Squared Up“. Other winning quilts can be viewed on the Guild’s website gallery.

And I’d like to say a special hello to prize winner Esther who greeted me with words to gladden any blogger’s heart “I just wanted to introduce myself, I read your blog every day!”.

Zzzzz

Busy, busy, busy. Time to get some sleep…

Sydney Quilt Show 2007 Prize Winners

I have just ducked out from the Sydney Quilt Show to update the Guild’s website. You can now view a gallery of prize winning quilts. Better still, come and join the festivities at Darling Harbour.

Back in Balmain

Thanks to Caitlin, and everyone else that sent me good thoughts, set up day went relatively smoothly (if you discount the entry that was 105 x 105inches rather than 105 x 105 cm as as notified and a handful of similar challenges). Between various duties, I still managed to glimpse some quilts as they were being hung and there are some wonderful exhibits. I’ve been working on the website results which go live on Wednesday afternoon, Sydney time. Meanwhile, since I happen to know it has no bearing on the results, here’s my entry:

By the way, I am writing this from a friend’s place in Balmain - my home suburb for almost a quarter of my life. It’s nice to be back in my old neighbourhood!

And she’s off

Preparing and printing prize certificates took me over 12 hours yesterday but they look beautiful! It’s 6am on Set Up day and it’s crunch time. This is the first time that I have prepared the Quilt Show layout (using some bespoke software prepared by one of the other Guild members) and today we will see how it turns out. Send me good thoughts!

The cone of silence

Judging day is one of the highlights of this Exhibition Secretary’s calendar. After months of manipulating quilt and entrant data every which way for various purposes, I at last get to see the actual quilts in all their glory. Of course, the cone of silence covers judging day proceedings so I can’t say much except to confirm that there are so many stunning quilts in a wide range of styles. If you are anywhere close to Sydney, you really MUST get to Darling Harbour this week! You won’t be disappointed.

Tomorrow will be a busy day printing 100+ prize certificates, 100+ prize labels and preparing the web page results that will go live on Wednesday afternoon. In 2005 and 2006, printing was a daunting job as I hand fed the heavy card/paper in my inkjet printer. This year, I have my trusty colour laser printer so I’m hoping the task will be more manageable. Off to get some sleep!

Today’s Lessons

Today, well actually for several weeks, I have been preparing for judging day for the Sydney Quilt Show which is tomorrow. As Exhibition Secretary, dual entrant and a “Drop Off Lady” for 25+ quilts, this is a big deal for me. Here are a few things I have learned along the way:

• if you unplug your printer for any reason, it goes much better if you put the printer cable back into the correct outlet;
• velcro and woollen jumpers are not an ideal combination;
• velcro hanging strips and supposedly flat quilts are not an ideal combination;
• black fabric quilts will attract every stray thread in a quilter’s home;
• lint rollers are very useful things;
• when labelling and folding quilts, make an estimate of the time it will take and then double it (and double it again);
• quilts are very heavy; and
• quilts carefully folded to fit a particular size bag will explode upon release and never fit that bag again.

Can’t wait to see all 377 quilts tomorrow!

Gone fi[ini]shing

Like Patsy says, some days are simply not “post worthy”. I guess I could tell you what a wretched time I’ve had wrestling with preparing velcro strips to go on the back of my quilt and Monica’s entry for the quilt show but instead I’ll show you these photos that Nina Fishman from Israel sent me based on my fishnet pattern:
 
 
I could also tell you about how I am facing my quilt show entry (see this tutorial) but instead I draw your attention to Robin’s tutorial showing another way to finish off your quilt, without binding and without creating too much bulk in the corners.

Back to finishing off my quilt…

Backs to the Future

Today a second tranche of quilts was delivered to me for the forthcoming Sydney Quilt Show. As a result, the guest room bed looks like a sort of reverse “Princess and the Pea” piled high with quilts laid out flat pending judging day. Of course, I can’t show you the actual quilts before the main event so instead here are some of the backs. Guess which one is mine and isn’t that bright paisley gorgeous?!
  
  
  
With a note of relief, I can report that quilting is done. What’s more, the quilt sits flat and trimmed up square with minimal measuring and coaxing. Now “all” I have to do is the facing, velcro strips and label. Fortunately we have a backlog of recorded TV programs so I can catch up with my viewing while doing the handwork.

The New Quilt 2008

One of the things on my ATQS [After the Quilt Show] list is get my act together to submit work to more exhibitions. I love that I can share my quilts online but sharing the real thing is even more rewarding. After having such a great time teaching in the national capital late last year, I decided to join Canberra Quilters. There was a mix up in processing my application and I only received the paperwork for their member’s exhibition last week (days before the closing date) but I managed to get my entry form in. Phew!

I am determined that there will be no such last minute-itus for The New Quilt 2008, a juried biennial exhibition of contemporary quilts organised by The Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc in conjunction with the Manly Art Gallery & Museum. Entry is open to all quiltmakers and entries close on 9 November. Here is the New Quilt 2008 entry form.