Auckland Quilt Symposium 2019 was the culmination of thousands of hours of volunteer work to present five days of workshops, exhibitions, shopping and sharing. I was part of the international tutor team and thrilled to be back in Auckland, the city where I attended university and close to my childhood home. My hotel room looked over the city and harbour. I didn’t close my curtains once!
At the opening awards ceremony, the judges highlighted two key areas for improvement: quilt images for the jurying process and quilt finishing techniques. I was delighted to have a full class for my one-day workshop Bound to Please. In addition to the classic continuous mitred binding (without bulges!) and artful facing finish, we covered a range of other techniques including a fully machine stitched binding with accent; decorative fused binding and prairie points. Everyone was so enthusiastic about expanding their quilt finishing repertoire.
On days 2 and 3, I taught Serendipity Circles – stress-free methods of fusing or piecing your very own circles of serendipity without templates or rulers. My students totally rocked it. After 15 years, I am taking the plunge and retiring the circles workshop in this format. (Check out my new workshop Circular Explorations that I will be teaching at the Australasian Quilt Convention 2020. The new format will focus on piecing dynamic designs with curvelinear shapes.)
On days 4 and 5, it was koala stamps and gold stars all around for students in my Improvisation Plus workshop. Here is a selection of student work. (I will also be teaching this workshop at the 2020 Australasian Quilt Convention. Class bookings open 11am, 23 October AEDT.)
Along the way, there was much comraderie and knowledge-sharing. Thank you to the tireless volunteers that made this fabulous event possible. I am a big fan of Symposium as both a student and a tutor. Look out for the next Symposium in the Wellington area in 2022. Registrations will open in October 2020. I will post more details when they are available.
Maryte says
Brenda, as always, you rocked it! I can’t stop admiring your creativity. I wish I could attend any of those events.