Monday, August 20, 2012

a brilliant weekend and tonight the GWSMQG

At the risk of sounding boring and harping on about how fabulous the Ulladulla Quilters Gathering was, I’ll let these photos convince you:

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We arrived to this splendid view at our accommodation at Burrill Lake. One of the few times I’ve thought the real thing was better than the “pamphlet”. It was warm, bright and comfy. We’ve already made sure we can book it again for next years retreat. Can you believe the retreat has been running for 17 years already?

It was difficult to leave this view, and the three of us agreed it was lucky we didn’t live here or nothing would ever get done, we’d probably never get off the couch…

But there were quilts to be made! I’m so thrilled with my choice of Lessa Siegele’s Ring Cycle quilt class. Lessa is a very generous teacher, she is full of tips and tricks, not only to help you with the class quilt but handy tips to make general piecing fly.

Her Ring Cycle quilt is even more spectacular in real life than in the photos I’d seen. Over 270 mini 9 patch blocks. It was love at first sight!

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I’d picked up this fabulous fabric at the Hunters Hill Quilt Show recently and I could see the possibilities immediately. Can you tell I’m into bright colours at the moment!

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I was really excited once I worked out I could insert some pieced hexagons into the centres of my Ring Cycle quilt. So here is what I think is a great beginning for a new quilt. Not a quick quilt, this will be another slow burner.

Lorena's Ring Cycle

Of course everyone has a different quilt in mind, it’s great to see how others interpret the pattern.

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So what were the other 3 classes doing? I always like to take a look around the workshops and see what everyone else is doing…

Judy Hooworth was as usual making a big impact with colour with her group. I overheard some women comment that they’re ready to become Judy groupies and they’re planning their next class with her already. She has so much colour and design theory knowledge that you could probably attend her class every year and still learn lots.

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Faye Packham, was getting her class straight into it with the clever Antique Nine Patch and Cross quilts. Faye has amazing patience and gently coaxed some of the newer quilters. It was incredible to see how much this group got done in 2 days and how different this pattern looked in all the different fabric choices.

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Our final day started with the awesome view, some furious sewing in the middle and ended with a {thankfully} uneventful drive back to Sydney.

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I’m now looking forward to seeing what others have been up to at the inaugural Greater Western Sydney Modern Quilters Guild meeting this evening. If you are in the vicinity why don’t you pop in and say hi! The group is being organised by Amy and Sheridan with help from Dolores. Should be fun. There’s fabric, friends and food. What more could you want??

11 comments:

  1. These ring cycle quilts are gorgeous, I have never seen this design here in England. I particularly liked the blue and white one.
    I love the quilt in your blog background.

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  2. Wow, Lorena...after a quick peak I know I will be back tomorrow for a better look with so many beautiful quilts to admire. Lovely to meet you tonight at GWSMQG, see you again soon. Cath

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  3. I absolutely love the Ring Cycles pattern!! Could you give me Lessa's email address? I'd like to purchase the pattern. Thanks! tmw52@bellsouth.net

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  4. Wow!! This quilt is amazing. I love how the pattern changes depending on how you look at it and on the fabrics used!! I dropped in after seeing you daughters A-MAZING quilt over at Badskirts blog. You must be so proud!!!

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  5. I love your fabric choices - especially the printed whites for the background. This will be wonderful!

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  6. Do you know how we can purchase a pattern? That quilt is spectacular!

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  7. Your cycle ring is just amazing!! I would love to know where to buy Lessa's pattern too. I have a load of Chicopee I impulse bought and this could be just the thing for it.

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  8. I love your Ring Cycle quilt in all it's fabulously bright glory! I've pinned it to my "Quilty Goodness" board on Pinterest (with proper credit, of course!). Feel free to follow me if you'd like: http://pinterest.com/lipglass/quilty-goodness/

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  9. I love (I adore) this Ring Cycle quilt.. Long timr à go I made à look à like. This moment I have to finish à old project (I have more than one) but.... Than....I...start THE ring in red and white!,!!! Www.quiltkebbels.com

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