Spring 2005 Newsletter
Review of the
London Quilters Exhibition
By Annette Claxton © 2005
London Quilters draws its membership from a wide range of backgrounds, both in nationalities and in experience with the needle. Some members are art quilters and teachers, who exhibit in their own right, others are students of City & Guilds, and there are those who piece and quilt for the enjoyment of fabric and stitch. Their exhibition was a pleasure as it included work from across the board. 55 pieces were on show at the Swiss Cottage Central Library, both on the ground floor and in the new Gallery upstairs.
The versatile square and circle were very much in evidence. Janet Beck's lively 'Take your Partners' was well named as the sharp contrasts of colour in the background, satin stitch and inner square danced before our eyes, whilst Jan Sorensen, in her cot quilt, thoughtfully combined a close, rich palette of patterned fabric within split circles and squares. Our eye was drawn to the sparkle of Linda Seward's triptych in three unusual shapes comprised of log cabin blocks; the joyful use of light colours and fabric seemed to give the illusion that some were receding, others floating. Monica Millner's strong block grid contained a compelling (and seemingly simple) collection of beautiful colourful circles. The circles in Marlene Cohen's 'Creation' had a sure, light touch,
with her combination of shapes and colour, the design inviting the viewer to look closer.
Colour was everywhere, from Alicia Merrett's vibrant hand-dyed wallhangings to Janice Gunner's close values of blue indigo Shibori dyeing, beautifully displayed in a simple design. It was interesting to see the experimental use of foliage in Christine Restall's 'Autumn - My Poor Camellia'. Leaves collected from the dear departed shrub were attached to autumnal coloured squares, preserved behind a layer of plastic. Hannelore Braunsberg showed a strong sense of dialogue between symbols, colour and pattern in her two pieces, 'Open Door' and 'Leaves and Flowers'.
In a traditional design, Ellen Fattal produced a lively and fresh version of Indian Hatchet, using a wonderful variety of fabric scraps, which she contrasted against a calico background, made in the tradition of bed quilts. I loved Margaret Mavay's 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' with its assured use of background fabric, perfectly complementing the appliqué flowers and tiny four patch blocks contained in diagonal squares, as well as the dainty half circle border edge. A larger piece, 'Cappuccino' by Heather Bridger was a similar combination of floral portraits, again with excellent choice of fabrics and some good quilting.
In a review it always seems a shame to leave out the names of many of the makers but I would like to congratulate the group overall for an interesting, well made and varied display. The quilts were, for the most part, well co-ordinated and hung, but I cannot imagine why the Exhibitions Officer chose to place the labels a few inches from the floor. This necessitated interested visitors either crawling or squatting to read them. The purpose of a label is to inform; steps should be taken to see that this never happens again.
CHAIR CHAT
This is my first chair chat, so for those of you who are new to London Quilters I thought I would introduce myself and give you a mini-challenge. I have been quilting ‘seriously’ since 1993 when I joined London Quilters. My first quilt, hand pieced over papers in the traditional way, was started in the late 70’s and took 18 long years to complete, going in and out of the cupboard with monotonous regularity. It was made up of diamonds formed into hexagons and made up into a pattern which I now know is called Seven Sisters. I brought the top to my first London Quilters meeting where Linda Seward asked the million dollar question “Is the blue silk washable?”: mistake number one! I managed to sort out that problem and now my daughter has this quilt, made using mainly scraps from dresses I had made her as a child plus the dreaded blue silk, which is treated as a treasured family heirloom.
But, it was only after seeing quilts by Michael James, Nancy Crow, Jan Myers-Newbury and other stars of the quilt world at the Crafts Council exhibition in 1993, that my life was changed. Since then I've finished lots of quilts, not finished even more and planned thousands. I have gone from using scraps to having half a room full of fabric. I like all sorts of styles and am a bit like a kid in a candy store. I don’t know which direction to go in so my quilts have no distinct personal style. One day I may find a voice of my own but until then I’m happy making all sorts of quilts for beds, walls and the cots of the many babies that my family and friends keep producing. I have been an active member of London Quilters for many years and have previously been variously, treasurer, membership secretary and vice chair. I have enjoyed being on the Committee which has allowed me to get to know far more members than I would have by just coming to meetings.
When I’m not quilting I teach physiology to medical students, write textbooks and do lots of IT things like building web sites, including the LQ site. I love the outdoors and would like to travel the world more. I live most of the year in London, which I love for its rich cultural life, and occasionally in Central Italy, where I have a large garden and dream about living there full time and quilting whenever I want.
During my time as chair of London Quilters I would like to enthuse members to get involved in challenges and other activities. I want to make us more inclusive and even more friendly than we are already. For my first mini-challenge, I would like all members, new and old, to make themselves name badges and wear them to every meeting. It is so much nicer and easier for everyone when you can greet them by name and if, like me, you’re terrible at remembering names, then you can be saved the embarrassment of the ‘who is that?’ moment. So, if you don’t have one already, get your thinking caps on and make yourself a nice badge with big lettering so that I can read it even if I’ve not got my glasses on. You can use any technique to make your badge and on top of that, wearing your name badge automatically gets you a ticket for the monthly raffle for a fat quarter (so you can get free fabric!).
Happy quilting
Tricia
Congratulations!
On Tuesday, 15th March, Kate Cox was on the This Morning show on ITV1. Kate took the opportunity to promote Art Quilts as well as show her wearables. The editors of the programme appear to have picked up on the sudden interest in patchwork clothing that is around in the shops at the moment.The show has been doing a series on needle arts, and when the producers approached the Quilters' Guild and asked who does wearables, Kate was suggested. The show is hosted by Philip Schofied and is on at 10:30 every weekday morning.
BARBARA CHAINEY WORKSHOP
'UNIQUE PATTERNS'
17th April 2005
WoodfordWells Club,Woodford
This is a workshop of endless fun and creativity that is aimed at encouraging everyone to experiment. It shows how easy it can be to design pieced, appliqued and quilting patterns for yourself. No formal design skills are required nor is there a half-finished project to take home at the end of the day, but your head will be full of ideas!
This is a no sewing day but you will be using paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, rulers and other 'design equipment' including mirror tiles. Also, please bring along some 'homeless' blocks you have lurking around! A full equipment list will be supplied when you sign up for the workshop along with directions on how to get to Woodford Wells. We shall try and organise car sharing with contributions towards petrol costs.
The cost of the workshop is £20. Space is limited to 18 participants. The first 18 people who 'sign up' and pay the £20 will be reserved a place on the workshop.
Please contact Judy Roose to book a place.This can be by e-mail or at the March meeting. Payment for the workshop is due at the March meeting.
HOSPITALITY FOR SPEAKERS
Occasionally, some of our speakers would like overnight accommodation after they have been to our meeting. Judy Roose is compiling a list of people who are willing to
offer this service. Please contact her if you would be willing to host a speaker. Please could you also specify if you have a pet, as sometimes, a speaker might be allergic to some animals. Hosting a speaker is an excellent opportunity for a one-to-one with an experienced quilter.
THE SINGING QUILTER
Coming to a venue near you!!
by Kathy Thiessen
We have the privilege of having Cathy Miller coming to London on October 10, 2005. She will be performing at Cholmely Evangelical church hall ( 272 Archway Road - 5 minutes from Highgate tube on the tube station side of Archway) at 7:30 pm. Entrance is by donation to cover expenses. (Suggested donation £5).
Cathy is a guitar player, singer and songwriter. Over the last 20+ years of her career, Cathy has performed at hundreds of folk festivals, clubs, and concerts from coast to coast in Canada. She is known for her upbeat performances, which have made her a favourite at many events. In 2000, she was recognized in Australia, where she was awarded a national songwriting Special Merit award by the Australian Heritage Commission.
Now, Cathy and her husband John Bunge travel the world, singing for quilting events, guild meetings and shows, and she is known as "The Singing Quilter". To date, they have performed for over 250 quilting guilds and events on two continents. They are having the time of their lives.
There weren't many songs about quilting available when she first started this project back in 1991. She was hired to write music for a play about quilting in the Ottawa, Ontarion, Canada area, and, with playwright
Peggy Sample, set about reading every quilting book in the library. As part of her research, Cathy took a quilting class, and she was hooked. The tales surrounding quilt history are fascinating, and tell a story of women's lives that don't often make it into the history books. Cathy delights in finding and writing songs about unusual and wonderful stories about quilts, such as Australia's "Rajah Quilt", made by female convicts aboard ships bound for Van Diemen's Land in 1841.
Cathy released her first CD of 12 quilting songs, "One Stitch at a Time", in September of 2000. Since then, she and John have been touring non-stop throughout North America and in Australia and New Zealand, singing for quilters. They collected so many stories from quilters along the way that she wrote another 14 songs, released in July of 2002 as "A Quilter's Embrace". And two years later, another 16 songs for "A Quilter's World". And the stories keep on coming...
Cathy brings her own quilts with her to display wherever she sings these songs. Some of her quilts have received recognition as well as her music. In 2000 she received a "Best of Show" at the Fred's Pass Rural Show in the Northern Territory of Australia for "Bali Stars". In 2003 her quilt "Buddy and Strider Around Australia" was accepted into the juried show "Quilts Canada" in Fredericton, NB. And in 2004 she received a second-place ribbon at Victoria Quilters' Guild's spring judged show for "Geese from the Garbage".
I have heard Cathy in concert and her storytelling and singing were fascinating. Be prepared for a great evening. I believe that this is her only concert in the London area on this tour. Tell your friends and fill in your diaries!! (Website for Cathy is: www.singingquilter.com).
INTERNET INFORMATION
The London Quilters web site address is: http: //members.lycos.co.uk/London_Quilters/lq1.htm
It is run and maintained by Tricia Revest, whose e-mail is: p.a.revest@qmul.ac.uk
EXHIBITIONS
Richmond & Kew Quilters Exhibition. Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road. Teddington. 8-10 April, 10-5. Details: Sally Brown 020 8546 5474.
Cas Holmes Solo Exhibition. Chapel Gallery, Hall Place House & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent. 2 April-5 May. Details: 01322 526574.
Memory Sticks. An exhibition featuring works by Michele Walker, Fabrica, 40 Duke St., Brighton, 23 April -30 May, Details: Chloe Hoare: 01273 778646.
Connecting Threads Exhibition. Haberdashers Askes Boys School. 14 May, 10-4. Details: Joan Hayes: 020 8953 4976.
Contemporary Art Quilts: ‘Recycled’. Amberden Hall, Widdington., near Saffron Waldron. 21-27 May, 10:30-5:30. Details: Jennifer Hollingdale: 020 8874 6314.
The Festival of Quilts. NEC, Birmingham. 18-21 August. Details: 0208 692 2299.
Region 2 Exhibition. Hever Castle nr. Edenbridge, Kent, 9-11 Sept., 11-5 daily. Details: Pat Taylor: 01689 852320.
2005 CALENDAR
April 17th: Barbara Chainey workshop: Unique patterns
April 18th: Barbara Chainey: Quilted texture
May 16th: Linda Seward: slides from the Pacific Northwest Quilters’ show
June 20th: Maggie Davies: History of Hawaiian appliqué
July 18th: Sewing /demonstrations evening
August: no meeting
September 19th: Helen Deighan
October 16th: Susan Briscoe workshop: Japanese circles
October 17th: Susan Briscoe: Japanese textiles
November 21st: AGM
December 12th: Christmas Party
