Quilters World

What's new at Quilters World for 2012?

Did you know that according to the Chinese zodiac 2012 is the year of the dragon? Traditionally the year of the dragon is considered lucky  with more goodies in store than the previous year.  We heard it's also a good year to improve oneself. 

More Goodies
Pauline has spent most of January so far designing and creating new quilts, so we know that at least here at Quilters World there are more goodies in the making. These new projects will be available to those who book a workshop or join our Academy. You can get a peek of a couple of the new designs here.

Improve Your Skills
In the spirit of the dragon we also decided to make it even easier for those quilters who have the desire to improve their quilt making to do so. In addition to Pauline's workshops, the Gadget Queen presentations and the Quilters World Academy we're introducing digital tutorials and demos. You'll be able to pick and choose  exactly what you want or need, and they're emailed straight to your inbox so you can begin learning new techniques and building skills whenever you choose.

The digital downloads are also a great way to see what you get in the Academy as all of the downloads are available there for a yearly membership. The online Academy has other great benefits too - you can ask questions, meet other quilters (we've over 300 members now), share photos and stories and save money on tools and notions in our online shop.   

There's Digital Patterns Too!  
Downloading patterns straight from the internet saves time and money. You get it right away at a reasonable price and no shipping & handling charge. We've added a selection of patterns to our site - some were created by us but you'll also find designs by Bustle & Sew, Clares Place and more. 

Check below for this week's offers (just click on the graphic to make a purchase) and don't forget to browse the selection online. You'll want to check back often as the selection grows.  

Quilt As You Go Video Demo Watch and learn. In this 26 minute video Pauline takes you through the process of turning quilt blocks into a finished quilt by adding sashing, borders and binding. And there's no hand sewing required with Pauline's Quilt As You Go technique.  Regular Price $19.95 Special $9.95 For one week only.

Celtic Hearts Tutorial eBook The Celtic Hearts ebook is a step-by-step tutorial that you download straight to your computer, so you can start learning right now. Mastering the design used in this applique project will open up many creative possibilities. Once you learn the technique, you can try it with other Celtic knot patterns.  Regular Price $9.95 Special $4.95 One week only.

Log Cabin Coaster Pattern Use scraps from your stash to make these coasters. They'’re quickly made up using a strip piecing method. Instructions are given for four coasters but you can adjust the strip measurements to make up as many coasters at the one time as you'd like. Regular Price $3.95 Special $1.95 One week only.

A Peek at Pauline's New Designs

2012 has started with great excitement at Quilters World. As Pauline isn't travelling in January she's been busy designing and creating some scrumptious new quilts. She'll be presenting these tempting projects at workshops and in the Academy for those who want to learn from home.  

Dresden Gone Crazy!

Joining two everlasting favourite techniques, Dresden Plate and Crazy Patch, Pauline created a quilt that is simplistic, yet stunning!

It uses a Quilt As You Go method, with the blocks quilted beforehand. You'll get lots of practice at free-motion quilting without the worry of ruining all your hardwork.

After creating something fresh from these traditional techniques, Pauline next went on to experiment with somethings a bit less conventional.

Trendy Tools & Techniques 

As you can imagine, Pauline visits quite a few quilt shops on her travels around Australia. These delicious fabrics she couldn't resist and they're the inspiration for her next project.

Pauline has incorporated Texture Magic into the design and has been in her element stitching and creating with some new tools. You'll have to wait to see how this quilt and all the delightful elements come together.

Transfer Designs the Easy Way - Clover Mesh Transfer Canvas

Easily trace and transfer designs for quilting or applique, with the Clover Mesh Transfer Canvas.

This 'mesh mat' is not just an affordable alternate to an expensive light box (it will do things that your light box won’t) but the best and easiest way to quickly transfer a design onto fabric. Unlike tulle or net, the mesh transfer canvas will not stretch, so no worry about distorting the design. You don't need to cut it either, and since it's reusable it will save you money in the long run. It's great for quilting, applique, stencilling and craft projects too.

It's quick and easy - just place the mesh mat over your design. Use a 2B pencil to trace the design onto the mesh. Then you lay the mesh mat onto your desired fabric and retrace the outline on your mesh again with a marking tool, such as a Karisma Fabric Pencil.
 
This tool comes in under $20 and eliminates the need for a light box altogether. It really does make transferring designs simple - if you want a mirror image, you only need to flip the mat over before you trace onto your fabric. Just imagine how much time this tool can save you if you want to transfer the same design numerous times.

 

To learn more about using the Clover Mesh Transfer Canvas watch this video.

 

 

Merry Christmas from Rob & Pauline

Every single person we have spoke to lately have said that 2011 has passed by so fast, it went like a blur. But when we take time to reflect and assess what we have done we're quite surprised what we fit into 365 days.

We've had the most wonderful time touring to all parts of Australia and in total we've clocked up 71,455km during the year. One might say we could rewrite the song... "I've been Everywhere Man". Australia is a big country when you get to visit all the little out of the way isolated towns and the bigger towns and cities. We have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people and have been made to feel so welcome - community embrace is alive and well out there.

In January we invested in a new Iveco truck and a 22 foot Roma caravan, after looking at what we spent on motels the previous year this was a much better option. The van has paid for itself this year in what we saved on accommodation and we just love it. It's so comfy Rob calls it our Penthouse on wheels - we wake up to different scenery daily. With 2011 having such a horrid start for so many people we are blessed that none of our family or friends were affected by all the disasters. We hope 2012 is going to be a much better year for everyone.

We had a very successful year in 2011 and it's thanks to the great team behind us. With Gerry running the home office here in Cabarlah, Kim working from her home in Aberdeen (no not Scotland) NSW, Jane in Perth (yes Canada not WA!!) and also Gerry's husband John taking care of the garden, everything runs smoothly.

Our two precious grandchildren, Lannah and Dean, are growing so fast that every time we see them they have changed so much. They have a little pony they call Cream Puff so Jason has been teaching them to ride. They are both really enjoying it and very confident in the saddle. Mind you the saddle is bigger than they are and when they finish riding they have to put it back in the saddle shed. It's really a laugh a minute to watch the pair of them doing it - one on each end waddling along to the shed.  

  Jason and Vicki have both been very busy. Jason has been away from home with his contract mustering and he is in huge demand. Vicki has had great success with all the children at her school. She has done an amazing job since Jason is away most of the time, with the two children, all the animals and a school to run. She is so looking forward to a great rest over the holidays. They employed a nannie this year to help look after the children and such a lovely girl. It is a shame she is unable to continue with them next year. Lannah is off to prep school in 2012, so she'll be going off to school with Mum a few days a week. Dean will be with a day care mum.

Both mine and Rob's mum are very well and enjoying their bowls and social craft groups. We've been lucky to have travelled through Armidale and been able to spend quite a bit of time with them both. We are heading there to spend Christmas with both families, and as Jason, Vicki and the children will also be joining us, everyone is very much looking forward to having a great time together. 



Thank you to all the quilters and groups who have helped make this past year so enjoyable. We look forward to travelling once again in 2012, and meeting old friends and making new ones. 

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2012.
Pauline and Rob

Sew Slip Mat

Many people say it's hard to move the fabric through their machine when they're using a walking or darning foot. The machines are designed to hold and support the fabrics as we sew. The quilt sandwiches, with their extra bulk, make it even more difficult.

So a tool to make it easier to move the quilts is needed and that’s where the wonderful invention – the Sew Slip Mat comes in. It has a slippery side and a sticky side. The one side clings to the bed of your machine while the other allows your quilt to slide freely. The mat comes with a round hole for the needle, good when doing free motion quilting using the darning foot with your feed dogs down. If you quilt with the walking foot you’ll need to cut the hole into a rectangle shape to allow the feed dogs to work.

With the Sew Slip mat your quilt will glide through, without you having to push and shove. Your shoulders, neck and back will thank you.

Hoot n Annie

When an order of patterns recently arrived at Quilters World, which all use the wonderful Texture Magic, I just couldn't resist trying one out.  So I spent my last day off cutting, sewing and stuffing to make the irresistible Hoot and Annie owls. I was able to use some of the fabric from my extensive stash of fat quarters (courtesy of my friend Pamela) and just needed a few extras, such as felt and the cord for the legs - which I did have to rush out to the shops to buy!

I really love using Texture Magic - this time I just did a simple grid - and only needed to mark two lines and then eyeballed the rest.  Of course you need a good steam iron when using this product and I seem to have a very recalcitrant iron - it never steams properly when I need it to but when I am doing something with bias where I have my fingers close to the iron, it very kindly shoots out masses of steam to burn my fingers.  Anyway, after a good talking to, the iron did manage to steam enough to do the job and I think the owls bodies look great.

When I made Hoot and Annie they were intended to be presents for someone (not sure whooo yet!!), but they are so cute I might just have to keep them.  ~Gerry

If you go looking on the Quilters World website for the Hoot n Annie pattern we're afraid you won't find it.  You'll want to get on our mailing list as this pattern will only be offered to our subscribers during our upcoming 12 Days of Christmas Sale. To kick off the festive season we'll be announcing daily deals... you'll see items that we don't normally offer for sale! And all at bargain prices.

Whether you're shopping for yourself, friends or even the grandkids there'll be plenty to choose from. You'll also find inspiration for unique gifts and holiday decorations. The 12 Days of Christmas Sale starts 1st of December. Get on the list and watch your inbox for the daily special which we'll email to you between 8am and 9am each day. You'll want to be quick as each deal will expire at midnight or when stock runs out (which could be much earlier). As an added bonus all purchases during the sale earn an entry into our draw for a Quilters Prize Package worth more than $500. Check out what's in this great bag of goodies.

 

 

 

Brisbane Quilt Show

At the recent Quilt & Craft show in Brisbane, Pauline and Rob were able to catch up with many old quilting acquaintances and make lots of new ones!  They were run off their feet most days with Pauline busy with demonstrations and Rob manning the till!  As many of you would have discovered, Pauline encouraged would be machine quilters to 'have a go' at the machine and try out our very popular quilting tools, such as the sew slip mat and the quilt halo.  These certainly do make life easier, whatever size the quilt.

Whilst making a quick visit to the show, to restock the stand, I took the time to view the very inspirational quilt exhibition and took photos of some of the quilts.  Here is a small selection of my favourites, most of which were either state or national winners of quilt shows around the country.  Very impressive!

Pauline and Rob are now travelling across to the Adelaide Quilt and Craft Show which starts on Thursday 3 November, so if you are at the show, make sure you visit our stand number D10.  I know they would love to catch up with all their South Australian quilting friends.  Pauline will be travelling around South Australia after the show visiting quilting groups with her Gadget Queen presentations and workshops.  She still has a few vacancies so your group would like a visit please be sure to contact me on 07 4696 9825 or email me on info@quiltersworld.com.au .  Happy quilting.

Something to Whet Your Appetite!

As you know Pauline as been very busy this year travelling the length and breadth of the country, visiting quilting groups near and far.  On her recent trip through central and western Queensland she indulged in the purchase of some wonderful and mouth-watering fabrics which she plans to turn into inspiring new quilts and wall hangings. 

Over the Christmas break she will be working hard to produce new ideas for classes next year and hopes to have a new Class List avialable for quilting groups to peruse early in 2012.

Here is a selection of some of the fabrics that Pauline bought from Sandy Gray's lovely store, the Silver Thimble in Barcaldine

 

Pauline has an exciting idea for using this comprehensive collection of brights to be sure to watch this space!

 

We are currently working on Pauline's itinerary for 2012 so if your group is interested in having her visit for either a Gadget Queen presentation or a workshop, please be sure to contact Gerry at info@quiltersworld.com.au or ring her on 07 4696 9825 soon as you can.

Quilting Out West

Our travels take us far and wide and this trip was no exception. For over 25 years we have headed out into Western Queensland to teach new patchwork classes. We've stopped at towns like Winton, Isisford, Ilfracomb and even smaller places like Yaraka.

On my visit out west last year, the women said they thought we should hold the classes later than March. They were worried that the summer storms would turn the black soil road to Yaraka to mud and some of them might get stuck. Yaraka and Isisford take it in turns year about to host the classes and Ilfracombe usually hosts a separate two day class. Most of the girls that attend the class in Ilfracombe then come along to the other one, which was held this year at Yaraka. So we decided to hold the classes in late May, early June.

When we hold these classes in these isolated areas they go for two or three days. The women all bring their sewing gear, their swags and so much good country cooking that their utes are loaded to the top. It is such a fantastic feeling when we all arrive at pretty much the same time. There is such a buzz as we all welcome each other - it's just like coming home. Rob and I have known these girls years and as we only see them once a year, there's a lot of catching up to do.

Once everyone is unloaded, the kettle is put onto boil while the tables are set up. Swags are rolled out and made up with their quilts on top. Next, out comes all the fabric and the machines and then it's cuppa time. The food, well it's nothing short of amazing. So many superb cooks - Masterchef eat your heart out!

Yaraka is only made up of a couple of houses, a pub, the police house and the hall. So when 15 or so women arrive, it's a bit of a population explosion.

I have never seen such a clean and tidy town in all my travels around Australia. Every person travelling around Australia should make this town a must see destination. Soon after going to bed on the first night, the heavens opened and it rained and rained. Everyone knew that we would be staying longer than planned because of the black soil road. Who would have thought that after 25 years of visiting in March and not ever being stuck with summer storms, that we'd be stuck on our first visit in June. These country women know what it's like to be stranded after just a little rain, so no one panicked. They were very happy to have gained some extra sewing days.

Doug, the local policeman, came to see us and said he would let us know when the road would be OK to travel on. No-one was to leave by themselves and he would escort us all out when the road was OK again. We all had the best time, sewing all day and eating wonderful food. We all  converged on the Pub at happy hour for dinner and to meet with some of the locals - it was such a blast. Then back to the we all went hall for a cuppa and more sewing until very late. The girls turned out some amazing work during this time.

Doug gave us the nod to say the road would be dried out by about 10am. Everything was packed up and loaded into the utes, the hall cleaned and we were ready to go. We all met at Doug's house and headed out in convoy, one after the other, through all the bog holes and mud - we had great fun.When we got onto solid ground, we all stopped to say our goodbyes, deciding then and there we didn't want to say goodbye just yet.

So we all drove to the next little town of Isisford, stopping at the wonderful information centre - they have the best coffee shop. We all sat around and enjoyed each others company for a bit longer, even Doug joined in the fun. Then we all went our different directions (Rob and I heading to Blackall for more classes) with happy hearts after some fantastic extra days of quilting and enjoying each others company so much.

To all our wonderful quilting friends in the west we say thank you for the best time - we loved it. Pauline 

LPO of Domestic Machine Quilting

PUT YOURSELF IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
Driving lessons in machine quilting with Pauline Rogers

For most people when they learnt to drive a car they discovered a whole new world. Car + Driver's Licence = Freedom  Pauline's approach to teaching machine quilting is similar to learning to drive a car, as machine quilting takes practice. Skipping steps can lead to trouble and frustration down the road.

Three One Day Workshops
Pauline's LPO of Domestic Machine Quilting is a graduated system of three one day workshops that teach you what you need to know when you're ready. In the first workshop you learn the basics (L) of handling your sewing machine before moving on to more advanced stitching in the second workshop (P) as your confidence and skill level grows. Once you’'ve progressed you'’re ready for the final test of handling a big quilt under your machine (O).

The LPO workshops give you the knowledge and confidence to quilt any size quilt on your domestic sewing machine. You'll learn how to troubleshoot tension and experiment with tools that make quilting easier.

Best of all, you’'ll no longer need to fear the thought of manoeuvring a big quilt on your sewing machine. A whole new world awaits!

L PLATES - A CONFIDENCE BUILDING WORKSHOP
This class teaches you to take control of your machine. With the feed dogs down you learn how to stitch in the ditch without the walking foot. This method allows you to quilt your quilt without ever needing to turn it. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish once you master this manner of sewing.

You learn all about your machine in this class so you can Free Motion Quilt with nice even stitches. The focus is on how to achieve straight lines without drawing them - stitching in the ditch, stitching squares, triangles, stars and a selection of other straight line shapes. By the end of the class you’ll be on the road to quilting so many quilts. You’ll also be ready to move on to your “P” Plates.

P PLATES – A SKILL BUILDING WORKSHOP
During this class you’ll explore the wonderful world of curves step by step with different forms of meandering and stippling – stitching circles, hearts, flowers and spirals, and experimenting with feather shapes.

They’ll be plenty of opportunity to experiment with a selection of tools that make machine quilting even easier. You’ll discover how to use threads to enhance your quilting. By the end of the class you’ll be ready to add new flourishes to your quilts. You’ll also be ready to move onto achieving your open license.

OPEN LICENCE – A FINE TUNING WORKSHOP
In this class, under Pauline’s guidance you’ll discover first-hand how to easily maneuver the bulk of your quilt under the machine, while putting all your new found quilting skills to good use.

You’ll learn about choosing designs to suit your quilt and methods to putting the designs onto your quilt top. Bring along a small quilt sandwiched together ready for quilting or you can get a kit complete with a special Skillbuilder.

After this workshop you’ll be ready for the freedom of the open road on your own. You'll have the knowledge and the confidence to tackle any size quilt… and all those UFO’s!

For more information on booking a hands on workshop with Pauline visit Quilters World. You can also email enquiries or phone 07 4696 9825.

Quilters have a thing for big red trucks

Well the quilters in Warracknabeal - which is in Victoria's Mallee district, north-west of Melbourne - sure seem to have a thing for them.

They love them so much that they have their quilting get-togethers at the local fire station, as can be seen below.

The fire station makes for a cozy place to meet and quilt and... well those big red trucks are there too. Although someone did notice the absence of any manly men in fire suits.

Well, you know, the ladies do go there to quilt...