Behind the Scenes with Ruth Bloomfield

Ruth Bloomfield has loved fabric ever since early childhood. She recalls playing with beautiful hair ribbons and cutting up bits of fabric to create décor for her dollhouse. As soon as her feet could reach the pedals of the sewing machine, she learned how to stitch.

Ruth's first patchwork creation was a hexagon quilt. This was years ago, and it took her two and a half years to finish the project. Quite awhile went by before she again attempted patchwork. Although traditional quilt making didn't appeal, her desire to create with fabric was so intense, she continued on with the art of patchwork and quilting. In 1992, she created her first original picture quilt of the rainforest with a confetti forest floor. It was then that Ruth realised she had found her niche.

Confetti patchwork is a unique fabric artwork devised by Ruth, which is similar to painting with fabric. "The bits of fabric are used like a palette of paint" and allow for a soft blending of colour perfect for replicating nature's beauty. Ruth's confetti creations have a wonderful three-dimensional quality that interpret the lush surrounding of her home in Far North, Queensland - the rainforest and it's creatures.

It isn't surprising that Ruth has earned many awards for her art.  In 2003, Ruth's creation, "A Tale to Tell" was 'Commended' at the inaugural Australian Quilt Show.  A pictorial quilt of her childhood homestead, "Koreelah" won acclaim in an American competition. Ruth's quilt "Feeling Australia" won inclusion in the 2006 Down Under Quilts Calendar. And it isn't just quilt fame - her "There's a Pig in my Garden" quilt won the inaugural Pan Pacific Pigs in Art Competition in Canberra.

She was thrilled in 2007 when her quilt "On a Roll" was choosen as a finalist at the International Quilt Festival. In October 2009 Ruth was elated when her creation "Puzzled" was awarded second prize in the Art/Naturescape category at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. She also went on to win first prize for a jacket she entered in the Wearable Art fashion parade.

Her other works also incorporate an exciting use of fabric and originality. She is accomplished with silk ribbon embroidery, dying ribbons and fabrics, hand appliqué, free machine appliqué and machine embroidery, Her projects include miniature quilts, story telling aprons, cloth books, beaded handmade cloth pots, dolls and crazy patch quilts.

Ruth believes that fabric is "an ideal medium for creative people to express themselves" and she enjoys sharing her knowledge to help others discover their creativity.

Along with all her talent Ruth brings a great sense of fun to tutoring and now with her workshops available as downloadable video classes, you can learn from Ruth anywhere, anytime!

Crazy Patch or Confetti are now available, with Confetti Landscape and Fern Fun available shortly. And for those who have all of Ruth's current videos... Little Blue Wren will be released in the near future!