A Road Test by Michelle Marvig: The Magik Pressing Mat
Life is too short to iron, right? I avoid buying clothes that require ironing, fold the clothes as soon as they come off the line, and have never ironed household linen. So, why am I happy to be testing something that has to do with ironing?Because the one thing that I am pedantic about pressing is […]
Inside Rachael Porter’s Studio
A passion that began with the archetypal sampler quilt has blossomed into award-winning quilts, teaching gigs and now a blossoming online business for quiltmaker and designer Rachael Porter. Words by Michael O’Neile. Photographs provided by Rachael Porter. Rachael reminisces that her quiltmaking has markedly changed since she began this textile journey. Initially her quilts were […]
Mid & Long Arm Machines with Anita Ellis
Do I need a longarm quilting machine? This is such a big decision, literally. Longarm quilting set-ups are big on space requirements and costly to purchase. Often these are the only things that are considered, but there is so much more to think about. As always, I am not going to advise you to buy […]
Make your own Bunny Pouch Necklace with Trixi Symonds
Thinking about what mums could make with their kids this Easter I came up with this super easy to sew bunny pouch necklace. Little girls seem to love bags and pouches as well as necklaces so I guess that a bunny pouch that could be worn as a necklace seemed like the perfect combination…and it […]
Block Masterclass Series: Dresden Plate
The Dresden Plate owes its name to the German city of Dresden, where porcelain plates decorated with elaborate flowers, fruits and foliage designs were produced. These plates became the inspiration for the Dresden Plate quilt block. During the 1920s and ‘30s, these blocks were some of the most popular designs. The Dresden Plate pattern combines […]
Road Test – Kaniva Template Set by Little Desert Quilts
The lament of every quilter that I have ever met, or know, is that we all struggle with lack of discipline when it comes to buying fabric. We all have plenty at home and tell ourselves “no more”, but we still buy more when temptation is in front of us! We just can’t help ourselves. […]
In the Studio with Catherine Butterworth
A life-long involvement in fabric retailing and sewing has given Catherine Butterworth the background for creating award-winning quilts in both traditional and modern styles Words by Michael O’Neile Photographs by Peter and Julie Butterworth Ohioan-born Catherine Butterworth first visited Australia as an exchange secondary student in 1971, returning to Sydney a few years later […]
The spectacular work of Lily Adelaide Upton
Lily Adelaide Upton’s work is a contemporary celebration of Aussie natives. Drawing on her diverse surroundings, she captures the essence of Australia’s spectacular flora and fauna in rich embroidery. While riding her bike to work, she spots rainbow lorikeets, honeyeaters, rosellas, galahs, corellas and many eucalyptus varieties, which fill her head with lots of creative […]