The Textile Craft Newsletter
inspiration for
patchwork, quilting & embroidery
incorporating
About Aurifil
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your address ********* March 2008
Many of the links, and pages, will open in a new window. Too many open windows may result in screen clutter and slow down your computer. You can avoid this problem by closing windows as you finish browsing and move on to the next page. If you find something that you wish to revisit simply book mark the link so that you can find it again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcome to the March edition of
the Always Quilting “Textile Crafter’s Newsletter”
The 2008 Australasian Quilt Convention, in Melbourne, was an amazing event. It was so busy on Thursday & Friday that it must have been almost impossible to move in the aisles. Unlike most stands, the Aurifil stand was set up so that people could enter and we often felt like sardines as we tried to talk to people. However I wouldn't have had it any other way as I don't think you can buy thread without holding it up to the light to see the true colour. Thread is just not something that can be sold "across a counter". So please accept my apologies if I didn't properly acknowledge your comments about the newsletter. I was very impressed with how patient people were as they waited their turn to be served, or ask a question about a product. I think this is because everyone had something in common so they could chat easily to the "stranger" next to them, comparing purchases and favourite quilts seen in the exhibitions. The Exhibitions were truly amazing, ranging from beautifully executed traditional piecing and intricate quilting to modern textile art pieces that would hold their own when hung side by side with a painting. Next year, in recognition of the growth in popularity
of this event, Expertise Events is moving the Quilt Convention to a new venue.
It will be held from 26 February to 1 March 2009 at the Royal Exhibition
Building, in Carlton.
This is a classic, Heritage listed, building in the parklands, on the north east corner of the city, and was the site of the 1880 International Exhibition and the first meeting place for Australian Parliament in 1901. Read More about the Royal Exhibition Building Book the 2009 Convention date into you diary immediately! I flew to Perth on the Thursday after the Convention to join my family to celebrate my parents 60th wedding anniversary. It was a surprise party and the secret had been well kept. Mum & Dad had no idea about the party and enjoyed meeting with old friends, including the flower girl from 60 years ago. For me it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with nieces & nephews that I rarely see as we all live our separate lives. This past week, back at work, has brought me down to earth as I reviewed the work that needed to be processed after having had 2 weeks out of the studio. So I am back to the quilting machine and computer stitching up a storm, as well as filling orders and trying to keep up with the correspondence. PS: The pre-loved pantograph quilting patterns, mentioned last month, have been selling fast. However there are still some great designs left. If you have a Longarm, or a home version, you will find designs in a wide range of sizes listed on the Quilting Patterns Garage Sale pages. I didn't realise how many patterns I had collected over the years until I catalogued them for this sale.
Exclusive Subscriber OfferThis newsletter offer is a
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It is small enough to keep with your sewing kit and is loaded with tips & tricks for hand or machine quilting written by two experts in the field. It is definitely a handy tool to add to your collection. Read more about this, and all the other new books in the Online Store.
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Are you often looking for a quick, easy & nutritious way to jazz up a meal after you have spent the day stitching?
A
trip into the garden to cut some herbs may be the answer to your problem.
Herbs such as oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, marjoram and mint are easy to grow in a pot, or small space in the garden, and can add a great spark to a simple meal with out adding additional sugar, salt or fat to that meal. Other herbs and spices, not so easy to grow but readily available in the supermarket, are cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and garlic.
Not only do herbs & spices add flavour to the meal but research in recent years has shown that they have wide ranging health benefits as well. They are excellent antioxidants, can help to prevent heart disease and cancer, aid digestion, boost immunity and even reduce the risk of bacteria in food.
eg: Cloves, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger are particularly good antioxidants, fresh garlic is associated with reduced cholesterol levels, ginger has a beneficial role in osteoarthritis (as well as helping to quell nausea) to name a few.
As with most foods, fresh herbs, & freshly opened dried spices, have the best flavour. So buy them in small quantities, throw them out once they become stale and replace with a fresh supply. If you are substituting a dried herb, be aware that it will have a much stronger taste than it's fresh version so use it sparingly.
Who would think that it would be so easy to jazz up that meal!
Website
Update NewsDon't forget to take the time to browse the online store
to check out the latest additions.
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This month I have added self threading hand sewing needles to the stock list as a result of the many inquiries I received at the Quilt Convention.
I am also researching "big eye" needles for the same reason so watch for these in future newsletters. Talking of the Convention, The Sewline marking pencils & glue pens, introduced in this segment last month, sold out in 2 days at the Convention but they are now back in stock. To purchase the self threading, or other hand or machine sewing needles, go to the Notions page in the online store and follow the links to needles page.
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It is always worth browsing the Sale pages in the Threads & More Online Store to see what is the sale basket.
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Imagination brightens the Gold Coast
In past years topics for the Husqvarna Viking International Quilt competition have included Spirit and Strength, Art Takes Shape, Feel Free and Color, Couleur, Colore, Kulör and they have all produced outstanding imagery. This year contestants were simply asked to Imagine That!
The competition received 116 entries from 18 countries around the world including France, the USA, Finland, Japan, Israel, Hungary and Australia among others. From these entries 50 were chosen to be included in the Husqvarna Viking Exhibition. See them on show for the last time in Australia at the Gold Coast Craft & Quilt Fair, April 3 – 6, 2008, at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre as part of an international tour.
The
concept for the competition was - if you can “see” an image in your mind then
you can translate it into fabric. Due to the amazing expertise of the artists
and the quality of the work in the exhibition you get to see the hopes, dreams
and fantasies of the artists becoming reality.
Right:
August, 2005 by Barbara Dorn, Georgia, USAOther quilts & textile artists to look for are:
Imaginasaurus. This breathtaking work earned second prize in the international competition for Helen Godden of Latham in the ACT. It is a perfect example of the talent that we hold here in Australia.
Cinquefolia
, by Maija Brummer of Helsinki, Finland is a stunning autumn inspired piece that combines colourful silk, cotton and synthetics with metallic threads and tulle in a complicated design.Onion, by Diane Firth of Turner in the ACT simply uses cotton and batting in a torn strip collage technique to produce a fascinating modern image.
Cosmic Butterfly, by Cyn Cillick Giest of Michigan in the USA, used discharged satin and machine appliqué to represent the Bug Nebula.
In fact every piece displayed deserves individual attention for the imagination, skill and work that has been demonstrated. If you love textile art, appreciate the passion of artists and have a desire to be inspired and stretch yourself further in your own pursuits, this is one display you cannot afford to miss.
The Craft & Quilt Fair is open to the public every day, Thursday April 3 – Sunday April 6 2008. Tickets are available at the door. $13 for adults, $12 for pensioners, $7 for children (5 – 16). For more information on the expo visit www.craftfair.com.au or call 02 9452 7545.
Event Summary:
Event Name: Gold Coast Craft & Quilt Fair
Date: Thursday, April 3 – Sunday, April 6, 2008
Event Time: Open daily 10am - 5pm
Location: Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach
Cost: Adults: $13, Disability or Age Pensioner/Senior: $12
Children 5-16yrs: $7, Children under 5: FREE
Family tickets: $36. All prices include GST
Tickets available at the door. Ticket sales onsite cash only
Groups: Pre-booked tickets are available at $11 each for groups of 10 people or more
Call (02) 9452 7575 or download a group booking form from the website.
The above Advertorial material supplied courtesy of Expertise Events. Newsletter subscribers had an opportunity to win free entry tickets to the Gold Coast Quilt & Craft Fair by responding to the question in the March subscriber email.
Find the details of more Exhibitions & Events:
Contemporary Textile Award 2008: Theme Gold organised by Buda Historic Home and Garden Castlemaine, Victoria on the textile challenges page.Read about the
If you wish to promote your local exhibition or textile event in this newsletter simply
email the details for inclusion.
Do you have any suggestions for future newsletters?
Your questions, suggestions, wishes, and recommendations are welcomed. Please
email your comments to us.Errors?
Did you spot an error in this newsletter - a misspelt word, a typo, a broken link, or any others? If so, please
report it and it will be corrected.The Textile Craft Newsletter "About Aurifil"
has been compiled and sent to you by:
Jenny Scott
Always Quilting
PO Box 4049
Auburn South, Victoria 3122
Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9889 2499
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9889 2466
Machine Quilting Service
Authorised distributor of Aurifil Thread
Australia & New Zealand
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About Aurifil Newsletter for Crafters |
Cotton Makò
Ne 40 & Ne 28 are the ideal thread weights for quilting.
I
have also always recommended the Cotton Makò Ne 28 for hand quilting. 
The
