Carol Doak's Latest Book

Carol Doak has just released the front cover of her newest book, it is to be called Creative Combinations and to be published by C&T Publishing. It will be released in February 2013.

Make those rectangle units do double-duty!
• Stunning Blocks & Borders from a Single Unit • 32 Paper-Pieced Units • 8 Quilt Projects
Carol Doak is back with something new and exciting for paper piecers! Learn how the same rectangular unit can work in dramatically different ways in the blocks and borders of your quilt. If you haven't tried paper-piecing yet, this book is for you, too. You'll discover how quickly and easily your quilt comes together with Carol's foundation piecing technique. She provides tips for tools and fabrics, plus plenty of inspiration.
• See how just one rectangle unit works beautifully in both blocks and borders with full-size paper-piecing patterns

• Try Carol’s inspiring quilt projects to learn how to work with unit placement, how to paper-piece, and how to choose your fabrics

• Get creative with your own unit combinations—patterns on CD give you flexibility to change the size of your quilt, or design your own pattern

This book looks amazing and will use Carol Legal Size Foundation Papers. We do stock Carol's Foundation Papers and if you love foundation piecing these papers are without question a MUST! 

They are fantastic. I had sewn several quilts which are foundation pieced. The first couple I printed my templates out on normal computer paper, oh what a mistake that was. When you tear out that paper it pulls the seams and it is really hard to get it all out. I then got some of Carol Foundation Papers to try, yes they will cost more to use but oh wow the difference, you will wonder why you bothered trying anything else. The paper will print through your normal printer and in most of Carol's books you will find a disk that includes Foundation Factory which has the templates on it so you can just print it straight from the computer onto these foundation paper's (and you can print them out at any size!). They tear out so easily, no pulling on the seam and you get it all out, no little pieces left! And here is a bonus, Carol was one of our teachers for Quilting in the Highlands 2012, and we printed all the foundation papers for the workshops she was teaching. I was able to print these foundations on Carol's Foundation Paper through the laser printer, it was so easy! The Foundation Papers come in 8-1/2in x 11in, 100 sheets. Use in most inkjet or laser printers or copy machines. No shrinking, curling, or turning brittle! Holds up beautifully during stitching; tears away easily.Use a dry iron on a cotton setting and a press cloth on your ironing board cover to protect it from excess ink.

If you are interested in trying out these fantastic Foundation Paper CLICK HERE

Quilkting in the Highlands 2013 Teacher: Sandra Leichner

Our next Quilting in the Highlands Teachers for 2013 that we would like to introduce is Sandra Leichner.

Sandra is a top internationally awarded and recognized Master Applique Artist and is known for her masterpiece quilts that showcase her unique illustrative approach with hand appliqué and hand embellishment techniques. Combining an art background with years of working with textiles and fibers, Sandra creates stunning Artisan quilts that are both art and traditional in style with breathtaking quality.

Her work has consistently won major juried national and international awards including numerous major national Best of Show awards as well as the RJR Best of Show Wall Quilt at the AQS quilt show in Paducah and two Master Awards for both Art and Traditional categories at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. Her work is included in the permanent collections of two national quilt museums including The National Quilt Museum. 

Sandra has also appeared on three PBS specials and The American Quilter television program. Sandra and her quilts have been published in many sources worldwide and is the author of the book, "Hand Applique with Embroidery" published by AQS in 2010.

New Fabric in Store: Dutch Cottage

The latest fabric collection as part of the Culture Club has arrived in store. It is The Dutch Cottage designed by Leesa Chandler. The fabrics in this collection were inspired by Delftware China, Dutch costumes and tiles.

We have it in store and you can view and order the collection via our website by CLICKING HERE or going to  http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/shop/category/fabric-by-type/culture-club-dutch-cottage/?showall=1&page_num=1

New Fabric in Store: Autumn Plume

The very popular fabric collection Plume has just been released in an Autumn colour way.

The original Plume featured a blue/turquoise colourway with a black background and was well received by our customers and this new collection will surely not disappoint. The fabric's main feature is  this elegant peacock with a striking color palette of brown, grey, black and metallic gold. There are several coordinating pieces including a border print available in store.

We do still have some of the original colour way (pictured below) available in store and online CLICK HERE to view.

Jan made this beautiful quilt using the first colour way collection of Plume. The pattern she used is Leesa Chandler's Southern Jewel Pattern with the addition of borders.

Quilting in the Highlands 2013 Teacher: Rachelle Denneny

Our next teacher from Australia who will be joining us for Quilting in the Highlands 2013 is Rachelle Denneny. Rachelle is well know both within Australia and Internationally for her amazing machine quilting. 

 In 2010 her quilt "Royal Amethyst" (pictured above) took out the Founders Award as part of the IQA World of Beauty at the International Quilt Festival Houston. It has also claim prizes such as 1st Prize in the Professional Predominantly Applique category, the award for Excellence in Domestic Machine Quilting and Viewers Choice at the Sydney Quilt Show 2010, and Runner up to the Best of Show, Excellence in Domestic Machine Quilting, Viewers Choice and 1st place Predominantly Applique at the South Australian Festival of Quilts 2009.

 A Detailed view of Royal Amethyst

 Rachelle at The International Quilt Festival Houston 2010 show the back of her quilt

 (photo taken by Sue Dennis)

At this years 2012 Sydney Quilt Show there was a special competition: Master Quilters - 30th Anniversary Invitational, to celebrate 30 years of the NSW Quilters Guild, top quilters from Australia were asked to be part. Rachelle's Quilt (pictured below) Golden Ivory took out the first prize in the Traditional section. Golden Ivory is entered into the Australian Machine Quilting festival in South Australia in September and also in our Adelaide Guilds Festival of Quilt. Good luck Rachelle at these competitions!

Quilting in the Highlands 2013 Teacher: Mariya Waters

We have announced our 3 US teachers for Quilting in the Highlands Retreat 2013, they are Deb Karasik, Sandra Leichner and Barbara Olson. We can now announce our first Australian Teacher: Mariya Waters. Mariya is simply an amazing quilter. Her quilts have taken top prizes and Best in Show both here in Australia but also Internationally. 

"Renaissance Revival" (pictured above) is one of her most famous quilts.  It has won Best of Show and Best Domestic Machine Quilting and the inaugural Hangers' Award at the Quilters’ Guild of NSW June 2007 show in Sydney.   This was followed by  Best of Category and Viewers' Choice at the Victorian Quilters Inc July 2007 show in Melbourne.  The Quilt won the Founders Award in the IQA show in Houston, USA in October 2007.    In February 2008 the quilt was awarded best of Australia (the Bernina Australian National Quilt Award 2007) at the Australian Quilt Convention in Melbourne. In April 2009 the quilt was awarded Best of Show at the AQS 25th Anniversary Quilt Show and Contest in Paducah KY USA and the quilt now hangs in the National Quilt Museum in Paducah KY USA. 

We are very excited to have Mariya joining our teaching team for 2013. For more information about Mariya and to view her wonderful collection of her quilts go to http://www.mariyawaters.com/

Full details for Quilting in the Highlands 2013 and other Australian Teachers will be released in the coming weeks.

Day out in Berrima

Before the start of Quilting in the Highlands, on the Friday we took our teachers out for a day in Berrima. This was a great way for the them to see the town and to relax before the start of the retreat. Our first stop for the day was Berrima Courthouse. 

 

Despite having a business in Berrima for nearly the past 5 years I have to admit that I have never been through the courthouse. It is a grand old building, which in 1835 a foundation stone was laid by Governor Bourke. The sandstone of the building was quarried at Church Hill (behind Holy Trinity Church of England today). It took 3 years to build. The courthouse does have an interesting history with many hangings taking place here. 

 The tour of the courthouse starts with a video presentation about the history of Berrima and the Courthouse. Then you go through the various rooms, one of which has on display the Berrima Quilt. You view the cells and then go into the main courtroom where they have a light and sound display with a trial all set up. At first it was like being a school kid again on a school excursion but I really enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity to give the teachers an insight into the village history. If you are in Berrima definitely go and check it out.

They do have a website http://www.berrimacourthouse.org.au/index.htm so please check it out. The Berrima Court House is owned by the NSW State Government and is managed by a Trust comprised of local residents. The museum employs a manager/curator and is staffed by volunteers. The only revenue they receive is via visitors to the Court House and retail sales from the gift shop and of course fund raising events held by Friends of the Berrima Court House. They are not funded by local, state or federal governments. It is important that we support them as without our help this part of Berrima's history would be lost.

After the Courthouse tour it was time for lunch. The Courtyard Cafe was our choice. They also have great service and food and they definitely did not disappoint. 2 hours later...... it was time to explore the shops of the village and a few happy snaps. I did hear that some of them also sneaked over to the Gumnut Pâtissière for afternoon tea! It was a long day but enjoyed by all.

Photo of our Quilting in the Highlands teachers outside the Lolly Swagman L-R Sue Dennis, Carol Doak and Melinda Bula

Quilting in the Highlands Day 4

Day 4 was our last day of Quilting in the Highlands. 4 Fantastic days of learning, laughter and more. We could not have wished for more from our teachers, who was a talented and lovely group of ladies, it had been a great joy meeting all of them and creating a friendships with all of them. The students were eager to get started on day 4 continuing their projects from the previous day. The quilts and project were all taking form and it still amazes me just how with  just different fabric the same pattern can look so different. Below are photos taken from our final day of Quilting in the Highlands.

 Sherri (Carol Doak's Friend) who came all the way from Ohio to help Carol in her workshop, trying a Pavlova for the first time

 One of the yummy morning teas

 Photo taken in Sue Dennis' Opal Fever Workshop

  Michele Hill's Workshop Fantasy Meets at Midnight

 Amanda in Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

Photo from Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

 Photo from Melinda Bula's Workshop Waratah

 Melinda Bula in her Workshop Waratah

  Photo from Melinda Bula's Workshop Waratah

  Photo from Melinda Bula's Workshop Waratah

 Heads down and sewing in Carol Doak's Workshop Bright Star

 

One of the blocks taking form in Carol Doak's Workshop Bright Star

 

 Photo from Michele Hill's Workshop Fantasy Meets at Midnight

  Photo from Michele Hill's Workshop Fantasy Meets at Midnight

  Photo from Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

   Photo from Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

   Last Photo of all the teachers together at lunch time

 Maia's finished center of her quilt from Carol Doak's Workshop Bright Star

 Photo from Melinda Bula's Waratah Workshop

 Sue Dennis showing off some of her printed fabric in her workshop Opal Fever

 

Photo from Sue Dennis' workshop Opal Fever

 Jo working hard in Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

 Amanda, Judy and Jeanette in Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

 Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

 Leesa Chandler's Workshop Under The Australian Sun Experience

 Photo of Peta in Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever

 Photo of Michele Hill showing some hand embroidery techniques in her workshop Fantasy Meets at Midnight

 Maia's block with one of the final borders in Carol Doak's Workshop Bright Star

 One of the beautiful quilts from Michele Hill's Workshop Fantasy Meets at Midnight

Photo from Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever

 Jennie's nearly finished quilt from Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever

 

Clare's nearly finished quilt from Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever

 Larry's nearly finished quilt from Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever

 Flat Stanley makes an appearance with an Opal Fever Quilt from Sue Dennis' Workshop

 Fay's stunning string of pearls and opal quilt from Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever

 

Tracy's nearly finished quilt from Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever

 Group photo from Sue Dennis' Workshop Opal Fever at Quilting in the Highlands

 Two quilts from Michele Hill's Fantasy Meets at Midnight Workshop at Quilting in the Highlands

 Group Photo from Michele Hill's Fantasy Meets at Midnight Workshop at Quilting in the Highlands

 Sandra East, winner of the Bernette Sewing Machine from our Sponsor Bernina Australia

 The end of the day.... Melinda Bula signing books

 Carol Doak and Melinda Bula signing copies of their books