Twisted threads and quilted wonders

{Click Image to Enlarge}

1. Endless Journey - Rachel Gomall, 2. Sunset Sun - Winner Young Quilter/Embroiderer 5-8 year old (yes, that’s right, 5-8!),
3. Peacock’s Paradise - Laura Sharp, 4. Moroccan Babouches - Gillian Travis,
5. Nordic Life - Kjersti Thoen, 6. A Right Bobby Dazzler - Win Sabapathy

I don't quilt. I don't even sew really. I don't own a sewing machine (although I'm considering changing that) and although I can sew on a button and I can hem, I prefer to use magicweb for hemming if I can get away with it (even used glue stick once to stick up a hem) and will wear something without the button if it's not going to result in losing the garment or an untimely flash of underwear (I can hear the gasps of horror from here! I know, I know, it's disgraceful! Can't even be bothered to sew on a button...I'm dishonouring the family name - I'm sorry!).

It's not so much that I can't sew. I've dabbled in embroidery and made quite a few of my own clothes when I was a student (including some frightening harem style trousers that I had several pairs of) and even (with the guidance of a much greater skill) embellished a jacket for my wedding dress with beads and appliqué, but for some reason I've never really picked up sewing and run with it...

Perhaps it has to do with having several others in my family that excel at all things sewing related: My grandmothers were both very good seamstresses, my mother sews a fine seam and still hems for me if I can wangle it, my one aunt is a textile artist who (amongst many other things) makes the most gorgeous quilts, my sister is a demon with a sewing machine and also hand-embroiders most exquisitely, and one of my cousins is a fantastic textile designer and all-round creative wonder. And they all knit (another thing I don't do, although I know how), including another aunt who used to knit for a living.

Perhaps unconsciously daunted by all this talent and skill, I have been happy not to jump into that water and leave it to the accomplished hands of others. I'd consider myself more of a mixed-media creative and, although I love and use haberdashery, have always thought of paper as my primary medium.

{Click Image to Enlarge}

1. Podz One - Sheena Quayle, 2. Herd Mentality - Ferret,
3. Concertino - Jutta Erner, 4. Mapping a Dress - April Jackson

However, despite never having developed the skills, I am very drawn to textiles and textile arts.

Imagine my delight then, when I discovered that the European Quilt Festival was to be held at the nearby National Exhibition Centre this past weekend. I decided to go mostly because I knew that my quilting aunt would love to have been there and couldn't be, and with the intention of taking some photographs to share with her. I wasn't sure what to expect really (never having attended something of this scale before) but I don't think I could have been prepared for what I found. In addition to all the exhibitors of fabrics and quilting doodats, there were over 1000 competition quilts on display, competing in 15 categories.

I went expecting to spend a couple of hours. I left 6 hours later and that's only because the doors were closing. I could quite happily have stayed on.

{Click Image to Enlarge}

1. Tournesol - Ineke Berlyn, 2. Coast - Julia O’Leary,
3. Shallows - Jill Sharpe, 4. Essential Elements - Whitley Chapel First School

Incredible, overwhelming, inspirational.

I took over 400 photographs. I won't share them all with you (sighs of relief all 'round) but I have to post some. Some winners, some that I just loved. I'll probably spread them over a few posts as I am still sorting out all the pictures.

{Click Image to Enlarge}

1. Spring of Desire - Ted Storm, 2. Elemental - Laura Kemshall, 3. Family Tree Revealed - Michelle Stanswood

This was the piece I saw first. Winner of the Contemporary Large and Machine Quilting categories. So delicate. So exquisite.

{Click Image to Enlarge}

Flower Power - Philippa Naylor

Wow!