Bridget Macfarlane on the Capital Quilters 12 x 12 Exhibition - The NZ Quilt Show

I reached out to Bridget Macfarlane, quilter from Wellington, and asked her to give me an insight into the Capital Quilters 12 x 12 exhibition currently running at the Hutt Arts Society until the 13th August.

I first met Bridget on Instagram and enjoyed seeing her modern quilting style and interactions with other Wellington quilters.  The photo below is one of Bridget's quilts that we discuss during our chat. She uses her hand-dyed fabrics in such a graphic, modern way - I love it!

Winter Sunset at Makara by Bridget Macfarlane 

The book we talk about is Modern Color by Kim Eichler-Messmer.  Bridget used this book as inspiration when she has been experimenting with hand dyes.

Once we finish discovering a bit about Bridget, we get into discussing the exhibition itself.  There were 12 different categories that people could enter, but they could pick and choose which ones or enter all of them (only one person entered a quilt in every category!).  The twelve categories were:

1. Pink
2. Flora & Fauna
3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
4. Round the World
5. Kiwiana
6. Through the Lens
7. Celebrations
8. Buildings
9. Friendship
10.Bedazzle
11.Childhood
12.Safety


157 quilts were entered by 50 members of the club - a fantastic amount of quilts and a great participation rate!  The judge was Kirsten Duncan, one of the 'twelves' - a participant in the original 12 x 12 internet based art quilt challenge that resulted in the book "Twelve by Twelve: the International Art Quilt Challenge". 


We talk about a few of the quilts in the exhibition itself.  The Best in Show winner was Lyn White with Light Show at the Museum.

Bridget won first in the pink category with her 'not very pink' quilt.

photo by Bridget Macfarlane

And she also won a merit in the reduce, reuse, recycle category with her painted doily quilt.

photo by Bridget Macfarlane

Jan Nankivell (I hope I've spelt your name right, Jan), was the winner of the reduce, reuse and recycle category and used hundreds of pre-loved staples to create this image of the elephant!

photo by Bridget Macfarlane

We discuss Adrienne Read's quilt in the bedazzled category with it's interesting fringe and fabric collage.

photo by Bridget Macfarlane

The quilt below is one of my favourites - Lyndy Young's entry in the flora and fauna category.  Such a graphic and striking image of her cat, Mr Marco.

photo by Bridget Macfarlane

We also discuss Rayna Clinton's clever quilt that won the through the lens category.

photo by Bridget Macfarlane

If you'd like to see more quilts or learn more about Capital Quilters, head over to their blog http://capitalquilters.blogspot.co.nz

And you can visit Bridget at her Instagram feed https://www.instagram.com/bridgetmacfarlane/

Thanks for taking the time to chat to me Bridget!

Thank you to everyone who supports this podcast and helps me tell the stories of our quiltmakers, artists and professionals.  If you would like to support me, head over to iTunes and leave a five star review, pop over to my podbean hosting site and leave a donation, or consider advertising your business by sponsoring an episode.  Email me at theslightlymadquiltlady@gmail.com  Cheers!

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What's in a Name? Podcast Episode 12

Here's a new podcast episode for you.  I give a bit of an update on what I'm working on, discuss the importance of names and muse about changing my blog and podcast name and then give a little run down on what I hope is coming up for the podcast.

Here's a picture of the 12 x 12 purple challenge quilt I talk about.  It's in it's ugly duckling basted stage.  Hopefully once it's quilted it will look a whole lot better.

And thank you all so much for making my children feel world famous with all your comments about their Lego sewing machine!

Purple 12 x 12 Finished

I've named my purple 12 x 12 challenge entry 'Cerego' as reference to it being my first piece finished since moving onto our boat.  The deadline for these quilts isn't until November 20th, so I think I may start another one.

I'm feeling a little down that I won't be entering anything into the Symposium exhibition this time around.  It's ok, I consciously decided to give myself absolutely no pressure so I could cope with the moving and settling in process, but it's still a bit of a regret.  Stitching and sending off a couple of purple quilts may go some way to soothing my feelings.  These challenge quilts are not juried, so all are displayed, and they make a fabulous colourful display.

You also don't have to be a member of Aotearoa Quilters to enter (although I'd encourage you to join, I think it's important we support our national guild).  And there is a $300 prize sponsored by Quiltmania and several other prizes sponsored by Wrights Fabric.  Does that get you interested?  Click here for more details.  I'd love to see your quilt hanging next to mine!

12 x 12 Purple Challenge

The Colour Purple 12" x 12" - Colour Purple Entries close 21 November 2014 Purple will be the colour of our next 12x12 Challenge. This will be open to everyone - you do not have to be a member of Aotearoa Quilters, so tell your friends - get them involved.  You have plenty of time and these small quilts are very achievable.  Get a group together for inspiration, motivation and some new ideas - have some fun along the way. Prizes: $300 for the winner and three merits of $100 each. Conditions of entry and entry form can be found here. Entry fee will be $15 for members and $25 for non-members.   Join Aotearoa Quilters now to get the member benefits.