The NZ Quilt Show - Cait McLennan Whyte, Editor of Fabricate Magazine

In September 2016, a brand new magazine was launched in New Zealand.  Titled Fabricate, it showcases the textile arts scene in NZ.  There is news of upcoming events, profiles of artists and artisans, reviews of exhibitions – anything to do with textiles and stitch.  The creator and editor of the magazine is Cait McLennan Whyte and I was super excited to have her on the show so we could learn more about her, her story and the story of Fabricate and what we might see from Fabricate in the future.    

Photo credit: Ponsonby News

Cait gives us the story of Fabricate - from an idea that she ruminated on for quite a while to the beautiful magazine that has now had three issues published, with another heading to the printers any day.

We discuss how textile arts fit into the world of fine arts, how much there is to discover about the textile arts scene in New Zealand and how Cait wants her magazine to 'join the dots' for people interested in fibre and textile arts across the whole scene.

Cait gives us her thoughts on why she went with a print only (at this stage) magazine in what some may consider a brave move in the digital focused publishing world, and how she plans to be a sustainable business.

We mention The New Zealand Fashion Museum and you can see the dress Cait 'lent' to them here.

Cait also mentions an upcoming exhibition of Maureen Lander's work at the Dowse, find info here. 

Please take the time to listen to this chat, I found it a really interesting conversation and I think you will too.  You can get podcast listening apps for both Android and Apple phones and tablets, and then in the apps you search for The New Zealand Quilt Show or The Slightly Mad Quilt Lady and hit subscribe.  Once you've done that, every new episode will automatically turn up in your app without you having to search for it.

Fabricate on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/fabricatemag/
Fabricate email:  fabricate@ihug.co.nz

If you'd like to subscribe to Fabricate and you haven't seen it in your local magazine stand, send Cait an email at the email address above.

This episode was sponsored by Kerry Glen of Tulis Textiles.  Visit tulis.co.nz for beautiful batik fabrics, rulers, tools, stencils, stamps and a wide range of fabric paints for surface design.  

(PS - if your club is looking for a great teacher consider Kerry.  I just did a class with her and she was fabulous!  See her classes list here) 

If you're interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast, please email me for details.

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Donna Ward from Donna's Quilt Studio - Podcast Interview

Donna Ward is one of those 'world-famous in New Zealand' quilters.  Ask any quilter in New Zealand and they are sure to have heard of her or seen one of her quilts.

But it turns out she's a normal down-to-earth person just like you and me, and we had a great conversation about her journey into quilting, then teaching and then owning a quilt shop and teaching studio that she manages with her daughter, Ashleigh Ward.

These are the kinds of quilts that first made me aware of who Donna was.  Big, bold, Pacifica inspired quilts with exquisite machine quilting:

'Pacific Garden' (pattern available here)

Donna's award winning quilt 'Pacific Spice'

Lately, I've come across Donna on Instagram.  Her handle is @donna8b and she is surprisingly doing a lot of handwork with English paper piecing using modern fabrics.  This may have something to do with being laid up after major leg surgery!  There is also a lot of mini-swaps going on, some foundation piecing and plenty of yummy colours and patterns to look at.

Donna's Instagram feed.  She has since blinged her cast up by modpodging Tula Pink fabric all over it!

Donna and I discuss whether this is a sea-change in style for her or whether there are still some batik, pacific inspired quilts yet to come.  We talk about how quilt shop owners need to stay relevant and up to date and how video tutorials and social media are helping Donna and Ashleigh make connections with their customers. 

Watch Donna's tutorials here.

There is lots more good stuff in the interview so have a listen, then drop by Donna's Quilt Studio and say hi.

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Natalie Murdoch from Wholly Quilts - Podcast Interview

Natalie Murdoch from Wholly Quilts graciously took time to speak to me when we were both visiting The Great NZ Quilt Show.

Natalie is a quilter, teacher, gardener, cook and many other things besides.  She runs quilt retreats from her home, teaches quilting, writes fun and informative newsletters and is also an Aotearoa Quilters committee member.

Natalie and I talk about the therapeutic value of quilting, about teaching and running retreats, a wonderful fabric camp Natalie attended in the US, Natalie's own quilts, entering quilt shows and much, much more.

Natalie's quilt at The Great NZ Quilt Show 'Scare de Crows'. 

Natalie's other quilt in the show, a completely different style, 'Kaka Beak Revival' (sorry about the funny lighting, the background is actually one colour).

Natalie runs wonderful retreats and if you are after a relaxing, fun weekend, with wonderful cooking and great company, consider booking a retreat with Wholly Quilt Retreats. 

The fabric camp Natalie and I talk about was run by Common Threads Quilting and the facilitator was Terry Clothier Thompson.

I had fun talking to Natalie - she let it slip after our interview that she was a journalist at one point - so glad she didn't make me nervous by telling me that before!  I hope you enjoy our chat too.  And if you do, please share the podcast with a friend, or log onto iTunes and leave me a review.  Thanks heaps!

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The Great NZ Quilt Show 2016

What a weekend!

I arrived in Rotorua at the Great NZ Quilt Show just as it was opening and there was a queue to get in.  That's a really good sign that all the hard work of the organisers is going to pay off.

During the two days I was there, I managed to record interviews with several interesting people.  This first podcast is a mash together of the small soundbites I got with:

Marion Manson - quilter, artist and natural dyer, Marion was one of the exhibition judges.  Unfortunately I didn't get to speak with Norma Slabbert, the other judge, as she wasn't feeling great and was busy organising her presentation later that day.

Catherine MacDonald - Aotearoa Quilters president and owner of Mallee Textiles (Catherine makes drool worthy fabrics, some of which may have found their way home with me).

Valda Sutton - committee member of Aotearoa Quilters and exhibition coordinator extraordinaire.

Here are a few of the quilts we talk about on the podcast:

'Fabulous Feathers' by Carol Newsham, which Marion Manson talks about as her judges choice award (this photo was actually taken at the Auckland Festival of Quilts as I missed getting a photo of it at Rotorua).

'Gone' by Jeanette Gillies, winner of the Flight Challenge, which is also discussed by Marion.

'Petone Hospital Blanket' by Katherine Morrison, winner of Best in Show at the Wellington Symposium 2009.  Valda and I talk about this as a controversial winner.

'My Turkish Plate' by Valda Sutton, winner of Best in Show at the Palmerston North Symposium 2013.  This quilt is also mentioned in Valda's interview.

'Starnet' by Marge Hurst, winner of the very first Best in Show at Symposium Upper Hutt 1993.  Discussed in Valda's interview.

I hope you enjoy the podcast and stay tuned as I have another couple that I'm editing at the moment.

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Podcast - Interview with Wendy Welsh from Wendy's Quilts and More

I first found Wendy, a New Zealand quilter, through the wonderful pictorial world of Instagram.  Wendy loves colour, loves handwork of all kinds and loves sharing her work with the rest of the world.

I was intrigued with Wendy's millefiori la passacaglia quilt and I contacted her to ask for an interview.  She graciously obliged and we had a good old chat about quilting, colour, hand-piecing and social media.

There is lots of good listening in this interview and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did talking to Wendy.

Links:
Wendy's blog
Wendy's Instagram feed
The Millefiori Facebook group

All pictures are courtesy of Wendy Welsh, please don't use without her permission.

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Podcast - Convo with Mathea Daunheimer

Hi all.  I recently recorded a conversation with my good friend, textile artist Mathea Daunheimer.  We chatted about working in a series, combining new techniques with old and staying true to your artist voice.  We also talked about entering shows and gave our top tips for entering quilt shows.

Mathea was busy painting a quilt while we talked.  She has been working on a series of dragons.  (I was very busy having a cup of tea.)

Here's the 12 x 12 orange and blue colour challenge that was issued by the Kerikeri Quilters.  These are displayed on my gallery walls at the moment, but were originally part of the Kerikeri Quilters exhibition in January.  You can see Mathea's dragon quilt on the top left of the six on the separate wall.

This is Mathea's current 'Mummy Without Coffee' quilt that is in progress.  I shamelessly stole a picture from Mathea's Facebook page - which you can find here.

You can see great progress shots of her other dragon quilts at her blog, which you'll find here.

I hope you enjoy listening in and if you have any questions for us, please leave them below in the comments and we'll get back to you.



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A Day Sailing on the Bay

The R Tucker Thompson is a tall ship that works out of Opua, where I live.  During the summer season they take paying guests for day and evening sails and they use this money to help subsidise youth training trips the rest of the year.

I was lucky enough to have a voucher for a Day Sail for two adults and two children so last weekend my Mother in Law, myself and the two kids made sail!

What a fantastic day!  The crew gets the guests really involved in the sailing of the ship.  The kids hauled ropes, climbed rigging and sat out on the bowsprit like pros.  To give you a bit of perspective, the top of the mast is 20 metres from the waterline.

The morning was spent sailing out through the Bay of Islands.  They gave us yummy cream scones for morning tea and then we anchored in a little bay and spent some time on a beautiful beach.  

I've taken the photo above from the dinghy, the person halfway up the rigging is my 8 year old daughter and my son is up on the yardarm - but you can't really see him.  I had the other guests commenting how brave they were but the kids just thought it was fun!

The Bay of Islands at it's best.  The beaches out in the bay are just gorgeous.

The Tucker is a traditional gaff-rigged schooner.  She's so pretty when you see her sailing around and sitting at anchor.

There was swimming and swinging to be done before a wonderful barbeque lunch.  The fresh air gives you a great appetite.  And they have drinks available for purchase, so you can have a glass of wine if you wish.

I was intrigued by the 'boat bits' as I called them.  Lots of weathered wood and copper and complicated knots, pulleys and bits and pieces.

My son is particularly keen to get back on board and go for one of the youth training week-long trips.  He has to be at least two years older, and he can't wait!  After he's done a trip like that, he can be a volunteer crew.  Because the Tucker is run by a trust, they use volunteers when they can.  One of our crew this trip was a 15 year old that the kids knew from their school.  And he was confident and competent - great to see.

Oh yeah, did I mention we saw dolphins too?!  So lucky!  We had a good breeze that was great for sailing, we had nice weather which made it pleasant and everyone had a fabulous time.  What a perfect day.

So, if you are ever up this way, check out the R Tucker Thompson and book yourself a day sail.  I would thoroughly recommend it

Podcast - Being a Quilter's Kid

I thought I'd talk with my children to get an insight on what they thought about quilts, quilting and having a quilting obsessed Mum.  They were happy to oblige and there are interesting, funny and a few golden moments through our interview.

They both talk about their bed quilts I've made them.

You know the saying about tailor's children having no shoes?  Well, my kids have quilts, but they are both years old, very well loved and consequently getting tatty.  These old photos show me that at least my photo taking ability has improved, but it's also long overdue for me to make new quilts for them I think.  You'll hear Liv request a fairy princess with a pretty dress riding a unicorn pegasus.......sure, I'll knock that off by next weekend!

And here's a picture of the quilt we were sitting on.  I asked them how much they thought I should sell it for....I'm hoping you'll gasp in horror when you hear the figure they suggested!

I hope you enjoy listening.  Apologies if the sound fades in and out a little, I was chasing two kids and a cat round my bed....



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Podcast - Interview with Kerryn Walker, Quilt Shop Owner

Back in January, I visited Kerryn Walker at her quilt shop, The Country Yard.  Although it's about an hour's drive from me, I consider it one of my local quilt stores (LQS).  That's what you get when you live rurally!

Kerryn and her staff are incredibly helpful and supportive to quilters.  They run stitching days and plenty of classes.  They also have interesting block of the months and challenges.  And of course, they have lots of beautiful fabric, threads and notions!

Suz, from 'All The Good Ones Are Taken' blog, is taking part in one of The Country Yard's monthly mystery projects called Medallion Mystery.  Her first post about it is here, and she just told me she's finished the first block so hopefully will be posting more about it soon.

One of the blocks from 2014 Mystery Stitchery, Relics of Yesteryear

Kerryn was generous with her time and let me interview her for my podcast.  We chatted about her journey in quilting, how she came to be a quilt shop owner and what plans she has brewing for the future.  I had fun and learnt a lot so I hope you'll find it an interesting listen.

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Tips and advice for attending a New Zealand Quilt Symposium

So I'm back from the wonderful world that is Quilt Symposium, New Zealand style.  Five days of total quilt immersion, if you choose it that way.  This is my fourth symposium and I'm getting better at organising my time to get the most out of the week.

My first attendance saw me squeeze in a class everyday, lots of lunchtime and evening lectures, the opening, the finale - just about everything that was available.  Unfortunately, I discovered this leaves little time for viewing the exhibitions, sightseeing or shopping the merchants mall.

All the tutors being introduced on Opening Night.  What a selection!

This year I had originally planned to stick to a three day class and only a couple of lectures.  However I had a chance to enrol in a special 'masterclass' of four days with Sue Benner, and I took the opportunity.  So I chose only two lunchtime lectures, and I thought I would still have plenty of time for everything else, but even so I only just squeezed in the half dozen exhibitions, the meetings of various groups, attending a floor talk, the various social functions, a few interviews for the podcast and (of course) a bit of shopping.

That's me joining in Brenda Gael Smith's floor talk about the Living Colour! exhibition.  Thanks to Brenda for inviting me and for the picture.

I'm not complaining.  Symposium is like one huge adrenaline rush for the dedicated quilter - no matter what genre of quilts interests you.  So many awesome people to talk to, stimulating lectures, challenging and fun classes, inspiring exhibitions - but five days is enough.

Attending four symposiums doesn't quite make me an expert (they've been running in NZ since 1984, so I'm sure there are people who have attended plenty more) but it has given me some insight, and so I thought I'd write down some of my 'top tips'.  At the very least, I can use them to remind myself before I attend the next one in Christchurch, October 2017.

The raffle quilt, a group quilt, quilted by Paula Shailer.  Unfortunately I didn't win it!

• Register early.  If you think you may like to attend the next one, go ahead and register now.  The earlier you register, the lower your registration number and the more likely you are to get your choice of classes.  And attending a class that you really wanted to makes the whole thing more fun.

• Plan carefully and leave a day or two free in your schedule.  If you completely fill up your time with classes there is no time to see exhibitions, go shopping or even just wiggle room to have an afternoon hiding in your room if you get overwhelmed.  And the more classes you take, the more and varied your luggage will be.  Think about whether you're a night owl and will enjoy evening lectures or whether you need those evenings to recover and stick to lunchtime lectures.

• Write down your schedule and use those blank spaces from your planning to pencil in the things you want to see and do so that you don't miss out.

• Go for wheels.  Find yourself some sort of wheeled trolley or suitcase to transport your class needs.  Your arms and shoulders will thank you.

• Be prepared.  Comfy shoes, band aids, headache tablets, water bottle, ear plugs and glasses.  Five days is a long time and you'll want to be in good shape to make the most of it.

• Everything is better with a friend.  If you can find a friend to go with you then do it and enjoy the symposium together.  If not - exercise your social skills.  Introduce yourself to people, get talking to your neighbour in the coffee queue, make new contacts because the chances are you'll see them again and again.  I got talking to a group at the exhibition at my second symposium.  They realised I was there on my own so they sort of adopted me .  I went to lunch with them once and now I spend time with them at every symposium.  New friends!

Silly selfie with Lynda, one of the group who has 'adopted' me.

• Accommodation.  Book it early and go for close proximity.  Use google maps or something similar to figure distance.  And consider what facilities you really need.  You won't be spending hours in your room so it doesn't need to be luxurious.  But you will probably be too busy and/or pooped to want to go out and eat every night - so some basic cooking facilities are handy.

• Consider being a volunteer.  The whole thing is run by volunteers who have put hours and hours into making it a success.  So be kind to the organisers, and consider lightening their load by offering to help as a class angel, an exhibition white glove lady or any other position they are asking for help with.  It's another opportunity to meet people and learn something new.

• Above all else, enjoy yourself!  You're there to have fun!

I'm still buzzing with all the ideas and inspiration I gained from attending symposium.  If you've never been, you don't know what you're missing, so go ahead and register for Christchurch!  And I hope some of these tips will help you get the most out of your experience.

Lily's Quilt

A little while ago, Lily sent me an email requesting an appliqué pattern of my Tui (a native New Zealand bird) that she had seen on my blog (or maybe Pinterest?) and also asking if I had a Kiwi pattern.  I drew and wrote them up for her and sent them off.

Lily was kind enough to send me a picture of her finished quilt.  I was so impressed that I wrote back asking permission to share her picture and her story and she generously agreed.  Lily wrote:

"Hello Charlotte

Remember me? you very kindly sent me the pattern for your Tui bird together with the Kiwi and another.

I have finished my quilt for my friend and sent it over-seas. She has got delivery of the quilt last week and the first thing she did was cry - she loved it ! Phew it was such a challenge for me being new to applique but in the end I was glad it turned out ok. You will see that I have used Jenny Hunter designs out of NZ Quilter which I could get back copies from our library. I have been in touch with Jenny Hunter and will also be sending her a copy of this e-mail.

Kind regards

Lily"

Lily took my patterns and turned them into her own.  The Tui on the left middle and the kiwi on the right middle are my designs, but she added koru (spirals) to them to make them work with the rest of the panels.  How fantastic!  It was really fulfilling to see someone inspired by my designs, but use them to create something special and unique.

Thanks Lily!