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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Podcast - Interview with Kerry Glen from Tulis Textiles, Batik Specialist

This episode is an interview with Kerry Glen of Tulis Textiles, a web based quilt shop that specialises in batik fabrics, squedge rulers and now branching out into surface design supplies.  Kerry talks about her journey into quilting, and importing and selling batiks.  

This is a photo of one corner of Kerry's cutting room.  I confess that I took a few colours home with me...

We learn how batiks are made and also about some other Indonesian fabrics.  Below is a picture of one of Kerry's chops or caps, which is used to print a wax resist onto the fabric.  This is the surface of the chop dipped into the wax, the handle is behind the chop and you can't see it.

Here is a picture of the table runner that we talk about, with an unusual colour scheme inspired by a clay pot, and created using a 15 degree wedge ruler.  Kerry has a free pattern for this on her website, click here to see it.

Kerry has begun holding quilt retreats and we discuss the why and wherefores of getting together groups of like minded people.  It's really awesome that the New Zealand quilt market is growing to the extent that make these retreats viable.  I hope that Kerry keeps getting the numbers to continue these as they are an awesome way for quilters to get together with people who speak your language and learn something new.  Go and check out the details for her textile art retreat in August.

Kerry has also started stocking surface design supplies, check them out here, and check back often as the range is going to grow.  

I had a wonderful time talking to Kerry, and there is much more, so have a listen and enjoy!



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