NEW ZEALAND
QUILTFEVER
  • HOME
  • About
    • QUILT RELATED BLOG
    • QUILT FEVER QUIZ
    • FUN BLOG >
      • Vanuatu
  • 1 DAY CLASSES
    • Twitch >
      • twitch needs list
    • TRICKS OF THE TRADE INTRO CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • TRICK OF THE TRADE INTRO NEEDS LIST
    • SHAPER STARS CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • SHAPER STARS NEEDS LIST
    • ENCOMPASSING STARS 1 DAY CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • ENCOMPASSING STARS 1 DAY NEEDS LIST
    • OLD FASHION HAND QUILTING 1 DAY CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • OLD FASHION HAND QUILTING NEEDS LIST
    • HAND APPLIQUE YOUR WAY 1 DAY CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • HAND APPLIQUE YOUR WAY NEEDS LIST
  • 2 DAY + CLASSES
    • TRICKS OF THE TRADE CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • TRICKS OF THE TRADE NEEDS LIST
    • ENCOMPASSING STARS 2 DAY CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • ENCOMPASSING STARS 2 DAY NEEDS LIST
    • REAL TWEETS- CANVAS MOUNTED >
      • REAL TWEETS- CANVAS MOUNTED
    • BEGINNER'S TOTE 2 DAY CLASS DESCRIPTION >
      • BEGINNER'S TOTE NEEDS LIST
  • gallery
    • HISTORICAL QUILTS >
      • THE FIRST QUILT
      • YO YO INSANITY
      • GRANDMOTHER'S FAN
      • THE PURPLE PINEAPPLE
      • MAY BASKETS
    • ART QUILTS >
      • Going Places
      • CONSEQUENCES >
        • INDIVIDUAL BLOCKS
      • ROSE WINDOW
      • GENTLE TEA
      • NATIVE NINE PATCH
      • REINVENTING THE WHEEL
      • DADDY'S BOUQUET
      • CLARITY >
        • clarity words
      • FOREST FELINE
      • JANZOONS
      • POSTCARD CHALLENGE
      • CREATED
      • CITRUS SORBET
      • EMERGED
      • Sarah and Getty
      • STARLIGHT SONATINA OPUS 8
      • SERENITY
      • OH RUBBISH!!
    • QUILTS FOR CHILDREN >
      • GIRLS HAPPY VILLAGES
      • GRACE'S BUNNY QUILT
      • LUKE'S BABY QUILT
      • CHILDREN'S BIBLE STORY QUILT >
        • CLOSE UPS OF BIBLE BLOCKS
      • BETHS BUTTERFLIES
      • GRACES SYMPOSIUM ENTRY
      • CHILDREN'S SUMMER CLASS
      • GRACE AND BETH CREATE TOTES
    • BED QUILTS >
      • Grace and Michaels quilt
      • DOUBLE WEDDING RING VARIATION
      • MY SON'S LEAVING HOME QUILT
      • DAD'S TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
      • GOLD ANNIVERSARY CLOSE UP
      • GIRL'S BUNK QUILTS
      • DOUBLE WEDDING RING FOR MUM
      • DRUNKARD'S PATH
      • GRANDMOTHER'S OTHER FAN
      • GRANDPA'S GEESE
      • BARBARA'S TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
    • MOST RECENT QUILTS
    • CLASS CANDIDS >
      • Manutu 2015 Encompassing Stars
      • Manuatu 2015 Shaper Stars
      • TRICKS OF THE TRADE TIMARU the 2nd
      • TRICKS OF THE TRADE TIMARU
      • CLASS CANDIDS 2
      • CLASS CANDIDS 3
      • BRAIDED RIBBONS SYMPOSIUM CLASS PHOTOS- BARGELLO
      • BRAIDED - MARINER'S BLISS
      • BRAIDED - TRICKS OF THE TRADE
      • ROTOITI
    • OTHER QUILT RELATED PHOTOS
  • contact me
    • useful links
  • MY SHOP
    • STARWHIZ
    • BARGELLO BABY
  • suggested supplies

Cant believe it's over!

4/28/2014

1 Comment

 
Where has the time gone?  

The skies unleashed on the South Island today with torrents pouring down, flooding the countryside.  Happily nothing could dampened the quilting enthusiasm.  

All snug in our rooms we stitched and created away.  The ladies in today's Tricks of the Trade class made lovely creations. Pictures posted under gallery/candid section.

Seems impossible that it's already time to pack up and head home. Hats off to the organisers, this has been a wonderful event!
Picture

Some of the tutors and committee enjoyed a last evening meal together.  

1 Comment

A symposium infomercial.

4/28/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
So, what is a quilt symposium?

Glad you asked.  In New Zealand a quilt symposium is a collection of all things that make a quilter happy.

There are classes, quilt supply shops, food and sewing machines.  Honestly, what else does a quilter need???

This is how it works in a 'nut shell'.  Kinda a long nut shell, but you'll get the idea.

First - someone puts their hand up and volunteers to host this event. Volunteers.  Not a paid position.  Usually a shop or club.  Once every two years a main symposium is held, and often has over a thousand registrants.  The larger event can afford to bring in international tutors as well as local, and has multiple exhibitions with several prizes.

On the alternate years the mini-symposium hosts New Zealand tutors and is home-town small.  There are still classes, exhibitions and a merchants mall, just on a reduced scale. 

At some point there is a call for registrations of interest.  Usually there are forms available in the quilt magazines, some shops and online.  Registrations show the number of interested parties and gives seed money to print the catalogues and put deposits on venues etc.

Tutors send CVs to the organisers and then hold their breath. With so many talented tutors in this country, it must be a very difficult to decide who receives the letters saying "sorry" or "congratulations".   Most organisers strive to have a wide variety of classes appealing to a broad range of quilters.  

Once tutors are chosen and classes selected, a catalogue is sent to those attending to make some choices. Tutors know that a minimum number must sign up for their classes in order to pay for their fare, wage and lodging.  

A high percentage of classes do go through and students are assigned their choices, or if a class is over full, their back up choices.  Tutors are notified which classes will be full and make arrangements accordingly. 

The committee works hard keeping everyone informed as they court sponsors, organise speakers, venues, merchants, contracts and queries.  The pace becomes frenetic for them leading up to the day as more and more details have to come together.  

Registered attendees arrive and receive their 'goodie bag', which contains a mug, coupons and a selection of small donations from shops and sponsors. Sometimes there is even chocolate!


The first night a formal 'opening' ceremony introduces the committee, sponsors and tutors. Prizes are often awarded for the Hoffman challenge, and any other challenges or exhibitions.  

The Bernina crew go through and set up the machines they rent to those that need them(so quilters don't have to lug their precious machines on airplanes etc.) Students and tutors get ready for the next day and the work begins!

Classes last about six hours, with a nice lunch break in the middle to wander through the merchant's mall and visit with friends. This is a wonderful time to meet new people, discover innovative items on the market or just take time to have a look at the great quilts on display.

During class breaks tea, coffee and biscuits appear.  When machines rebel Bernina guys come in and create minor miracles. All in all it's a pretty reliable set up.  The inevitable quirks never really stop the momentum of the event. 

The after class 'happy hour' (called this because it is usually hilarious)  is  nice touch at the end of the day where friends meet up. Spot prizes are given for often ridiculous reasons and the classes have a chance to show and tell about their hard work.  Friends meet to share the day's news.

One night a gala is on offer where quilters can dress up for a first-class meal.  A speaker of some import is on hand and some entertainment. The type of entertainment varies greatly between events with shows such as singers, magicians and fashion runways.  

The closing night really winds up the week with the committee re-capping the events, sharing special happenings of the time and thanking everyone.  It's then farewell to friends until the next show! 

If you are interested in checking out the next event it's in Palmerston North January 2015...poke the button below.

quilt symposium 2015
0 Comments

WHAT A WEEKEND!

4/27/2014

0 Comments

 

MARINER'S BLISS CLASS

Have I felt as if I've been on holiday or what???   Teaching and quilting. Two of my favourite things wrapped into one. Besides being spoiled and fed brilliantly, the committee has once again been gifted with hard working and wonderful women.   

These delightful students slaved away on a two day class making great progress on these difficult patterns.  

Piecing both Mariner's Compass and Double Wedding Ring was a bit daunting...but look at these beauties! (don't forget to look at their star creations too)

SO proud of you all.
Picture
Once this show is over (teaching tomorrow,)  I hope to write a great description of all the fun and frolics from perusing the quilter's retail area, talking to the vendors, visiting with Kevin the Bernina guy and finding out upcoming trade secrets ....the fashion show, purchasing real bling lanyards with a generous extra, and just spending quality time with my terrific friends!   
0 Comments

Braided Ribbons Symposium - Ashburton

4/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Okay, only one day in and it has been terrific!

The ladies in my class were AMAZING, no joke...just head down tail up and work work work!

Today the class was Bargello Baby.  My eleven ladies sewed their little hearts out. What an hard working bunch!
The quilts are all so different and all just lovely.  
class candids Bargello girls
0 Comments

Ashvegas in 33 hours!

4/22/2014

0 Comments

 
Okay, it's Ashburton and the name of the show is still Braided Ribbons. No disrespect meant at all Paula.   Will be arriving early to do some judging with Juliet Fitness....

My extra lounge table is full of the goodies that will be travelling up with me.  Bought chocolate fish for my attendees, what more could we need?

The last job of tomorrow is to knuckle down and change my website over to the web address that appears on all the business cards etc.   Deep breath....here goes!
0 Comments

Business cards and dalmatians.  

4/17/2014

0 Comments

 
YAY!! The business cards are completed.  I picked them up shortly before going to my nutritionist to report for the fortnight.  Can you believe the printers gave me a box of chocolate?  It's like the whole world is trying to sabotage my good intentions.  These look a bit brighter in real life..

Picture
Picture



Then of course there is my class sample for Bargello Baby which has been dubbed: 

          Dalmatians in a Blender  

It is destined to turn into a backpack, I feel a new pattern coming on!  When the backpack eventuates, I'll put a link for the pattern here.
0 Comments

They were on SALE!

4/15/2014

0 Comments

 
The quilt room has been slowly been getting a face lift, and today -joy of joys- I found little bookcases on sale.  Have I mentioned we live in an A-frame?  

Not many flat walls in this house for standing teetering tall bookshelves, so these wee shelves found today are just PERFECT!  I bought a ah..um...few.

My girls decided to assemble them, and now my lounge reminds me of a little Stonehenge. Soon the shelves will be carried  upstairs but at least they're assembled right??   




0 Comments

Notes all in a row...

4/10/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
What an immensely satisfying feeling to photocopy hundreds of pages of class notes and organise my class samples.  

Less than two weeks before the Ashburton Mini-Symposium, can't wait to meet all my new quilt friends...and see what amazing creations they make!!!

(Photo from the class 'Mariner's Bliss' -shows how the front pattern page gets used. )



0 Comments

WOW where did that come from?

4/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Having a sort through bags of scraps from a previous project I have found some amazing things.  Things that had disappeared into that abyss...the place where seam rippers, rotary cutters and needle packets go when one stops for a cup of tea. 

(Hating to admit how many items I've rediscovered so far.  Embarrassing really).  If Timaru was suddenly buried under volcanic ash my sewing room would become one of those caches archeologists' dream of finding.

Imagine the confusion of looking at this sewing room from the view of a future fellow - trying to explain the existence of all these implements of the trade.  As inexplicable as Easter Island I can picture it now...

*Man in a funny hat is bent over my rotary cutter , magnifying glass in one hand, gently brushing ash back from the handle while muttering. "Look!  There are several of these sharp implements here, with odd round blades, probably used for ritual sacrifice.  And all these fibres, this must have been a home industry where the people made cloth to sell at the village market". 

(He mops his brow with a dusty handkerchief and squints at the audience) "It looks as though they had a special platform with a strange gridded green mat to perform the sacrifices on...and those long plastic gridded plates. Probably part of the offerings..."* (He'd have no idea how close he had gotten to the truth)

Although this thought is more fun than deciding which scraps to keep or toss, it's time to go back to the room of sacrificial fabric industry to finish fishing in the abyss for more long lost needle packets. 




0 Comments

Photographing from the balcony.

4/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Less than three weeks until the Ashburton symposium and I don't have new business cards made yet! AGHHHH  

So... today was awesome.  Pulled out a huge double wedding ring  and had my girls hold it over the balcony so it could be photographed.  This house is an A frame and the balcony is SO going to be useful for future quilt photos!  That part was cool... (will need to pull out the proper rod to hang it from in future.)
This quilt had been gifted to my parents on the occasion of their 50th anniversary.  That has been one experience as a quilter that has been bitter sweet.   

Gifting a quilt to an elderly relative has long term implications.  Four quilts have found their way back to my hands.

Not that I wanted someone else to inherit them, but they are such a physical reminder of their previous owners. 
Picture
Okay, I'm going back to the fabric slave!!!!
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Debby's Chat

    Letting you into the inner sanctum of a quilter's thoughts and activities.

    Archives

    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    December 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    RSS Feed