Australian Homespun August/September 2020

LOTS OF KNOTS This textile wall hanging was handmade by fibre artist Annienke using wooden curtain rings and wool and cotton yarn. The curtain rings are wrapped with yarn to keep them together and the hanging yarn is secured with macramé knots. For more information and to see more of Annienke’s creations visit: www.etsy.com/au/people/Annienke CREATIVE ALLIANCE OPPORTUNITIES Creative people have always been at the forefront of change, so it is no surprise that even in these challenging times, the arts sector quickly responded with new ways of practising, learning, working and presenting. The Creative Alliance, an online hub for artists, shares a collection of initiatives, ideas and opportunities that you can adopt in these pandemic times. www.caa.creativealliance.org.au AUSTRALIAN WOOL ON SHOW As part of the Australian Fashion Council’s Designers Abroad program, a networking event was held to…

Let us know about your events – email details to dsegaert@umco. com.au or send them to Homespun Diary Dates, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670. Please notify us at least four months before the event. Queensland September 17-20 Toowoomba CraftAlive Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre, USQ 20 Baker St, Darling Heights, Toowoomba Open: 9am-4pm More information: www.craftalive.com.au Victoria September 11-13 Box Hill Australian Quilters’ Association Biennial Quilt Exhibition Ruby Jubilee Box Hill Town Hall 1022 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill More information: www.australianquiltersassociation.com October 1-4 Melbourne Victorian Quilters’ Quilt Showcase Melbourne Exhibition Centre, South Wharf More information: info@victorianquilters.org October 2-4 Stawell Stawell Quilters’ Biennial Quilt Show Stawell Entertainment Centre 65 Main St, Stawell Open: 10am-4pm More information: Lois 0400 715 080 Australian Capital Territory September 10-13 Mitchell Canberra Quilters’ Annual Quilt Show Exhibition Park in Canberra, Corner Flemington Rd and Northbourne Ave, Mitchell Open: 10am-4pm…

It was a pivotal moment when Bisa Butler combined portraiture and quilting to create her first eye-catching artwork, and she’s embraced quilted portraits with gusto ever since. Inspired by African American history, family dressmaking traditions and uplifting colours and patterns, Bisa’s art quilts bring forward stories from the past with vibrancy and texture. Like many wonderful ideas, blending portraiture and quilting came about as a solution to a problem. “I was determined to make a beautiful portrait for my grandmother to show her how much I loved and admired her,” says Bisa. “She sat for me and was so patient, but when I finished the painting, she said I made her look like an ‘old, old woman’. I was so disappointed and realised that I needed to try again.” While studying fibre…

MATERIALS • Fat quarter each of 12 assorted print fabrics (triangles) • 90cm (1yd) white print fabric (background) • 40cm ( 3/8yd) pink print fabric (binding) • 1.4m (1 5/8yd) backing fabric • Batting at least 140 x 110cm (55 x 41in) • Paper and cardboard or template plastic • Fabric-marking pen • Rotary cutter, ruler and mat • Sewing machine with 1/4in, walking and free-motion feet • General sewing supplies Finished size: 123 x 91.5cm (48 1/2 x 36in) Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. It is recommended that fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabrics 107cm (42in) wide. Instructions are given for using the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can also download the digital pattern from www. homespun.net.au and print it out. The pattern provided for this project…

MATERIALS • 35cm ( 3/8yd) natural linen fabric (background) • Cottage Garden Threads in Dandelion (307), Water Wheel (416), Thyme (804), Tea Rose (805), High Country (811) and Mardan (1705) • Fine mechanical pencil • Thin fusible stabiliser or batting • Size 7 crewel embroidery needle • 25cm (10in) embroidery hoop • 30cm (12in) square of cream felt • Cream machine-sewing thread • Lightbox (optional) • General sewing supplies Stitches used: Detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, fly stitch, French knot, stem stitch, straight stitch Finished size: 25cm (10in) diameter Note: Read all the instructions before starting the project. Use two strands of embroidery floss for the stitching except where otherwise noted. Instructions are given for using the printed Pattern Sheet in the magazine, but you can also download the digital pattern from www. homespun.net.au and print it out. PREPARATION AND CUTTING 1 Tape the pattern…

Tell us something about your family life. I live on acreage in Gippsland, Victoria, and am mum to a naughty Schnauzer cross, Lola, and a three-legged moggy, Mac. Lola is very needy — she demands a lot of attention and loves to play, so it’s surprising that I get any work done at all! Mac is super-cheeky and is always stealing threads and her favourite felts and fabrics from my stash. What has been your personal and professional background in this industry? I’ve been sewing for most of my life so continuing on and furthering my education in my favourite field seemed to be a natural progression. I’m a graphic designer but I’ve also studied Textile Design at the Melbourne Institute of Fashion. I love that my job lets me create…