Quilters Companion

editor’s journal

Hello to you all. As we shake off the winter blues and look forward to spring and summer, we are also anticipating how to live our lives with a pandemic. I have finaly had the jab and I hope you have too, it is a key to our future freedom. It hasn’t been easy for anyone, in any way, but, it is a part of our lives now, and learning to live with it has proven to be a challenge. We are fortunate that we have our ‘hobby’ of quilt making to keep us sane and busy. In this issue we share part 2 of Nature’s Paintbox BOM by Rachelle Denenny, where we add borders to the centre medallion. Barbie Mitchell is a new designer to QC, and she shares her quilt…

quilty treasures

Machine Embroidery? Do you own a machine that has embroidery functions? Perhaps you would like to explore some of the fabulous techniques that can be achieved. If so, don’t miss the second issue of Machine Embroidery magazine, now on sale in newsagents or online at Zinio or Apple Newsstand. Stitched pouch The pattern to make this charming pouch can be found as a free download online. It would make a nice little project to keep your hands and mind occupied during this crazy time. As Heidi, of Honey Folk Clothing, says, “It would make a really sweet gift to send to someone to let them know you’re thinking about them.” We all need kindness, compassion and love right now more than ever. You can find the free pattern at www.honeyfolkclothing.com Dangerous Women Quiltmakers around Australia…

rapt in quilts

sleeping under the stars

Finished size: 244cm (96in) square Finished block size: 6in square Materials • 256 assorted scraps of print fabrics at least 3½in x 7in (star points)• Assorted cream, beige and light tan low-volume print fabrics to total approximately 7.4m (8yd); you need to be able to cut at least one 6½in square from each fabric (star backgrounds and alternate blocks)• 70cm (¾yd) brown print fabric (binding)• 2.7m (3yd) extra-wide (275cm/108in wide) backing fabric• Batting at least 265cm (104in) square• Template plastic and fine-point permanent-marking pen or 2B pencil• Fine thread in a neutral colour (hand piecing)• Milliners size 11 needle• Sandpaper board (optional)• Add a Quarter ruler (optional)• Rotary cutter, ruler and mat• Sewing machine• General sewing supplies Preparation and cutting 1 Trace Templates A–C from the Pattern Sheet on to template plastic with a fine-point…

batik treasures

Finished quilt size: 152.5cm (60in) square Finished block size: 12in square Materials • 25 fat eighths of assorted batik print fabrics — see box below• 2.3m (2½yd) beige batik print fabric• 50cm (⅝yd) black batik print fabric (binding)• 3.5m (3⅞yd) backing fabric• Batting at least 170cm (68in) square• Paper for foundation piecing• Rotary cutter, quilter’s ruler and mat• Sewing machine with ¼in and opentoe embroidery feet• General sewing supplies Note: This project includes foundation paper piecing and our instructions assume a good working knowledge of this technique. Preparation and cutting 1 Divide your fat eighths of assorted batik prints into two groups — one group of 12 fabrics will be used for the King’s Crown blocks and the other group of 13 fabrics will be used for the Belle’s Favourite blocks. Cut the larger squares from…

chasing rainbows

What is batik? Batik is a type of dyed fabric to which removable wax has been applied in a design or pattern. This creates a ‘resist’ that keeps dye from reaching the areas that have been covered by wax. After the fabric is dyed, the wax is boiled off, exposing the colour and design. Layering with wax and dye a number of times creates a multi-coloured design. The word ‘batik’ is of Indonesian origin and is related to a Malay word for dot or point, ‘titik’, and the Javanese word ‘amba’, meaning to write. However, the technique of covering parts of a textile with some paste or liquid material in order to create a pattern has been found in many different parts of the world. Theories about the origin of the technique…