Quilt Designer Seeks Like Minded Melbourne Quilters for Love Entwined Sewing Bee
Weekly? Fortnightly? Monthly?
There’s no doubt about it, groups are the best place to make a quilt. I know a lot of quilters are meeting in person to make Love Entwined each month and I think that’s a great idea.
A lot of you have asked me what I think about Quilting Shops holding Quilting Bees and Classes based on the pattern Love Entwined.
What do I think about it? I think it’s a great idea!
I didn’t realise how high the demand was for applique technique classes until I launched this pattern and now that I know, I think it’s important to sew alongside other people to learn as you do. It’s the best way to improve your skills. As for Quilt Shops that want to charge a fee for a sewing session, I don’t have an opinion about it – if you want to pay to join in on a session, then that’s something for you to decide.
As long as the shop doesn’t claim that it’s collecting money on ‘my behalf’ (which it isn’t) and as long as my patterns are not copied, shared or distributed, then I’m fine with it. Actually, it might be useful for some quilters to have lessons and expertise and materials all available in one place.
Personally, I have liked working away at home on my patterns as I have been so busy and generally disorganised. However with Love Entwined, it really is a “group” quilt and I would like to make it in a group setting. I am now thinking about the possibility of a local Quilting Bee to meet with other quilters as I make and progress on the blocks each month. I’ve been looking at venues nearby and they are surprisingly expensive, on top of that, I have to factor in public liability insurance, so I am weighing up my options.
I’m not interested in a paying class; I’m interested in meeting with fellow quilters making Love Entwined weekly, fortnightly or monthly to sew together as a friendship group. Any ‘fees’ collected would be to cover the hiring fee on the hall or room only.
Do you have any ideas?
Are you in Melbourne?
Would you be interested?
This is what I did today, instead of the housework
I sewed a fabric lining into my daily morning walk sweater
I wish I live in Melbourne to join your bee. But I don't even live in Australia...
ReplyDeleteI too wish I lived in Melbourne because I'd LOVE to learn from you. However I'm in Perth which is a bit far to travel for a bee. I have two ladies in my bi-weekly quilt meeting following your yahoo group and we always compare notes when we meet about Love Entwined. Thank you so much for selflessly sharing your time and talents with the masses. I'm tremendously inexperienced as an appliquer but this project inspires me to be better.
ReplyDeleteMcKenna in Perth
textilediva.blogspot.com
I would be so honoured to quilt a long with you and wish there was a way it could be done online so we could all be a part of your quilting bee. This masterpiece that you have reconstructed needs to be documented every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteLearning as we are from others is such a blessing in disguise. I hope we all document the notes and techniques shared.
Linda in Nova Scotia, Canada
Notwithstanding, thank-you for all of the work and look so forward to your explanations as you move forward on your masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteLinda, there's always my Yahoo BOM Group, many of us are making it online and sharing the process, including me, I just thought it would be nice to make in a group setting locally too.
ReplyDeleteMcKenna, a group is absolutely the best way to learn quilting and especially applique and you never know, you might just make some life long friends along the way
ReplyDeleteOkay, do you think they'd give me a visa?
ReplyDeleteyou might want to check and see if anyone can get permission to use a room in a church hall or a senior center if you have them in Australia. I belong to two informal quilt groups - one meets at a church and we have no fees as long as one member belongs to the church and another group we meet once a month at the senior center and we pay $1 each if we go (and you don't have to be senior to go to the quilt group) -- I know of no one around here - Arkansas USA to quilt with for Love Entwined - there are at least 3 or 4 of us in the state making it but none close by each other.
ReplyDeleteKaren in AR
Hi Esther, well,I live in Melbourne and would be honoured to sew with you. Do you have a local library that has a meeting room, or neighbourhood house?
ReplyDeleteKerry
I, too, don't live in Melbourne - was there in 86 -though, and think a bee would be a great way to make this quilt. Look forward to hearing about your progress with this venture.
ReplyDeleteHi Esther seeing you in front of the design wall for LE is rather daunting seeing how large this quilt is going to end up, just as well I did not realise how big it was before starting LOL. How I wished I was a drive away from you not 5 hrs flying.!!!! Cheers Glenda
ReplyDeleteI live in Sydney but if a Melbourne sewing group were set up, I would love to be able to join each 2-3 months! It would also help me catch up with some Melbourne friends that I just don't catch up with often enough! Only one hour's flight - I know people who drive or have train rides longer for work each day!!
ReplyDeleteKirsten :))
Unfortunately I live to far away to attend any bee of yours, perhaps my sister living in Spring Hill might like to drop by, mm. Out here we organize bee's at home, or at pubs/ tearooms, or local buildings like a church or school. Your good luck charm worked, as the original quilt has been found, it must feel like a long lost relative knocking at your door, congratulations are in order! Kind Regards from Shirley J from the Netherlands,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I live to far away to attend any bee of yours, perhaps my sister living in Spring Hill might like to drop by, mm. Out here we organize bee's at home, or at pubs/ tearooms, or local buildings like a church or school. Your good luck charm worked, as the original quilt has been found, it must feel like a long lost relative knocking at your door, congratulations are in order! Kind Regards from Shirley J from the Netherlands,
ReplyDeleteI live in Brisbane would you consider an online one
ReplyDelete