Third General Meeting 2024

On the 24th of August the Oranje Quilters Guild held the third general meeting for 2024 hosted by the Sterre quilting group. 

Guests and members were greeted at the door by Gerda Breytenbach (left) and Marietjie Prinsloo.

All present received a packet with embroidered motifs which were turned into a 

biscornu pincushion during the meeting under guidance of the Sterkwilters members.

Great care was taken by the Sterkwilters in decorating the hall as well as the individual tables.

Beautiful quilts were on display including teacher Mari Strydom's 2024 Quilt festival entry which received a Highly Recommended award.

Demo's were presented by Marie Coetzee, the local Pfaff/Husqvarna dealer who gave the quilters some general pointers on achieving the perfect quilt.

Teacher and Husqvarna representative Mari Strydom talked about caring for your machine.

Mari's beautiful rose branded accessories.

Mari Strydom (left) with OKG member Adie Dean.

As the ambassador for the Husqvarna Youth Academy, Mari shared some of her experiences.

Vendors for the day included Quiltalk, Lemontree Fabrix and Clover and Stitch.

Ansulet Swanepoel from Clover & Stitch

Bloemshow - Tips from the judge

• Of utmost importance - the whole quilt must lie flat.
• Square at each step and cut clean.
• Before adding any borders, square and cut clean.  Block quilt by spraying with water, pin and let dry.
• Measure the borders.

BINDING

1. Width of binding should suit the size of the quilt.  Narrow binding being the secret as it is not supposed to be the focal point.
2. Binding must be full, containing all 3 layers.
3. Binding must be hand stitched.
4. Corners must be mitered and stitched at the front as well as the back.
5. Corners must be 90 degrees and lay flat.

BACK

1. A colorful background disguises mistakes.
2. Use a false background for art quilts.  Construct in two parts with an opening to pull quilt through.
3. Be mindful of synthetic fabrics when basting with glue as it has a tendency to leave marks.

QUILTING

1. Check stitch tension continuously at the front as well as the back.
2. Thread used should compliment the quilt.
3. Do not start or end with knots.
4. Do not back tack.
5. Borrow ends of threads neatly.

GENERAL

1. Stitch in the ditch should be in the ditch.
2. Be mindful of patchwork's corners by using correct seam allowances as not to cut of the points.
3. Use nonstick grease proof baking paper for embroidery as it tore away easily.
4. Use a pillow below your knees when sandwiching a quilt on the floor.
5. Avoid friction pens as they tend to come back during moist weather,  Rather use Prym marking tools.
6. Make sure the quilts are clean by soaking in bathtub with Colgate shampoo.  Rinse with clean water.  Do not add salt.
7. If you have trouble coordinating colors, use the color code printed on the selvage.
8. When piecing dark and light fabrics, use a darker thread.
9. When hand stitching the binding, use the same color thread as the binding.

SLEEVE

1. Cut the same width as quilt by 20cm wide for a large quilt, 16cm for a medium quilt and 12cm for a small quilt
2. Fold in half lengthwise and stich sides closed with a 2cm seam allowance.
3. Turn over and place edge of sleeve alongside edge of quilt and tack down together with the binding.
4. Stitch bottom of sleeve by hand to the quilt in order to create a pocket through which the pipe could be placed to hang the quilt.
5. Sleeve should be 2cm shorter than quilt on both sides.
6. Where a quilt is larger than 2m, a opening of 5cm should be made in the center of the sleeve.

LABEL

1. Title of quilt.
2. Name of quilter.
3. Date - beginning and end
4. Address and contact details of quilter.
5. Place at back on lower left corner.
6. When entering for judging, cover everything with black fabric except the quilt's title.

Bloem Show Winners 2024

 Trophy Winners

Mrs H Odendaal Floating Trophy for the most outstanding article - Christa Gouws

Anita Kleyhans Floating Trophy for the most points in Patchwork and quilting - Emmarentia van Vuuren

Oranje Quilters Guild Floating Trophy for the best quilted article - Petro van der Merwe

Iessie Steenberg Floating Trophy for the best Traditional Quilt - Emmarentia van Vuuren

Frances van Schalkwyk Floating Trophy - Judge Choice - Emmarentia van Vuuren

Raadzaal Carpets Floating Trophy for the best freehand machine quilted article - Rika van Rooyen

Mariette Venter Floating Trophy for the best Innovative Quilt - Rika van Rooyen

Calista Von Wielligh Floating Trophy for the best participant under 18 years - Annabelle Combrinck (8 years old)

Christelle Myburg Floating Trophy for the best Art Quilt - Christa Gouws

Karin de Villiers Floating Trophy for the best Beginner Quilt - Malinda Coetzer

	700 Patchwork and quilting - Bedquilts
1.	Emmarentia van Vuuren
2.	Margaret Jordaan
3.	Petro van der Merwe

701 Applique, with or without patchwork - Bedquilts Lynette van der Merwe Rika van Rooyen Stephanie Smith

	702 Wall hanging - Art Christa Gouws

                        703 Wall hanging - Fabric Art

                   1. -
                   2. Alison van der Walt

	704 Wall hanging - Traditional 1.  Emmarentia van Vuuren 2.  Gerda O'Neill 3.  Lynette van der Merwe      705 Wall hanging - Innovative 1.  Rika van Rooyen 2.  Marietjie Prinsloo 3.  Aletta Ellis

                        706 Runners and Baby Quilts

                   1.  Emmarentia van Vuuren
                   2.  Crista Gouws

                   3.  Muriel Louw

                        709 Minature Quilts

                   1.  Gerda Cronjé
                   2.  Lorainne Erwee

                        710 Youth Quilts - Under 18

                   1.  Caitlin Osborne

                        712 Youth Quilts - Under 10

                   1.  Annabelle Combrinck

                  

                        713 Three Dimensional Articles - Bags

                   1.  Wilna Geel

                   2.  Lorainne Erwee

                   3.  Doretha Jacobs

                        715 Household Items

                   1.  Wilna Geel

                   2.  Marlene Le Grange

                   3.  Cecilia White

                        716 Fabric Books/Journals

                   1.  Michelle Lorandi

                        718 Beginners Quilt

                   1.  Malinda Coetzer

                   2.  Marlene Le Grange

                   3.  Rina Venter

                        719 Longarm Quilting

                   1.  Petro van der Merwe

                   2.  Cornelia Wium

                        720 Open Category

                   1.  -

                   2.  Ansie Oosthuizen

                   3.  Ronel Faul