Are you up for a brand new Mystery quilt?

The Quilters Club of America is running number 6 in their biannual mystery quilts starting TODAY.

If you feel like participating in this, take a look at their blog over HERE.

Quilt in Clarens

Although we'd like you to focus on your entries for the Bloem Show first it would also be a good idea if you'd start planning for 'Quilt in Clarens' now, if you wish to get a place in one of their classes.

They have all their classes, teachers and even pictures (click VIEW under the entry) on their Facebook page.  To see this and get all the information needed, click HERE.

Starburst block tutorial

Another project from your scrap pile, this time from the blog Film in the Fridge.

Looks pretty neat hey?

Find the tutorial by clicking HERE

Strippy basketweave block

I'm really not too clever when thinking what to do with my leftover fabrics.  Mine gets used mostly for applique shapes but Beth from the blog Love laugh quilt had a quick fix for her leftover strips.

Pretty, fast, not much measuring (it seems) and there you go - a brand new project.  Find this no-nonsense pictorial over HERE.

Bloem Show reminder

With our National Quilt Day 2012 behind us, we need to start planning for the next event on our quilt calendar. The first which would be the Bloem Show and your quilts for entry.  Please read THIS POST again to get all the detail.

Let's fill the show cupboard completely.

Are you taking copyright seriously?

I often warn beginner quilters of 'stealing' even though we don't generally think when we ask/get a copy of a pattern or class notes from a friend that we are actually stealing.  The sad part is that we're stealing from a fellow quilter.  Now we all know a rumor of someone somewhere being sued for copyright violations but if it doesn't touch base, none of our concerns.

What we as quilters might not realize is that these laws stretch far beyond our imagination and I hope you'd take the time to read this post by Emily Cier.  She published a book, using a certain line of fabric and then the designer thought it was not on and now claims thousands in royalties.

So next time you buy/accept a copy of anything or teach from notes you got from another class, ask yourself whether this pattern is really worth being sued over and yes, another thing we'll have to start considering is selling completed projects made from copyrighted fabric.

I am in no way, fashion or form suggesting Emily Cier is guilty of anything but this just made me realize how what we think is approved and legal, might be seen totally differently by someone else.

It all goes deeper than we think, so start with yourself and play safe.

To read this post, click HERE.

River whirl tutorial

I hope you all enjoyed yesterday's public holiday and are ready for the last 2 days of the week.

I get so envious when I read Connie's blog as she has the most beautiful view on a river from her studio.  It looks so serene and I can understand why she is so creative.

Today I am sharing this tutorial by Connie - fast, easy and with a little background and a couple of remnants you can quickly stitch this up.

To see how this is made, click HERE

Connie also has a couple of cats, now if you read her blog, see if you can find Bella.  The most beautiful cat face I've ever seen.

3-D flower table runner

Madam Samm from Stash Manicure got guest blogger Marianna from this blog to share an origami patchwork table runner tutorial with us.

For full instructions to make this, click HERE

National Quilt Day

This is just a friendly reminder to buy your ticket for the tea garden at our National Quilt Day on Saturday, 24 March 2012, as soon as possible.

This little free pattern will be yours and a demonstrations on how to make this will be given on the day.

Quilts by Master Quilters, quilts from the Bultfontein members, Pink quilts and Quilted Postcards on display.

See you all at the Freshford House Museum, 31 Kellner Street this Saturday!

Wonky Diamond Log Cabin tutorial

Lately I notice a lot of "wonkies" - wonky houses, wonky trees, so I decided I better get 'with it' and find a wonky tutorial of sorts and it came faster than I thought.  Look at these wonky diamonds turned log cabin.

This tutorial kindly shared with us by Linda Beth all the way from Portland, Oregon and to see how she made this, click HERE.

Canvas art quilt

One day, when I'm big...... I am going to make a real art quilt!  For now however I think I'll have to go with something like this:

Want to see just how quick and easy this is done, then click HERE

Quilted Kiddo Coat

Many quilters still have little ones at home (you brave women!), so when I saw this I thought with winter approaching this might be a nice weekend project for you.

The ladies on the blog I love to create shared this idea and you can follow the step-by-step instructions by clicking HERE.

Patchwork Scottie Dog

Look at this cutie (for dog lovers that is)....

Favequilts shared this lovely pattern by Denyse Schmidt.

Find this pattern by clicking HERE

Urban Nine Patch

I'm personally not too fond of quilts repeating one block only.  Not that they're ugly but gosh, having to make the same block over and over really gets to me.  Occasionally however I see a 'one-block-repeat' quilt that makes me look twice and this turned out to be one of them.

The lovely blonde, Jenny, from the blog Sew Kind of Wonderful shared step by step photos and instructions to make these.

Get this tutorial by clicking HERE.

Free e-books from Interweave

Download these free e-books from Interweave specials now.

Small Quilting Projects



                                                      Bead Crafts








Electroforming



                                                  Art Journaling






Figure drawing




                                        Crochet Stitch guide







Knitted gloves



                                      Mixed Media Painting






To download any or all of these books, click on the name of the book.

Tickets - 17th National Quilt Festival

Slowly but surely things are falling in place regarding our 17th National Quilt Festival in Bloemfontein from 1 to 7 July 2013.

Even though the bookings for classes, registration or goodie bags have NOT yet opened, we thought it good to advice you beforehand that all tickets for this festival will be available through Computicket. (accommodation excluded).

Those of you who wish to book online can be sure of safe and secure purchases with no duplicated tickets.  Those without internet access can visit any of the available Computicket outlets, local Shoprite and Checkers stores and have your ticket in hand after making payment.

We are rather excited to test this available option and we trust you too will find it much more convenient than having to make bank deposits, use faxes or e-mails before being sure of a place in a class.

And complain we do......

Occasionally I run across a story that brings me back to reality and make me think "shoot woman, you have so much yet you complain!"

Take a moment to read about Giles on his blog over HERE and just for a moment imagine having to quilt, cut, thread a needle, select fabric and to top it all, write a blog when you are basically blind!!  How??

I don't know about you but I took the time to say "thank you" for what I have and to look at the man on the photo and say "I do admire you Giles."

Pitcher Quilt Pattern

I remember just after I started doing patchwork I saw a quilt in a fabric shop similar to this one but it had tea cups on it.  I raved about the quilt for weeks on end and guess what?  I never made it.  Sad hey?

When  saw this free pattern on About Quilting it brought back memories of the saleslady, that first time shopping experience..... pretending I knew something when in fact I didn't.

Hope if you like this, you'll be better than me and actually make it.  It is a small quilt approximately 28" square and ideal as a wall hanging in a vintage-look bathroom.

Find the pattern and instructions by clicking HERE

2012: First quarterly meeting

I was unable to attend the meeting therefore I am not going to say too much but let the photos do the talking.

This is the pattern you will receive when you buy a ticket for our National Quilt Day on Saturday, 24 March 2012.

This pattern appears on page 11 of our February 2012 Newsletter.

The stunning tea table awaiting the ladies after the meeting.

Our guest speaker for the day was Trienie Krugel telling everyone about copyright.