The Marmalade Cat Patchwork Designs

Double Wedding Ring at Ballarat Patchwork

2008-10-18T01:39:00.000-07:00

I had a great day at Ballarat Patchwork teaching my Double Wedding Ring Workshop. Thanks to Bev, Jaccy, Michelle and Thellie for a lovely fun day. Here is a picture of their beautiful Wedding Rings so far.

I'll be in Warnambool next weekend at Fragrant Cottage doing another Double Wedding Ring class. It is a lovely quilt and a joy to teach.

AQA Symposium

2008-09-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

It has been a big fortnight for Symposiums!! I taught my Mariners Stars class at the AQA Symposium on Saturday.
Again all the girls had a great day making Mariners Stars and overachiever Kate even finished hers!! They all looked fantastic and all different even Viv's of Japanese silk!
Thanks AQA I had a ball.

North of The Yarra Quilters Symposium

2008-09-21T21:08:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful day teaching my Compasses and Vines class to the lovely ladies of NOTY Quilters 2 Sundays ago. We had a great fun day and the girls all finished a compass, learned how to foundation piece and did some curved sewing.

Thanks for inviting me I had a great day. See you all again soon I hope.

The Applique Society's First Meeting

2008-08-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

The first meeting for the newly formed Central Victorian Chapter of The Applique Society was held last Sunday in Castlemaine and was a roaring success with a huge turn out of 41 ladies. Megan Carroll has form this chapter and you can view her blog http://www.appliquesocietyaustralia.blogspot.com/ for more information. Well done Megan.

We all thoroughly enjoyed Di Ford and her sewing groups wonderful quilts and had a lovely day sitting and sewing.

Can't wait till the next one.

Made a Skirt!

2008-08-06T04:36:00.000-07:00

I love skirts and find it so hard to find good skirts in the shops. I thought this fabric would make a nice skirt so I laid down my A-line skirt and cut away! Although after I was finished I did notice that my original skirt was cut on the bias!! It had a lovely drape!! Oh well not bad for a first attempt. Maybe I should invest in a pattern!

Hera Marker

2008-08-04T03:57:00.000-07:00

This is the Clover Hera Marker. It is a fabulous tool for marking out your quilt designs.

Just run it along your ruler like a pencil with firm pressure or use a quilting template.

And it gives you a lovely crisp crease to quilt over. It stays on for ages and works on all coloured fabric. Although it also will stay on if you don't want it to so like a pencil be careful that you want it where you put it.
Fantastic for cross hatching or feather templates. No more messy grey lead.

Hand Quilting Tutorial

2008-08-02T23:51:00.001-07:00

To help the school mums quilt the quilt I have put together a little quilting tutorial.

Our quilt is already Batted but if yours isn't I batt my quilts and use safety pins every 6" or 7" to hold together. Smooth out the 3 layers and adjust the safety pins. I do this 3 times. Smoothing the top removing and putting back the pins to take out the wrinkles, turn over and repeat, then turn over and repeat on the top again. The last time shouldn't need much adjustment.

TOOLS
Hand quilting needles
Hand quilting cotton
Small scissors
Thimble (s) I use 2, metal on finger and leather on thumb
Hoop

Always start in the middle of the quilt and work outwards.
Use a quilting hoop.

To mark a line on the quilt, use the “HERA” marker, white plastic curved tool. (I forgot to take a photo of it and now my friend has it so I will take a picture and post it in the next few days). Place a CLEAN ruler on the quilt and use the hera marker to draw a “line”. This will leave a slight crease on quilt top. But no dark mark. Pencil can be used but I have found the Hera marker fantastic. I even use it with plastic quilting templates.

Tie a large knot in the quilting thread.

Place hoop on making sure the underneath is smooth.

Insert the needle into the center of the layers (not going through to the backing) 2” or so from where you will start and from the direction you will quilt. Pull the knot through into the center, this might need an extra tug, and start even running stitches back over the knot. Trim off any tail.

Quilt back over the tail inside the quilt.

Taking small running stitches collect as many stitches on the needle and push through using your thimble on your middle finger.

When forming stitches the needle should be vertical into the quilt so the stitches on top are the same as underneath. Sliding the needle in on an angle will make stitches on the top larger than the underneath.

Using your left hand underneath to feel the length of stitches you are taking. The pad of my finger feels the needle come through and my nail pushes it back up.

Continue along and if you need to move to a different area “travel” through the quilt layers and come up where you are needed. You don’t have to finish off the thread to go to a different close section.

To finish once the thread has run out, stop one stitch before and make a large knot into the thread 2” from the quilt, make the last stitch but don’t go through to the backing stay inside the layers, point the needle back in the direction you were quilting and come up to the top 2 / 3” out. Tie another large knot and repeat again traveling back the way you were quilting. Snip off the tail.

Sorry that one is a bit blurry!

Second knot.

Trim off tail.

Start again from the opposite direction going back over the tail to continue on.

Hope that was helpful!

Happy quilting!!

Amelia's Birthday Dolls Quilt

2008-07-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

All who know me know I have major daughter envy! I have 3 beautiful boys, who I wouldn't trade (most of the time) but no daughter. So it doesn't take much of a reason to whip together a dolls quilt for one of the friends daughters! This little one is for my friend Janet's little girl Amelia who turned 3.
I have made many more but sadly didn't take photos but I will have to from now on.

15oth Quilt Top Finished!!

2008-06-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished the quilt top for my son's school for the 150th Anniversary celebrations!
I will batt it and then hopeful I will get lots of helpers from the school mums to help hand quilt it. I'm amazed at hope many quilt.

Compasses and Vines class at Ballarat Patchwork today.

2008-06-21T03:47:00.000-07:00

Once again I have been at Ballarat Patchwork teaching my Compasses and Vines class. It has been so popular which is fantastic. Emma is looking to run another, and probably last, in September.

Here are the girls work! Well done Patrica, Theresa, Liz, Susan

next row Deb, Jan, Bernadette and last but not least Michelle who even got her hand pieced centre in!!! Fantastic job everyone! And thanks for a fun day.

Dinosaur Stomp finished and off to Quilters Companion

2008-06-17T03:45:00.000-07:00

My Dinosaur Stomp quilt has just come back from being machine quilted at "The Quiltworks" in Ballarat 03 5333 2297. Elizabeth has done a wonderful job! I'm very pleased. It is hard to see from this picture but there is wonderful swirly McTavishing quilting around the dinosaurs and the T-Rexs look like they have steam coming out of their mouths. Thank you Elizabeth your work is beautiful, as always!

Tomorrow it goes of to Quilters Companion with my other quilt Flowers and Stones for articles later in the year.

Double Wedding Ring Class at Honeysuckle Stained Glass and Patchwork in Bendigo

2008-06-11T03:34:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I taught my Double Wedding Ring Class in Bendigo at Honeysuckle Stained Glass and Patchwork.
www.honeysucklepatchwork.com.au
I had a great day so I hope all the ladies did too.
Here are some of their wonderful work.

150th Quilt Centre Block

2008-06-11T03:16:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while as I have been sooo busy appliqueing the centre for the 150th Quilt for my son's school. It isn't quite finished but I think it is coming along nicely.

150th Quilt

2008-05-16T02:59:00.001-07:00

I have undertaken a large quilt project this year for my son's primary school. The school is turning 150 years so I have volunteered to head up a special 150th commemorative school quilt. Each child has signed a square which I have then made into a star. There will be a central applique block surrounded by these stars. Once I have finished the top we hope to get as many helpers from the school community to hand quilt it. We have untill the end of November to finish it.

Back from Ballarat with more fabric.

2008-05-03T04:05:00.000-07:00

While I was at Ballarat Patchwork I had to restock with some new fabric. Poor Emma I emptied half her shop onto her cutting mat!

Normally I am into reproduction fabrics with a small addiction to 1930's but today I decided to have a fresh change and I have bought a selection of bright modern fabrics.

The ideas are churning.

Compasses and Vines class at Ballarat Patchwork today.

2008-05-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

I have been teaching my Compasses and Vines Class today at Ballarat Patchwork and I have had a wonderful day. Thanks girls for a great laugh and a fun class.

Here are some of the great Compasses made by the girls.
Another class still has a few spots left for mid June. Come and join the fun.

Ballarat Girls Brought their Show and Tell from my past Classes.

2008-05-03T03:32:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of a few old faces in my class today at Ballarat Patchwork from previous classes with me. Susie had done my Philadelphia Pavements before and Karen and Dot had done my Mariners Star workshop.
I love seeing past students with their finished quilts. Thanks for bringing your wonderful quilts in girls.
Susie's Philadelphia Pavements. Love the border Susie!!

Karen's Mariners Star from the workshop which she has made into a wonderful Medallion using my pattern published in AP&Q. Looks fantastic Karen.

Dot and her Mariners Star also turned into a Medallion with the pattern. Love the pink!!

Thanks girls not only for coming back for another class but for finishing your quilts!!

Cant wait to see the finished Compasses and Vines!!

Castlemaine Quilt History Study Group. The Blocks are in!

2008-04-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

We had our Block Exchange lunch on Sunday and here are my blocks that I have received from everyone!! Aren't they fantastic! Now I just have to decide on sashing and placement. I bought the fabric on the left but dug out from my stash the fabric on the right which I think I like better. I will have to see if I have enough as that is always the bigger decider!

Thanks to all the girls from Castlemaine Quilt Study Group 1 for 5 years of fun and friendship.

Macedon Kinder Quilt 2007

2008-04-16T17:31:00.001-07:00

Being a passionate and dedicated quilter I feel part of my job is to take quilting out to the community and last year when my oldest son was at Macedon Kinder we got all the Kinder kids (3 and 4 year olds) to choose a fabric shape I had cut out and draw a picture around it with special fabric textas. The kids had a ball and they have done some fantastic work! Nothing like a child's imagination!

Yesterday I was invited to the opening of the new Macedon Shire Offices in Kyneton where the quilt is now hanging in the foyer!

Castlemaine Quilt History Study Group

2008-04-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

Once a quarter for the last 5 years I have attended a Quilt History Study Group organised through Threadbare in Castlemaine with a group of ladies under the expert tutelage of Jan Baker whom has wonderful knowledge and amazing antique quilts.

We have decided to do a Friendship block swap and we have all made a block (the same Album block) to give in reproduction fabrics. Then in permanent ink inscribed our name. I will hand all my blocks out and I will get back 24 blocks, each with a different ladies name and make a fabulous quilt. The block hand over is Sunday and I can't wait it will be like Quilting Christmas!!! These are my blocks , I can't wait to see what I will get back.

Xavier is 1

2008-03-28T04:24:00.000-07:00

Xavier turned 1 today and as he loves our cat Huntly so much I put him on his cake!

Happy Birthday Aunty Marilyn

2008-03-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

Aunty Marilyn turned 60 last week, so I got the family and her special friends to sign their name in the centre of an album block each and we gave Aunty Marilyn a lovely surprise!

Double Wedding Ring

2008-03-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching my Double Wedding Ring class in Warrnambool at

Fragrant Cottage 0355 620 186 later in the year 26th October and 23rd November (2 day class) I use a foundation piece method which is very easy and we have a great fun 2 days.

Along with the Philadelphia Pavements 25th October and 22nd November also 2 day class.

Come and join in some sewing bliss if you live near by.

Some quilting inspiration!

2008-03-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

I love looking through old quilt books to get inspiration. This must be one of my favorites, made by some clever lady long ago.

Philadephia Pavements

2008-03-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

Close up of the Philadelphia Pavements

On the 12th April and 14th June (2 day class) I will be teaching my Philadelphia Pavements quilt at Threadbare in Castlemaine 0354721881.

I was inspired by a wonderful old Australian quilt I saw in an Exhibition of Dr Annette Gero's quilts in Ballarat a couple of years ago.

What I love most about old quilts is that due to the thriftiness by necessity of most of the quilters, the quilts had a wonderful "make-do" ness about them. If the quilter ran out of that fabric she would just use a different one! No big deal! So quilts have a fabulous higgle-dee-pigglness about them! Yes I know that's not a term but I don't know how else to say it! Ok maybe quirkiness!

In my quilt when I didn't have enough of a fabric to complete the row I just substitute another similar one and I think that's why I love this quilt so much. Of course this is impossible to see from this picture!!

I think in general, as a body of quilters, we spend to much time searching for the same fabric to finish off when we should just let go and create.

Cool Dudes

2008-03-15T20:08:00.001-07:00

All cool little boys need a cow boy hat!

Dinosaur Stomp

2008-03-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from teaching my Compasses and Vines class at Ballarat Patchwork today and I have enjoyed a wonderful day of fabric fun and inspiration. Well done girls with all your wonderful compasses. I wish I had remembered to take the camera so I could have posted a photo! Being new to blogging I didn't think of such things but I'll be back in May and I will remember then!

Emma has a wonderful shop full of colour and vibrancy I always enjoy going and come home truly inspired.

She has bought my latest pattern the DINOSAUR STOMP along with some other favourites, the Lone Star, Flowers and Stones and The Squadron. These can be purchased through her at http://www.ballaratpatchwork.com.au/ and while you're there check out her great "Scrap Bag" blog.

I must say when I got home I was pleasantly surprised that my darling husband, (who had the 3 monsters all day) had cooked delicious steak sandwiches on Turkish bread with rocket and wait for this made homemade capsicum and caramelised onion chutney to go with it!! It was amazing. Thank you Babe! I wish I could go out to work more often.

Welcome

2008-02-21T01:37:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO THE MARMALADE CAT PATCHWORK DESIGNS BLOG SPOT.

My name is Deborah Dorward and I'm a quilter.

I have been quilting for over 13 years and my passion for reproduction fabric and old quilts keeps me inspired.

I teach patchwork classes around Victoria as well guest speaking appointments and contribute to various Australian patchwork magazines.

With 3 small children you might wonder how I have time for such an addiction but it is what keeps me sane!!

Through this site I hope to keep you updated with my quilting and keep you abreast of my class dates.

The quilt above is "Compasses and Vines" which was commissioned for Quilters Companion Magazine. This quilt makes a wonderful foundation piece workshop.

I will be teaching this quilt at Ballarat Patchwork this term 15th March and 3rd May.

Visit http://www.ballaratpatchwork.com.au/ for more information.