Hello everyone, I’m busy collating and writing about the history of my quilt guild. I am the Vice President of the Queensland Quilters Inc, here in the state of Queensland, Australia. We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary next year and there’s heaps of information to be gathered, sorted and put into some sense.

I conducted a survey early on in the year where we targeted about 90 members, pretty much at random, and asked lots of questions. The survey was divided into sections titled: Individual Quilting History; Reasons for Quiltmaking; Aesthetics; Form, process & techniques; Function of the quilts; and finally About you. I received most of the surveys fully completed, which was a pretty good response. Many of the quilters had spent some time pondering their answers and had really thought about the issues. I’ve had some feedback from some of the respondents that the questions they have answered have helped them to sort and discover their feelings about why they quilt – what’s in it for them.

So, apart from the obvious questions I included questions such as “tell us something about you that might surprise us”. One response was “I am a belly dancer”. Now, between you and me, this respondent is 86 years old!! I also asked the question “do you have a collection of things, other than fabrics”. One answer was “yes, men”. I also know who answered that one!!

It’s been a very enjoyable ride, documenting the history. It’s not all been smooth sailing, running a non-profit organisation with volunteers, but that’s life, always with ups and downs.

My article that was posted at the beginning of this week, has absolutely nothing to do with writing a history. I have for some years now, been making my own cards. I worked out a way to make cards that look like they’ve been quilted. I am always complimented on them and my friends do like to receive them from me. I often hold classes at retreats doing this craft – it’s a fun day and it’s amazing how creative the “I can’t do that” quilters become.

Anyway, here’s the link to the Christmas Cards instructions:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art24601.asp

Do let me know how you get on. I didn’t post any item on the forum this week, though a quilter has requested a particular pattern. I’ve been unable to help her – perhaps you know the pattern she is talking about and can help her. Here’s the link to that request.
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43

So.. onto my gift for this week. My friend Kate highlighted this website to me yesterday and it’s a beauty!! I have a very extensive craft library and it’s a perfect tool for getting my library into order and being able to account for its contents in the (horrible) possibility of loss. I thought you might like to have a look too, so pop over to this website and have a good browse.

Well, my lovely quilting friends, I do hope this newsletter finds you all well and keeping busy. Christmas is not that far off, and I guess a lot of us will be re-evaluating what and how much we’ll be spending over then Christmas holiday period. I do hope the occurrences of the last few months around the globe haven’t given you cause to stress – if it has, pick up needle and sew sew sew!!

Cheerio till next week
Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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