Some months ago I read in Quilter’s Companion magazine that the Quilter’s Guild of NSW were running an Under 35s Quilt Competition. Being more than a little over 35 myself, I mentioned it to Clare. She was keen, and after reading the requirements and theme of “How Does Your Garden Grow” she started a concept drawing.
Then I let her loose on my stash! Clare chose all the fabrics for her project herself, and I was impressed with her appreciation for value, shade, scale and pattern. She started by piecing the background. I gave some minor assistance with the rotary cutter and the iron (although she rapidly took over the ironing) but that was all – absolutely every other stitch and decision related to this quilt is Clare’s.
Once the background was done, it was time for the applique. She started off by cutting out shapes in paper and arranging them, before moving on to cutting and fusing the shapes in fabric.
Clare did what many of us do as they are making a quilt and allowed it to evolve and vary from her original design as she worked. There are elements that she left out, and others that she added. She drew all the shapes free hand, including the fruits. Pretty good for a nine year old! Then before we knew it the applique was done, the quilt sandwich made, and Clare quilted around the appliqued shapes close to the raw edges to give them more definition.
She quilted long diagonal rows through the background, like the rows that you plant in the garden. A number of binding fabrics were auditioned before she decided on a stripe.
A hanging sleeve was added to the back and the final touch was a label that Clare carefully wrote and hand-stitched into place. Ta-da – Clare’s first ever quilt! And just in time too!
She named it “Ripe and Blooming”. Clare says “I’m really proud of myself. At first I was taking it slowly then I found there was no time left! I did the last few things quickly but also being careful.”
I’m really proud of her too! Clare has been to many quilt exhibitions with me over the years, and has watched me quilting and listened to my mum and I talk quilts. It’s amazing how much information is absorbed! I did give suggestions and guidance throughout the process, but Clare was fairly definite about what suggestions she was interested in or not and mainly used her own common sense. The competition quilts will be on display this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10-4 at The Newington Gallery, Newington College, 221-235 Stanmore Road, Stanmore, New South Wales. If any of my blog readers are planning on going I’d love to see a photo of Clare’s quilt in situ! The winners of each section (Primary, Secondary, 18-24 and 25-34) will be announced on Saturday. Fingers crossed for Clare – but whether she wins anything or not, she’s definitely a winner with designing, planning, cutting, piecing, sewing, quilting, and binding this wonderful quilt all on her own at age nine!
What a fabulous achievement. She’s already a winner even if someone else gets the prize. Lovely work.
wow, her quilt is fabulous! Great job Clare!
Absolutely stunning! She is a natural
Wow, Clare, you should be sooooo proud of yourself! You’re a winner to me! And Lara, your daughter has brought tears to me eyes, she’s awesome!
Awesome work Clare!
Now you are a Designer, and a Quiltmaker.
Your quilt is beautiful.
Wow !!!
Clare has done an amazing job – I’ve got my fingers crossed for her.
Well done Claire that looks fantastic. If we have time I will try and pop over there and get you a photo
Simply amazing! Well done and good luck Clare! You’re certainly already a winner.
OMG you must be so proud Lara! Claire, you are a very clever quilter. No matter what the outcome of the ‘competition’ you have achieved something that some people aspire to but never achieve in a lifetime. Well done. You have made my heart sing!
I know someone going for her daughter’s quilt. I’ll ask her to get photos for you.
Wow, clever Clare, I hope she wins.
That is amazing! Congratulations Clare! Very very pretty!!!
Fan. Bloody. Tastic.
You must be BURSTING with pride!
Oh my gosh Clare your quilt is amazing!!!! You are a natural and you are first place in my book.
That is an amazing achievement for a 9 year old! It looks fabulous.
I hate to admit it, but I’m 44 and – despite many good intentions – I still haven’t got round to making a quilt. So she really has shown me up.
Hope she’s proud of herself!! Well done, Claire!
Oh wow! That’s SO beautiful! Well done Clare! Such a smashing job with that quilt!
Wow that is fantastic – Clare you are a very clever girl – great job. My fingers will be crossed for you all weekend. Your teacher is pretty ace too!
What a beautiful quilt. Clare, you’ve done an amazing job, well done. Lara, good job teaching the next generation of quilters.
She’s done an amazing job, Lara. You must be very proud.
Wow! That is awesome. Clare really does have an eye for colour.
Wow stunning quilt she has such a good eye for colours and design.
Beautiful quilt! Clare did a fantastic job, for any age!
That is an amazing quilt!!! Wow!!
What fabulous work! That flower design is really cool!
Oh Lara – how simply fantastic! Seeing Clare at work on her quilt just makes my heart sing ( and my nose get a little bit scrunchy). How right you are to feel so proud – she’s a star.
An amazing quilt, I’d be proud if I made that (being in my early 30′s). Well done Clare, you’ve a real talent and I hope you’re rewarded on Saturday.
Well done, Clare! What a fantastic result. I hope someone can send you a photo of the quilt at the show.
That is quite impressive at 9 years old. The skills to produce such a stunning piece of work alone amaze me (I know nothing about quilting but am envious of anyone that can), but what impresses me the most is that your daughter has the patience and vision to see such a large project through!
Amazing. Beautiful work Claire.
Just beautiful Claire. I love every bit of your design
Good luck Clare your quilt is beautiful. Mum….think you might be queuing to use your machine. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome!
Its really beautiful – an amazing design.. well Done
This quilt is fantastic! Well done Clare! I hope someone can send you a photo on it hanging in the exhibition!
Well congratulations Clare, this quilt is simply magnificent.
Whether you win a prize or not, the fact that you obviously enjoyed each step in the quilts making is the most important thing.
Be very, very proud of your achievment
Great job Clare, Well done on letting it evolve, and creating something so lovely. Message from the teacher at my house “her textile teacher will be driven mad, because they will have nothing left to teach her!”
Well done Clare. You have a big quilting future ahead of you. Quilty hugs
Please tell Clare her quilt is awesome!
What a talented daughter you have! The title is so perfect. I kept getting the sense that it applies to her as she develops and matures.
Wow! That quilt is amazing. In so many ways. Just gorgeous. I am always in awe of artistic creativity, and to see talents so promising in one so young, I’m about falling out of my rocking chair. I hope she keeps designing and quilting and sharing with us. Wow.
Beautiful job! I loved to sew when I was Clare’s age but I never made anything so impressive. She has a great eye for color and design. A winner in my opinion!
Wonderful job Clare!! I’ll take some photos of your quilt tomorrow for you. I love the way your quilt evolved and that you also made changes along the way as you changed your mind, sometimes what we have planned doesn’t always work. It happens to me all the time. Good luck tomorrow and I look forward to seeing your quilts in the Shows in years to come!
Amazing!! Fantastic work. Imagine the quilts in 20 years!