On Feb. 15, the New Millennium Quilters Guild (NMQG) welcomed guest speaker Gloria Loughman, from Victoria, Australian.
After completing studies in design and colour in 1996, she began making vivid landscape quilts depicting the Australian bush. Loughman has instructed classes and workshops in basic and advance techniques all over the world and has received numerous awards and recognition for her amazing quilts and unique designs.
Underlying all her work is a passion for colour, pattern and the ongoing challenge to capture light in her work. Travelling extensively with her talented photographer husband, Loughman is never short of inspiration for her work. Her series of quilts based on buildings and other facades is a result of a love of architecture.
Loughman is well known for her landscape tile piece “Boab Trees” and the “Canopy” quilt. She loves movement in her quilts and tends to use lots of orange and turquoise. Many beautiful painted landscape pieces include Uluru (the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock).
She loves to dye her own fabric and likes to create her own sky fabric using transparent paint. Recent quilts which depict the snow gum trees grown in Tasmania are also reflected in water, resulting an absolutely stunning art quilt.
This month the library featured a new book entitled Wool, Needle, & Thread, The Go-To Guide For Wool Stitchery by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. This is an excellent resource to start beginners on their wool stitching journey.
The Stashbusters group shared lots of heart block ideas including single blocks, table runners, mug rugs, a wall hanging and “crumb quilt” hearts. Members shared tips to help others with their current projects.
The wool appliqué group has been busy learning to make “Penny Coin Circles.” Who knew that Kool Aid would give wool a limitless array of colours?
The historical group viewed an excellent video describing various methods used by manufacturers to apply colour, design and finishes to fabric. Discussion followed on prewashing fabrics and how new front-load high efficiency washers affect the ability of the water to carry away excess dye. A second video showed the complex process involved in making batiks. Next month’s topic will be the Whig Rose pattern.
The new Modern Quilt group will meet April 7.
The March 12 Madness event will be a virtual sew-along day. Members will have an opportunity to socialize as they make their “Fall Leaves” placemats.
The March meeting will feature an Open Mic March Madness event. Members will have an opportunity to speak on a quilting topic that applies to them such as, “What’s cooking in your sewing room these days?”
Over the past month one comfort quilt and one fire quilt have been handed out. A big thank to members who continue to contribute to the Outreach committee by donating finished comfort quilts, completing tops, sewing borders on tops, piecing blocks and sewing on bindings.
For information about joining the guild, please contact newmillenniumquiltersguild@gmail.com.
