‘Quilt A Koala’ by Margaret Rolfe

At the recent ACT Embroiderers Guild exhibition at Albert Hall I couldn’t resist having a look at the members table, where pre-loved books and materials are displayed. I picked up this fabulous book written by Margaret Rolfe published in 1986. It contains 20 beautiful designs featuring Australian animals and birds for use on quilts, cushions, bags and clothing.

I goggled Margaret and the following is from her website.  “Margaret Rolfe is an Australian quiltmaker and author. She has been making quilts since 1975 and writing books since 1983. Margaret is especially known for the pieced animal block designs that are a feature of many of her books. She is also a quilt historian and has researched the history of quiltmaking in Australia from early convict times until the present. Margaret was a founder of Canberra Quilters Inc., a group that she and a friend started in 1976. She also founded the Quilt Study Group of Australia, a group to further research into quilts and textiles in Australia. On 26 January, Australia Day 2001, Margaret was honoured by being made a Member of the Order of Australia. The award was ‘For service to the decorative arts, particularly as an authority on the history of quilts and quiltmaking, to the promotion of the craft through teaching and writing, and as an advisor on the acquisition of quilts from the national collection.’ Margaret received her medal from Sir William Deane, the Governor General, at an investiture at Government House, Yarralumla, on 6 April 2001. Margaret has taught and lectured about quiltmaking in Australia and the world, including the United States of America, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.”

My plan is to work through the book completing each design using the puzzler Paper Quilting technique. This technique is a bit like completing a child’s jigsaw puzzle where the pieces fit onto board. As I complete each animal or bird, I will add it to this post. I have found that to successfully use Paper Quilting, the designs have to be adapted slightly, so that there are not as many pieces to the “puzzle” or pattern. They are great fun to work on and the results are very fresh and modern. The finished pieces fit into a 20cm square frame and so would look great as a set hanging on the wall.

I look forward to tracking down Margaret’s other books to explore more of her work. http://www.margaretrolfe.com

Fabric quilting books are full of inspiration for use in Paper Quilting. So second hand book shops, school fete’s and charity book fairs are a great place to find books and magazines that will inspire you. Many of the designs and patterns for fabric can be used as is, or adapted. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of sitting down and thinking time. Just remember to acknowledge the designer who has spent many hours creating the pattern.

These patterns have been re-created and shown on my blog with the permission of Margaret Rolfe.

 

Star Shine # GC212

I’m not sure why I haven’t done this design before – it was so obvious. But getting the star to look just right took quite a bit of trial and error – who would think? When it’s a simple shape it has to be just so doesn’t it.

This design is very versatile as a greeting card or small picture for both girls and boys, women and men. Great for Birthdays, Father’s Day, congratulations or for Christmas greetings. Created using either 1 inch or 3/4 inch squares using the easy and fully explained Layered Squares technique (or adapt it to the Just Squares technique by sewing the star, cutting it out and layering onto a background paper).

The design seems to work well with solid coloured papers or those with a very tiny pattern (the red, white and blue star uses a blue floral paper from Anna Griffin). Solid, foil embossed Christmas wrap in gold was used on the Christmas star. The background can be created as bands of colour or in all the same colour. Embellish with sparkles, charms or wording for the perfect greeting card.

This is a great project for teaching simple sewing to any age group – both girls and boys.

The design can also be adapted to be a fun hanging ornament or very special gift tag – pictures to follow. (promise!).

Easter Rabbit

This little rabbit is so adorable. I have christened her Millikins. This design can be used at Easter time but would also make a lovely birthday card, gift tag or small picture. Create this design in any colour way or style you wish.

Create her in stripes or 1 inch squares.

Pattern # GC209  http://www.paperquiltcreations.com/shop/latest-patterns

Available as a Print and Post or download pattern.

Butterfly Card

I am having such a great time re-creating all my Paper Quilt patterns for the new presentation boards.

Butterfly Card pattern is one of the most popular patterns. But the central body is sometimes a bit fiddly and difficult as it is quite small. Why not just leave it out! re-create the body with graduating crystals instead. I think it gives a fantastic result – and so much quicker and easier. Amazing how different a selection of papers from My Minds Eye “Lost and Found – Heirloom collection”  looks just by changing the background colour.