When I began my second quilting class, for intermediates, I wanted to use the traditional African fabric that is readily available here in South Africa, known as Shwe Shwe (Shway Shway).

The original brand, Three Cats, is only available in the traditional indigo blue, red and brown. I chose to use only the red and blue for my quilt. When South Africans see this quilt they usually think, “Oh, red, white and blue, for America.” But, other than the colors it is more African than American.

In this class we learned many new blocks and techniques such as:

• Dresden Plate
• Kaleidoscope
• Drunkard’s Path
• Log Cabin
• Folded Bow Tie
• Churn Dash
• Maple Leaf
• Folded Star technique
• Appliqué
• Stained Glass
• Seminole Strips
• Friendship Braid
• Paper Piecing
• Flying Geese Trees
• And Schoolhouse Block to name a few.

All of these blocks, with the exception of Dresdan Plate, were used in the quilt shown in this post. [Read more…] about Shwe Shwe – Traditional African Fabric

So, about my first quilting class. We had six sessions, one every two weeks.

Each week we were taught a new block or technique. We used the class time to make one or two blocks and then we were to use the time between lessons to practice making more of the same block.

This picture shows the assortment of blocks we made. It was great fun! I learned a lot and really enjoyed the classes.

I am the type person that learns best by observing and then trying something for myself. I usually prefer to do it alone, and by trial and error, so taking a class was a really big step for me. [Read more…] about Quilting – We Are All Individuals

When I was about 13 my family moved from the “country” to more of a suburban setting. Our new neighbors had four daughters. Two of them were a bit older than me, one was about my age – maybe a few months younger – and the fourth was quite a bit younger. The girl about my age was also named Becky and we became good friends.

My family began going to the church started by their “uncle-in-law”. I spent a good deal of time at their house either at Youth Meetings or just hanging out.

Becky, her oldest sister, Carol, and their Mom were all great seamstresses. One of them was forever sewing something. They didn’t do crafty things, just clothes and I would sit for hours and watch them.

I did not have a sewing machine but I took Home Ec. in school for 3 years which was one of the most frustrating things I have ever done. Class time was about fifty minutes so by the time I got started on a project it was time to stop and pack things away till next class. The teachers always measured us and told us what pattern size to buy and then nothing ever fit quite right.

If it had not been for the fact that I watched my friend and her family sew and actually produce wearable clothes I might have given up before I ever got started. [Read more…] about Quilts And Quilting – The Next Step

Quilts and Quilting. When did it all begin for me? Perhaps it began when I was a baby. My maternal grandmother made me a quilt for my baby bed or cot as they say in South Africa. I don’t know how old I was but I remember the quilt had gray and blue in it and it was made from wool material. It was scratchy. She also made me a pillow and after almost 60 years I still have part of that pillow.

My other grandmother had lots of quilts. She was not a quilter but her sister was. I suspect that granny set herself a challenge to see how many quilts she could put on one bed. Granted we lived in Tennessee and it did get cold in the winter but I do believe that there is such a thing as too many quilts on one bed. I remember feeling weighted down, I could hardly turn over because of the weight of those quilts.

When I finally managed to get out from under the load I remember looking at them. I have always loved color and I was fascinated by all the colors and shapes. I couldn’t quite figure out how they were put together. Now that I am a quilter I am still fascinated by the way all those pieces come together, one piece at a time joined to another and then another and then another until you have the desired design. [Read more…] about In The Beginning – My First Quilt