The idea of us all making a one-block-wonder quilt for the quilt show sounded like a good idea until I googled “one block wonders”. I had great difficulty envisaging how I could achieve anything beginning to resemble the amazing images that appeared.
A lot of internet-hours later, I finally had an idea of the fabric I needed to obtain to achieve the result I wanted.... Several purchases later, I knew I’d finally found the one I wanted to use!
We organised a quilting retreat in Cowra in June 2016 in order to get us all started on our challenge. The elements conspired to be very conducive to sewing – a week of howling winds and pouring rain, very cosy and comfortable accommodation, more than ample comfort food, chocolate, and not to mention a generous supply of good wine. Bring on the sewing!
And voila - the results starting appearing. With so many ideas, personalities and varieties of fabrics involved, the week produced an interesting assortment of results.
Beginning life as several metres of a Japanese print, my resultant quilt is named “My Secret Garden” … a very different concept and perception to the original fabric.
It was definitely a challenge, I really enjoyed the process and am pleased with my outcome.
DI PAGE
The outcome of my One Block Wonder (OBW) quilt was a complete surprise to me. Once I accepted that it had morphed in to a Kaleidoscope Quilt, I was able to see it through to completion. Up until that point, it had been a struggle.
The transition from one to the other was totally my own doing. The fabric I chose was not OBW material. It was too homogenous and lacked sufficient light and dark and the pattern was not suitable for a OBW first timer who really didn’t do enough research into the nuances of the concept.
That said, I’m pleased to have taken on the challenge and had a marvellous time in Cowra. As a Kaleidoscope Quilt it works and, I will have another go at a OBW but, will choose the fabric with this experience in mind.
MARY LEASK
How is it possible that we all started with the same set of instructions and ended with such an array of different quilts?
Serendipity? Happy accident? Maybe not!
We all have different tastes in fabric, (how we want colours to work together), just as we all have different personalities, but I think that it is this difference that keeps us working well together. When I look at colour combinations that are outside my comfort zone, I often think “wow, that worked well”. Then it gets filed away in the deep recesses to be tried at a later date. There is another positive to working in a group. We share ideas, there is always a challenge and of course there is an element of competition to keep us inspired.
So my quilting journey may have started with the desire (design) to make a quilt for our bed, but it has grown into the making of many enduring friendships, travel for classes, get-togethers, mental stimulation and a way that I can contribute to my community. Many Outcomes!
LIZ BURLINGTON
“The one block wonder” – My initial reaction to this idea was one of excitement and joy. I have always loved working with shape, patterns and colour.
Consequently the beginning of the project was pure bliss – moving the triangles around to achieve diverse and different patterns which resulted in various colour distributions and intensity. The real challenge was still to come.
I pinned the pieces on my design wall and spent an hour or two each day over the ensuing weeks rearranging and reassessing until I had something that vaguely resembled the vision that I had in my mind.
Stitched together the end result is “My Garden Arbour”
MARGARET BAXTER
Hi, my name is Margaret and I’m a long time member of the Bogee Craft Group. We meet once a month at the home of a different member each time, all different crafts are worked on but mostly patchwork this is the tie that bought us together. In June 2016 we went on a trip to Cowra for a patchwork exercise, eight ladies together, with sewing machines going we set out to make a quilt all using the same pattern, with our own choice of material. These works of art are completely different. Mine didn’t even turn out to be a quilt, but a table runner. I’m pleased with what I have completed even though I found the project very daunting and not something I will ever try again.
Patchwork has been a favourite past time of my for many years, I am not an artist like the other members nor do I put as much time into it as the other members. However I’m very pleased to say that my 13 and 11 year old granddaughters have both taken up the interest, with the 11 year old showing great potential.
BLANCHE WILSON
Our Bogee Craft Group has been for me an interesting and very pleasant experience.
The Group have tremendous skills and we meet once a month for a working bee.
We organise whose house will be the venue.
We enjoy after work, a delicious meal all providing our favourite recipes, and share with husbands.
My contribution is knitting plus wool embroidery, my surprise is that I’m still welcome in the group
BARBARA CLARK
I live in New Zealand and still have great contacts with the Bogee Crafters. They have taught me my craft and included me in their wonderful hospitality.
I’m excited to come to the Easter exhibition
Looking forward to being back in Rylstone, seeing you all and your new year”s work!
MARGARET SKROPETA
Oh what a challenge a one block wonder quilt!
The colour of the fabric is important as the colour needs to be shaded from light to dark. The cutting of the fabric was crucial as you cut through SIX layers of fabric at once, you are aiming for 6 identical triangles to be put together to form the one block wonder hexagon block.
Combining hexagons into the quilt is an exciting and rewarding experience, as you move the blocks here, there and everywhere, each block move changes the look of the quilt.
This one block wonder is a worthwhile challenging experience. My quilt’s name is “Colours of my garden”