Most humans enjoy sharing their passions, particularly with others who also love those pursuits.
Though writing has been part of my journey since childhood, and I’m fortunate to be periodically paid for my literary endeavours, I have come upon another craft that gives me enormous joy.
I’ve always loved sewing, but several years ago I discovered quilting. Or more to the point, I found someone who was prepared to teach me how to quilt.
On this page, I introduce you to Patricia Lock, the lovely lady who has taught me so much and from whom I continue to learn. We spend at least one day a week together quilting in her sewing room. You’ll be able to buy from Patricia on this site, too.
Some quilting history.
Quilting has been around for centuries. Women would gather to create a celebratory quilt, for a wedding, birth, or significant life event.
I remember actress, Judy Norton’s character Mary-Ellen Walton vigorously resisting the idea of receiving a quilt (in 1930s rural Virginia) when she became of marriageable age, much to the bitter disappointment of her grandmother. Having a career was on the young lady’s mind, not marrying, procreating, and remaining on Walton’s Mountain. You go, girl, I say, however, quilting is still a wonderful tradition.
A stunning contribution to the history and culture of a new land.
I recall from my family history studies, the convict women from the vessel Rajah who created a quilt. Its embroidered inscription reads:
To the LADIES OF THE CONVICT SHIP COMMITTEE This quilt worked by the Convict (sic) of the ship Rajah during their voyage to Van Dieman’s Land is presented as a testimony of the gratitude with which they remember their exertions for their welfare while in England and during their passage and also of proof that they have not neglected the Ladies kind admonitions of being industrious June 1841.
An interesting inscription, I feel, assumed to have been worked by a free passenger, Miss Kezia Hayter. https://www.nationalquiltregister.org.au/quilts/the-rajah-quilt/
Though some quilters would never dream of using a sewing machine, Patricia and I are happy doing so. Handmade quilts become heirlooms and are very expensive to produce in terms of a woman’s time and sometimes her eyesight, so they’re not ideal for what we want to achieve.
We know recipients and buyers appreciate our machine-sewn work. We have repeat customers and others who buy multiple items in one sale.
Our creative pursuits produce quilts for beds, and cots, throws and knee rugs, wall-hangings and aprons. Our placemats and table runners are always popular.
I will add craft market sale dates to this site as they become available.