Hunters Hill Quilt Show 2016
I'm not sure if I'm a super slow blogger these days or if time is moving by at an extra fast pace. Either way I can hardly believe that it's been about 3 weeks since the Hunters Hill Quilter's show.
Well, better late than never, here are some photos.
The Hunters Hill Quilter's show is one of my favourite shows for it's mix of colourful quilts. Whether the quilts are traditional, modern, contemporary or in a class of their own this group has a great way with colour and fun and sometimes unexpected fabrics. It's also the one quilt show Mr Daisy always says "Yes!" to seeing with me.
It was a perfect sunny winters day. The sunshine made their banner glow, a perfect welcome.
We followed the bunting of quilt blocks...
...to the grand entrance of the Hunters Hill Town Hall.
Inside was a hall full of beautiful and wonderful quilts. I didn't take photos due to not knowing the rules about which quilts I can show or not.
But never fear - I did get permission to show some quilts ...
One of the things that sets the Hunters Hill Quilt Show apart is their room of Waggas.
For those who don't know Wagga's are an Australian utilitarian quilt traditionally made from old blankets, tailors samples, hessian and flour sacks, really anything tough and sturdy. Generally not big, but big enough for one person and small enough to easily carry. Made more for function than looks waggas we're often used by Aussie swag men, shearers drivers.
I think the Hunter's Hill quilters selection of waggas definitely have looks as well as functionality.
Not only are the Hunters Hill quilters keeping the important Australian tradition of waggas alive but the sales of these quilts is used to raise money for their designated charity.
I was chatting to some of the lovely ladies as I took photos and they said that the ones I kept being drawn to were by Jessica Wheelerhan. That makes sense, I love her quilts. You can find her on instagram @birdie_beetle.
This one is a knock out!! Jessica dyed the feature fabric herself.
I love the texture the stitching gives this quilt.
In fact the texture is a big draw card for me with these quilts. It's wonderful to see corduroys, wool, suiting fabrics all mixed together.
Cute little foxy face!
From deep earthy tones to bright and exuberant hues!
Material Obsession always has a stall at the show. It was like a quilt show in itself. A wonderland of beautiful quilts and fabrics.
It was a great chance to see Kathy Doughty's latest fabrics, Folk Art Revolution in person and see her wonderful quilts showcasing them. The thing about Kathy's fabrics is that she has designed them with a quilter's mind. They have clever patterns and repeats offer a variety of cutting options.
Here's Kathy. I wonder if she dressed to match her quilt. Even her necklace matches the blue of the wedding ring circle. Love it!
When we stepped outside and the perfect weather lured us into going for a walk. Hunters Hill is a beautiful part of Sydney. Lots of big grand homes that lead down to Sydney Harbour.
Such a perfect day, and so peaceful. There was no one else on this pier but us.
Soon we wandered off on our merry way...
A slow amble because I like to stop and take photos. I can't help seeing interesting patterns in our surroundings.
So that was our day in Hunters Hill enjoying quilts and clear blue skies. If you want to see more quilts from past years you can pop back in time to a post here.
30 Comments
That tactile experience is an important part of quilting for so many of us. Not only to make things with our hands, but to enjoy the variety of weaves and weight. Functional pieces like these waggas are the best of all worlds--beautiful utility. Thanks for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these pictures and making me discover waggas ! Looks like an interesting show and a beautiful place for a walk.
ReplyDeleteWhat a show - thanks for putting all these photos in your post. Interesting to see the new range from Kathy Doughty, very colourful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! I really love the waggas, utility quilts of 'down under' days gone by! Love the pic of you both on the pier!
ReplyDeleteHello Rachael !
ReplyDeleteThis morning, thanks to you and your wonderful post, I discover Australian Waggas !
I can understand why this quilt show is one of your favourite ...I love the alley before the place where all the quilts are exhibited, I love the colorful quilts and the ambiance all around....
Well another beautiful day for you and your DH !
Tank you for sharing...
Glad you had a good day out. It's a tribute to Australian quilting tradition that waggas are still being made.
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a wonderful day out :) I love seeing quilts made from old or recycled fabrics - isn't that what it used to be about?!
ReplyDeleteNot only was it a bright sunshiny day, it was still if those smooth, reflective waters are anything to go by! Waggas area real piece of Australian quilting tradition that needs to be preserved. The ladies of Hunter's Hill are doing their bit!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day out and thank you so much for introducing waggas. It's always so interesting to learn something new and it's fabulous to see that this tradition is still thriving with so many really beautiful creations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. Love all those waggas! I had a 4-H leader once tell me that I couldn't use wools and corduroy in the same quilt. I was 9 at the time. It's a good thing I didn't listen to her, I love mixing fabrics! Thanks for the great photos. Glad you enjoyed the trip.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael wow ,such amazing quilts ,love your pics of the beach,thankyou for sharing your wonderful day with us xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely tour, start to finish. It's the closest thing to being there myself. I love all the waggas! Thank you for including photos of so many. Beautiful quilts throughout.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael. I am fascinated by the folk art quilt with the buildings on it. I think it is the 21st picture down, right in the center of the pic. I would love to make a quilt like it, but know I will not live that long. LOL. My life is too very busy to spend every waking moment on a quilt, so I will just drool on others' fantastic makings. Thanks for the show. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a lovely show and tell and history of waggas. I see one in your future, that stone was is amazing!
ReplyDeleteLovely post on Waggas...I just love them...and the sunny banner and and and xxoo
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day out. Hunters Hill certainly put on the weather for you. I'm always drawn to Waggas so enjoyed seeing their display. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the
ReplyDeleteI've head that Hunters Hill puts on a fabulous show Rachael...thank you for showing us these awesome quilts and waggas....just beautiful! What a lovely end to the day for you both! Have an awesome weekend!
What a wonderful day out. Looks like the weather was perfect. Thank you for taking us around; those waggas are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWagga, Wagga, Wagga...whiskers on ya dogga..don't know if this a rude ditty but my husband used to sing it at the top of his lungs whenever we drove through said town. Road trips with us are full of punny tunes, I always have to say..." Euroa the boat, I'll bail a the water" when we pass Euroa......because if I say it going through Bendigo it looses context of course. ( it makes sense if you say it with a Italian inflection)
ReplyDeleteNow where were we? Oh quilts yes of course. I got to see the exhibition in Melbourne thanks to your previous blog post and saw wonderful waggas there too. One day I will attempt to come to Sydney to see more. Until then keep up the fab work in showing us what is out there.
What a perfect day to be out and about. Love your pictures from the show. How great to see a focus on waggas. They looked amazing. And what a great way to raise funds. Yes, the water views are lovely and very tempting. You could always have a Summer and Winter residence - one in the mountains, the other on the water! We can always dream.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a perfect day to me - that building is amazing, love it, and all those gorgeous quilts!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great venue for a quilt show. Lots to look at.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the amazing quilts. How fabulous is the venue.
ReplyDeleteQuante belle cose!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...so I could enjoy your day ,too :-))
ReplyDeleteNice pictures ...Happy to understand yours comments because my english is bad😟
ReplyDeleteI work on your pattern Bubbles I find it gorgeous
See you at your next post
Véronique Lamasure
What a wonderful show--it looks like you had a great day! Love the waggas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun quilt show! I would have been drawn to the waggas - I love utilitarian quilts like that. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteOne of my first ever quilts was a wagga! I used old flannel shirts from the op shop but made the mistake of bordering it with crappy Lincraft flannel sheeting. Whoah - major stretch factor! We used it constantly for about 15 years but recently realised it had gotten very old and faded and baggy so donated it. Hopefully someone's lovely pooch is keeping warm under it at the moment!
ReplyDeleteAnd looking at that photo of Kathy - don't we all dress to match our quilts? Even if accidentally? (I'm thinking of us all at the Sydney quilt show awards ceremony!)
It has been awhile since I have stopped by your beautiful blog...it is wonderful as always to see a bit through your cheerful eyes!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.