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Annette Gero & THE AMAZING ROEBUCK QUILTSBy Narelle Grieves Collecting often has the extraordinary sideline of finding oneself having to become a mini expert in yet another area in order to understand the former. This has been the case in the documentation and writing of the book ‘The Fabric of Society. Australias’ Quilt Heritage from Convict Times to 1960’ by Annette Gero, with patterns by Kim Mclean, where the book not only documents the old quilts found in Australia (plus 29 of their patterns!) but also the social history of countless ordinary and extraordinary people, histories which otherwise would never have been written, reflecting life in Australia over two centuries. The thread that holds this patchwork of Australian history together is that each story involves the making of a quilt. It draws on womens and mens memories, diaries, their letters to relatives, official records, newspaper and magazine articles reflecting the current domestic influences and, of course, the old magazines which provided the quilt patterns. The search and documentation of these quilts over the past 20 years includes all periods of Australian history. The history covers the convicts, the early settlers, Governors' wives, Gold Rush immigrants, wealthy shop owners, WWI diggers, the Depression, WWII Australian prisoners of war, rabbit trappers, artists wives and finally last, but not least, Mum, who made all her childrens clothes and never threw anything away. Over 130 other Australian heritage quilts and their stories are featured in the new book, ‘The Fabric of Society. Australia's Quilt Heritage from Convict Times to 1960’ by Annette Gero, with patterns by Kim Mclean. It has 240 pages. All 130 quilts featured are as full page in full colour photos; plus there are 300 other colour photos of the women and their homes; plus 170 pages of patterns on a disk. It’s a very large book 33 x 28 x 4cm. Not something you can read in bed! Enquires contact: Annette at www.annettegero.com Here is the story of two very remarkable quilts featured in the book.The story has often been told that convict women made quilts on their voyage to Australia in the beginning of the history of the new Australian Colony. However, many beautiful quilts were also made by the ladies of the Colony; those women who came as free settlers, as wives of officers or more wealthy settlers or those made on the voyage to Australia by early settlers. Some of these quilts are the finest that we have seen in Australia and they would rival those in any Museum elsewhere in the world! One of the most sought after patterns for reproducing an old Australian quilt is the one of the quilt made by the Roebuck sisters. A cotton and chintz quilt of diamonds and hexagons, made on the voyage to Australia, around 1860. Kim Mclean has reproduced the pattern for this quilt and her own version of the Roebuck quilt won the Founder’s Award prize at the International Quilt Show in Houston! (This pattern is in the book). However, more recently the family found a second quilt with a very similar pattern to the first Roebuck quilt but with completely different fabrics. No one knew of the existence of this quilt as it was handed down through another side of the family. Last year, the two quilts came together and they are featured side by side in the book to compare the patterns and also the fabrics. Roebuck quilt 1 is on the cover of the book and Roebuck quilt 2 is show here. The history of the two quilts starts with Major George Douglas Roebuck, who was in the 71st East India Company Native Infantry Bengal and in 1818 was posted to Northern India. Major Roebuck married Henrietta Andrew, who was only 16 at the time, in Edinburgh in 1830 when he was home on leave and they returned to India together. What a dramatic change of lifestyle and adjustment it must have been for this young wife to go from the cool spring weather of Scotland to the heat of Calcutta, India and the huge cultural differences. Major Roebuck and Henrietta Andrew had 14 children of which only four survived. These were Henrietta Maria, George Douglas, Margaret (Maggie) and Eliza (Lizzie) all of whom were born in India. However, when Major Roebuck died in India in 1846, his wife and four children returned to Scotland and in 1860/61 decided to sail to Australia and settle in Queensland. It is thought that the two quilts were made on the long sea voyage to Australia and that the quilts were stitched by the three Roebuck daughters, Henrietta Maria, Maggie and Lizzie. |
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Nola’s Gorgeous Needle Punching Art ProjectsWell known Australian Fabric Artist Nola Sterling has self published an inspirational book for all sewers interested in the exciting “needle punching” or “embellishing” technique. With embellishing machines becoming more available Nola saw the need for a practical yet exciting book of needle punching designs which can be followed to the instructions provided or be the starting point for personal works of wearable art. Gorgeous scarves, skirts, jackets, and wraps for formal occasions as well as light breezy neck warmers for Autumn shopping sprees. Nola also encourages readers to construct unique fabrics from wools: mohair, boucle, beaded yarns, using both natural and man made fibres. The needle punching technique ensures that every item is unique and so you can proudly “show off” your wearable art garment as a personal statement. The book is generously illustrated and Nola has listed all materials needed, measurements and quantities, with clear step by step instructions. “It is important however”, Nola said, “for people to gain inspiration and confidence to experiment and modify my designs as the technique encourages freedom and flow”. Sub titled: “ 20 Fabulous Full Instruction Wearable Art Designs” Nola’s projects can be needle punched using either an embellishing machine or embellishing attachment on a sewing machine. Needle punching is the technique of joining two (or more) fabrics by multiple needles punching down through the fabrics and fusing the two into a new joined piece. The technique is highly tactile with raised embellishments, soft and fluid. No thread is used only the punching of needles in a felting process. From freehand machine embroidery, Nola has been attracted to the stimulating effects which can be achieved by needle punching and as she developed these new skills and demonstrated the exciting technique in workshops and seminars, she became aware of the need for a book of practical ideas and instructions. “Nola’s Gorgeous Needle Punching Art Projects” is destined to be the “bible” of needle punching and a great starting place for anyone considering adding an embellisher or attachment to their sewing equipment. For those lucky enough to have a machine here are 20 great projects from a master sewer. Nola’s Gorgeous Needle Punching Art Projects ISBN 978-0-9806152-0-3 52 pages, colour, A4 RRP AU$39.95 + p/h $4.05 (Australia) Nola Sterling, Published February 2009 Available direct: Email nola@heartsandbows.com.au Special Price (including postage within Australia) for Sew Inspirational readers AU$40 – saving 10% |