Previously when I have attended the AQC , I have had a different class and tutor each day, going home with a smattering of knowledge and the feeling I had only scratched the surface of whatever topic had been the focus that day, plus being so exhausted that by the end of each sessions I had had enough. Thinking there must be a better way, this year I signed up for two, two-day classes with the same person, but still wondered if I was doing the right thing….what if she was not a good teacher, what if there was too much duplication, what if I didn’t like what she was teaching, what if…….I need not have worried, Rosalie Dace was a great tutor, positive, generous, amusing, encouraging and very talented. A contemporary quilter from Durban, with a background in art and education, her excitement and enthusiasm about working with colour was contagious as she shared theory and technique, so that we all came away inspired to do things differently. I worked on two pieces, but have nothing to show yet – they must be completed first, but are certainly different from anything I have done before. They will be small quilts, but everything I learned can be utilized in any other textile work as well.
These are a couple of her class samples, and there are more on her website.
This one was made after she was here in February last year, in response to the Victorian bushfires, and now forms part of her Earth, Fire,Wind and Water series.
This is called Night Flight, and was made after teaching overseas for four months, and represents the return to Durban by air.
This pastel coloured quilt is based on the colours in the sky at sunset.
Other quilts on display were spectacular – the Best of the Best – winners of every annual state guild show from Australia and New Zealand, quilts by the various tutors, Twelve by Twelve, historic military quilts owned by Annette Gero, a retrospective of quilts by Gloria Loughman the Rajah winner last year, contemporary quilters from the UK, and many many others. Of course, there were also the vendors………from all round the country, and for some, the main reason they attend the AQC. I was quite restrained, purchasing only a few bits of fabric to fill colour gaps in my stash, some threads and a couple of tools.
The following shots are of the building in which it was held – our temporary class rooms were on the gallery level, overlooking the main floor, and were at times a little noisy, but that is about the only thing one could complain about.
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This kimono is made by Bev Sullivan, from inchies…..possibly more than 500 of them. What an effort!
Another mammoth effort – this huge quilt measured 3.25 x 2.6 metres…..quilt as you go hexagons by Lorelle Hall – the label said she made it to use up her stash of Japanese fabrics.
Another lovely one – Giant Dahlia by Mary Fennell.
More Inchies….
