Something you may not know about me, I am a member of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) here in Victoria and our branch is a very new one, with our members mostly being less than 50 years old (hehe, in the CWA world that is YOUNG!).
I joined when I moved up here 4 years ago as I didn’t know anyone locally and it has been a great way to meet new friends, get involved in the local community and have some fun!
One of the things we did this last week was take part in the Ballarat Group Arts & Crafts Exhibition (there are 14 branches in our regional Group) here in Daylesford.
It was my first time entering any of my makes into a judged competition and I had no idea what to expect.
But I won some firsts!! It was quite a buzz actually!
My Fresh100 double sided quilt won first prize in the machine pieced, machine quilted category! I think being double sided was what tipped it into first place, as the other quilts were pretty gorgeous too!
I also won a first prize in the bag category with my version of Noodlehead’s Maker’s Tote bag (I run this class a couple of times a year, so keep an eye out for the next one!).
And my pink Teddy Bear Cushion (pattern by Amy Sinibaldi) also won a first prize!
I was very, very chuffed!
My other cushion – the Tumbleweed pattern using the Bush Gum Blossoms fabric – I entered in a patchwork own choice category and it came second!
Funny though, the item that took up all my time and effort in the weeks leading up to the Exhibition was the ‘Patchwork Challenge’ – we were each given a bag of fabric and items and we had to make something from it – there was a suggestion of going 3D.
This one really challenged me from the get go. Um…. the fabric was….. horrible! Black and orange batik fabric and there was puffy rayon eiderdown fabric and some knit and stretchy lace and buttons. Wow. That had me stumped for quite a while until I was thinking about the CWA and what it is known for….. a cup of tea and a scone…. so I decided to make Jodie Ric Rac’s Teaset pattern!
It took quite a while for me to figure out how I was going to make it as there was limited fabric, but I finally figured it out and started all the fiddly hand sewing. I thought it came up looking pretty well (considering what I started with!!) and I even used the knit fabric and lace as a ‘napkin’, the buttons on the teapot lid and every stitch of that horrible black fabric!
Here is my teaset in with the other entries on the day. Sadly I didn’t place at all in this challenge. The doll which won first prize at the back was amazing!
And the last entry was @thefabrichusband ‘s – he entered his Rocket Sheep mug rug into the Gentleman’s Craft category….. and he WON!!! He was very excited!
I will be definitely entering in more things in future shows and exhibitions as it was a fun experience and was great talking with other quilters and crafty people 🙂
Have you ever entered a quilt into a show? How did you go?
Very impressive!
Thanks Jackie!
The tea set looks super cute even in that fabric. I especially like the tea cup.
Hehe, yes I was happy how it turned out, in spite of that fabric!!
Congratulations Anne, you deserve 1st all the time.
Aww shucks Paula 🙂