one new, several antique quilts

A bit of a contrast here, between the new and the old, between last week and this.
Last week I had a great day at Victor Harbor with Fleurieu Quilters where we made what are generally referred to as 'Bedford quilts'. An amazing group of ladies led by Lessa Siegele  raise money for Bedford Industries, who, in their words, are a trusted and sustainable business that changes the lives of people with disability by building their skills to participate in the community.
For some years now they have been preparing and selling kits containing pre-cut fabric, pattern, and instructions for a quilt top 48" square. The group facilitate days for groups to make the tops, or individuals can purchase the kits and make them at home. To date they have raised an amazing  $250,000. That's a lot of kits at $50 - and an awful lot of fabric cutting!

I finished my blocks at home, though I still have to put them together. It's bright and cheery.

 If you are clever you might spot that one block is wrong - I put one strip on the wrong way around and will need to change it before I join them together. Or maybe I could leave it ...

In contrast, today I attended a great event as part of our South Australian History Month. Hosted by the Inman Valley Quilters, it was a very interesting session on Antique Quilts presented by Pam Holland. Her examples were both Australian and American, well loved utilitarian pieces which highlighted that many quilts were made with what was available, for tops, padding and backing. All made and quilted by hand, some were truly patchwork with bits added this way and that, with differing, colours, fabrics and patterns.

Here are pictures of a few American ones

This was crazy patch blocks including some patterned blocks - quite charming and appealing

 and close up - a lot of care and work  as each piece had been embroidered around

 Heavier furnishing fabric here

 Made from feed sacks and shirting

 Me with Pam

 

 and a pretty 'summer quilt' made of Suffolk puffs

It was well attended - mostly by quilters - and we were well fed by the Inman ladies. Thank you  to them all. What better to do on a cold, dull and rainy day?

 Out in my garden I spotted these mushrooms yesterday - already quite a bit larger today when I photographed them. I had some come up last year around the same tree stump. They are an ochre shade -'orangey brown'

Finally, something a little unusual I captured recently. It might seem larger here, but it was only a small feather, about 3cm, dragged into an ant hole