For unlimited choice, you can make bias tape from any fabric print you like with the Clover 6mm (1/4") Bias Tape Maker. Excellent for use in projects that use bias tape - stained glass quilting, celtic, and applique work.

Textile artist Denise Vanderlugt specializes in hand stitched pictorial quilts. Working with a variety of applique techniques, Denise has created a method called "Fabrique - constructed images in fabric". Another love of Denise's life is making coiled baskets from recycled material.

Denise is also an award-winning children's author and illustrator. The artwork from Denise’s book “Where Rainbows Live” and examples of her baskets will be on display at the Toowoomba City Library from 6-10th July. She'll also be visiting the library and will be offering a children's workshop, as well as two-day workshops in Fabrique and creating Coiled Baskets.

The Children's Workshops will take place at the library on the 6th of July. Denise will read from her magical book “Where Rainbows Live”. The children will be able to get a up close look at the original artwork from the book and create their own mini-book. There will be two sessions - the first one for ages 4-7 from 1-2pm and the second for ages 8-12 from 3-4pm. The cost is free but bookings are required. Please phone the library on 4688 6678.

FABRIQUE
2 Day Handstitching Workshop
CONSTRUCTED IMAGES IN FABRIC
Date: 9 & 10 July
Ages: 14 - Adult
Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm (if people are interested
Denise is happy to negotiate times and stay until 8pm)
Where: Toowoomba City Library
Cost: $150 morning tea and lunch included
Class Description
This method of construction is derived from existing traditional applique techniques. A realistic or abstract effect can be achieved. Instruction will be given using Denise’s own method of working on paper as a ground
instead of on a background fabric. The paper is
covered with fabric, as a painter would cover a
canvas with paint, and, when the image is formed, the paper is removed. There is discussion on composition, colour, overall design and how they apply to this method of working, with consideration to designing the quilting that will eventually enhance the constructed image. This workshop concentrates on the student’s own ideas and personal inspiration and, will translate
these ideas onto fabric. Denise has produced two patterns if you get stuck coming up with your own idea,these form the basis of the samples she will bring to class. This method is the same as the illustrations in
her children’s book ‘ Where Rainbows Live’.

COILED BASKETRY
2 Day workshop
Using Recycled Material
Date: 7 & 8 July
Ages: 14 - Adult
Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm (if people are interested
Denise is happy to negotiate times and stay until 8pm)
Where: Toowoomba City Library
Cost: $150 morning tea and lunch included
Workshop Description
Participants will be given a short introduction to the
history of Coiled Basketry and its place in our society,
as humans we love containers! Each student will then
learn to make a Coiled Basket using recycled material
as the core, then wrapping over that core with leftovers
from other sewing projects or old clothes etc. to form a
basket of their choice. There is no going back over
your work to finish off, it is finished as you go.
The workshop will include the following:
• Beginning the coil
• Various Stitches
• Adding colours
• Shaping
• Finishing the end of the coil

For more information or to make a booking phone the Toowoomba City Library during office hours on 4688 6678. Spaces are limited.

Quilt binding is the finishing touch to your quilt. Once your quilt top is pieced and quilted it's ready for you to sew on a binding... or is it? Here are a few steps you'll want to take to successfully bind your quilt.

Trimming Borders after Quilting
When you're finished quilting you should even up your quilt edges, as borders can stretch quite badly during the quilting process. 

Use your long 6½” ruler, lay the edge of ruler in the last seam line and find a measurement you desire to use and mark with marking pencil on outside edge of your quilt.  We recommend the Karisma pencil for marking as it glides smoothly on fabric. Trim back to this pencil line. 

Measuring  Your Quilt
Using a tape measure, measure the length of your quilt in three places – centre, left side and right side. Make a note of these measurements.

Let's pretend we measure a quilt and what we have is: Left = 68 ½”, Centre = 67 ¾” and Right = 68 ¼”. Your binding for the quilt should be the same as the smallest measurement. So you now know you need to make your left and right hand borders 67¾” long.

Next measure the width of your quilt in the same way and write the measurements down. Our pretend quilt has these measurements: Top = 43 ½”, Centre = 43” and Bottom = 44”. This means the binding for the top and bottom needs to be made 43” long.

Adjusting Border
Now that you know what size to make your binding you need to adjust your border. To do so find the half way and the quarter location of your quilt and mark with pins. 

Using a sewing needle and thread, start from the middle. Wrap the thread around the centre pin in a figure 8.  Now run a small gathering stitch to the next pin, unthread needle and re-thread.  Wrap around next pin in figure 8 as before, repeat to end.  Then repeat from centre out in the opposite direction. 

You now use each of these threads to pull your border into the chosen measurement (67 ¾”), repeat on other side.  Repeat on top and bottom until this measurement is 43”.   When you pull up each section, wrap the thread around the pins in a figure 8, this will hold the threads very secure while you stitch the binding on.

Preparing the Binding
Cut your binding 2 ½” wide across the width of the fabric. The length you need is twice the length and twice the width of your quilt plus ten inches. The extra ten inches accomodates all the joins, and the start and finish.

For this example you would have:
67¾”+67¾”=135½” and 43+43”= 86” for a total of 221½”
Plus the additional 10" for a grand total of 231½” of fabric.

How much fabric do I need to buy?
We know we need to make our binding 231½” long. To calculate how much fabric you require, depends on the wide of the fabric. We'll use 42" for our calculation as it is a common width for quality quilt fabric.

Required length divided by width of fabric equals the number of strips you'll cut.  For our example: 231 1/2"/ 42 = 6 strips

So we'll be cutting six strips 2 1/2 inches wide. There's just one more quick calculation to make. The number of your strips times the width of the strip.
6 x 2.5" = 15"

If your quilt shop sells fabric by the meterage you'll want to convert from inches to centimetres. You can use an online conversion tool to do the math for you or multiply by 2.54.

For our example we need 15" of fabric, which is equivalent to 38.1 cm. Therefore we'll purchase 40cm of fabric for our binding.

Making the Binding
Sew all your 2½” strips together into one continuous length, using a 45º angle join. Trim seams and press open.  Fold one end of binding strip over at a 45º angle and fold and press the entire binding fabric in half down the length, wrong sides together. 

Adding the Binding
On most quilts you'll stitch your binding to the top side of the quilt. Begin at the center of one edge of your quilt top. Place the binding so its raw edges meet the raw edges of the quilt.

Stitch through all layers using a ¼” seam. Stitch to a quarter inch from the corner and turn the corner. To do so leave the needle in the down position, lift the presser foot, rotate the quilt, lower the presser foot and backstitch  ¼”, fold the binding back to the corner so that the folded edge is at the top and the raw edge lines up with the raw edge of the quilt. Repeat this process at each corner.

Turn your binding to the back of quilt and hand stitch using a blind hem stitch.  Don’t forget to add a label to masterpiece.

The Annual Quilters Gathering is on again!

A grand time was had by all the attendees of last years Quilters Gathering held in Cabarlah. This year the event is hosted by the Biloela Quilters on Saturday 20 June. Biloela's a friendly country town located 120km inland from Gladstone in Central Queensland.

Guest Speakers
With the doors opening at 9.30 am it's sure to be a fabulous day. Quilters will be treated to two entertaining talks by the guest speakers - Ruth Bloomfield and our very own, Pauline Rogers. As one of our DVD presenter's we could possibly lay claim to Ruth also! One thing is sure - both these ladies are knowledgeable and fun, so you're guaranteed to have a good time and will probably learn something very handy.

Ruth Bloomfield
Ruth has just had a quilt accepted for exhibition at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. In 2007 Ruth not only exhibited at Houston, but her quilt was choosen as a finalist. She'll tell you about her visits to the Houston Quilt Festival, and share with you her wonderful work and unique techniques.

Pauline Rogers
Pauline's extensive knowledge of patchwork and quilting covers nearly every facet of the craft. She'll show you how tools can help you achieve better results while using your time more efficiently, what tools are essential and which ones are just nice to own!

A Fun-Filled Day
There will also be a quilt display put on by the Biloela Quilters Group, Show & Tell (so bring your own quilts), a delicious morning tea and sit-down lunch, opportunity for some retail therapy, plus chances to win some fabulous prizes.

The gathering runs until 3.00 pm at the Biloela Civic Centre, so come along for a day of fun. It's a great time to catch up with your quilting friends and meet other like minded ladies for a good gossip! You may even win a prize.

Book Today
Entry is $25 per person and bookings are essential. Contact Gwen on 07 4992 2265 or Fay on 07 4992 3959 for tickets.