John & Marie • Apr 30, 2022

For patchwork and quilting – Participation and End Product are synonymous

“Whistle while you work” is a playful tune written by Frank Churchill and Larry Morey that made its debut in Disney's first animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Snow White cleans up the dwarfs' messy cottage with the help of her animal friends and this upbeat song. To Snow White and her friends the activity of cleaning is synonymous with having a clean cottage.


S-E-W too for those involved with patchwork and quilting – participation in the activities is just as important as the end product. We are aware that this art form provides its participants with many benefits beyond the practical result of a colourful, unique, and often useful item.


Spending time in solitude doing patchwork can help you disconnect from your worries, reflect calmly, and come up with solutions for problems that keep you up at night.


At the same time, though, patchwork has a strong social component: you can talk with other people (especially fellow aficionados) about how your project is going, you may participate in an coordinated planned activity to learn a new technique, or you could get together with a couple of others and simply spend the time stitching, chatting and munching.


Being involved with patchwork is s-e-w therapeutic as it can help you overcome depression, stress, and anxiety. It also can help your self-esteem, because it helps you see that you’re able to create something beautiful and unique.


Through patchwork you can still discover your artistic side. You can create your own patterns and choose the shapes, colours, and textures you want to use. In the end, a quilt can be as beautiful and as much a form of artistic expression as the Sistine Chapel ceiling painted by Michelangelo.


If you’re interested in the “slow living” philosophy, patchwork and quilting is a great hobby for you. It’s as much about the process as it is about the result. You can dedicate as much time as you want to your sewing; it’s not a race. You savour the work, and the goal is to make something that will last and be cherished, not simply used and discarded.


Interested in being part of the Friends of Ripley Sewing story than read the next chapter of your journey through clicking on the Activities tab above.

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Simply Sewing on Saturdays
By John & Marie 14 Apr, 2023
Expressions of interest are invited from fellow sewing enthusiasts to join our 2023 Simply Sewing on Saturdays small group of like-minded people enthusiastic to share our patchwork and quilting journeys. We gather fortnightly from 9am to 12noon with a scrumptious morning tea enjoyed in between. You may like patchwork, applique, embroidery, or combining a range of techniques in your project; with perhaps the joy of one or more quilting styles to finish your creation. Many believe quilting needs to be a big, and expensive, activity with the results destined only for show of some kind. Simply Sewing on Saturdays enables members to be part of a quilting journey making project, big or small eg. from mug mats, place mats, table centres, bags/caddies, wall hangings, and everything in between; plus, quilts from cot to whatever size you wish. RSC will have patterns and kits available. Members can also bring a quality project of their own. In essence, the main aim is to create projects using quality materials in a supportive environment where sharing with others offers you the best in your patchwork and quilting journey. To express your interest please click on the "Get in touch" button above to tell us a little about yourself and what you would like to contribute. Note: Beginners (Male &/or Female) welcome to apply. Places are limited so we look forward to hearing from you soon. S-e-w until next time, from all the team, keep well and stay safe!
Learning the Art of Quilting and Patchwork With Marie
By John & Marie 29 Sep, 2021
Designed as an introductory beginner friendly patchwork program through which you learn to play with colour, explore the art of machine/hand embroidery, advance your applique skill and gain a comprehensive understanding of the basic patchwork stages of cutting, piecing, quilting, basting and binding. This program is for those who would like to have fun stitching along with other like-minded people. The centre piece is a cherished nine block sampler quilt consisting of Ribbon, Uneven nine-patch, Eccentric star, Pinwheel, Heart, Flying geese, Maple leaf, Courthouse and Variable star blocks. It is a great way to showcase different quilt blocks and techniques including half-square triangles, strip piecing and the stitch-and-flip method. S-E-W, don’t be daunted, just take it one block at a time and it will soon come together. To support your endeavours, you will also have the opportunity to communicate with the designer of the sampler quilt who is an international patchwork teacher, modern quilter, pattern designer, freelance writer and author. Several other projects of hers will be included in your beginner package. Primarily you will be using Lori Holt’s “Flea Market” Fat Quarter Bundle complimented by an assortment from the Devonstone Collection Building Blocks Basics Textures fabric range. Limited to 5 participants! Commencement Date: Saturday 9th October 2021 Time: 9am to 1pm Frequency: Weekly Place: Ripley Sewing Centre Contact: ripleysewing@gmail.com or message 0419 948 452
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