Wednesday, June 18, 2014

A Red Letter Day with Camille Roskelley

As mentioned in my last post, Camille Roskelley visited Australia the past fortnight and I was lucky enough to attend one of her Trunk Shows and a quilting class the next day.


At the Trunk Show Camille spoke for about half an hour, telling us about her start in quilting and how it lead to her designing fabric and writing books.

In real life Camille comes across exactly as she seems on her blog: talented, funny and cute as a button.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia
Camille: kittens ain't got nothin' on her.

Camille's visit was organised by Di Mill, and she was accompanied by her good friend (and quilter) Holly - here they are holding up a couple of Camille's mini quilt versions.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

The next day's class was arranged by the hardworking staff from The Quilter's Store. We all knew the class was going to be fabulous when we saw the (albeit dilapidated) mirror ball on the ceiling.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

Margaret was kind enough to chauffeur me to and from the event (thanks Meg!) and we shared a common table with the lovely Catherine (from Cat and Vee) and Tracy.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

There was a whole lotta sewing and chattering interspersed with a bunch of eating. A perfect, Red Letter Day, really.

Margaret let me use her Bloc Loc half-square triangle cutting templates and I am hooked. I put in an order for a set the next day.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

Cat let us all use her handmade scrap container. Such a gorgeous way to use up those precious off cuts you might be hoarding.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

Camille showed us her Red Letter Day quilt (and mini):

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class Brisbane, Australia

She also gave us an in-person demonstration of a clever way to chain piece the blocks.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia
Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

It's a bit hard to explain in words, but you can see with Tracy's block below how all the rows are nicely connected - a failsafe way to make sure they get sewn together correctly.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

Two points:

1. I managed to sew two rows upside down. DON'T ASK.

2. How gorgeous is Tracy's smile? She had such a good time and her joy was infectious. She even managed to con Camille into cutting out the fabric for one of her blocks with that smile. She was just so happy. But not too happy. You know how sometimes people are so happy you want to stick a fork in their eye? There was none of that.

By the end of class we had 40 blocks between us. They looked fantastic all laid out together.

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia
Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia

I completed one block and had two more sewn into rows such that I finished them that night. My cunning plan at this stage is to sew a total of 12 blocks and turn it into a twin-sized quilt for one of my boys.

Margaret's will be the one to watch - there were a lot of 'ahhhhhs' when she unveiled her colour scheme:

Camille Roskelley's Red Letter Day quilt class in Brisbane, Australia
Come on Meg, I want to see it finished!

If you'd like to see one that's already complete - check out Kirsten's over at Gemini Stitches. She sewed like the wind and had hers done over the weekend!

Phew. So that's what kept me out of trouble last week.

And just before I go, the first issue of my newsletter has been sent out. (If you'd like to receive it, you can sign up in the side bar on the right.)

9patch11
The newsletter shows how to make this quilted baby mat

If you didn't receive it, please check your spam folder. And please add me to your list of safe addresses - I can't bear the thought of my newsletter rubbing shoulders with all those dodgy Nigerian emails and viagra spam.  Thank you!

Wishing you all a great end to your week and a weekend full of sewing.

A bientôt!

12 comments:

Katherine said...

Looks like a fun time, Kirsty! Wow, so many gorgeous blocks to admire. Will look forward to seeing your quilt come together.

Shay said...

I heard about your sad misfortune with the upside down sewing. I had a bit of a chuckle because thats the kind of thing I usually do in classes!

Looks like the most fabulous day and you got to spend it in awesome company too.

bettsylyn (Lynda) said...

It was great to meet you there.

Kirsten said...

Great post and lovely photos Kirsty - have you sewn any more blocks? So nice to get to meet you last week too:)

Susan said...

Hi Kirsty! I'm the one sulking in the corner! I wish I had been there-it looked such fun! And how good does Marg's block look! (ps any news on the pattern front?)

cat and vee xoxo said...

You took SUCH fabulous photos Kirsty!! Awesome post, you captured the trunk show and class so well. I would love that photo of 'our table', can you please email it? Great pics of Camille, and I love the one of Tracy ironing, her joy is always infectious!

Kim S. @ Leland Ave Studios said...

That looks like so much fun! I'm totally jealous! Can't wait to see your finished quilt :)

Mary W Quilts said...

OM.g! Those mini quilts are sew adorable! Thanks for sharing.... Mary in Boston

Annie Cholewa said...

It looks like the best kind of day! Lots of like minded crafters and new skills. And smiles :)

Katy Cameron said...

Sounds like a fab day!

Eva said...

One can really see that you all had a great day! It all looks like a lot of fun and everybody looks so nice! :-) Plus, I really like that oversized block, but then again, all Camille's designs are lovely. I also recieved your newsletter (which is GREAT by the way!!!) and am itching to make a quilt following your instructions! And no worries about landing in my spam folder! Had to laugh out loud there! :-)

Marg said...

How did I miss this post!!!!!
You take such awesome photos Kirsty. It was such a fun day and you captured it perfectly. I have finished 8 blocks now, one to go. Procrastinating on that one.

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