VISION STATEMENT
To encourage and assist fibre artists to achieve their
fullest potential by providing advice, facilities
and educational material in an enjoyable
social environment.


Meetings held weekly on Wednesday at Possum Hollow Hall within Townsville Showgrounds, Hyde Park. 10am - 1-00pm

Sunday 31 July 2011

Marlene King

We are very honoured to have you as a member of Fibres and Fabrics! For our readers can you define yourself – art/craft wise?
I would define myself as a textile artist/quilter. Over the years I have tried many crafts. The main ones of these would be potting and spinning and weaving. I have a Diploma in Hand weaving, from Launceston TAFE. After gaining this I had my studio open to the public for over 10 years, during which time I wove the fabric and made garments up, and these were sold to many overseas countries.

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others?
My medium is textiles, be it fibre or fabric, either cotton, wool or silk.

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why?
In my time as a quilter, Gloria Loughman has influenced me more than anyone else. Before I started quilting I had seen Gloria’s work and was entranced by it.

Describe your workspace.
In one word a shambles! My work space is small now, the smallest room in the house, as opposed to a purpose built studio when I was weaving.
What 3 tools could you not live without?
My sewing machine... I get withdrawal symptoms if I spend more than a few days without using it. Also the rotary cutter and scissors. The iron is also an important part of my working life.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal?
Yes, but I contribute to it and also use it in fits and starts.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics and you have been very generous in this area. Do you extend this in any way by teaching other workshops?
Over the past years I have done many workshops in both QLD and Tas, but now it is only the occasional fun day to help others in their creativity.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck?
I put the article on the design wall, and go on with something else, and usually an idea comes within a week and I think why didn’t I think of that before!
If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore?
I would like to explore textile art further, but place of abode as well as a diminishing memory is a problem.

How do you balance your life?
The balance in my life is heavily unbalanced by the time I spend in the sewing room, but I like to read and also garden.

Your work has appeared in more displays or exhibitions than it’s possible to list. Do you have any work coming up for exhibition in the near future? If so where and when?
I have cut competition work down to a minimum, and this year a lot of time will be spent on a Wedding Quilt for my granddaughter, and also making her bridal gown, but I have an exhibition booked for Oct-Nov 2012 at a local gallery.

What does your work mean to you?
A sense of fulfilment. I like to set myself a challenge, and accomplish it the best I am able.

What a talented lady! Wonderful to get to know a bit more about you. Thank you.

Thursday 28 July 2011

Farewell Farmhouse





Wednesday 27th July 2011 marked the last meeting of Fibres and Fabrics at the Historical Farmhouse.

Suzanne, Pam and their band of stalwart workers have sorted and packed, cleaned the old and the new, organised the removalists and ..... hey presto! Well done ladies! You've done so well.

The next meeting will begin an interim era in a shed at the Showgrounds. Watch this space for pictures of the new location.

Sunday 24 July 2011

Margaret Wretham

As a long time member of Fibres and Fabrics you are recognised to be talented and creative. How do you define yourself – art/craft wise? A mixed media textile artist with a passion for silk painting and recycled wearable art.

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? Love playing with silk exploring arashi shibori, recycling found objects.

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? Ken Smith started my love of silk, Patricia Black with her arashi shibori silk techniques.

Describe your workspace. Work from my garage generally where my steamer frames and dyes live.

What 3 tools could you not live without? Silk steamer, scissors, hot glue gun.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? From time to time.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? Have given various workshops in silk painting and art books.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? Talk to Jackie Elmore on the tablelands or go walking on a beach collecting things.

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? I would fly to Italy and spend two weeks with Patricia Black playing with silk.

How do you balance your life? Family, friends, swimming, beach, baking cup cakes for Ronald McDonald House.

I know we can expect an amazing piece of creativity from you in the coming Alba Leucos exhibition at Umbrella Studio in August. Has any of your other work appeared, or is it going to appear, in a display or exhibition either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? Wearable art pieces at Hobart Art on Legs in July, Pieces in an exhibition at Perc Tucker Gallery with 12 artists choosing to paint portrait of seniors.

What does your work mean to you?  My work is the expression of my creative imagination that has to emerge . My work is my relaxation, comes from my spirit, and is my love of life.

Wednesday 20 July 2011

End of an Era.




An era of Fibres and Fabrics is being packed up into boxes for the move to temporary accommodation in a shed at the Show grounds.  Mixed feelings abound! The Farmhouse in Castling Street, one of the Historic buildings, has been home to Fibres and Fabrics for nearly a quarter of a century and holds lots of memories for members. But the future looks exciting with the City Council having allocated the group land on which to build as soon as sufficient funds have been raised. This is a huge challenge facing Fiberians, which they will no doubt meet head on.

Sunday 17 July 2011

Let the Show Begin!


The Craft and Sewing Show was thoroughly enjoyed by our members. To see a slideshow of our participation please click this link.

The winner of the quilt raffle, drawn at the Craft and Sewing Fair, Townsville Entertainment Centre, on Sunday 17 July was L. Doring, Townsville, ticket No. 913580.

Judy Hunter in Brief.

You’ve been a valued member of Fibres and Fabrics since it was founded which indicates that you have always been a creative person. Can you define yourself – art/craft wise? I am not really creative. I am much more of a technician but very interested in a wide range of arts and crafts.

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? Yes probably patchwork and cross stitch.

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? No one individual who stands out. I have learned from many tutors. Maybe Pauling Roberts from Toowoomba.

Describe your workspace. Cluttered. The back bedroom which needs to be cleared if we have too many people come to stay.

What 3 tools could you not live without? Probably scissors a needle and some thread.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? No, I take photos of projects when completed.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? I participate.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck?  Usually by starting a new project and leaving another UFO.

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? I see it rather as time as an issue. It is so easy to become overloaded when you are retired.

How do you balance your life? Badly. Always too much to do and too little time.

Has any of your work appeared, or is it going to appear, in a display or exhibition either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? Only in Fibres exhibitions.

What does your work mean to you? I feel a sense of achievement when I complete a project.

Wednesday 13 July 2011

All Set Up!


Well, Fibres and Fabrics is all set up and ready for the Craft and Sewing Show 2011!

Under Barb's guidance the members have the setting up of the display down pat and it's looking good. There's a really gorgeous quilt being raffled this year. The proceeds will be added to our funds for  relocating, something which is imminent. The knitting table where those attending the show can rest their legs and sit and knit, or learn to knit if they don't know how, is ready and waiting. Their efforts will contribute to the teddies being made for Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids project. Fibres and Fabrics love to be involved in charity work.

The display this year is really vibrant and interesting. The various skills of our members have been artistically combined to showcase the group's diverseness.Hope you'll come along!

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Free Tickets to the Townsville Sewing and Craft Show all taken!

All four of the free tickets for the show have been claimed. Hope everyone who attends the show has a wonderful time.

Monday 11 July 2011

Don't Forget - Townsville Craft and Sewing Show - 14 - 17 July 2011 : FREE TICKETS!!!!

It's only a matter of days until one of the biggest events of the Townsville craft and sewing community's year takes place. Besides all the other delights of the show, Fibres and Fabrics will be putting on a magnificent display of the work their members have completed since the last Expertise Events Show. As our name implies, the Fibres and Fabrics group work in every sort of fibre and fabric, using a wide range of techniques. Our display will exhibit the whole spectrum of our members’ skills including altered boxes by our paper artists, embroidered cards by the embroiderers, quilt-as-you-go by the patchworkers, felted bags and hats by the felters, spinning and weaving, a combination of techniques to form creative art, a hint of what the sewers do for charity, and a corner in which the public may relax and knit beanies for the charitable Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids project. Click on the name to take a look at the project in detail.
AND
We have a special treat for the first four people who leave a comment on this particular blog post! You will receive a FREE TICKET to attend the show. Please leave your comment, including an identity and then, privately, send me an email to jungleburra@gmail.com containing that identity and your contact details so that I can get the ticket to you.

Sunday 10 July 2011

A Peep into the Creative Life of Linda Stubberfield.

As a creative member of Fibres and Fabrics how would you describe yourself – art/craft wise? Fabric and paper crafts-person would be a good description. I am foremost a dressmaker/sewer, and hand "fancy worker". I have done quilting, freestyle machine embroidery and related skills, and combining them to create fibre-art pieces.  
Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? Fabric is my favourite medium, though paper comes a close second. I often find ways to combine the two.
Linda's design quilt
Champion Townsville Show
Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? My female relatives, for showing me that sewing is a natural part of life. My Home Science teachers at school, who taught me that some things could be done differently to how my mother did it! Art-wise, Diane Johnstone taught me about colour and fine appliqué, and from that I had the confidence to put my thoughts into reality. The people who ran Bernina Club, which I attended for years. Machine skills advanced so much in those days. And the Fibres and Fabrics ladies, who are an excellent example of artists who are not afraid to combine different skills to make a wonderful art piece. Also the many authors who took the time to write books which I read avidly to advance my knowledge of crochet, knitting, beadwork, feltwork, fine embroidery, beadwork, cardmaking and bookmaking.
Describe your workspace. In the spare bedroom is my sewing table which was made for my Mum. It has lovely maple veneer on the sides and door fronts, and silky-oak other smaller pieces. It was made by a very good Italian craftsman in Innisfail for her. It always has the sewing machine set up and, if it's not in use, it's covered with a faded patchwork cover. There is another table with storage cartons under it, two sets of drawers, and a built-in wardrobe. They are all full of finished and unfinished works, as well as the materials to create more. I have dolls and teddies watching me from one corner, and a wall-hanging above my stereo, which is very important for music and audio-books that I play while working.

What 3 tools could you not live without? My sewing machine, scissors and needles.
Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? Not regularly. I have a lot of samples of my past efforts, which I am putting into albums and specially made boxes, plus numerous photo albums.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? Yes, I attended Quilt Experience weekends when they were held in Townsville, for eight years, with some excellent tutors. Also visiting tutors arranged by Flying Arts. At F & F I've taught one or two card-making workshops each year, and have attended many workshops where the tips and ideas flow thick and fast.
Patchwork Child's Vest and Skirt
1st prize Townsville Show
How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? I read books on the subject. I'm not really stuck for ideas, just the way to interpret them. My ideas will continue for as long as I live, I think.
If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? I'd travel Australia and the world to see exhibitions and museums displaying inspiring work. I read and watch on TV everything I can which pertains to art and craft, especially fabric arts.
How do you balance your life? I love family, music, nature, and photographing anything that interests me, as well as the sewing and craft.
Has any of your work appeared, or is it going to appear, in a display or exhibition either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? I showed my work at the Townsville Show for many years, and entered Quilt shows in Townsville and Brisbane. I have also participated in exhibitions put on by Fibres and Fabrics at the Perc Tucker Gallery, Riverway, and the yearly Craft Shows at the Entertainment Centre.
What does your work mean to you? It means everything to me. With my craft I never have an unoccupied moment, and that's how I like it. It satisfies my love and appreciation of lovely fabrics, shiny things like beads, and good work.


Thank you Linda for sharing your craft life with us.

Thursday 7 July 2011

Craft and Sewing Show - Entertainment Centre 14 - 17 July


All challenge pieces will be displayed
Embroidery – embellished floral fabric
Bookies – Altered Box and ATCs
Fibres on Saturday - Assorted unspun wool

Please bring in 5 or 6 of your favourite items that you have made in the last 12 months for selection. Space will determine the number of items shown.
Please print a label on white printer paper - font style – Arial font size 14 Lines centred for each item to be displayed. If you do not have a computer please ask a friend to do this for you.

Example:
Janet Banks
Silent Listen
Altered Box Challenge

All items are to be delivered to the Entertainment Centre before 9am on Wednesday 13 July. Please ensure you nominate someone else to be responsible for your work to be delivered and picked up on Sunday 17 July  if you are unable to do so.

This year work will be in a mixed display rather than segregated into individual groupings such as Bookies Table. It is hoped that this will encourage the public to wander.

During the four days of the fair please wear your name badge and Fibres scarf – White or Cream tops and dark bottoms always look professional.

On setup day 13 July all helpers are required to wear closed in shoes and a safety vest (some are available at Fibres)

Any questions about the above please talk to Carol McG, Barb N, Janet B.

Sunday 3 July 2011

A Glimpse of Birte Muller



The fact that you’re a Life Member of Fibres and Fabrics shows you have a long term relationship with creativity! Define yourself – art/craft wise? When I was a little girl my father taught me to use a hammer and a sharp knife and my mother a needle and it has been galloping ever since.

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? No! I have been (comfortable) almost at anything (perhaps except lace making.)

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? When I came to F and F I was in my Patchwork period (which had lasted several years) but then Kenneth Smith came and gave workshops on silk painting and machine embroidery and I was lost to the Patchwork world and I threw myself into many different crafts. Some years later Adéle Outteridge introduced me to the wonders of bookmaking and I'm still working mainly with paper.

Describe your workspace.  As I live alone I can do what I want, so I have my workspace in the lounge room which has been moved to a bedroom. Though it is big it is rather chaotic as I'm always working on at least 3 different things at a time.

What 3 tools could you not live without? Colour and colour and colour.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal?  Not a journal but I have several sketchbooks which also contain tricks of the trade and samples from workshops.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? I have participated in many workshops over the years and I have also given a few, mainly in F and F on bookbinding.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? Look at other people's work.

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? Go overseas and see what other nations do.

How do you balance your life? That is a difficult Q. What is balance? But I think if I wouldn't get my Dry Martini before dinner I would certainly be off balance.

Has any of your work appeared, or is it going to appear, in a display or exhibition either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? I have shown my work in many of F and F's exhibitions.

What does your work mean to you? Everything.

Thank you, Birte. Your sense of humour is as dry as your Martini!