helensquilts's Profile

Bio

I have had a lifelong interest in craft and textiles, beginning in primary school when I made clothes for my dolls. I learnt to use a sewing machine at school in year 6 and moved on to making my own clothes. At secondary school there were numerous opportunities to pursue my craft and textile interests. These included knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and sewing.

After leaving school I trained as an Occupational Therapist and pursued that career in Australia and overseas for some 17 years. I continued to spin and weave, and completed one year part time of a studio textiles course at the Melbourne College of Textiles in 1993. The emphasis was mainly on weaving and I completed a number of projects at home on my own loom.

Long service leave in 1995 gave me the chance to complete a basic patchwork course at a patchwork shop nearby and I was hooked! I left work in 1996 on maternity leave and never returned, preferring instead to raise my 3 children and hone my patchwork skills.

I have now made more than 60 quilts, mainly for family, but some for friends and a couple on commission. I prefer scrappy, colourful quilts and tend to make them with children in mind. I have designed my own version of an 'I Spy quilt' but also enjoy changing and rearranging some of the traditional block patterns to suit colourful, bright fabrics. My quilts are machine pieced and machine quilted with a wool batting for warmth.

If you want to see the quilts I have made for my friends and family, take a look at:

http://www.gammon.com.au/helen/

I make my quilts in a smoke-free home.

Female

Favorite Materials