Pat Sloan What DID my classes do in South Africa?

I am so honored to have worn this for the first EVER 

International Quilt Conference Africa.

Look familiar? Yep.. These are Quilters...  the South African Quilters!

Sewing... chatting.. sorting... and I believe that empty chair belongs to someone that went out shopping at the vendors mall!  (Lucky us.. it was JUST NEXT DOOR)

Quilters sewing look the same the world over. We speak the same language "Quilts". And it's marvelous! Of course this group was a tad different as they were ALL bi-lingual. 

English and Afrikaans.  I had forgotten any Afrikaans I might have know when I was in High School... but they helped me out!  The classroom chatter was in Afrikaans and English .. often in the same sentence. After the first day I no longer even noticed it.. wink!

My "Hugs and Kisses" class is all about using up your odd blocks, tidbits and ends.. you know.. your trash!

So many of you have asked me what kinds of fabrics do the South African Quilters use. Well they pretty much use what we use, with a mix of native fabrics and handyes.

They bring great machines, travel irons and travel boards.. and look.. a purple cutting mat! She is also a teacher at one of the quilt shops. We had a great time!

Auditioning fabrics to make a cool block. Green was the color theme to tie this one together

And a Finished top!! She was ON A MISSION! You know those students right? the ones that know where they are going as soon as they walk in the door.

Learn about my classes at my EVENT PAGE

More Blocks from Trash... see how that green ties the mish mash of colors together.

Everyone was thrilled with the blocks they did!

My station was at the front of the room..

this is just half of it. I changed the quilts for each class

Day 2 of teaching was from my Girls in the Garden Kits. I taught 25 quilters ALL my fusible applique tips and tricks!

I LOVE when people "Get it".. they get HOW EASY it is to do fusible applique that is soft and fast and wonderful. I had a ton of new applique quitlers at the end of the day!

One of the most satisfying parts of teaching was getting to know the quilters.

I asked them about where they live, what they eat, where they sew, do they go on retreats.

well of course they do! This little trash bag is proof that quilters ALL speak the same language. Three ladies were on retreat for the entire show and one made these so they could remember the trip. LOVE IT!

Here is my last day class, also fusible applique by machine.

They did Little Blue Bird with their own fabrics. 

And they were ALL up for a little Silly Posing!

LOVE THESE GIRLS!

I've been hearing the SCREAMS at Facebook, Twitter and my Quilt group

WHAT DID I BUY?????

The dyed fabric on the left and the roll on the right were gifts from students (SMOOCH to you girls!)

The other bits ALL came from this amazing booth

The small rolls are super textured fabric.. and I bought the pouch already made (hey.. don't judge.. faster than making it myself.. wink!)

 

You want to see what's in the rolls?

Here is the blue roll

And the beige

And the lovely earthy hand dyes

As a designer that love applique, I wanted to find a South African applique pattern

But I hit the jackpot in the Marietha booth (no website but I've written them!). But I didn't just get one pattern.. oh no... I got more! Not only did she have animals, she had them in KITS! All the edges will be covered with rick track and bias and stitches. I plan to start this VERY VERY SOON. 

I have 6 panels to put into an amazing memory quilt. And I do believe the panels and the fabrics above will all go into the same quilt.. stay tuned!

Read Post 1 of my South Africa Trip HERE

And post 2 HERE

stay tuned for at least one more post... let's just say I now love Elephants!

Comments

[Beth]

What a great trip. Wonderful memories.
Those fabrics look yummy.
Thanks for sharing, so much fun to see quilters from other countries. We all look alike hu? ;)

[DianeP]

Thank you for sharing the pictures from your quilting classes. The ladies all looked like fun people who enjoy all their new quilting knowledge! How nice that they brought you presents!!!

[Victoria]

Dang! I should have sent $$ with you to buy me some goodies!! Argh! You scored!! :-)

[Linda P]

what a blast, and yes an honor - I didn't know it was the first one!! Wow! I enjoy hearing of your trip-tik, I may never get to go, so just in case, I've been scouring your photos!!
I also want to know where you found the Olympic fabrics - were they from over there?

[Shirley in Canada]

oh what fun!!!

[Cindy Dickinson]

I saw a cat or two on some of that fabric. How wonderful that you found animals in kits! Can't wait to see the finished memory quilt. I am so enjoying the trip journal posts!

[Karen McCaffrey]

What great classes and students. They look just like all of us!

Of course we all love elephants and they are the "animal" for 2012!

Happy to see all your fun fabrics and photos.

[Machelle]

Great fabric finds! Tasks for sharing. The classes look like a lot of fun! I want to take one some day! For now enjoying the virtual tour

[Sharon Hughson]

So beautiful everything: classes, people, language, fabric buys....everything. Thanks for sharing, Pat!