66
In the Studio
In her quiltmaking, Catherine
typically, and purposely, chooses
prints for their visual texture, adding
embellishments to enhance the
overall effect, according the quilt a
unique “personality”. In Starcrazy, she
used a trapunto technique: the star
elements were quilted in high relief
through padding from the underside
before the patchwork top and backing
were layered as a sandwich. This
technique adds dimensional surface
texture for increased visual appeal.
What is also evident in Starcrazy
is the precision detailing of the points
and connections with other elements
in the design. This is in no small
part due to Catherine’s use of Marti
Mitchell templates and multi-sized
rulers to ensure cutting accuracy as a
necessary precursor to precise piecing.Another of her works from 2016,
a finalist in Houston USA (2018) and
winner of Best of Show in Adelaide
(2016) is Flowering Star, which
started as a fussy cut floral star and
developed into the traditional Broken
Star using strong and rich colours
reminiscent of those used by her
mother to decorate their family home.
A somewhat different design,
suggestive of the Bargello style of
needlework, is Catherine’s 2018
quilt Painted Magnolia in a ‘cross
pollination’ inspired by a woven
design from Marguerite Davison’s
A Handweaver’s Source Book
(1953). Catherine adapted part of
the original two-toned Magnolia
graph, ‘painting’ it with some of her
favourite colours and adding a few
circles “just for fun”.Having a dedicated space for her
quilting is a big help to Catherine.
Until a few years ago she had a
small room in her home to sew in,
but once her children left she took
over one of the larger bedrooms and
furnished it with what she refers
to as “a mishmash of purpose-built
sewing cabinets and hand-me-down
furniture” that works for her. Good-
quality lighting was an essential
inclusion, and a portable design wall
complements the room.
Catherine encourages those
interested in pursuing quiltmaking, as
well as those long-involved, “to simply
make the kind of quilts they like, and
make them in the style and colours
that they enjoy. If and when the time
is right, try stretching your creative
horizons. Above all, have fun!”Painted Magnolia, 2018
170cm x 170cm (67in x 67in)
While traveling in the USA Catherine saw an exhibition of historic American woven
coverlets. On display was A Handweaver’s Source Book. One graph in particular
caught her eye and was the inspiration for this quilt. This quilt was machine pieced and
machine quilted on a stationary machine. The circles were hand appliqued and the
couching was done by machine.”
(Photo by Peter Butterworth)