19
Put the joined section back
over the chameleon shape and
check the position of the adjoining
strips each side, then continue
joining strips to either side of the
central unit bit by bit until the whole
shape is assembled. Make sure it
completely covers the fusible-web
shape. Press.20
Fuse the chameleon shape
to the wrong side of the
patchwork, checking that the drawn
outline has fabric underneath it all
the way around. Cut it out carefully.21
Peel off the backing paper
and position the chameleon
amongst the leaves on the design.
Fuse it in place.22
Place a 20 x 24in rectangle
of tear-away stabiliser on the
table with the 20 x 24in rectangle
of batting on top. With right side
facing up, layer the quilt top over the
batting so the chameleon shape is
centred on top of the stabiliser and
batting. Pin the layers together
outside and inside the chameleon.
The layer of batting gives extra lift
to the chameleon shape (trapunto)
and accentuates the quilting later.23
Thread the bright blue
machine-embroidery thread
in the top of the machine and select
a heavy and defining decorative
stitch for the appliqué: Mandy chose
a bold feather stitch, which haseach stitch sewn multiple times,
for impact. Appliqué all the way
around the shape.MANDY MURRAY
Where do you live and work?I live in
beautiful sunny Queensland, north of
Brisbane. Not too far from the coast, so I can
enjoy all my favourite things by the sea. My
sewing space is always neat, BEFORE cyclone
Mandy starts a new project! I can’t wait until
the day I have my own studio.
What’s your family structure? m extremely I’
close to my family. I have something in common
with each of them and I love going back home
to visit them all. I especially enjoy Dad’s good
cooking. I grew up in a small coastal town
near Bundaberg, where I met my childhood
sweetheart. Nick is extremely supportive of me
and is always willing to help me. Oh, the things
I have had him doing over the years. He is so
proud he can name some of Tula Pinks’ fabric
ranges! We both adore the beach, fishing and
kayaking with our fur baby, Toby, a cheeky Jack
Russell. Mum and I love cruising around in my
1970 VW Beetle, named Teddy. He has such
character, but I swear he has a mind of his own.
Why this particular craft? I’ve always been
interested in craft and fabrics. At high school,I had a deep love of visual art and, today,
I thoroughly enjoy combining textiles and
visual art. There’s a great sense of pride that
comes from creating something unique with
your own hands. This is amazing on its own,
but what enticed and motivated me to pursue
this craft was teaching the next generation
to sew. This is what led me into a career as
a high-school Textiles teacher. Teaching fills
my heart with happiness.
Have you tried plenty of other crafts?Is
fishingclassed as a craft? If so, then yes! That’s
another one of my loves. It’s my favourite thing
to do with my dad. We compete, laugh and talk
about all the serious things happening in our
lives. I’ve also tried and enjoy jewellery making,
watercolour painting and gardening.
If you weren’t doing this, what else would
occupy your time?Thereare so many careers
that interest me, from graphic design to a chef.
Anything that embraces creativity sucks me in.
Who taught you your crafting skills? I first
started sewing when I was about four years old.
My beautiful mum taught me and nurtured my
love of creativity. I remember loving long stitch
and latch hook. I always adored making my little
sister handbags to play with. During primary
school, we made hessian beach bags with wool
embroidery and embellishments. I was addicted
and completely ‘pimped out’ my bag! I remember
this was when my first love of sewing truly
started, and I made lots of these bags as gifts.
Making dolls was another project I really enjoyed.
What does this craft mean to you? Developing
my own sewing patterns gives me the opportunity
to spread my love of creating with not only my
local community but the whole world. I’m
determined to achieve my dreams of inspiring
and teaching the next generation to sew. I live
and breathe creativity and I always try to entice
my non-sewing friends to get involved.
Do you think of your craft as passion or a
spare-time-filler? I can’t think of a word that
expresses how passionate I am about my craft.I’m sure my heart is pieced together in Liberty
fabric, then covered in glitter and scattered
with lots of lovely buttons!
From where do you draw inspiration? The “
world is but a canvas to the imagination,” said
Henry David Thoreau. I have always loved this
quote and believe it’s a huge aspect of my
business. I look at the world through colour
and texture, and I am very tactile. If something
is textural ... I HAVE TO TOUCH IT! I just can’t
resist. I’m like a moth to lights. It inspires me,
so my patterns and designs embrace these
elements I find in everyday life.
Why this skill – and this style?Creating
something handmade is so expressive, and
designing a pattern to share with others is
more meaningful than meets the eye. You
never know where one of your designs will end
up. Craft has the power to relax and soothe
the soul. That’s why I love it.
What are your crafting aspirations? I live
and breathe creativity, and I’d love to do it all!
I have lots of creative endeavours I’d like to
fulfil. Writing a book and designing a fabric
range are very high on the list.
Do you teach your skills to others? I love to
teach others every chance I get. Especially
if I meet someone young with a slight interest
in sewing, I get super excited to encourage
them to give sewing a go. I want to inspire
more people to sew and share my passion for
creativity. Nothing would make me happier
than inspiring and teaching the next generation
to sew. I’d love to establish a sewing studio,
filled with mind-blowing creative goodness.
How would you describe your style? What makes
it unique? My style of sewing is fun, imaginative,
unique and most of all QUIRKY! I design textile art
to make an artist statement with often a whimsical
twist; meshing art and textiles together and
creating something ‘wall-worthy’. I believe this
will entice the younger generation to sew. It
gives young souls the opportunity to express
themselves with modern and trendy designs.Gett ing to know ...
Pieced and appliquéd chameleonHomespun 83HSP1902_p076-084_Colour, Colour Chameleon PROJECT.indd 83 12/11/2017 12:17:25 PM