Guest Post: Glorious Quilts from “Down Under” with Chris Porter

My friend, Chris Porter, in Crete, on holiday this time!

If you’ve been following us here at See How You Sew, you know that I’ve spoken often of my co-author and dear friend, Chris Porter. Chris and I met over 20 years ago at the Jinny Beyer Quilt Seminar in Hilton Head, SC. I was teaching, and she–a seasoned traveler, but first-time visitor to the States from her home in the UK–was a student in my class. We hit it off famously and our continued friendship has been one of the great joys of my life. We’re more like sisters than friends!

Since that serendipitous day in Hilton Head, Chris has gone on to become an internationally respected teacher, not only in her own country, but in the US and around the world. While I’ve retired from the teaching scene, I continue to travel vicariously with Chris through tales and photos from her exotic journeys. Recently, her teaching took her to “the land down under” and she came back brimming with reports of wonderful sights, friendly people, and–of course–fabulous quilts. Today I’ve invited her to share some of those quilts with you. Enjoy!

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It is my great good fortune to be invited to teach quilting all over the world. The past 18 months have seen me teaching all around the UK, where I live; in Kuwait, for their annual Quilt Exhibition and classes; on two cruises–one from Florida to the Panama Canal, and another, an Alaskan cruise from Seattle (both run by Quilt Seminars at Sea); and for an idyllic week in Burgundy, France. I also came to the States to attend Quilt Market in Houston with my great friend, Darra, to promote our latest book, Cuddle Me Quick. Quite an itinerary!

Another amazing highlight was my trip this past April to the other side of the world (for me!) to teach for the second time at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne, Australia. I tell you, when I started out on my pathway of patchwork and quilting, I had no idea that my life would turn out like this. What’s not to like!

The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, site of the Australasian Quilt Convention

The show venue was the fabulous (and spacious) Royal Exhibition Building, with its high ceilings and exquisitely painted walls.

Inside the Exhibition Centre

The show owners, Judy Newman and her husband, really know how to put on a show, and this year was no exception, with over 16,000 visitors, several exhibitions, and many vendors.

Here are a few of the beautiful quilts I saw at the show. Some of my selections are drawn from those in the competition theme–Free. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Galloping Wild and Free by Helen Godden

I Am Najood, and I Am Free by Gillian Shearer

The Beautiful by Eun Ryoung Choi from Korea

Coreopsis by Barbara Hind

Coreopsis by Barbara Hind, detail

Sunset Over the Ocean by Barbara McLennan

Free to Roam by Lucy Carroll

Nostalgia by You Hoon Chang from Korea

Out of the Darkness by Jo Frizza

As Close to Flying While Still on the Ground by Cindy Watkins

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Thanks so much to Chris for sharing this taste of quilting in Australia. It’s always fun to see what quilters in other parts of the world are doing, isn’t it?

That’s it for now. ‘Til next time, happy stitching!

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