QUILTS IN THE BARN 2010 RAFFLE QUILT.

Some of you may know that l hold a quilt show in my barn each year, raising funds for breast cancer. This year we are doing it again, and as l say every year, this year is going to be our BEST EVER yet!!!!

Again, the show would not happen without my trusty band of helpers who will do most anything, including designing the flyers, hanging the quilts, making scones, sandwiches, cakes, numerous cups of tea, washing dishes, cleaning, selling raffle tickets, and chatting with the crowds, just to mention a few.

Of course some of you know or have heard of Di Ford. She used to own a very successful quilt shop in Maling Road Canterbury. Her patterns were to die for and many are again being reprinted and sold around the world. l was fortunate enough to take a class there once, in the early stages of my quilting life. Many times l wish she was still open,so l could again enjoy the wonderful fabrics she carried and the delight in entering her shop.

Last year at the end of our Quilts in the Barn exhibition, l asked Corliss, ( Threadbear Quilt shop) who had been our shop trader that year, who she recommended for next years exhibitor. She suggested that Di Ford and her sewing group might be interested. l then very cheekily asked, would she mind asking Di, as she knew her so well. No problem she said, Di is due here soon to drop off some patterns.

When Di arrived, l kind of skulked in a corner while Corliss and she chatted for a few minutes. Then Corliss called me over and said Di and her sewing group, The Secret Sewing Sisterhood, would be more than happy to be our exhibitors this year. l have to admit, Di and l hugged and squealed for a few minutes to the amazement of several remaining visitors. l honestly don't know who was more excited. See post here!!

Di then contacted me some time early this year to offer a quilt their group had been working on, as this years raffle quilt. Of Course, l immediately said YES!!!! Just last week Di brought me the finished quilt, made even more stunning by the magic worked by Helen Hayes and her long arm quilting machine. Raffle tickets have now been printed ready to be distributed around our local quilt shops, and finally Quilts In The Barn 2010 Raffle Quilt can make its appearance.

Needless to say, like everything this group have made, IT'S STUNNING.

They have their own blog, where they have been posting progress on quilts they are trying to finish in time for the exhibition.

The inspiration for this quilt has come for the quilt in the book, Quilts Of The Oregon Trail. Page 75 The Peony Quilt.

Flyers for the exhibition and raffle tickets will be appearing in all good quilt shops in Melbourne in the coming weeks. Also look out for an article about Di and The Secret Sewing Sisterhood in Australian Country Crafts some time in the next few months. It may also be in Australian Patchwork and Quilting. Will have to wait and see!!!

Thanks for visiting, and l sure hope to see you at this years exhibition, which will be held on the 15th, 16th and 17th October.

Linda.