At 'get creative' we met quilt artist, Lorraine Carthew, and decided we had to know more about her. Lorraine is a former fashion designer and, now, an award winning quilter, author and teacher. Many of her quilts have been exhibited in international shows including the American Quilter’s Society’s one in Paducah and the International Quilt Festival in Houston. In Australia they have been exhibited in Queensland and New South Wales and, on two occasions, have toured with the Best of Australia.

Lorraine’s work has been published in ‘Fiberarts Design Book’ and was featured on the cover of (UK) ‘Popular Patchwork’. It has also appeared in local magazines. Her new book, ‘Mosaic Appliqué’, is now available. It includes nine patterns and instructions for both needle turn and raw edge appliqué. See her website for more information.

Have your years as a fashion designer had much of an impact on the quilts you design and your approach or techniques?
As a fashion designer I had to design three new ranges a year. Each range consisted of 120 -140 co-ordinating garments. My mind set is one of creating new and exciting designs. My first quilt was a ‘sampler’ quilt but it was not long before I was looking to push the boundaries.

How did events unravel to see you go from being a fashion designer who discovered quilting to being a professional quilt artist, author and teacher?
My third quilt started with a mistake in the cutting of my fabric and my original design soon became a new design. This was a portrait of Sir Donald Bradman; the quilt won first prize and ‘Viewers’ Choice’. Not to be one to rest on my success I then designed and made a quilt in what I call mosaic appliqué. My second quilt in the mosaic technique won not only two best of shows in Australia but a prize in both Houston and Paducah.

It was after the quilt won ‘Viewers’ Choice’ in Paducah that American Quilter’s Society approached me to write a book on the technique. All my quilts to this point were made in the needle turn technique but I thought some quilters who would buy my book would prefer to complete their quilt with raw edge so I then made a selection of quilts in raw edge mosaics. The book has 10 patterns and each design is beautifully featured in colour and is a great reference for the quilter when making a design.

Once my quilts had been seen at some of the quilt shows and featured in quilting magazines, the requests to teach started.

We know from attending your class at ‘Creative by the Sea’ (May 2008, Coffs Harbour, NSW) that you are a relaxed, fun and attentive teacher. Was teaching challenging to begin with and, now, what is your philosophy for getting your message across?
I was concerned at first that I would not be able to give my students the necessary knowledge to make one of my designs but it wasn’t long before I discovered that most students are there to learn and I decided it should be a ‘fun’ experience. As I say to my students, “Life is short so if you are not enjoying what you are doing don’t do it!” I give all students permission to take their class sample home and file it with the instructions which I give them and then one day in the future, when they are ready, they might pull it out and complete the quilt. I receive many photographs via email of my 'students’ finished quilts. I think it is more about the wonderful friendships we make in this craft we call quilting.

What’s so appealing about textile art; why does it seem so addictive to many?
I love traditional quilts; hexagons being a favourite, but I find more people turning to quilting once they realise that there are enough techniques for all to participate. Rules are made to be broken but it is important that quilters realise their work still needs to sit flat and straight and please ensure your bindings are full. I do not believe there are mistakes only another design possibility. This is a secret but some of my better designs have come from. a mistake or “design possibility.”

You have won some major awards and accolades both here and overseas. When did you begin entering competitions and so forth and what are the pros and cons of  this side of the industry?
I entered my second quilt in the Queensland Quilt Show and I have to admit I was concerned that it would not be good enough. It did not win a prize but to see my quilt hanging with all those beautiful quilts, it was easy to see what I needed to do to improve my work. Each quilt you make you get a little better with your work.

Visual impact - (this can be your choice of colours or the design) - is considered first with the judges, then your quilt is  closely inspected for its stitching, quilting and bindings. I always tell quilters never to be discouraged but rather to be encouraged to do better.

How has your work progressed over the years and what is currently enthralling you?
My original quilts were all constructed by hand but now I make my work with raw edges. I point out to my students not to be confused with the two types of quilts. There are traditional quilts made for our beds or a lap quilt or quilts for a baby and THEN there are art quilts. Art quilts are made to hang on walls. Many of the rules needed for traditional quilts do not or need not apply for art quilts. Once you can separate the two your textile art will blossom.

My latest quilts are landscapes. I use small pieces of fused fabric to create an illusion of a landscape. I am now offering it as a class and it is very popular. It is such a forgiving technique; if you are not happy with the design, just add another piece of fabric.

How do you approach your work? Do you have a studio at home? Do you work 9am to 5pm or ‘when the muse strikes’? Does inspiration strike at unexpected moments?
I work at home - we have a two storey house and I work downstairs. I have a wonderful large table and plenty of plastic draws to hide my stash. In a perfect world I would start quilting early in the morning and work all day but, like most quilters, I have other responsibilities... a husband and two beautiful sons who should have left home by now but are still here with my husband John and I... and there is my Mum who is now 84 years young and lives not far away. Some days are very busy but when it is something you love it doesn’t seem to matter.

Name: Lorraine Carthew

Based: Brisbane, QLD

Website: www.lozquilts.com [lozquilts.com]

Email: info@lozquilts.com

Tel: 0414 45 4914

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