Authors Maro Vanezis |
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I thought I could keep myself busy by happily sewing and quilting during this long lockdown but my shoulder thought differently . It froze up and with it so did all my sewing projects that required a sewing machine. I had to resort to other methods of creation! I began by knitting the famous oversized JW Anderson "Harry Styles sweater" but I quicky understood ( by the pain in my arm) that any future projects had to be smaller. So with some online help I started crocheting up a few bucket hats from my stash of left over yarn and gifted them to loved ones for Christmas. All the recipients were very polite and did not comment on my beginner mistakes which made me very happy indeed! My shoulder is now in the defrosting stage so I'll still be in crochet mode for a while longer. I just finished a basket / bag that is pictured above . This was perfect project since I seem to have amassed a lot of scrappy leftover yarn over the years and I love that I am using it all up with this "yarn eating" project. Admittedly I need to make several more projects like this in order to make a dent in my stash but the process is so enjoyable and soothing that I may take up this challenge - Lets see...... Nonie P.S. If you want to try making these - Click on photos with links for patterns
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Fidget quilts are made for people with Dementia/Alzheimers...they are also called sensory quilts and can also be used to help autism. I made two experimental lap size fidget quilts for two beautiful and special ladies in Australia a couple or so years ago. They can be made specifically for someone by incorporating activities they enjoyed in the past or movements and sounds that they seem to enjoy in their new world. Pockets to put important items, zips, napkins, a place for special photographs, different textures even textiles or additions that make different sounds when scrunched or shaken, key ring holders and loops to tie things to or just fidget with and ease anxiety. Anything with any meaning can be added...any fabrics can be used even fabrics if possible with meaning, to jolt a special memory. What is important is that these brought pleasure and smiles to both. Maro. Ho Ho Ho ...the silly season is well and truly upon us. Patchaouri wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020 !!  
As any quilter will tell you everybody needs a quilt of their own. So with the arrival of these three sweeties it was time to make some new quilts for them to cuddle and enjoy for many years to come !
We're getting into the Christmas spirit and have made a forest! 
 
These trees have been donated.
Special little people come into all of our lives. When milestones are reached it is nice to make them something special and unique. This weekend for a christening instead of giving the usual envelope with a card I decided to create a cushion. Cushions I think, have a greater life span than baby quilts and fit into various bedroom / play area settings. They don't always end up with less piecing however. This specific cushion ended up with 75 pieces to fit its 45 cm insert ! - Maro
Finally posting this now to try and keep the momentum and inspiration going for the 100 or so Primary Art Teachers who have just completed their first hand-sewn patchwork and quilting seminar and workshop with Patchaouri... After the teachers who had taken part in our seminar in March (see previous blog- May 2017) we had a week to put together the pieces that we received from various schools islandwide. It was a massive challenge that took us 47 hours in total on top of a normal work load and daily necessities of family life .The challenges were many but, we were pleased that we managed to fit all the pieces together. The couple of blank spaces that were unavoidable allowed other children to participate in embellishing and completing the making of this quilt at it's first showing. On 24 May at the National Gallery in Nicosia "The Paphos 2017 Quilt" as we named it, was exhibited for the first time : The quilt then went on tour finally reaching its destination at the Paphos Ethnographical Museum / Museum of Cultural Heritage on June 17, where, another event was held for children to participate in : We hope that this is only the beginning of what our children in Cyprus can create with fabrics.   Look at what some soldiers were up to during the the last century wars in Crimea , India, South Africa, Prussia, Austria and France. Patchwork and Quilting !!!! Quilts were made for all sorts of reasons by soldiers using uniform fabric. Some were made for therapeutic reasons , others just to stay out of trouble and others just to be creative . These were mostly in Intarsia style, a technique that differs from most of the Quilts we see today. Quilts of wool without batting or backing, tiny pieces (many under and inch ),top stitching and embroidery on seams, pieces sewn together on the edges without seam allowances were seen throughout most of the exhibits. I can go on and on but for now enjoy a selection of these antique beauties. - Nonie Click for larger picture. War and Pieced ( Annette Gero collection of military quilts) at the American Folk Art Museum,NY.
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