Guys what an amazing weekend! Durban doesn't always have alot on the go but when they have one event I want to attend, at the same time they'll also have another three.
Over one weekend was the Durban July, the Mr Price Pro surfing event in Ballito, the East Coast Radio House and Garden Show and the Creative Energy Quilting Festival 2015.
I attended the latter two.
The Quilting Festival was held at Kearsney College in Botha's Hill. A R50 entrance fee entitled you to access to the retail stores; demonstrations and lectures on many arts and crafts; and the most amazing exhibition. There were some pretty tasty food stall options as well.
Let me just say that I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the experience, but I was ultimately completely blown away. I think of quilting as set patterns and techniques, and pastel colours but what these women and men did with quilting was like seeing people paint with fabric. There were so many colours and interpretations of the themes of the competition. I must have taken close to 40 photographs. Each quilt was so special and unique, it was hard to choose a favourite. Also if it is possible to get high on colour, then I did. I came home so hyped up that my husband didn't know what to do with me.
Enjoy some pics from the day:
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| A Kearsney library bookshelf entered by one of the Kearsney Community |
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| A nature scene during Autumn |
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| I love the blue and yellow combination |
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| Combining quilting and crocheting |
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| All of the beautiful colours |
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| Inspired by gardens |
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| Inspired by Zulu beaded baskets |
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| Painting with fabrics - a rowboat on a lake |
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| Inspired by her Ouma's garden |
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| A city under construction |
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| Produced using a photograph of her parents |
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| Autumn colours |
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| Made entirely from tiny square pieces of fabric |
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| The three trees represent three generations of crafters and gardeners in her family. She's the last one. I love her use of the buttons. |
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| My mom and I taking in the retail stores |
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| I think this may be my favourite. Made by a lady whilst lying down recovering from a back operation. Her inspiration was a photograph from her and her husband's travels to Namibia. I wish you could see the fine detail on this one |
I'm not sure my photographs do any justice to the time, effort and detail that went into making each one of these beautiful quilts. Some were for sale, but others understandably were not.
Exhibitors and retailers come to this event from all over the world: South Africa, different parts of the USA, Hungary etc. The next event will be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 2017. I feel so lucky to have made it to this event whilst it was in my city.
Everyone we met and spoke to was so friendly and helpful. I discovered that there is a store in Hillcrest, Amafu, that sells quilting supplies and fabrics, and offers lessons. I want to sign up for the beginners quilt which teaches you 7 different techniques which you can then use to make other quilts. It will be my gift to myself. I even bought some fabric sticks whilst I was there, to get me started.
I also found out that the quilters guild holds their quarterly meetings at a school down the road from me, and they sell quilts after the meetings as well. What a small world.
So glad that I got to enjoy such an amazing day with my mom as well.
