Today’s tour stops on the Sea Breeze Mini Quilt-a-Long belong to Raylee Bielenberg and Tracy Houston.

Both Raylee and Tracy are Canberrans, which means I get to check out their fabulous work in person whenever I can make it to a Canberra Quilters Meeting.

Raylee is blogging today about her version of the Sea Breeze Mini and Tracy is our Instagrammer for the day.

Raylee Bielenberg is Sunflower Quilting

1. How did you come to be a quilter?

I started quilting after sewing for quite a few years, and I still sew but very infrequently. Patchwork and quilting have progressed so much since I was younger and started cutting out using a cardboard template. That makes me sound old but it’s not that long ago really.

2. What is it that you love about being a quilter?

I love the variety of patterns an fabric combinations and the change you get by altering a light or dark fabric with another choice. The gorgeous fabrics which are around that mean a quilt can be made and be stunning without needing to be immensely complicated. I love secondary patterns in quilts, and I love how the quilting changes the quilt – it looks finished and adds some great texture.

3. What’s your 3 favourite quilts that you’ve made that reflect who you are as a quilter?

I have spent a lot more time quilting others quilts recently instead of making my own, but I would have to list the quilt I made for my husband ‘Blue Gentleman’ as a favourite. I also really like the Wholecloth I made last year for a challenge, I love the effect of Wholecloth quilts and aim to make more in colours other than the traditional white or cream. The quilt which I think has made the most impact in recent time is Angie’s ‘The Feather Beast – Slayed’ which won its category and another award at the Canberra Quilters Exhibition last year. This was a challenge as the background is plain and the quilting shows really well. I wanted to do the quilt justice and I am really pleased with the result of the quilt and its’ awards.

A Bit of Fun:

If you could only have one or the other for the rest of eternity what would you choose?

1. Fabric: Solid or Pattern? Solid
2. Quilt Styles: Pattern or Improv? Pattern
3. Seams: Open or to the Side? To the side
4. Stitching: Hand or Machine? Machine
5. Binding: Hand or Machine? Machine
6. Food: Sweet or Savoury? Savoury
7. Entertainment: Books or Music? Books
8. Entertainment: Television or Movies? Movies
9. Computer: Mac or Windows? Windows
10. Drink: Coke or Pepsi? Neither… for a change I opt for water.

You can find Raylee in the following places: Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Flickr

Tracy Houston is @reddragonoz

1. How did you come to be a quilter?

The short answer, accidentally. The longer version… I have been a garment maker and occasional embroiderer for years, but it turns out you can only have so many clothes in your wardrobe… About five or so years back some fabric caught my eye and it had a corresponding freebie pattern so I gathered the fabric and stashed it. Then my closest friend fell pregnant and I knew I had to make a quilt for the baby. It was a dodgy nine patch in flannelette that stretched when I stitched it in the ditch. Once it was sent off I quickly found a beginner’s patchwork course so I could work out how to do this quilting thing properly and haven’t stopped since.

2. What is it that you love about being a quilter?

It’s another way to create and express myself and the structured method of creation appeals to me. I get to use bright saturated colour that I can’t wear. One aspect I found appealing is how welcoming and supportive the quilting community are of each other and each other’s interpretations of fabrics and patterns.

3. What’s your 3 favourite quilts that you’ve made that reflect who you are as a quilter?

I haven’t done many; well, I haven’t finished many due to FMQ paralysis. I like bright fabrics and a feel of movement, but my only completed bed-size quilt, a carpenters’ star, is quite tame.

A Bit of Fun:

If you could only have one or the other for the rest of eternity what would you choose?

You can just choose a word, or choose to elaborate on your choice, it’s just a little bit of fun.

1. Fabric: Solid or Pattern? Pattern

2. Quilt Styles: Pattern or Improv? Pattern, my brain can’t cope with improv

3. Seams: Open or to the Side? Whatever suits the block

4. Stitching: Hand or Machine? Machine unless its EPP

5. Binding: Hand or Machine? Hand

6. Food: Sweet or Savoury? Sweet

7. Entertainment: Books or Music? That’s like choosing your favourite child

8. Entertainment: Television or Movies? TV

9. Computer: Mac or Windows? Windows

10. Drink: Coke or Pepsi? Coke

You can find Tracy in the following places: Instagram | Pinterest | Flickr