Hi Fashion Hosts the Crows!

Hi Fashion hosted The Quilted Crow Girls from Tasmania, Australia for a trunk show and workshops!  They are on their way to Houston for Quilt Market and came by here on their way. It was great fun to meet them and their trunk show was wonderful.

They combine wool with cotton to create fabulous quilts, scarves, pin cushions and many other projects, many of which they brought with them all the way from Australia!

In the biography on their blog, thequiltedcrowgirls.typepad.com, Leonie and Deirdre describe themselves as "two Aussie girls with the same love of all thing old, textiles, stitching, fabric, wool, reproduction fabrics, antique quilts and chocolate!  Through our love of quilting we now share a quilt store, design patterns together, travel the country sharing our wares and ever increasing knowledge.

One technique you will see a lot in their work is this type of reverse appliqué, using cotton prints on the bottom with a wool appliqué layer on top.  You will also notice that they machine quilt, usually with an all over design and just go right over the wool appliqué - and it looks great!  The stitching on their wool appliqué is very tiny and neat.  They use a smaller weight Aurafil thread and stitch by hand or machine, versus a thicker Pearl Cotton or Valdani thread.

They brought some fun Fall and Halloween designs.  The Jack O Lantern and Black Cat on the right are kids' backpacks.  The yellow piece is a scarf with hand pockets!

I think these wooly holiday cones for treats or gifts is a fun idea too.

They have a book out "Elegant Quilts, Country Charm" published by Martingale & Company (That Patchwork Place).  Many of their designs are in their book, plus they have a line of patterns available too. You can check out their online store on their website at www.thequiltedcrow.com.au

I believe a second book is in the works too!

It was amazing to see how many quilts they brought!  They just kept pulling out more and more to show and they told wonderful stories. They were excited to be in the USA and particularly in the "Wild West" as Deirdra loves cowboys!  (She would get along well with my daughter :)
You can read more of their adventures on their blog!

Stacks and stacks of quilts to drool over.  Hi Fashion did a wonderful job of hosting this event too.  I did not take a workshop but those who did had a wonderful time.





I really like this quilt!

The quilt above was the project in one of the workshops - the one on the right made by the Crows and the one on the left is Heather's version in black and brights.  I hope I get to see some of the others' quilts who took the workshop.

I really like the colors on this quilt too!  The blue-green leaves really pop out with the reds and yellows.




And here are Deirdre and Leonie - two wonderful ladies from half way round the world!
Pleasure to meet them :)