So who is Kathleen Riggins Modern Quilter?

During September this year the Sydney Modern Quilt Guild had the pleasure of hosting  two quilting workshops by Kathleen Riggins. Kathleen comes to us directly from a teaching gig at the Australian Machine Quilting Festival held in September 2018 in Adelaide. It is not her first visit here as she and her husband have holidayed here before and both enjoy Australia. They live in Camrose,  a relatively small city in central Alberta, Canada, amid some of the richest farmland in the prairies. She grew up amongst some talented quiltmakers including Mom, Dad and Grandma. "My first quilt was a Kindygarden quilt with plus signs" Kathleen says. "I made it on my own after watching Alex Anderson’s TV show, Simply Quilts at the age of 8. It had some strawberry, blue and peach fabric and I wanted more blue, but Mom wouldn’t let me. I still resent it!"  She finally finished the quilt  after almost 14 yrs, as part of a Guild Challenge . At...
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Karlee Porter Graffiti Quilting Workshop

Armed with their machines, colourful thread, a range of sharpies and a drawing pad, Caroline, Michelle, Jenna and Kathy headed down the coast to Bulli for a two day workshop with Karlee Porter pioneer of Graffiti Quilting. Day 1 was fascinating as we learned all about the different techniques and symbols to use in the graffiti quilting style. We practiced in our drawing pads and Karlee talked us through the styles and her quilting journey. There was plenty of show and tell along the way! In the afternoon we got to practice on our machines.     (Pictures - Kathy's Sketch; Jenna's Graffiti Quilting ; Kathy's Graffiti Quilting) Friday night there was also a special Trunk Show where we got to hear more stories about Karlee's quilting story and more closely pet - I mean examine  some of her quilts. Digital Printing, different fabrics, paint, crystals and beading all make appearances in her quilts. We also heard about her collaborations with other artists such...
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