Carol's quilting selected for Australasian finals

Ettalong patchwork tutor Ms Carol Leitch has reached the finals of the Australasian Quilt Convention's quilt-making competition.

Her wall-hanging, entitled And then the Fires Came, was entered for this year's theme of Going Green.

Carol began her "experimental" textile piece as a response to the devastation caused by bushfires around the world over the past 12 months.

It has taken a total of four and a half months to complete.

She said the initial inspiration for the piece was the fires that burned through the Amazon rainforest last year, but with the breakout of bushfires across Australia, the work took on an Australian focus.

For this, she used a the collage of fiery tones, such as black, burnt orange and crimson red; colours that also invoked the scenery of the Australian bush.

She said the hanging began with a pieced background in half-square triangles, with a top layer of interweaving felt leaves overlayed with hand-died fabric and strips of organza.

Carol used a heat gun to produce a dried-out and scorched presentation.

"I don't think I was ever done with it," she said.

"But I reached a point where I had to put down my tools and say enough."

The Convention is run annually and accepts entries from quilters all around the world.

Up to 30 finalists are selected.

Their work will be displayed in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Hall from August 20 to 24.

First prize is $3500.

Carol is a tutor for the Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre.

SOURCE

Interview (Haakon Barry), 21 Apr 2020.

Carol Leitch, EBACC.