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Kath Morrison |
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I am English and came to live in the UAE when I took early retirement from my post at the University in Leeds in 2000. I actually live in Al Ain, about 140 km from Dubai, where my husband is a faculty member at UAEU Medical School. Both my sisters are quilters, and one suggested that I take up quilting when I came out here, partly to take up a new challenge, and partly as a way of finding new friends. I asked her how she knew there was quilting going on in Dubai, and how she knew I would enjoy it. ‘Easy’ she said. ‘I’ve seen a letter from the president of a quilting group, and its called Stitch and Bitch so you’ll fit in very well! 'Dubai Quilters’ Guild has not disappointed me on either count since I think I am now a reasonably proficient quilter and I have certainly made many wonderful friends. Like many quilters in Dubai, I started by attending Marianne Sheldon’s Sunday morning classes and when I gained some confidence joined the newly formed Blue Bees. Sadly most of those original members have repatriated or moved to new postings; however we all try to meet up at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham every year, and that’s a great occasion. It’s the nature of expatriate life that there is constant change, and the result of those originals moving on has allowed lovely new members to join the Blue Bees, and life goes on. Perhaps foolishly, I allowed Marianne to persuade me to write a newsletter for the Guild. I say foolishly, because I then found myself serving as secretary for 2 years, and president for 1 year. Although not a member from the start of the Guild, it has changed dramatically since those early days and the constant change in the membership gives it a vibrancy and dynamism that I think many quilting groups probably lack. And we now have a fledgling group in Al Ain – the Oasis Quilters. There are about 6 of us, and most are beginners, but very keen and learning fast. I hope to persuade them to come along to DGQ this year. What sort of quilts do I make? I certainly don’t fit into any mould. I like a challenge, and have a go at anything that takes my fancy. I also attend classes by visiting teachers whenever I can because I think it’s important to be open to new and different techniques and ideas. Not every class is completely my cup of tea, but I never leave without learning something, which is duly tucked away in the back of mind until the day I might need it. Of course I’ve done lots of traditional pieced quilts, but these days am enjoying trying to do something a bit more ‘out of the box’ – see my Tuscan Poppies wall-hanging below. I’m not sure I’ll ever manage a full size art quilt, but who knows. I do enjoy making children’s play quilts because I can let myself go and do more colorful quilts than usual, and it’s also an opportunity to experiment – babies aren’t the world’s greatest critics and don’t know when things are not quite as they should be. The only queen size quilt I have made so far is Not quite Barrister’s Blocks for my daughter and son-in-law – both lawyers. Kate has just become pregnant, so I guess that means a few more kiddies’ quilts! The one thing I haven’t done yet is make a quilt for myself and John – perhaps this year……..
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