Posted on Leave a comment

Christmas 2024

As the holiday season draws near, I want to take a moment to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year. This time of year is filled with magic, warmth, and togetherness—qualities that remind us of the importance of kindness, gratitude, and love.

To my students, thank you for your hard work, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the year. You’ve brought so much energy and creativity to our classroom, and I couldn’t be prouder of all that you’ve accomplished.

May your holiday season be filled with laughter, rest, and the company of those you cherish. I hope you find time to enjoy the little things that make this time so special—sparkling lights, warm treats, and the joy of giving and receiving.

Take care of yourselves, have fun, and come back ready for more adventures in the new year!

To say thank you, I have reworked the Christmas quilt of 2011 a little and include the pattern to download for free. The first layout is for a wall quilt or throw and finishes at 51″ x 51″

Christmas 2024

If you want to use the pattern to make a tree skirt, you might like to use this alternative layout.

You may choose to buy fabric for this project, or use scraps in pieces of green or red, Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

Be blessed and stay safe this holiday,
Danél
2024

Posted on

Beginners’ Table Runner 2024

Beginner Quilt classes starting on 6 April

Hierdie tafelloper is die kombinasie van ‘n hele paar kwilt tegnieke, om ‘n grondslag te lê vir die mees gebruikte laslapmetodes. Appliekwerk, papier fondasie laslap en tradisionele laslap word aangeraak.  Dit is ook belangrik om ‘n bietjie van die wiskunde agter die laslap te verduidelik. Dit maak dit later makliker, om enige patroon self uit te werk. Goeie gewoontes word vasgelê van die eerste oomblik.  Die projek kan voltooi word in 7 klasse.

This table runner is a combination of the three most used patchwork techniques – appliqué, piecing and paper foundation piecing. It is also important to learn how to read a quilt pattern and how to accurately calculate the cutting sizes of the blocks. This project can be completed in 7 classes.

Klasse begin 6 April 2024 – Classes start 6 April 2024

Please Whatsapp Danél Muller at 0824167690

Posted on Leave a comment

The Value of a Memory Quilt

A memory quilt is a deeply personal and sentimental creation, holding immense emotional and symbolic value. It transforms cherished moments, milestones, and loved ones’ keepsakes into a tangible, lasting tribute. Its worth goes far beyond its physical components of fabric and thread, encompassing the stories, connections, and emotions stitched into every piece.

Emotional Value

  • Preservation of Memories: A memory quilt captures moments in time—baby clothes, wedding fabrics, concert T-shirts, or a loved one’s garments. It becomes a tangible way to revisit precious memories.
  • Healing and Comfort: Memory quilts can provide solace during times of loss or change. Wrapping oneself in the fabric of a loved one’s history is like a warm, emotional embrace.
  • Celebration of Milestones: From graduations to anniversaries, memory quilts honor life’s milestones in a unique and lasting way.

Symbolic Value

  • A Legacy of Love: Memory quilts can be passed down through generations, preserving family stories and traditions. Each square becomes part of a larger narrative, connecting the past to the future.
  • A Representation of Connection: Every fabric piece contributes to the whole, symbolizing how moments and people shape our lives.

Artistic and Handmade Value

  • Unique Craftsmanship: A memory quilt is a one-of-a-kind piece of art. The time, thought, and skill involved in its creation add to its irreplaceable nature.
  • Expression of Creativity: The design process allows the maker to weave memories into a beautiful and functional keepsake.

Gift Value

  • Thoughtful and Personalized: Giving or receiving a memory quilt is one of the most heartfelt gestures, demonstrating love, thoughtfulness, and care.
  • Timeless Appeal: Unlike many other gifts, a memory quilt retains its sentimental and practical value for years to come.

In essence, the value of a memory quilt lies in its ability to transform fabric and thread into a vessel of love, remembrance, and legacy. It is more than a quilt—it is a story, a connection, and a treasured piece of one’s history.

Posted on

Quilt in Clarens 2023

8th Clarens Quilt Festival 28 June 2023 – 1 July 2023

I’ll be teaching at the Clarens Quilt Festival this year. I am teaching three brand new classes.

Stems and Vines Thursday 29 June 2023

This class focusses on the cutting of binding on the straight grain and on the bias, the preparation of the strips and how to appliqué by hand and machine. As a bonus, I’ll show you how to weave the strips to make a shape, in this case the heart in the center of the project.

Curves on a straight line – Friday 30 June 2023

Using paper foundation piecing, this pattern produces bold statement in swirls and diamonds to brighten up any space.

Misty Landscapes – Saturday 1 July 2023

This class is about the application of net applique to produce a soft misty edge to the picture.

More information about the Festival and how to reserve a space at http://www.quiltinclarens.co.za/

See you there!!

Posted on

Kinderkwiltklas

Lappieswerk vir Kinders: Kreatiwiteit, Leer en Pret

Lappieswerk kan ’n wonderlike aktiwiteit vir kinders wees. Dit bied hulle die geleentheid om hul kreatiwiteit te verken, praktiese vaardighede te ontwikkel en die bevrediging te geniet van iets moois skep. Of hulle nou hul eerste lappieskombers maak of deelneem aan ’n gesinsprojek, lappieswerk stel kinders bekend aan ’n wêreld van kuns, ontwerp en stories vertel.

Voordele van Lappieswerk vir Kinders

  1. Kreatiwiteit en Selfuitdrukking
    • Lappieswerk laat kinders toe om met kleure, patrone en teksture te eksperimenteer, wat hulle die kans gee om hulself deur stofkuns uit te druk.
    • Om hul eie lappiesblokkies te ontwerp, kan hul verbeelding aanwakker en ’n gevoel van trots oor hul skeppings gee.
  2. Vaardigheidsontwikkeling
    • Fyn Motoriese Vaardighede: Naaldwerk verbeter hand-oog-koördinasie en behendigheid, veral wanneer kinders met ’n naald en draad werk.
    • Probleemoplossing: Om lappiespatrone te beplan en stukkies stof aanmekaar te sit, help kinders om kritiese denke en ruimtelike bewussyn aan te leer.
    • Geduld en Volharding: Lappieswerk leer kinders die waarde van geduld en deursettingsvermoë om ’n bevredigende resultaat te behaal.
  3. Opvoedkundige Waarde
    • Wiskundevaardighede: Die meet van stof, die sny van vorms en die berekening van dimensies integreer wiskundige konsepte op ’n praktiese manier.
    • Geskiedenis en Tradisie: Lappieswerk stel kinders bekend aan die ryk geskiedenis van hierdie handwerk en die belangrikheid van stories vertel deur lappieskombersies.
  4. Emosionele Groei
    • Lappieswerk bevorder ’n gevoel van prestasie namate kinders hul pogings tot lewe sien kom.
    • Dit kan ook ’n kalmerende, meditatiewe aktiwiteit wees wat kinders help om te fokus en te ontspan.

Lappieswerk as ’n Sosiale Aktiwiteit

  • Gesinsbande: Om saam aan lappieswerk te werk, skep kosbare herinneringe. Of dit nou ’n klein projek of ’n gesinslappieskombers is, die ervaring is ’n betekenisvolle manier om generasies te verbind.
  • Groepsprojekte: Lappieswerk in groepe, soos in klaskamers of gemeenskapsprogramme, moedig spanwerk aan en leer kinders om saam te werk.

Eenvoudige Lappieswerkprojekte vir Kinders

  • Lapwerk Kussings: Maklik en vinnig, lapwerk kussings is ideaal vir beginners.
  • Mini-Lappieskombersies: Kleiner projekte is hanteerbaar en laat kinders vinniger resultate sien.
  • Storie-Lappieskombersies: Laat kinders lappiesblokkies ontwerp wat ’n storie vertel, met tekeninge, handafdrukke of gunsteling materiale.
  • Herinneringslappieskombersies: Moedig kinders aan om uitgediende klere of spesiale materiale te gebruik om ’n herinneringskombers te maak.

Die Vreugde van Gee

  • Geskenke uit die Hart: Kinders kan eenvoudige lappiesprodukte maak, soos plekmatjies, onderborde of klein komberse, as persoonlike geskenke vir geliefdes.
  • Gemeenskapsimpak: Deur kinders bekend te stel aan liefdadigheidslappieswerk—soos om komberse vir hospitale of skuilings te maak—kweek jy vriendelikheid en die vreugde van omgee vir ander.

Deur kinders lappieswerk te leer, dra ons nie net ’n vaardigheid oor nie—ons gee vir hulle ’n kreatiewe uitlaatklep, ’n verbinding met tradisie en ’n lewenslange waardering vir vakmanskap en vrygewigheid. Dit is ’n vreugdevolle manier vir kinders om te leer, te groei en hul liefde deur handgemaakte skatte te deel.

Die sillabus bestaan uit ‘n reeks projekte wat aandag skenk aan al die fasette van naaldwerk. Spesiale aandag word geskenk aan die veiligheidsaspek van die gereedskap: skerp naalde en skêre en warm ysters kan met gemak reeds van kleins af handteer word. Goeie gewoontes word hopelik vasgelê die res van hulle lewes.

Kontak my vir meer inligting.

Posted on

The Passion for Quilting: A Journey of Creativity, Connection, and Joy

Strips, stems and stripes

Quilting is much more than a simple craft; it is a profound expression of creativity and an enduring tradition that brings people together. This unique art form combines practicality with artistry, transforming fabric into intricate masterpieces that tell stories and evoke deep emotional connections. For those who quilt, the process is about more than just the finished product. It becomes a journey filled with creativity, personal fulfillment, and meaningful relationships.

The act of quilting provides numerous benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. It is a mentally stimulating activity that challenges the brain through designing patterns, selecting fabrics, and assembling complex designs. Each step requires problem-solving and critical thinking, much like solving a puzzle where every decision contributes to a cohesive and satisfying whole. Beyond the mental engagement, quilting also offers a therapeutic escape. The repetitive and rhythmic motions of sewing create a calming, meditative effect, helping to reduce stress and promote mindfulness. The tactile nature of handling soft fabrics and focusing on each stitch fosters relaxation and an improved sense of well-being. Furthermore, quilting serves as a creative outlet, allowing individuals to explore their artistic instincts. By mixing colors, textures, and patterns, quilters craft unique pieces that reflect their imagination and personality, transforming fabric into one-of-a-kind works of art.

Quilting is not merely a solitary pursuit but an activity that fosters connection and builds relationships. Quilting groups and guilds provide welcoming spaces where enthusiasts can share their passion, exchange knowledge, and support one another. These gatherings often evolve into cherished rituals, marked by laughter, camaraderie, and mutual encouragement, with friendships extending far beyond the craft itself. Quilting also has a way of bridging generations. Skills, techniques, and stories are passed down from grandparents to grandchildren, creating a legacy of shared tradition that strengthens family bonds and ensures the art of quilting endures.

More than functional items, quilts hold deep sentimental value and serve as heartfelt gifts. A handmade quilt is a tangible expression of love and care, often crafted with the recipient’s unique tastes and needs in mind. These thoughtful creations become treasured keepsakes, imbued with meaning and memories that last for years. Quilters also extend their generosity beyond personal gifting, contributing their creations to hospitals, shelters, and charitable organizations. These acts of kindness bring warmth and comfort to those in need, demonstrating the profound impact a single quilt can have on someone’s life.

Quilting is a timeless craft that blends technical skill, emotional depth, and creative expression. It enriches lives by fostering personal growth, building relationships, and spreading warmth and generosity. Whether shared among friends, passed down through generations, or gifted to loved ones and strangers, each quilt carries a legacy of beauty and love. In every stitch lies a reminder of the joy, care, and human connection that make quilting an art form of enduring value.

Posted on 1 Comment

Quiltie Cards

BUY NOW

Card game for quilters and kids. Quiltie Cards teaches with which techniques blocks are made and names the patterns. A beautifully made pack of cards.

The object of the game is to make as many quilts as possible. A quilt consists of 3 cards. Match techniques, numbers or three consecutive numbers to make the quilt. Quilts may be changed in your turn to improve the quality of the quilt.

Each player is dealt 7 cards and a “Quick Score Chart”. The rest of the pack is placed face down. Each player pick up a card from the pack on their turn. “Pins and Needles” cards are included in the pack. You may choose to play or not when you encounter them.

When all the cards from the center pack have been played, The scores of the quilts are calculated according to the Quick Score Chart. The player with the highest score wins,

BUY NOW FROM THE ONLINE SHOP

Posted on

SAQG National Quilt Festival 2022

South African National Quilt Festival 2022

I am teaching at the SA Quilt Festival 2022.
http://www.goodhopequiltersguild.org.za/festival2022/

Book my Festival Classes online:

http://www.goodhopequiltersguild.org.za/festival2022/danel-muller-8

Portrait study
http://www.goodhopequiltersguild.org.za/…/302s-danel…

EQ8 in a nutshell
http://www.goodhopequiltersguild.org.za/…/402h-danel…

Using music as inspiration
http://www.goodhopequiltersguild.org.za/…/403h-danel…

Hope to see you there!!