Today’s guest blogger is Edwina Foskew Tell from Western Australia. We sent her a package of the Nostalgia line debuting this November and told her to create something wonderful. We love her stunning chair and hope you do too!

I’m Eddie… I’m a fabricphile … work full time as a Nurse at nights, but my dream is to own a fabric shop/quilt retreat/ coffee shop selling only the loveliest fabrics (no muddy reds and browns) and teaching quilting and serving home made cakes…. and nice tea in fine bone china cups….

I’m married to Ian, we have 4 children: 15, 17, 18 and 25 and 3 grandchildren…. 3 dogs, 3 Devon Rex cats and a ferral Australian cat who was sent home from work with me one morning after I had worked a nightshift in ED. I co admin The Real Quilters of Australia (and sewers) … and ‘own’ the Nanny Gruff page…. which isn’t kept up to date because I’m too busy.

We live in Rockingham, Western Australia …. just 10 minutes walk to the white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean and a 30 minute walk to natural bush and wild kangaroos…. Its a wonderful country… vast. You could fit the whole of Europe into Australia land wise… and the population is relatively tiny. Australia is a red brown and blue green country… very different to the greens found in the England I grew up in.

I make ‘useable’ quilts… ones that can be taken to the beach, to a barbie, sat in front of a bonfire with and dragged around the house then thrown in the washing machine… week in week out…. not ‘works of art’ …. but I DO love making them in fabrics which are works of art in themselves (and Minions… the grandees love Minions).

What else can I tell you? Quilting is my ‘therapy.’ Its my ME time… and along with the medications it keeps me sane …. almost. I love sharing my skills with others. I love the social aspect of quilting… and yes, sometimes getting together to quilt is sometimes an excuse to simply chat and eat chocolate cake.

People ask me to make them a quilt…. and my stock answer is, sorry I don’t have time… but I will teach you to make your own. Many have taken me up on that offer and have gone on to become quilt addicts too… only one person as far as I can remember didn’t finish hers!

When I was given the opportunity to work with the wonderful new Nostalgia fabric I wanted to combine my love of quilting with my new love of reupholstering chairs. It seemed natural to make a quilt and use that as ‘fabric’ …. I love wonky blocks and crazy quilts… and with the stretch and positioning of fabric in upholstery, I wanted a ‘design’ that wouldn’t loose anything when it was stretched and pinned to the chair. I also wanted to showcase the entire fabric line range. I think I achieved what I set out to do!

It was an honour and a privilege to be allowed to work with Nostalgia before it was launched.. but I need MORE because I have so many things I am going to do with it when it arrives! Pretty things.. with ruffles and vintage lace… and quilts. I have a million ideas flying around in my head…. but I shall have to wait for Nostalgia to arrive in November to be able to satisfy my need to create …

Here is the amazing quilter and upholster Eddie and one of her adorable Devon Rex kitties. Thanks Eddie for an amazing chair and post!