"Hi I am Lorraine Carthew" - Tutor, Textile Artist and Author. My background is in fashion and design. After a successful career in designing and producing my own fashion label, I began my quilting journey in 1996.
For as long as I can remember I have loved creating with fabric. As a small girl in the country town of Goondiwindi, I would choose my fabrics and design my own clothes. My mother was a wonderful sewer, and I can remember her sitting at her Singer treadle sewing machine making my designs for me.
On leaving school I found myself working as a fashion buyer for a large department store. My role was to select and coordinate colour ranges for their stores. I went on to open my own small chain of fashion boutiques.
After successfully completing my degree in Fashion and Design, I went on to produce my own fashion label, selling my designs Australia wide. I live in Brisbane with my husband John, my two sons Sean and Trenton, and our puppy Chloe.
Internaional recognition
After receiving a pack of "colourwash" squares I became totally enthralled with the process of creating art in textiles.To stretch the boundaries of colourwash I started to create portraits in 1 inch squares. With the careful selection of value in my fabric choice my quilts took on a realistic image. I have simplified the process so it is achievable in a class environment. My 1 inch square portraits have won many prizes.
My quilts have received recognition in Australia and in U.S.A.and have won many prizes. Many of my quilts have been exhibited in international shows such as the Mancuso Quilt Shows in Hawaii and the U.S.A., at the American Quilter's Society in Paducah and the International Quilt Festival in Houston. In Australia they have been exhibited in Queensland and New South Wales, and on two occasions my quilts have toured with the Best of Australia.
My work has been published in Fibrearts Design Book, and was featured on the cover of United Kingdom Popular Patchwork. I have written several projects and in Australia my work has been in Australian Patchwork and Quilting, Down Under and Quilters Companion magazines.