One of my favourite photos from past retreats is of Chris in the swimming pool with glass of wine, giving instructions to a student who is bending over their quilt beside the pool (it’s shown below). Not that you should get the impression that she doesn’t take her teaching seriously – she is an exceptionally dedicated tutor – but she also believes that a retreat of this sort should be enjoyed to its utmost. So come and jump in with her, and enjoy her enthusiastic embrace of every aspect of the week. This will be the third time Chris has taught workshops in Fiji, and it’s a great workshop for all levels.

The Course

Patchwork and quilting have always been her passion and she is well known for her vibrant bargello designs. The design Twisted Bargello was the start of her journey to designing, tutoring and selling patterns. The pattern for Twisted Bargello is one of Chris’s most popular patterns, selling especially well in the USA and Canada.

Chris uses a variety of rulers and has developed quick easy methods to create exciting designs for many quilts. As an ex teacher she is well trained in teaching a number of students several different projects and so she is capable and happy to teach a variety of quilts in her workshops.

During the week in Fiji, you can create one of the many designs that she has developed using a variety of rulers. Moroccan Tile and Water Wheel are made using the Jewel Gem ruler. The Civil War Stars uses the Rapid Hunter Star ruler. The X Block ruler can be used to design many different exciting quilts.

You may also like to create one of the exciting Bargello quilts or her Take 6 design. The choice of quilt you can make is endless.

To view the many designs you can select to make go to Chris’s website www.christimmins.com – and have a look at her brief descriptions of each one below.

Price:

AUD $1800 twin share

Single supplement: $350
Non-quilting partners: $850

Program Includes

Return airport transfers from Savusavu to Daku Resort.
7 nights accommodation at Daku Resort in traditional bures with private facilities.
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.
Course fees
Lectures and excursions as indicated.

Program Excludes

Flights to Savusavu. We are happy to quote on these and book them for you if requested. Flight prices fluctuate according to demand.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
Optional activities not listed on the program.
Costs of a personal nature such as laundry, massages, private trips.
Meals taken in transit at the airport.

Please contact us with any questions, or go straight to our booking form if you would like to book.

Chris Timmins

Chris started off her quilting as a teacher of textiles to High School students, and has influenced many quilt makers. Since retiring from school teaching, Chris’ life has taken a new direction and she now travels around Australia teaching the rich array of designs she has developed. Her greatest pleasure is that she has introduced so many people, especially teenagers, to the art of quilt making.

Chris is also involved in the Misty Mountain Getaway held in Dorrigo each year in September. “I have taught students aged from 10 years old to 85 and I realise that, no matter how old you are, being creative and producing a finished quilt is an achievement. The excitement of my students’ faces brings me a lot of pride in their achievements.”

Some of the quilts

Bargello: Bargello is a simple strip piecing patchwork technique that can be used to create exciting, spectacular designs from a range of colours or shades to produce a gradual colour value change of exciting patterns. Students will learn to design their own Bargello quilt or can complete the design featured. Some preparation is required prior to the workshop.

Rapid Hunter Star: This quilt s made using Deb Tuckers Rapid Hunters Star Ruler system. It is great way of using up scraps or special feature fabrics.
Each block consists of two triangles, two trapezoids and four star points.

Jewel Gem : A new workshop using rulers designed by Cheryl Phillips from USA that Chris has been given permission to teach. Using pentagons and decagon create a centre circle (115cm), which can be used to make a larger quilt. Many designs available. All participants will need to purchase the rulers.
A fun exciting quilt.

X Block: The X-block tool can be used to make dynamic quilt designs. The designs start with nine blocks or strips of fabric and can produce a variety of different designs.

Take 6: Create a strip quilt using just 6 fabrics. Many great designs can be created from

sewing the strips into sets, and then by cutting triangles, squares or 60-degree sections. Quick fast quilt top, which could be finished in a day. Some preparation is required prior to the workshop.

Programme

The programme is structured around morning workshops with afternoon excursions or free time to relax, swim have a spa massage or simply continue quilting. We may alter the programme in response to the weather or the interest of the group.
Sun July 14
Fly to Savusavu. You will be greeted with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.

Dinner: 7.00pm

Mon July 15
Morning workshop: an introduction to the week.
Late afternoon: free to relax.
7.30 Dinner

Tue July 16
Morning workshop.
12.30 Lunch
After lunch you will have some free time for snorkelling, swimming and relaxing. Or there’s an optional visit to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.
7.30 Dinner

Wed July 17
Morning workshop.
12.30 Lunch
2.00 Tapa (traditional Fijian decorated bark cloth) making demonstration.
7.30 Dinner

Thu July 18
Morning workshop.
12.30 Picnic lunch and beach outing.

7.30 Dinner

Fri July 19
Morning workshop.
12.30 Lunch
Afternoon free
6.30pm: Drinks at Savusavu Yacht Club. Informal dinner at Daku.

Sat July 20
Morning workshop.
12.30 Lunch
7.30 Dinner
Finish individual projects; end with show and tell. Afternoon visit to Vivili village for traditional meke (dance)
Final lovo dinner.

Sun July 21 Leave Savusavu and on to international flights.