Teacher Profile: Anne Sommerlad

I live in Bullaburra (central Blue Mountains near Wentworth Falls) on 6 ½ acres with my husband, Ron, frequent visits from our son David and our three beloved cats, Yoki, Brocky and Sasha. From my studio, I have views to Sydney – a very inspiring place to create!

As a child, I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by fabric and yarn. My mother was a very clever and creative lady - music teacher by profession, but a crafter by passion. She knitted and embroidered but her forte was with fabric. Mum and the Bernina could do anything together. I never owned a bought dress and Mum would look at all the expensive garments in the shops and go home and make them! Of course, all I wanted was a bought dress. She relented once and I can distinctly remember the one I chose – a hideous green and white striped “cookie dress” from Fosseys, which I wore with pride until my friends made disparaging comments about my choice of attire!! My Dad was a painter and decorator and a very artistic person. He had a wonderful sense of colour and I credit him for imparting this passion to me.

I learned to sew as soon as I could reach the pedal on the machine – making doll’s clothes and simple little projects. I always had a craft project planned. After school exams or music exams, I couldn’t wait to attack my next reward. I can still remember the smocked cushion made out of blue checked gingham that I eagerly began after a music exam – my first UFO, I think!!

Along the way, I have had a go at most crafts – I can’t resist…crochet, leather work, pottery, tatting, oil painting, knitting and cross-stitch. Thanks to Mum’s precise training (she was a perfectionist) I am quite a credible dressmaker and have made most of my own clothes over the years, as well as wedding dresses and a vast array of theatre costumes in my “other” life as a Secondary Music teacher.

 However, life changed when I discovered patchwork!! Dress making fabrics soon gave way to fat quarters and the bookshelves rapidly filled up with Patchwork books. I remember making a conscious decision that my life was not going to accommodate all my craft dabblings and that I needed to stick to my favourites in order to achieve some results. So, cross-stitch, knitting and of course, Patchwork, won the day.

I was fortunate to be able to attend classes with many inspiring and creative teachers and I credit each one with a particular gift that they have given me, but three teachers stand out as my inspiration – Lynne Alchin, Karen Cunningham and Susan Harris

My greatest good fortune was in having Susan as my first patchwork teacher. Many people who teach patchwork are wonderful designers and very creative, but not always experienced in broader aspects of sewing. Susan is both a superb designer and a wonderful practitioner. She taught me sound techniques and methods that have continued to stand me in good stead and I now find myself modelling my teaching very much on what I learned from Susan. Her wise words, as I roared off down the edges of my first machine piecing effort, still echo in my ears... “Slow down!! You’re not dressmaking now!!” I constantly repeat this mantra to my students – probably the most important piece of information I can give them.... take time and the results will reward you – rush and you’ll be disappointed!!

 As a designer and teacher, I greatly enjoy the challenge of meeting the very varied needs of my students. My mission statement is to give my students the skills to make their own choices work for them. I believe that every person is creative if given the right environment, skills and encouragement.

I usually have several design projects on the go at the same time. I like to design quilts using new ranges of fabrics - some quilts that can be made quickly (not everyone needs to embark on a life’s work every quilt!) – and quilts that help use up the stash. My favourite design area (and my personal passion) is in historic reproduction quilts and detailed appliqué work.

 Another source of design inspiration for me is from tiles and architecture. I am amazed at the incredible designs that have been wrought in Middle Eastern and ancient European churches, temples and public buildings. These patterns just ache to be transposed into fabric.

Fabrics of all colours and designs fascinate me. I see a new collection and I can’t wait to create something with them. I don’t really have favourites – every style has its place and challenges me to use it. I tend to choose a fabric I love and let the design evolve from this.

Quiltmaking allows me to be the artist that I believe is trapped somewhere inside of me...I’m sadly quite useless with a paint and brushes, but fabric is my palette.

I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be able to now work in this area that I love so much. I once read that, “If you can take your passion and make it your profession, then you’ll never work another day in your life.”How true!!!