Janice Creenaune meets Gail Cannell, a member of the Thirroul Quilters group. Gail trained and worked as a nurse and in diversional therapy for the elderly; now she’s working on perfecting the skills needed for patchwork and quilting.
Gail Cannell may be closer to 80 years than 70, but she is still creating beautiful hand-made projects, thanks to a lifetime’s skill in patchwork, quilting other stitch crafts.
“Occasionally I may use a machine for some work, but most often I work by hand, stitch by stitch, piece by piece to create the complications within a quilt pattern,” Gail says.
“Patchwork and quilting is certainly a time intensive process where patience and accuracy is paramount. Both are essential in both the cutting and stitching to ensure the pieces all fit together neatly.”
Gail grew up in Adelaide, but in 1970 she moved to Nowra with her husband (a navy pilot) and young family. She later joined a patchwork group and has lived in various places, including Perth, Darwin, Canberra and, in 1991, Karratha in WA, where a small expat community was looking for a teacher of the needlework arts.
“I taught the interested ladies and organised workshops and quilt and craft shows for us all on various weekends that proved very successful over the years,” Gails says. “Patchwork applique and embroidery was our focus.
“It brought us all together as all the families would be there. Unfortunately, changes mean today’s FIFO workers are denied the same lifestyle.
Gail eventually moved back to Nowra. In 2001 she moved to Wollongong and joined Thirroul Quilters, a sub-group of the Illawarra group.
“We are a diverse group who have been meeting for over 20 years. We started at the old Thirroul Community Centre, later moving to the Thirroul Library Complex and now we are lucky enough to meet at the Thirroul Bowling Club.
“There is enormous camaraderie within the group and though we all work on different projects and skills we encourage and assist each other to keep going. Though many of us are quilters, not all members are. Some sew, others knit or crochet, some chat. It is all part of being there and enjoying the camaraderie as well as the development of skills with likeminded people.”
While Gail’s mother encouraged her to learn sewing crafts, she says, “I feel I inherited my craft genes from my grandmother and I was taught the basics of stitch-work at school.
“I followed the courses all the way through my school-training and I found I was particularly good at it, but it wasn’t until later in Karratha, where my interest was totally sparked. I have not stopped. I always have a needle and a project at hand.
“Sometimes I have six projects going at once, depending on how I feel at that time.
“Firstly, I find a pattern, make templates for the pieces in the pattern (in templastic) and work out the materials needed. I have a good selection in my garage and cupboards to choose from. Buying materials is always a delight when I find a shop. Unfortunately many have now closed and are long gone.”
After selecting the materials and cutting to allow seams allowances, Gail pins it all together and then sews, by hand, around the pieces. “It has to be totally accurate to ensure best possible fit and I need to show great patience. It is, however, a totally therapeutic experience for me. Sometimes my projects can take years.”
After sewing the pieces together and removing paper backing pieces, Gail creates the three layers of the quilt; the already worked patchwork or appliquéd project, the wadding and the backing piece.
“Quilts can be professionally joined in the quilting process, but I still generally enjoy joining the layers by hand. Sometimes, with appliquéd work though, I do need to have it professionally finished,” Gail says.
Gail gives many quilts away to friends and family, some she keeps. “There is immense work in a complicated quilt and in selling a quilt you never get back what was put into it or really what it is worth.”
Gail and her local group in Thirroul maintain and pass on their skills – the question is always, for how long? The members ensure companionship and skill development is ranked high in their lives. It is a credit to them all.
Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com
