WHEN YOU STEP INTO ANN LELIEVRE’S HOME YOU’LL LIKELY FIND HER SURROUNDED BY FABRIC, THREADS, AND THE HUM OF HER OWN CREATIVE ENERGY WHILE WORKING AWAY ON HER SEWING MACHINE.
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STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY: KELLY LUCAS-CARMODY
Her hands are rarely still, and whether she’s crocheting delicate red poppies for Anzac Day or stitching memories into patchwork, Anne is always making something — always “twiddling,” as her father would say.
However, that quiet but joyful twiddling recently resulted in a remarkable achievement.
A breathtaking, king-sized quilt that took almost five years to complete.
Inspired by a design from Brisbane-based fabric artist, whose brand Fairies in My Garden is adored by stitchers across the country, the quilt is a dreamy, whimsical creation, full of tiny details that only reveal themselves on closer look.
Anne first came across the design while browsing in a fabric shop.
“I saw it in a book and just fell in love with it,” Ann said.
“It had this magical, old-world feel.
“Soft colours, little cottages, garden scenes — it reminded me of storybooks I had as a child.”
The quilt pattern came in a kit, complete with fabrics, lace trims, silk ribbons, beads and a thick instruction book.
But even with all the materials ready to go, it was no small task.
Each block had its own little scene — and all of them required fine, detailed embroidery.
The border panels, which frame the entire quilt, were just as detailed, featuring carefully hand-sewn decorative elements that bring the whole piece together.
“There were times I’d sit at the table for hours working on just one square,” she said.
“I couldn’t have the television on for most of it — I needed to concentrate.
“It was a lot of stop and start over the years, but I always came back to it.”
There’s no shortage of florals in this creative piece, and the colours flow perfectly from the edges to the centre.
It’s something you could admire for quite some time — filled with tiny, lovingly stitched details.
It feels as though pieces of Anne’s own life are woven into it too.
“Making it gave me such a sense of calm,” Ann said.
“It really reminded me of what I love most — slow stitching, meaningful details and creating something that tells a story.”
When the final stitch was made and the quilt was assembled and finished early this year, Anne laid it proudly on the bed in her spare room.
It’s more than just a decorative cover for a bed — it’s a celebration of her creativity, patience and love for handmade beauty.
“I’ll probably never make another quite like it,” Ann said with a smile.
“But I’m glad I did this one.
“Every time I look at it, I see those hours of joy, frustration and pride stitched into every inch.”
For Anne, crafting isn’t just about making something lovely — it’s about living a creative life, one quiet moment, one thoughtful stitch at a time, while always twiddling away.
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