Barb Cleaver - the Artist

It could be said that colour is the art and work of Barb Cleaver and her medium of choice is fabric and thread. “I love colour and I’m not afraid to use it,” and she has often been praised for the way she can use bold and regularly ignored colours in a complimentary way that rather than offending the eyes, seems to invite you in and warm your heart. 
“God’s creation” is also a huge inspiration in her work – flowers, leaves, animals and landscapes all make up the dominant part of her quilting canvass.

“Barb could be classified as a traditional quilter with a creative flair…” Australian Country Craft Vol. 14, No. 9

“I build upon a foundation of traditional quilting methods in its many forms and then breathe some fresh life into it by adding a touch of something more, like employing 3D techniques – taking a flower for example and raising it off the quilt surface.”

Barb is passionate about teaching, and is particularly known for her use and instruction of Fibonacci’s theory of proportional measurement and the Quilt-as-you-go technique for constructing quilts. She has seen these methods give wings to many in their craft by taking the guess work out of design and construction.

“My greatest joy is the reward I feel when I have played a small part in someone creating and achieving their very own masterpiece, someone who thought they never could or would.”

Barb's Bio

Barb Cleaver is 36 years married to her childhood sweetheart Mark and has three great sons and two daughters-in-law – Seth, Luke, Lauren, Ben and Jess. She’s a proud ‘Nana’ of grandson Josh, and grand-daughters Sophie and Ebony with another expected in Jan 2009.

Barb has birth roots in Tasmania where her love of nature originated, but has called Queensland home since in 1974, apart from a four and a half year stay in Sydney where her quilting addiction really took a hold.

Barb was privileged to have a very skilled sewing mother who taught and encouraged her from a young age to work with needle and thread.

However, it wasn’t until 1984 that she really ventured into patchwork and quilting, taking a class in Sydney with Noni Fisher. Her skills and passion quickly grew and by 1987 she was teaching applique and piecing locally.
Then in ‘89, realising the need for a quilt shop in her hometown of Caboolture, Barb stepped out together with friend Hilda Nichols to open ‘Quilters Quarters’ in the town’s main street.

She sold the business in 1990 and has since been a freelance tutor teaching extensively in Australia, New Zealand, UK and recently in Banda Aceh, Indonesia and Vanuatu.

Barb and her work have been featured and profiled in over 25 patchwork and quilting publications at home and overseas.

In recent years Barb has promoted Bernina sewing machines and receives sponsorship by Bernina Sewing Centre Chermside. She also works as a tutor for Bernina at South East Queensland Quilt and Craft shows.

While Barb officially announced retirement from teaching at the end of 2006 due to persistent health-related issues, opportunity and demand has precipitated her return in 2008 with renewed passion and vision for her craft.

Where to from here?

"As I look at where my work is going and what really gets me excited, I would have to say that I am travelling more down the road of non traditional quilt making, more into the art pieces, texture and fibre.

But in saying that, I believe I will always love teaching beginners, encouraging people to start their own creative journey, it really gives me a buzz!"