Chitra Mandanna recently completed our advanced Patchwork and Quilting Course (Skill Stage 4). While studying with us, Chitra was encouraged by her tutor to enter her work into the Festival of Quilts and we’re really pleased to the announce that she won not one, but two prizes – including the Visitors’ Choice Awards!
We caught up with Chitra to talk to her about her experience of studying with us, developing her creativity and artistry and claiming the coveted prize of Judges’ Choice Award.
“The course has really helped me improve my skills and learn several new techniques which I have applied in my works that I entered into the competition this year. These works are a lot different in style, design and techniques compared to my earlier ones and I would give that credit to the course and my tutor, Debbie”
Studying Patchwork & Quilting
I have been quilting for the last several years and art quilting is one of my most favourite forms of art. I love to keep learning, and I always experiment new methods and techniques. The Patchwork and Quilting SS4 course helped me immensely to learn several new techniques. They aren’t necessarily related to just patchwork and quilting but to textile art as a whole. The research-based approach was very beneficial. It made me push my boundaries to create several unique artworks, which I am really proud of.
Deborah, my tutor, was always there to guide me promptly at any stage that I required her guidance. Her feedback was always encouraging and motivational. I would look forward to her views after completion of every module.
Patchwork and Quilting coursework by Chitra Mandanna.
Winning The Judges’ Choice Award At the Festival of Quilts
I have been entering my quilts in several shows internationally including the Festival of Quilts since 2019 and won several awards too. However, the course has really helped me improve my skills and learn several new techniques which I have applied in my works that I entered into the competition this year. These works are a lot different in style, design and techniques compared to my earlier ones and I would give that credit to the course and my tutor, Debbie.
The process of entering my work was quite simple. I entered two of my works this year, one under Quilt Creations and the other under Art Quilts. These two were my assessment pieces for the course and they fit into the respective categories perfectly. I just had to enter the details online and submit my entry. Once I received the entry number, I attached it to my quilt and shipped it to the address.
It was very exciting to know that I won these awards especially the Judges’ Choice Award which I least expected. I have won many international awards before and at times more than four or five first prizes at a single event which was kind of overwhelming and embarrassing too (chuckle).
Future plans
I definitely won’t stop studying. If time permits, I would like to do the Patchwork and Quilting Master Practitioner course too. For a while now I have been conducting workshops in quilting and I have my video tutorials too on my website which I will continue to update. I have had never thought of opening a store until I attended this course. I never had the interest or the inclination to venture into marketing. However, after this course, I am quite keen on opening one as it has given me a lot of ideas on designing products and marketing them.
Advice for new students?
Learning is a lifelong process. You are here to learn, and you have made the right choice by enrolling in this course. The more research you do the better it is for you and do not hesitate to experiment with new materials. You may end up with some unique creations. It may be a bit overwhelming initially but at the end you will be surprised at how much you have learnt and how many artworks you have created during the course.
