I had a wonderful day recently in Bristol at the West Country Quilt and Textile Show and would like to show you just a few of the beautiful quilts that I saw there.
Firstly, these by Gillian Travis really excited me - parts of the quilts are shown here.
..... and not just sweaters, Gillian had hats, mittens, jugs, vases, beetroot, pomegranates, etc, etc all equally small and appealing. Do visit Gillian's website to see more of her work.
I also really liked this wall hanging by Gillian, particularly the washing and flowerpots.
These two are by Brenda Thomas who's quilts are a delight - they are always happy.
The Quilter's Guild Contemporary Group had completed a challenge "On the Edge" and these are three very different one's that I liked by Barbara Weeks, Sandra Grusd and Greta Fitchett.
Finally here we have just four bed quilts:-
"Journey" by Annelise Littlefair. The squares are reverse appliqued. I love the way that Annelise has machine quilted each one in an individual style to suit the applique design.
"Polkadot Garden" by Bridget Gillespie. The circular flower design compliments the use of shirt fabric beautifully.
"Nearly Insane Quilt" by Frances Meredith. The title says it all - tiny, tiny pieces in the blocks! An amazing sampler quilt!
And lastly a gorgeous quilt made by Jo Colwill of Cowslip Workshops
I only wish that my photos could do these last four justice - I remember the colours as lighter and brighter.
A super day and a big thank you to Denise Pearcey of South West Quilters for organising the coach.
Happy Days - Anita x
Soma of Whims and Fancies is hosting the "Trunk Full of Quilts 2016" and I've decided to collect up all my quilts featuring houses to show - not that they would fill a very big trunk as the largest of them is only 27" x 34".
Below is the most recent which features my house and all my husband's sheds. You can read about it in a previous post here.
Then in chronological order starting with the oldest and smallest first, this is "Wash-day at the Nook"
I was rather keen on lines of washing in my quilts because at one time it seemed that all my friends were getting tumble dryers - well, it does rain a lot here in Cornwall. I love to see washing blowing dry on a line.
This one is called "Sew a Row to Grow a Quilt". The houses and trees are foundation pieced.
The final and largest quilt shows some of the things that I love about living where I do. It was a challenge to sew the crazy patchwork border - much more difficult than keeping everything nice and straight and tidy!
Do go along to Whims and Fancies to see the other Trunk Fulls on display - Anita x
How lovely to get into the swing of a new Flowerpatch Quilter's year with textile artist Louise Nichols and her talk on pattern, design, printing and stitching.
Louise started her career with upholstery and wallpaper design after graduating with a degree in Fashion and Textile Design. She then went on to produce designs for cards, stationary and wrapping paper and we were delighted to be able to see some of these. She spoke of her excitement at seeing her work on sale for the very first time in a large chain store.
Louise's next project was to be making wedding and other cards with some stitching and making simple stitchery gifts. This led her on to purses and pouches etc. under her "Loula Bells" label.
Also articles and designs for Sew magazine.
Never one to stand still, Louise's latest foray is into lino printing on fabric and she now makes beautiful framed prints embellished with applique and stitching, and has a range of coordinating purses and pouches.
Below you can see one of Louise's lino prints before adding any stitching, a lino cut ready for printing and the resulting embellished print - this is a sample piece.
Thank you to Louise for a super evening of varied delights and infectious enthusiasm!
Other news from the Flowerpatch November meeting - Liz set the brain cells going with this year's Chairman's Challenge which is called "From Tree to Match" - lots of quilty possibilities with that one. Monica B handed out the last of the packs for our charity quilt - these have to be back for the January meeting at the latest.
Flowerpatch 8th December meeting is at Jo Colwill's Cowslip Workshops where we will be doing some Christmas sewing so please bring along a basic sewing kit. Also just a reminder about the Christmas Fair at Cowslip 18th to 20th November 2016 which is always a delight.
Happy Crafting - Anita x
PS. Riverside Quilters have an exhibition at Ashtorre Rock, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 4GT on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th November 2016, raising money for Cancer Research.
