Pat Mallett at Flowerpatch

What an interesting and encouraging talk by Pat Mallett at our May Flowerpatch Quilters meeting. Interesting because of the wide variety of work that Pat had to show us, and encouraging because of the self effacing way in which she delivered her talk, making us all feel that we too could have a go at the many different techniques that she has used .....and have "FUN".

These are just a few of the many quilts and wall hangings that Pat showed us.

Like many of us, Pat started her patchwork journey by making a sampler quilt, but with the encouragement of Windmill Patchworks, Cowslip Workshops and Ann Baxter's "Sunday House Weekends" she soon moved on to try many other patterns

This first is one of Pat's favourite patterns - square dance

and this is a small section of a quilt called Cobblestones. I love the simple but very effective machine quilting.

Other quilts followed including string quilts, disappearing nine patch, stack and whack, etc.

Gradually Pat has moved on from the more traditional patchwork and has joined the Contemporary Quilt Group of the Quilter's Guild, designing her own quilts and using many different techniques.

I love this unorthodox Bullseye Quilt with the raw edge applique and irregular curves. It shows Pat's love of fabric, and dyeing is now one of her many skills.

Pat takes part in many quilt challenges and these have included journal quilts, Chinese whispers and even a wall hanging inspired by a piece of music!!
This little hanging below was made in response to a challenge and is inspired by the rock formations at Sandymouth, near Bude.

I really like the layered background to these leaves on the left and the simple addition of the embroidered fence adds so much to the right hand landscape quilt

And finally another simple but effective land/seascape in layered piecing.

Thank you, Pat, for a lovely evening. Since your talk, I for one have been encouraged to complete the piecing of a lap quilt that has been languishing for months because I couldn't decide on the quilting. Now I know it will be straight lines of machine quilting and I need not face the daunting prospect of FMQ!!! After all I want to have "FUN" making my quilts.

Dy, Karen, Melody, Monica D, Annie and Lois showed us the progress they have made with our Flowerpatch entry for Cowslip's "Through the Window" exhibition in the summer. It's looking really lovely and almost ready to quilt.

Flowerpatch members have also made 32 small A5ish quilts on the theme "Charles Causley's Launceston". This year's Causley Festival is celebrating 100 years since his birth in Launceston and our quilts are hanging in the library.

Some members brought along the zipper pouches they had made following the April meeting. These were made by Liz and Pippa

And Mary's granddaughter Grace, with her first attempt at machine sewing, made this beautiful pouch and even added a strap, secured with heart-shaped buttons.

At the next meeting on 8th June, Diana Mullis will be giving a talk titled "Story Telling with Textiles". Also Cartwheels Craft Centre will be there with their shop.
This is also the meeting for handing in entry forms for our August exhibition.

Happy Stitching - Anita x