Completed Cushion

At the WI craft group, our Autumn project was a quilted panel. We were inspired by the quilts brought by a speaker earlier in the year. When we started the project, I had no idea what I would make with it.

On a visit to the Wastells, I realised that there was a rocking chair which needed a cushion, and had a crafty measure. As the original quilted square was not quite big enough, I added a darker border which I also used for the back. I had already quilted the central panel and luckily the backing and wadding was much larger, and I was able to increase the size of the panel.The fabric for the central motif was from my stash.

I love patterns made on paper from inks floated on water. There are shops in Italy which sell this paper for book binding, and when I saw it printed on fabric, I was immediately drawn to it. That's another craft which I would like to have a go at!

Last week I went to a local shop and got the cushion, so on Saturday, I set to after lunch. Unlike knitting when one can unravel and reknit, once fabric is cut that is that, and also 'unsewing' and trying to get things square is hard for me....but I am getting better at it! It really did take me about four hours to do the cutting and machining, and several more to add the patterned binding.....I was so engrossed in the project, that when I got round to getting us some super, I realised that we had forgotten about the concert we should have gone to! Too late though to go, and nothing much on the tele, so I stitched at the binding till my eyes were completely shot, but I managed to finish it off on Sunday in the bright light of the conservatory.

This is a really small project on the scale of things, and what I have learnt is how really skilled some of my friends are, several of whom have already completed magnificent bed sized quilts!

Wall Hanging Completed and starting patchwork and quilting properly

For a week before the main event in Birmingham, I've held my own mini expo in the conservatory. Now that it is over, the hangings will be put up in our loo!

This is my first 'original' piece of patchwork and quilting.

On Sunday I went to my first patchwork class at the Quilter's Den in Warwick. It was a warm day, but I would never have thought that I would have sweated so much trying to cut a small square of fabric! Because the cutting table was so low, I arrived home really tired and with lots of aches and pains, and was a bit down so went to bed for a rest. However, the next day, I got out my work and admired my first three 9 patches, and have one more to finish! The joints were not really well matched, so there is much more practice needed.

I realise that I had viewed the results of the works of the gods and goddesses of the craft at the Quilting Show this year.

Yesterday I called a knitting and quilting friend, as I knew she would give me encouragement to continue and in that short time chatting with Claire, I gathered many more tips to add to the ones I had picked up on the day and realised that I had also missed or had not been corrected on things like the right way to press the pieces. I am really grateful to all my craft friends who generously pass on the benefits of their knowledge and skill.

Maybe I am starting to react to the bite of the patchwork and quilting bug!

First visit to the Quilting Show

Armed with a packed lunch, lots of nibbles and drinks, I set off for THE SHOW, and was very near to the front of the queue, with time spent chatting to quilters on all sides, some coming from Denmark. I spent most of the time there looking with amazement at the quilts. I've seen traditional quilts before many years ago at the American Museum in Bath, and also when I was a little girl, seeing Aunty Frances make hexagons and sew them together in Mauritius.

I was amazed by the artistry and craftsmanship displayed. I just did not take as many pictures as I would have liked to, I just wanted to spend time there looking at the quilts. Its a good job really, as I think I had the wrong setting on my camera, and I am not at all happy with my efforts. I'm posting some of the best, partly as a big thank you to Claire who organised a group ticket, but who sadly was not well enough to come. One day was not sufficient to take in the treats which were sent in from around the World. I think that next year, I shall have two tickets!

Traditional Black and White, with the smallest amount of red.

Detail of quilt with 'pebbles'.



The winner of the small quilt section, about the size of a sheet of paper!


This Japanese looking quilt was one of my favourite ones.

This one which was inspired by Honesty Flowers was also one of my top favourites.

This quilt was a hanging testament to the person's family and needed a good looking at. What a tribute.

The quilting on this one in the form of barbed wire was truly ingenious.

This one reminded me of planets and Japanese gravel gardens.

Six small quilts ingeniously connected to make a whole with the pattern flowing across. Wonderful artistry and skill.

There were workshops going on, special sections for individual quilters to show their pieces, and a huge area of stalls. I can now understand how this show draws interested people from so far and wide. I chatted to some ladies who were there for the duration, treating this as a holiday, staying in a hotel nearby, and going to a number of classes.