Sorry for the extended period of silence.
I've been working on lots of boring admin and I've just come back from visiting my Mum in Newcastle.
It was another busy visit, with birthdays and a lot of jobs that needed doing and of course I chose the hottest weather possible to do them!!
I got back in time to visit the annual mecca that is The Festival of Quilts. I always like to visit, both for inspiration, a bit of trend research and of course who can forget the fabric shopping (it's something I am very good at!).
So without further ado, I thought you might like to see my favourites, for those who didn't see them on my social media feeds.
This quilt reminded me of my own trip to Australia, where I also collected a few aboriginal design fabrics. I also loved the burnt orange and brown fabric combination.
Firstly I love the choice of contrasting colours and the constrained curvyness! Reading more about the quilt, it was made by 5 different people, who each did a strip. They were each given 3 colours of fabric (black, magenta and petrol for a background) and asked to add one other colour. I love the result!
Don't you love a picture where you can feel you are there?
This quilt totally did that for me. They got the colours and the texture just right with the sort of overexposure you get on a really sunny day
This quilt was so refreshing. You can totally see why it was Highly Commended.
Like standing in a garden at Chelsea. The mix of quilting and hand painting with acrylic inks makes the flowers and foliage really come alive. A labour of love dedicated to the quilter's late mother and husband.
What a great idea for a Group Quilt!!
This was made up by 23 members of the group.
I loved the clever mix of techniques and textiles used to express the texture of a drystone wall. Especially the detail of the beading for the lichen. Phenomenal!
I love a bit of monochrome with a flash of bright colour. This sampler quilt uses a series of different techniques, hand applique (as seen in the close up), as well as machine quilting. There were a few ideas even a very simple quilter, like me, could use.
Ok - so I was totally drawn to this because of the rabbits.
There is something really free and joyful about them.
I also love the colours and that when I looked closer there were unexpected octopusses (or is it octopii?). Still not quite sure what they were about but I liked them because they were quirky.
"My name is Alison and I like glitter!"
This quilt is glittery, but it uses it's glitter subtly and it doesn't overwhelm the design.
I particularly loved the detailed quilting of the hearts at the edges.
