Spring Quilt Festival Edinburgh

Last weekend I was lucky enough to visit the Spring quilt festival in Edinburgh. As always it was so inspiring to see these magnificent quilts close up. This year we were able to see some which had previously featured in magazines Like this one 'A Family Christmas' by Anja Townrow and to be able to stand and talk to Anja about her quilts . Every quilt is worth a mention but here I have picked out a few which inspired me in different ways which I will share with you.
'Flower Power' By Judith Wilson had wonderful free motion machine quilting which was not just a filler but part of the bigger picture too. After my recent attempts at free motion quilting I was very impressed by this.
'Floral Strip Series' by Dilys Fronks were described as small quilts she did between bigger projects. Fabric shapes she cut with pinking shears were used like dabs of paint to 'paint' a picture with fabric - the result is stunning.
Runner up in the Journal Quilt challenge, Christine Ireland inspired me with the printing of historical images onto fabric. With her 'Memories of my Father - John MacArthur' she has been able to record her family history onto fabric.Lesley Brankin's collection - 'To Paint or not to Paint' featured all kinds of techniques. I have once or twice kept a journal on holiday but these were a wonderful representation of a holiday journal 'Venetian Days' with the fabric printed, painted, and then quilted. Amazing.And Lesley showed us that inspiration can come from anywhere such as the tea towel which inspired this quilt 'There is always one ' I was inspired by her use of machine embroidery used to give the fish scales - no two were the same and I liked the designer bubbles.

Hope you were inspired too.

Happy Quilting xx

Signs of spring

Snow drops in the woods......Crocuses in the garden......

Daffodils in a pretty jug......Bunnies on a washing line......
( made by Margaret)

And Grapes in a Basket......
The latest block to be completed for my sampler quilt, I thought it would be complicated but went together quite easily - only one lot of unpicking, and all by hand. Needs a border now.


Happy Quilting xx

Free motion Quilting Class

Last SaturdayI had a lovely day on a free motion quilting course here at The Quilters Cupboard near Durham. This was an example shown to us by the teacher for the day Carol Parker.
We soon set off with some basic free motion swirls and stipples.
Then we marked out some stencils to try following a line
Which soon grew into quite a complicated design.
which looks better on the reverse without all the blue guide lines but is still a work in progress.Although I had quilted before on my machine, the course gave me much more confidence to try more varied designs and lots of new ideas.
But I still have some way to go before I reach Carol's standard!
The rest of the weekend was spent finishing off the knitting. Jenny's jumper came together quite quickly at the end. The collar would have been better with a few more rows to make it bigger but because I knitted the sleeves a bit longer , I ran out of yarn. Knit in Sirdar Big Softie - it is lovely and cuddly to wear. I used tapestry wool to sew it together as the yarn was too thick to sew with.
And this week's scenic shot comes from the dining table where these lovely tulips from my friend Fiona are bringing a little hint of spring to our home.

Happy Quilting xx

Nine blocks and a birthday

Last week I promised I would let you know how I got on with the freezer paper applique, and the result is great - no problem, much easier than needle turn applique and a nicer edge with a better shape - even the pointy ends of the wings of the honey bees.As this is the 9th block I put them all together to see what it looks like and I am pleased with the effect, the yellow and pink fabrics lift the design.This will help me with the other blocks. Which one next?
This was my bargain find this week. Bias binging in a floral fabric!! And only a£1 a metre from a fabulous bead shop here in Manchester.
We were in Manchester to celebrate Jenny's birthday

and for her to show us around some of her favourite shops in Manchester like Junk - where she bought this reworked jumper she is modelling. Junk is a great shop which has been lovingly furnished entirely from reusable materials (first discarded then reclaimed) given new life in a consciously sustainable environment. They run courses too - have a look on the website.

This weeks scenic shot is of the Manchester skyline from our hotel room in Salford Quays
And the same view at night !

Happy Quilting xx