Creative Inspiration at the Festival of Quilts

While at the Festival of Quilts I was able to take 2 workshops from British instructors. Bright and early on the first day there I took a class entitled Free Motion Leaves and Flowers with Molly Brown. It was only 1 1/2 hours long, and we learned a lot. What a blessing!

I stitched the flower above and a leaf, which will be quite lacy and fun once I’ve trimmed and washed away the stabilizer. Quiltina just begged to be photographed among all the lovely threads and sheer fabrics Molly brought for us to play with.

Molly was an excellent teacher!

That afternoon I took a class with another enthusiastic and talented instructor ~ Gini Armitage. This class was entitled Autumn Tree Dorset Button Brooch. Hmm. Sounded very interesting ~ and it was. Gini learned the art of Dorset buttons from a woman who’s family had passed down the art through generations, and she was thrilled that Gini wanted to continue the tradition and teach others to make Dorset buttons. These are a few of the traditional ones she’s made:

Please click here to go to Gini’s site and read the history of Dorset buttons, and about Gini too! In short, you begin with any ring and then wrap and knot pretty threads to make a brooch or button. Her enlarged demo was wonderful.

I absolutely loved the process. I stitched it to the hem of Quiltina’s dress after completing it, and I look forward to making more!

Plus ~ I loved getting to know the ladies I sat with in class. It was all delightful!

At this point I really want to share a few more photos from the “quilts” portion of the show. These are from the Quilt Creations category and they were quite artistic. Isn’t this a fascinating mask? “Masquerade” was made by Chitra Mandanna of India.

Our Enchanted Castle was a group project made by the Art Tarts in the UK (you gotta love that name).

Vendulka Battais of the UK decided to make her husband a jacket and shoes after making herself a number of garments. She said he’s French and has a “quirky” style. It’s entitled “Quirky Like Me”. I think I’d like to see him in it!

And my favorite creation was this sign by Jo Westfoot, also of the UK. “Quilting Leads to …” is a sign post she created after challenging her social media followers with the title statement. I love it!

The vendor mall was HUGE and amazing, with many patterns and items that I haven’t seen at shows in the States. Our group supported them well, and I want to share photos of my 2 favorite booths.

I’ve taken classes with Philippa Naylor in Paducah, and admired her work for years, so it was fun to catch up with her.

My friend Susan has signed up for her online classes and loves them (click here for her site). Philippa told me that she’s reached a point in her life when she doesn’t want to travel and teach as much any more, so she’s found this new niche. She also gave me lots of tips on quilty things to do while in the UK. What a delightful conversation we had!

I spent quite a bit of time (and a few pounds) at the MellyMadeDesigns booth. Her patterns are unique and fun!

Hopefully I’ll share a completed piece or two in the near future.

The show was big, exciting, inspiring, and so well done. But all good things must come to an end. Fortunately this didn’t mean an end to our trip. Next week I’ll share some fiber adventures in Wales!

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And one more thing. When I was in Paducah last Spring I “stumbled” upon a group of amazing fiber artists (click here to read that post). One of them, Diana Fox, recently contacted me because she’ s teaching at the Woodland Ridge Retreat Center in northern Wisconsin, and she still has openings in her upcoming event.

It looks like a wonderful class! For all the information click here.