post festival

inspired again to get going,  finished my hole in the wall quilt from workshop with Sue Bouchard

the fabrics were in a kit at the show, so not my first choice...but meant I could get on and sew straight away
took the opportunity to really try and improve some techniques, squaring off and binding with mitres.
I had a go at some matchstick quilting, just in the cornerstones, but that was enough! Used a variegated thread which did not really contrast or completley disappear, so WRONG choice.... lesson learned.

Also converting my workshop samples to cushions as Ted the dog has chewed my last lot of cushions and they need to be replaced....
This one was from a workshop on reverse machine applique with Abbie Anne Searle

Flicking through Kaffe's latest, so pretty..........

Festival Of Quilts 2014

OMG, what a great time I've had. Exhausted, but SO inspired to get on and make some new  work.
This is the the first time our london modern quilt guild  has exhibited, and very exciting it was.
I had the pleasure of manning  our  exhibit on Sat morning  with Shevvy and Claire, we had a great time. Most common question....what IS modern then? why is it different from contemporary etc.
We were determined not to be drawn into an argument.......... I think we felt that you know something is modern when you see it and that technique is not the be all and end all, its the impact  and the enjoyment of making the  quilt that matters to us. ......which is just as well as my amaranth july quilt was very wonky with crap techinique  when hung, and the guild members tactfully pushed up a table of cushions to hide the wonkiness....hurray! Thats my quilt peeking out  of the  exhibit.

Also had a fantastic time at workshops
Doodle piecing with Patricia Belyea

Had  to buy some delicious yukata cottons that Pat imports from Japan

Then hole in the wall with Sue Bouchard from California

Do you like me toes? Had a pedicure  before the show!!. I think this block is a great one to showcase fabrics, and I want to do an indian sari silk and an african print  version.......

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 Then a very interetsting lecture by Mike Fitchett who is a designer by trade, married to a quilter. He described this process of   him seeing a scene that he felt could be transformed into a quilt...how he sketches  on a concertina sketch notebook (  I want one now) then how he transfers to 'sum' paper, and scales up on dot and cross paper...then they decide on underlying pieced structure, then applique...all brilliant, to echo the wonderful railway poster vibe of 30s  to 50s. 

I think this technique could translate into modern style well, with jewel like solids and strong graphic mode... I am looking forward to giving it a go! I LOVE hearing talented people talk about what they do, and learning how a  commercial designer works was amazing. His day job is designing  contemporary wall clocks and time pieces.

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Then a fun workshop with Jennie Rayment who I had been keen to meet hearing  about her persona. She was the sort of  woman I admire...just dig in and GET ON with things, no messing! She had been on the go at the show since early morning and still had the pizazz for an evening workshop, GO Jennie!

I guess her work is origami in fabric, not sure how I would use it, but very glad to give it a go , think 3D is a bit scary for me at the moment.She is very entertaining at telling stories against herself which is always a good sign I think

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Today ,  a lovely enjoyable laid back final workshop with Abbie Anne Searle, on reverse machine applique

Had to photograph Abbie's hair as my daughter is really into colouring her hair and will be jealous of Abbie's I'm sure. 
This is my first effort........ think I will use this maybe trying out  geometric shapes with solids.....

Home at last with a suitcase full of fabric and LOADS of inspiration, mission accomplished....best thing was hearing my aunt will be coming over from the US to teach next year, hurrah!