I thought I had missed the boat, (well, coach!), this year for going to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC last weekend, and I was bemoaning this fact to Mr Potterjotter when he offered to drive me there, stay overnight and make a weekend of it. What a Star!
I'd never been before, so I have nothing to compare it with, but I have to say I just loved it. I didn't know where to look first and took loads of photos. Then I decided to stop as I was taking pictures of just about everything!
Here are a few - enjoy!
Lots of inspiration for my ceramics here!
Obviously I am naturally drawn to the traditional block quilts in bold colours - knew I would be!
Loved this one for all the applique motifs and the simple but stunning border. Here's a close-up of the hearts block on the left there ...
Hmmm! Not many pastel shades in this selection! I am so predictable! However, I did also love some of the non-traditional quilts, like these below .....
How gorgeous is this cottagey street scene?
This was part of a larger quilt, all really effective with the leaves and the bird and its shadow and the background quilting.
It was just a feast for the eyes and enough to inspire anyone, even a potter-who-is-no-good-at-sewing-and-has-never-made a-quilt-before-and-hasn't-the-foggiest-how-to-go-about-it, to have a go! So look what I came home with! My own little fabric stash! How exciting!
I mean .... it's just stitching a few scraps together afterall - how hard can it be? Famous last words!
Maybe I'll get started this long Bank Holiday weekend whilst it rains outside (surprise, surprise). What are you up to over the next few days?
So many talented folks, it's been years since I went to a quilt show I may just have to go again, I love the street scene and the flowers well all of them each for a different reason, thanks for sharing and so nice Mr. Potterjotter took you.
ReplyDeleteThat's it, you are now officially HOOKED.It was good wasn't it? I'm still trying to process all the things I saw...didn't take my camera, but next year I will.I got really inspired by it and will be back for more. There was a quilt ( photo on Hen's blog) with wonderfully colourful round plate-style applique that I really liked and it made me think of your work. So much to see...
ReplyDeleteYou have so much inspiration for your future work - and doing a real sewn quilt will give you a new insight, and maybe still more new ideas.
ReplyDeleteLucky you having a weekend at the FoQ, so glad you bought some fabric too, you may become a convert yet :)
ReplyDeleteSue Xxx
beauty and talent. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful quilts by great talents! Lots of inspiration!
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
So many lovely quilts and so much inspiration. Have fun with your own quilt and don't forget to put a photo of it up when you are finished. Can't wait to see the new ranges of ceramics that you come up with from all of this.
ReplyDeleteI shall, hopefully, be going to see the quilt show at Hever Castle this October. Always a wonderful time :)
Well CAthy, glad you managed to get there..have to say your 'stash' was very restrained I must say!
ReplyDeleteObviously, as this was your first big quilt exhibition it would have taken you by surprise and smacked you round the face with astonishment....which is how I felt when I went to my first one, I do remember it. I was on fire when I got home, to start making a quilt. Interesting to see the ones which caught your fancy...the one's I would have enjoyed once; I NEVER would have expected to prefer the more graphic, stark ones.
So come on, lets be havin' it then....when is this quilt going to materialise. (OH did you SEE what I did there???And me suffering from severe sleep deprivation and just home from a 5 day junket!) Anyway, we'll have to go to the next big one together, perhaps?
I am sure you will have found lots of ideas amongst those gorgeous quilts. The cottagy street is amazing. I love your framed work on the post below. x Jo
ReplyDeleteLovely quilts... this weekend I am doing the hand quilting on my first dolly quilt, carrying on cutting our hexagons for an old fashioned quilt, and thinking about using my rotary cutter for the first time for cutting out squares, for another old fashioned, plain and simple colourful quilt. I love the fancy ones, but don't have the patience or skill to get them as perfect as others, so I stick to my limitations!
ReplyDeleteJust had the first heavy rain shower...
i think you will have found lots of inspiration at the NEC your work is fantastic love it..........your header is lovely if you can make pots like that i am sure you can sew some blocks too and you have a stash now !!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous quilts I can see that the patterns could easily be transformed into one of your lovely pottery pieces. I'm sure that you will be able to make a quilt, that fabric is nice and would make a lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteOoh, what stunning quilts. Glad you made it, sounds as if you had fun :D
ReplyDeleteooh the festival of quilts sounds like heaven. I love the cottage one. I am really looking forward to seeing your finished quilt.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fab time, and I'm glad you feel inspired to sew!!
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ReplyDeleteI actually enjoyed reading through this posting.Many thanks.
Leather Note Jotter
What wonderful quilts, especially the third one and the cottage one! Welcome to the quilting world :-) Be very careful, it's quite addictive you know....
ReplyDeleteSo pleased that you enjoyed your first FOQ, I hope you were inspired! - I love your pottery, and your blog - have a great weekend enjoying this wonderful change in our weather, warm autumn days are just The Best!
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ReplyDeleteHeya¡my very first comment on your site. ,I have been reading your blog for a while and thought I would completely pop in and drop a friendly note. . It is great stuff indeed. I also wanted to ask..is there a way to subscribe to your site via email?
Leather Note Jotter