Over 800 quilts to see but helping on the Creative Quilting stand meant that time to enjoy this was limited: two of the winning entries that caught my eye was the Traditional Quilt category won by Philippa Naylor – stunning appliqué and free motion quilting.
and the Quilt creations category won by an amazing grandfather clock – so much detail that you would need a whole day to look at this properly;
this category was sponsored by Vivebooks who are the publishers of a new E-book by Chris Porter entitled Sensational Circle Quilts. This is now available through the shop as a CD and soon as a download.
Several of our contributors were busy in the Quilting in Action section: Angela Madden showed Valerie her very useful feathering tool which allows you to design your own feather wreaths and other shapes –always a traditional favourite and Karin Hellaby has a new book out Sew Simple Hexi-flowers perfect for all those who like handpiecing and as always such a clever idea- both available in the shop
Hilary Beattie was beavering away with her paints and textile stuff (staying quite clean when Valerie wandered by ): she and Jenny Rolfe have a new book of inspiration as well as a couple of delightful little kits to make hanging Goony bird decorations – all available in the shop
Aurifil were there launching their new 12wt floss (sold out at the show!) together with Shena Norquay – whose lovely work incorporating stitching using this was on display
Pauline Ineson has a new bag kit, tissue holders and sampler pattern to share.(available through the shop)
Linda Seward was there with her new book: The Ultimate Guide to Art Quilting – amazingly comprehensive with over 1000 step-by-step illustrations, and is a must-have for your reference library – complete with projects. (watch out for a free giveaway later in the year)
Jamie at Colouricious was selling out fast with her range of alphabet block stamps –available in a variety of fonts – as well as the new must-have toy for textile designers – the Gelliplate. www.colouricious.com
And Parrs-Reel Ruler is a new idea for those whose free-motion quilting needs some help – a range of thick perspex rulers that have a cutout into which the specially adapted free-motion foot will be guided:
