The Quilt Museum

A couple of weeks ago DH and I ventured up to York to visit the Quilt Museum which will sadly be closing later this year.  Their last major exhibition is Ancestral Gifts and is running until 5 September.  The patron of the Quilters Guild, Kaffe Fassett, selected 15 quilts from The Quilters’ Guild Collection dating from 1780 to 1949, and created 15 new pieces in response to them.  The exhibition space at the museum had been renovated over the winter closure and looked wonderful.  Kaffe Fassett had encouraged the Guild to have the walls painted grey instead of white and this tone really set off the quilts.

I've always loved this beautiful space even though it may not have been ideal for its purpose as an exhibition space.  

This beautiful quilt below received a bright and modern re-interpretation.

The Elderton Log Cabin quilt inspired the colourful quilt below it.


  

Side by side below, a bed quilt and Kaffe's version on the wall above it.  

As well as the quilts Kaffe had provided some of his beautiful embroidered clothing:

 I am so in awe of the stitching on this jacket.  I can recognise some of the vintage fabrics that underlie the stitching.  Wonderful!

You may recognise the photographer who saw a creative opportunity in the design wall and fabric squares.

There is still time to visit this interesting exhibition and if you've never visited the Quilt Museum now is almost your last chance.  It is a beautiful building and I will be sorry not to be able to visit it in the future.  There will be one more exhibition after the Kaffe finishes and the museum closes for good on 31 October.  It sits in beautiful grounds nestled below a section of city walls, with a stylish restaurant on the same site and an art gallery too.

Mixed Bag

Yesterday I travelled up from Grantham and my bezzy mate Ann travelled from Macclesfield and we met up at the Quilt Museum in York to view the latest exhibitions. I always look forward to visiting the museum in its beautiful building and the current exhibitions made the trip well worthwhile.  The 'Celebrating Diversity' collection made for stimulating and enjoyable viewing and the miniatures displayed in the Barbara Bailey gallery had us marvelling at the precision and intricacy of the work.  The whole exhibition was topped off by a beautiful exhibiton of strip quilts inspired by the Seaside (please excuse me for failing to note the Region number of the group responsible, I really should have made notes.)

We were greeted by very enthusiastic and welcoming volunteers, one of whom went out of her way to get me permission to take a flash-free photo of the 'Celebrating Diversity', made up of 60 squares by Contemporary Quilt Group members and which I was proud to say includes my own square.  It is undoubtedly the only time one of my quilts, albeit small, will appear at the Quilt Museum. 

In case you've forgotten or not seen it this is my contribution to the Celebrating Diversity (on a theme of what is Britishness')

Oops!  This is the unfinished version!

That's better!  This is the finished version.

I was going to post the photo I took yesterday but as I don't know all the artists involved I think I had better not, especially as the quilt was hanging in a gallery where photography is not usually allowed.

On Monday we had our monthly quilt group meeting and had a very pleasant, friendly evening.  We were talking about things we might do at future meetings and Frankie showed us several versions of a project which makes use of the various stitches on your sewing machine.

I think the material had been painted or dyed beforehand and then machine and hand stitches were added.  I rarely use the pattern stitches on my machine and I'm looking forward to having a play with this project which can then be used as a book cover, bag front, cushion front or mounted on a canvas, or for anything else that strikes you.

 This was the view from our lunchtime cafe in York yesterday on a very wet day.  Will we ever get any summer this year?!

Life's a bit quiet blogwise at the moment fo rwhich I apologise.  I've been really busy finishing the quilt for Festival, stitching UFO's which still are, and working on a piece for the latest International Quilt Challenge Group challenge which is on a theme of' landmarks'.  The deadline is this Sunday and I am certain I will not get the full piece finished but I am going to crack on and do my best.

  

Ok So Who Stole September?

There was I saying we're suddenly in September and before I can look round we're nearly through it!  I have been very remiss in not blogging but I have several excuses/reasons which I won't bore you with.  The main reason is that I have been having very aggravating problems with my internet connection and also with Firefox.  I have now resorted to Internet Explorer so let's see if I can get a post up on that.

Where to begin?  I have been trying manically to catch up on two projects that I should have been well on with by now.  The first is the Journal Quilts for June to September for the Contemporary Quilt Group which is part of the Quilters Guild of Great Britain.  (Have you voted yet for them in the Lottery Awards?)  I have kept going round in circles trying to decide what to do and made a start on some pieced letters but found it took an awful lot of time.  for what it's worth I'll show you my effort.

I used some randomly pieced squares that I had made previouls but found it taxed my little brain to devise the letters.  In case it's not clear to you the quilt above should spell out 'Barcelona'.

Having decided this was going to take too long I got a sudden flash of inspiration after reading Quilting Arts for August/September and this article by Jennifer Solon.



Jennifer's method is to make collages from paper and fabric onto a felt base.  Collage I can do so I set to and had a play.

Sadly I forgot to take any photos before I cut my base up (I started with a 20"ish square and made 4 separate collages over a bondaweb surface.  Above is one of the collages before I trimmed it down with some of the adjacent collage to the left.

This is the JQ for June and apart form satin stitching the edge it is finished.

This one is centred around a fabric postcard that I received in a swap and I am just going to satin stitch this one too (after adding a backing).

The two final quilts shown above need further work and I am planning to add some paint and maybe some printing.  I have to have them finished by the end of this week as I won't have full computer access next week and the deadline is the end of the month.

I have really enjoyed making these collages and have Jennifer Solon to thank for getting my creativity moving again.  I did say after FOQ that I was going to make a collage a day but I haven't even managed one a week since then!

As well as leaving my JQs till the last minute (no change there then) I have to complete a challenge piece for a new group I have joined.  The theme is 'Light and Shadow' and while I had plenty of ideas written on a mind map my first effort has had to be shelved as it involved a lot of hand stitching and my hands complained.  That piece will now have to be a long term, sew for half an hour every day or so, project.  Instead I have decided to work with my embellisher which is much easier on the hands and I am making progress.  Fingers crossed I may just be ready for the reveal on Friday.

The trouble with not blogging for a fortnight is you forget what you've been doing (it's my age!)  I did have a very sweet surprise though on Saturday.  The very lovely Dilly sent me a funny card to cheer me up.  How did she know?

Dilly is a very speshol wagon (dragon) and lives in Colchester with Bob T Bear Esq.   Don't you love the magic of blogland with friends who think of you when they have their own worries to contend with?  Thank you Dilly :-) Mweah!

I have been spending quite a bit of time trying to sort out the chaos that is my home and workroom and I think I can actually see light at the end of the tunnel.  I had great plans to spend the summer dyeing and printing but the transfer of Mum's belongings and Mum herself put those plans on the 'back burner'.  There's nothing like clearing out someone's house for making you look at your own quagmire and we have been ridding out cupboards and shelves to try and create some more usable storage space.  I doubt I will get it sorted completely this month but I'm getting there. 

Well, while I'm winning I'll hit the publish button and hope Blogger doesn't eat this post.  If you are waiting to receive some lace doillies from me I haven't forgotten, I will be getting them in the post soon.  I have been having trouble getting my comments posted on your blogs so apologies for that.    Apparently Blogger thinks I'm not qualified to log in even though I already am and have been reading the blogs.  Go figure!

PS Downton Abbey is back! Yay!!!

PPS By the way, did you see the Lottery show last night?  In case you didn't and in case you haven't voted yet would you please go here and vote for the Folding the Quilts Project in the Final of the National Lottery Awards.  The Quilt Museum in York is through to the final and is in the running to win funds to promote its educational and volunteer project.  This is not just a project for quilters but can have far reaching benefits in the wider community.  If you've already voted, thank you!  The vote closes midday on 26 September so click here and vote! 



Thank you's

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who left me 'Happy Birthday' messages here and on Facebook.  I felt really spoilt having so many lovely messages.  That is one of the wonderful benefits to participating in the network of blogging and communicating via Facebook.  

I had a lovely day on my birthday.  My friend Ann and I repeated last year's birthday visit to the Quilt Museum in York.  The two exhibitions on at the moment and until 29 August are 'Celebrations' and 'Made inYorkshire' and both are interesting and stimulating.  Sadly no photography is allowed but do go and see the exhibitions if you get the chance.  I was particularly struck by the work of Carol Coleman who is a textile artist and whose work defies belief.  You can see an image of the piece displayed at York here.   If the link doesn't work just check out Carol's gallery.

The work of Caroline Dunn also impressed me.  Her mixed media textile pieces are layered and include stitched detail and have a beautiful atmosphere to them.  If you follow the link and scroll down you will see some of her work including the piece with crows which is in the exhibition.

As you might expect birthday outings call for a little retail therapy.  My dear DH gave me some money to treat myself with and it would have been churlish of me not to make the best effort for him ;-)

I didn't go too mad, did I?  I couldn't resist the batiks and I am planning to use the postbox fabric for a pennant for the Olympics.  If you haven't heard of this idea yet there is still time to join in.  I will be adding a link in my sidebar to the Quilts 4 London site where you can find full details of how to make a pennant which will be given to one of the competitiors in the London Olympics 2012.  I haven't decided what I will do yet but it is top of my to-do list.

My dear friend Ann thoroughly spoilt me with her birthday present:

She made me this beautiful sewing pouch which will be a pleasure to take with me whenever I want to take a portable sewing project.  It is so beautifully made and has some beautiful beaded details.  I believe the pattern came from a Popular Patchwork magazine.  And what about that gorgeous batik?!!!  The piece on the left is so vibrant and  I will have to find a special project for it.  Maybe another Round Robin, which is where I used the last piece Ann gave me.

The crowning glory of my birthday was a very special card from my mum.  My DH made her one of his lovely photo cards for me and expected that he would have to write it for her but she took the pen and wrote me the most beautiful message.  I have to admit it brought me to sobbing tears as the last time she wrote a card, for her brother, she got the words all jumbled but this time everything was in the right order.  My DH tells me the only word she asked him how to spell was 'my'! 

Since last week we have been busy clearing some of the things from my friend Grace's house so things have been very hectic.  I have found quite a lot of vintage linens and lace so I will show you those another time.  It is a sad task but we keep finding things that bring back happy memories amongst the sad moments and I have found some wonderful photographs dating back more than a hundred years.

I can't resist showing you this beautiful embroidery

Sadly I don't know who the embroiderer was.  Grace would have been 27 at this time and busy working but maybe she stitched it.  Funnily enough we never really discussed embroidery when she was alive so it may have been her mother's work.  More to come next time!

Please help!

The Quilt Museum in York, UK, is hoping to benefit from Lottery funding and has been short-listed to the semi-final of the National Lottery Awards.  You can help by voting and getting The Quilt Museum through to the final of the Lottery Awards with exposure on national TV.  The Quilt Museum have explained it so much better than I can so I'll let you read what they have to say:

"Our project “Unfolding the Quilts”, based at the Quilt Museum and Gallery, has reached the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards, the annual search to find Britain’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

The Heritage Lottery grant supports our work with volunteers and in education and outreach. The grant has enabled The Quilters’ Guild to open the Quilt Museum and Gallery, creating wider public access to our collection of over 800 historic and contemporary quilts. 

Over 30,000 people have visited the Quilt Museum and Gallery since opening in 2008 and this would not have been possible without the support of volunteers stewarding the exhibitions, helping with education events and working behind the scenes. Volunteers have been able to learn about the Collection and learn new skills. Others have practiced their own sewing skills making items in support of exhibitions. 

The Museum and Gallery’s education programme has enabled over 7000 adults and children to learn and develop practical sewing skills and to learn about the history, art and craft of patchwork and quilting. We have worked with a wide variety of people including school groups, children and young people, young mothers, people in hospital, elderly people in care homes and others from across the community.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are competing against nine other projects to be voted the

‘Best Heritage Project’ and if we reach the final, our project,

- and the Quilt Museum and Gallery – will be featured on BBC 1. 

This would be tremendous publicity for quilting and for the Quilt Museum and Gallery. "

So please, click on the button in my side-bar or here and make your vote and get all your friends to vote too.  We're all being encouraged to get back to traditional skills including 'Make do and Mend' and if you have any interest in anything remotely connected to stitching, textile arts or quilting the Quilt Museum needs your vote!  Voting is open until midday 20 June but don't wait, vote now!  Thank you :-)

Alicia Merrett Workshop and more blogging friends

The Quilt Museum in York currently has a great exhibition on until 3 July (well, 2 actually) and I arranged to go up and see it and to meet up with Sandra who blogs as The Dyer's Hand and a friend of hers, Penny, who I hadn't met before.  Luckily for me Sandra happened to mention that Alicia Merrett was running a workshop in the morning of our planned visit (today).  I contacted the Museum and was delighted to find that there were places available.  I could not believe that a two and a half hour workshop, including admission to the exhibition, was only going to cost me £10!!  If you live within travelling distance of the Quilt Museum it's worth checking out their website for workshops.  Even if you are not an actual quilter you can still acquire very useful skills for textile artwork.  

Our two and a half hours were packed with tuition from Alicia on the theme of ' Fine Line Magic'. Alicia's work includes quilts which look like beautiful aerial maps with suggestions of fields and demarcations. 

These fine curved lines that make up the walls, hedges, rivers etc in her work were the subject of our workshop.  The method for making these lines was surprisingly straightforward although my poor confused brain did struggle just a little as we were working fairly quickly. 

You'll have to excuse the rough edges but this is just a sample but you can see the general idea.  You can see that some of the lines are indeed very fine and narrow and with a little more finesse and thought there are many directions that I can take this technique.  I made a couple more samples and will be carrying on with these pieces to make a larger piece so I'll post about that when I get it done.  

Quite a few years ago, when I was painting regularly, I made a small watercolour painting based on a photograph in National Geographic of an aerial view of an island off the coast of Ireland.

I would love to turn this little painting into a textile piece and hopefully, with Alicia's helpful instructions, I may be able to realise that ambition........but not till I've finished my Festival of Quilts entry!   

After the workshop I met up with Sandra and Penny and had a lovely chat and catch up and then got treated to a demonstration by Alicia to reinforce the morning's workshop.  I also had the chance to look at the Breakthrough exhibition which was truly inspiring.  Similarly to the exhibition at Quiltfest in Wales of one half of the Breakthrough quilts (which had all been made by members of the Contemporary Quilt Group of the Quilters Guild) the quilts were accompanied by samples detailing how the quilts were made. This is such a valuable addition to an exhibition as the structure of a quilt is always fascinating.  Unfortunately the Quilt Museum doesn't allow photographs so I can't show you any details.  However you can see Sandra's Breakthrough quilt here and Tina Slipper's entry here. Cath Stonard had an amazing quilt titled Kisses on Concrete which really grabbed my imagination.  You need to see it close to to appreciate the texture in all the little 'kisses'.  Liz Drake's 'Chesil' caught my eye, as did Mags Ramsey's Bexhill Breakwaters (hope I've got that right). Mags has included a lot of detail on her blog of how she achieved her quilt.  There are so many beautiful quilts in this exhibition so do go and see it if you can.

Ok, enough blogging without pictures!  Look what I received in the post this week

This lovely mixed media postcard is from Emma who blogs as A Little Bit of Everything The postcard is on a paper base and includes fabric, woven ribbon, collage, printing, stamping and stitching.  Emma reaches the big Five-O in June and decided to offer to swap postcards with 50 bloggers.  She has been much quicker off the mark than me and I have to get busy and make my card for her now that I have received her card.  Every time I look at Emma's card I see something new.  It's a lovely card for my collection.  Thank you Emma. :o)