Friday 8 August 2014

Festival of Quilts

I have had a lovely day today at The Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham!  I went with the lovely Paula, and we had a great time.  It's such a big show that it's impossible to see it all in one day - well, I suppose it would be if you didn't get distracted by the shopping, but we did!  Apart from admiring all the goodies and notions on sale, we spent the bulk of our time in the traditional aisles, and were very impressed with what we saw.  Here are just a Few of the pieces which caught my eye.
 
 
The use of colour and the different border fabrics made this one a joy. 

 
Sampler quilts are a fantastic way to learn lots of techniques, but (sorry!) they can look a bit boring.  This one showcases various techniques and still manages to look interesting.

 
I was attracted to this quilt because of its Mile a Minute borders, but then, the longer we looked at it, the more we loved it.  It's made from African fabrics, and each ray of the star has diamonds of a certain colour, and then is edged with the same colour.  The quilting is simple to complement the shapes, but with variegated threads which really add something.  Gorgeous.

 
Split 9-patch with applique in the middle, rather than as a border.  Clever.

 
This was another quilt which repaid study.  The multi-coloured circles are such fun, and the way the background fabrics are light in the middle and dark round the edge add depth to the design.  And the border fabric!  Anyone else would have said it was busy enough, but the maker decided to add some applique, and quite right too.  This quilt may not be a prize-winner, but it fills my heart with joy!    

 
This was a winner in the junior section.  It was called something like flowers in the snow.  I love it, and spent a while trying to work out how it was made.  (We failed!)

 
Then the 3D section.  Or is this wearable art?  The coat looks good, but I'm not sure about the hat!

 
I've seen cars covered in patchwork, but never a garden seat.  Back view,

 
and front view.  Amazing.

 
This quilt was a testament to women.  Hooray for us!

 
And last but not least, a working grandfather clock!  How on earth did they ship it?!
Overall we loved the show, and were pleased to see such variety.  As usual, we mainly disagreed with the judges choices of winners (two layers of chiffon don't make a quilt, in our opinion) but then, that's normal!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Great photos! Looks like an interesting show this year :)

Amanda said...

Looks great! Yet another year I haven't made it. I do have the excuse of my bestest show buddy being busy with young baby now though. One day we will make it!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Looks like a good show...Hope to catch it next year... :o)

Ali H said...

Your Show report brings back happy memories of us visiting the FofQ ! Do you remember the year we got so soaked walking to the car that the seats stayed wet for days ! You seem to have found some amazing pieces to share - I LOVE the bench - but I can just hear your usual acerbic comments about the dodgier stuff ! Love Ali xx

loulee said...

Thank you for sharing. I wasn't able to attend this year! LOL

Beatrice said...

Hello,
stumbled on your blog this morning. Like it very much!
About the quilt in the junior section at the Festival of Quilts, the flowers in the snow, it reminded me of a technique used by a German quilter, Bernadette Mayr.
An example here:
http://ninispatchwork.blogspot.fr/2009/02/kurs-bei-bernadette-mayr.html
Probably taken from one of her books:Blumen-Patchwork (also published in French as Patchwork Fleuri, I have this book - somewhere)
And her site (in German) is here:
http://www.bernadette-mayr.de/
Beatrice (from France)