Back in May we launched a group design competition, in partnership with Lewis and Irene. Each group who entered was given a 10m length of the stunning ‘Down by the Riverside’ border print and the brief was to design a quilt to incorporate it. The entries were a varied and gorgeous mix of designs and choosing the winning quilts was a challenge. However, judging by the overwhelming response from visitors to the Popular Patchwork stand at The Festival of Quilts, we are confident in our final choice. Here we talk to the finalists about their experience of working as a group for this design challenge.
St Thomas Stitch and Chat
Now in its tenth year, St Thomas Stitch and Chat meet twice monthly at the vicarage in Stockton Heath. With around 20 members, ranging from their thirties to their eighties, they are grateful the vicar has lots of chairs and a very long dining table! The meetings vary and cover a variety of crafts from knitting and crochet to embroidery, cross stitch and of course patchwork and quilting.
Avid quilter, workshop teacher and founder, Joanne Ridley, shares their experience of working together on a group project for the first time: “As the leader of the group, I could see that many of the members had caught the ‘quilting bug’ and so I suggested we took part in the competition. There were eight members who wanted to join in, making a total of nine of us altogether. The other members were very supportive and we enjoyed keeping them up to date with our progress and showing them the quilt as it grew.”
“Our inspiration was taken from the flowers that grow in riverside meadows. I then designed three flower blocks and we chose ten complementary shades from the Oakshott range to match the colours in the beautiful Lewis and Irene border print. Everyone made flower blocks and if you look carefully, you will see they all include elements of the border print fussy cut within them. This and the sky fabric onto which the flowers are appliquéd, ties the blocks and border together. Meeting up over several evenings with our sewing machines, (including one hand-cranked machine!) we completed the appliqué, and once the quilt top was together I then went on to quilt it.”
“We often have a stall at our Christmas Fair so we’ve worked collaboratively on the items for that in the past, but this is the first time we’ve worked together to make one quilt. It’s a bit difficult to divide a quilt between nine people, so we’ve decided to raffle it for Church funds. But first we’re going to hang it up in church for a while so that our congregation and visitors can enjoy it when they pop in for a cup of tea at our Open Church mornings.”
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Handy Hints For Project Success
If you are new to Popular Patchwork or sewing in general, following a pattern can be confusing. We want you to enjoy making the projects in the magazine, so to help you here are some questions we regularly get asked.
Block Of The Month - Point Squares
Block Of The Month - Point Squares
Novel Stitching
This spring, Jane Austen’s House Museum will unveil a very special quilt to commemorate Jane Austin’s life at Chawton in an exhibition entitled: Piecing Together Jane Austen. Elizabeth Betts describes a year in the making.
Patchwork Of My Life Ruth Singer
Ruth Singer left a much-loved job in museum curating to follow her heart and has since become known for her amazing talents in stitching and fabric manipulation. Her recent projects have ranged from being an artist in residence and honorary fellow at Leicester University Department of Genetics to extending her Criminal Quilts project, which was originally commissioned for the Shire Hall Gallery in Staffordshire. Here we find out more about this versatile and scholarly artist.
Ruaab - A Producer Company Of Women
How a group of women in India have taken their hand sewing skills into the international marketplace.
Abigail Booth of Forest + Found
Louisa Goult talks to quilter and textile artist Abigail Booth, half of the crafts partnership Forest + Found.
Down By The Riverside Competition
Back in May we launched a group design competition, in partnership with Lewis and Irene. Each group who entered was given a 10m length of the stunning ‘Down by the Riverside’ border print and the brief was to design a quilt to incorporate it. The entries were a varied and gorgeous mix of designs and choosing the winning quilts was a challenge. However, judging by the overwhelming response from visitors to the Popular Patchwork stand at The Festival of Quilts, we are confident in our final choice. Here we talk to the finalists about their experience of working as a group for this design challenge.
Stuart's Surgery
Each month Stuart Hillard answers your quilty questions!
Q&A Amy Butler
Amy Butler is known the world over for her stunning designs that include fabrics and textiles, sewing patterns, rugs, wallpaper, and fashion. She’s also the author of many best-selling craft books including her most recent, Piece Keeping. Here she tells us how she maintains her work-life balance as she launches her new Soul Mate fabric collection.
Orange Peel
This striking modern quilt repackages a very traditional block.
Outsmart Christmas messes!
We love everything about the holidays-except the stains left in the wake of all the festive fun. Read on for easy ways to tackle tricky spots fast
CFA Christmas Traditions
Every year in the late fall, holiday traditions tumble out of attics, closets, cabinets, and corners of our minds.
A Christmas Story
A mystery turns an unassuming couple into Santa Claus
I Made a Lifetime Christmas Movie!
Over 100 made-for-TV holiday movies will premiere this season Here's what it's like to work on one.
A Christmas Cottage
as well as our A professional interior designer 2022 Brand Ambassador-gets to deck her own halls and express her cottage-meets-farmhouse style for the holidays.
O, Christmas Tree, O. Christmas Tree
Get the inside scoop on tree decorating from our tree contest winner, Neha Paroha.
A day to remember?
Secretly find yourself dreading the big set-piece dates in the calendar? You're not the only one who finds them tough, explains Anna Bartter
MIKE SOLANA WANTS YOU TO COMMIT THOUGHT-CRIMES
The Hereticon organizer on deplatforming, tribalism, and why tech dudes and journalists are natural enemies
5 Tall Evergreen Hedges
Surrounding your garden with an imposing hedge is like planting a 'neighbour' you have chosen yourself and like a lot!
2021 Gift Guide
Ideas for the tech lovers in your life