So I have been quilting now for 10 years, though by no means prolifically. On average I have stitched 2 or 3 each year for close family and friends. However looking back at 2015, all of the projects I have been involved with have been communal. I realised this is the reason why I love this particular craft so much. Quilts can grow from a single idea, shared with like-minded people. For me, much of their charm comes from the multiple personalities that piece them; individual styles collaborating to make something unique. The quilts I have helped to make have celebrated births and marriages: they have been sent to siblings separated in the care system: they have raised money...
Recently I spent a day at Aurifil HQ in Milan, invited by the very lovely Brad Mitchell who is the UK sales manager and, as it turns out, grew up just down the road from me in West Yorkshire. During my day in Saronno I learnt about the history of the company, saw the production process at the factory and planned my first collaboration with them at the Craft, Hobby and Stitch show in the UK next February (yippee). I love Aurifil thread like so many other people out there and bought my first batch from Lisa and Justine at Simply Solids who have a really good supply here in England. I not only use it for quilting but also...
From September 11th to 13th I organised an exhibition of over 35 quilts in the venue where I teach my weekly classes, Ilkley Playhouse. I did a smaller version 18 months ago to celebrate World Quilting Day but this show was more ambitious, and attracted around 500 visitors. My main incentive was to show people what a fantastic, creative community exists in and around Ilkley and also to try and dispel the myth that quilting and patchwork is outdated and uncool. Often when I speak passionately to people about quilting I know they simply don't get it, so persuading them to come along was a challenge. However, lots of people showed their support and everybody was inspired and impressed by...
