Fresh Inspiration

Went to the Quilt Festival at Farfield Mill just outside of Sedburgh in Cumbria. We left home in bright sunlight but by the time we hit the motorway the fog decended and as we approached Richmond (N.Yorks one) it was so thick we could hardly see the road ahead.  We were both getting a bit apprehensive as we knew the drive a head was along country roads, very windy in places and also quite narrow.  When suddenly we drove into bright sunlight again and it remained that way for the whole of the journey.

Farfield Mill is a small weaving mill now restored and used as a museum that holds various country craft festivals, workshops and demonstrations.  If you are in the area it is well worth a visit, even just to see the artifacts in the Museum shop.

There were several small quilt exhibitions on the four floors of the mill, each different from the last.  There was a video running showing Pauline Burbidge creating her Lindisfarne quilts and her method of working.  I found this video fascinating and very instructive.  Quilt Art where showing 'Voices' pieces and the Cumbrian members of the QGBI also had a small exhibition on "The Act of Layering". Outside the Cafe Effie Gallertly's quilted landscapes were hung and in various places in the mill were other exhibits.

Now for some of the photos, I couldn't take many as in several rooms they weren't allowed, but....

Lyn Anderson's piece on Cumbria was brilliant, I just loved everything about it pity the photo doesn't do it justice but you get the idea.   Lyn was one of the Cumbrian quilters and I hope she forgives me for showing her quilt here but its too good to hide.

Kathy Edgar's "After the Storm" was also one of my favourite pieces this lady too is one of the Cumbrian quilters.

Val Jackson (England) piece was called "Does he Waltz" and it has amazing detail on it.  This is from the Voices exhibition.

I also enjoyed Charlotte Yade (Denmark) piece Wrapped" there is so much texture in the printing on this pieces.  I would be happy if one day I could get any texture in my printed pieces let alone a whole wallhanging.

One of the exhibits on the 4th floor was a quilt made by Ann Bigland, a bedridden lady who lived in Burnside near Kendal in 1886.  The quilt is made from 5,760 hand pieced pieces.  The strips are small, approximately half/three quarter inch strips (just a guess).

There was plenty for Keith to see too as the Museum shop had lots of wooden bowls, which he inspected with relish.