Conference lectures

At conference I've enjoyed so many lectures such as a talk on fabric manufacture by Cindy an owner of Riley Blake and one on improv. quilting by Janet Bottomley (the quilt world is full of Janets and Jans) who is coming to  Oast next year. The delightful Margaret Boe gave a very amusing talk structured on quilts reflecting months of the year.

Riley Blake tlk

Quatrefoil pattern made by Cindy

Lori Holt pattern and  her Riley Blake fabrics

From Margaret Boe's talk

Margaret Boe's summer beach huts

Susan Briscoe's Sashiko talk with illustrations from her Japan contacts

Susan Briscoe's talk

The sampler to be completed before becoming
accredited Sashiko teacher Japanese style.

Improvisational quilts by Janet Bottomley

Quilters' Guild Conference Civic Centre Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The venue

We're staying five nights here in Newcastle though the Conference is only five days as we want to fit in other venues. Thursday was a lovely when we walked round Durham where we met at the university. I also got to the Laing Art Gallery in a break and thought the Sean Scully exhibition could have been a quilt show (though a very clever quilter). When the conference ends this lunchtime we'll go along the Quay and over the iconic Millennium bridge to the Baltic gallery.
 The reproduction of the 1718 silk coverlet was on display and I made one of the pink hourglass blocks.

The coverlet

Detail 

Sean Scully exhibition gallery

Painting by Sean Scully

Last from the April Retreat

Detail of Julie's

Miriam's ber

Jackie's

Detail

Heather's siblings together quilt

Detail

Miriam's seaside hanging

Carrie's

Detail

Cathy's wedding ring in progress

Cathy's: detail

Yvette;s minions

Kathy's tumblers

Ka

Julie's

More retreat projects and a piece of cake!

Julie's Hunter's Star

Yvette's from a schnibbles book. made entirely while we were there.

Detail

Afternoon cake

I think this was Debbie's and it's made from a lovely jelly roll

Isabels second of a pair of small quilts for two sisters.

More from the retreaters

As time went on projects appeared thick and fast.

This is a baby quilt made by Isabel

Instantly recognisable as one of Heather's

Detail

Quilted by Mandy

Margaret;s graphic red and white

Sue's bunting

Applique designed by Michelle Hill  bought by Miriam in Australia after the death of the person who made it.

From Carrie

Thelma's

Kathy's Stonefield

Kathy's  beautiful blocks prompted three of my friends to  embark on their own versions of this quilt and now Kathy is working on finishing hers though not the full version as that is too large for her bed.

Looking good

I do love the kangaroo

Detail

Detail: what a jolly rabbit!

Projects from the retreaters

This s Miriam's hand sewn piece beauifully done

 handsewn piece

Detail

Debbie's

Mandy's for a child with farming connections, immaculately pieced.

Detail

Miriam's again - love the border choice

Cthy's blocks made i  a FMQ class which she is combining into a quilt

Detail of Cathy's block

Another FMQ bock

Detail