The Festival of Quilts 2008

The Festival of Quilts (organised with the support of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles) has earned a reputation over the past five years as the largest, most inspiring quilting event in Europe.

We are delighted to be submitting on behalf of one of our Wandsworth Fine Cell Work quilters a quilt for the event, the photo here shows a detail from it.

The design is known as Chinese Coins and the stitcher was really taken with it and anxious to make it in very bright colours. He spent a considerable amount of time piecing the panels but then completed the 'quilting' in a record time of 2 weeks, spending he says, up to 5 hours a day working on it. The quilt measures 91" by 94" and the whole process was no mean feat to complete, stitched as it was in a small shared cell.

The quilter was extremely proud of his efforts and found it hard to part with the quilt! We don't blame him.

We truly hope he wins a prize for the amazing work of art...
watch this space for news after the event is judged in late August - see www.twistedthread.com for more info.



English Heritage - Byland Abbey Inn, York

We we pleased to hear from the English Heritage last month when they got in touch to ask if we would help them find some cushions to complete the refurbishment of this Inn which was established in the twelfth century, the Inn sits quietly nestled at the foot of the rolling Hills of Hambleton in the company of the historic Byland Abbey.

As part of their refurbishment Tori Reeve, curator chose some beautiful needlepoint cushions to enhance the dining rooms and bedrooms. She said

"Because the art of needlepoint is probably as old as Byland Abbey, we thought this fine craft would certainly compliment the rest of our furnishings.

But, more than this, these lovely cushion covers have an interesting tale to tell."

On Mon 20th October 2008 from 10:30am - 4:00pm and Tue 21st October 2008, 10:30am - 3:00pm The Abbey Inn will be hosting a two day sale with Fine Cell Work in support of their work – cushions, rugs, quilts, and Christmas items. So join us for the day and start your Christmas shopping early with these beautiful hand made gifts.

The Inn will also be open for drinks and homemade cakes and sandwiches. More info will appear on our Events page soon!

For a good look around the Byland Abbey Inn, visit
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/bylandabbey
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