If you’re a quilter, then the Festival of Quilts - four glorious, fabric-filled days - really does seem like the greatest show on earth. Those of us exhibiting are presently ‘limbering up’ for this August’s festival and possibly feeling some first-night nerves.
I’m cramming a few new things in our full-to-bursting car this year: some ‘hot off the press’ editions of my Sailing By Sampler Pattern Book...
New stand-alone patterns for my ‘Today’s Quilter’ projects, Auriculas, Sprig, Posy and Jardiniere...
A lovely new quilt pattern for the autumn, called Hazel...
New Petit Four projects, the Library Cushion and Storybook Bag...
And, last but not least, new kits...
Which has meant some rethinking of my stand to display as much as I can, including my Hearth & Home quilt which is back from its travels to the Sewing Quarter. Note to self: I still have a few props to paint...
I’ve been learning plenty of new things as I’ve prepared for this year’s Festival, a lot of them the hard way. Wholesale fabric takes longer than you think - or should that be, longer than I thought - to arrive and finding just the right sized bags for packaging also takes an age. All while working on Christmas commissions (really) and writing new patterns.
There has also been a fair bit of wobbling as I’ve tried to learn said skills. But I’ve been grateful to have a brilliant ‘safety net’ of people: my lovely (reassuring) friend Suzanne, who owns our local quilt shop, Felt Sew Woolly; my amazing printer, Amanda, from BPG; and my marvellous Moda rep, Steve, from Winbourne Fabrics.
I've been utterly distracted at times, which has meant some radio silence here and on Instagram while I trimmed and folded ALL the things ;-) But I can't wait to share all these new goodies with you at Festival and in the shop. Now to start painting those props...
Nicola xx