The Festival of Quilts 2014 was bigger than ever. To see everything in the show you really need a day and a half or even two to do it thoroughly – I only had a day, which meant lots of fast walking was on the cards.
These are some photos that share the show’s atmosphere, starting with shopping, then lunch, exhibitions and quilts, demonstrations and finally a last look at the quilts before leaving. I had a wonderful day.
Shopping, Shopping, Shopping
Let’s face it, one of the main reasons for visiting the Show is for a little retail therapy!
The shopping alone takes the best part of half a day and then there are the quilts, exhibitions and demonstrations which take up the rest of the time – and at some point I had to eat too!
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| I started shopping as soon as the doors opened – it started off quiet and soon filled up! |
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| I adored these rabbits from Cool Crafting |
There’s plenty of tempting bargain fabric everywhere!
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| Fabrics Galore – A wonderful source for Liberty fabrics |
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| These Advent stockings were everywhere |
Stop for Lunch and a Catch-up
I spent the day with one of my girlfriends and arranged to meet others for tea – sharing ideas and shopping opportunities can be a blessing over a cup of tea and lunch with chums.
My favourite bit about the day is looking into each others’ shopping bags and checking out our purchases.
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| Picnic Lunch – There were more benches this year that soon filled up – it was buzzing with excited chattering |
Exhibitions
Each year new and exciting work is showcased in the Show’s exhibition spaces.
The pieces vary from quilts, embroidery to mixed media art. I visit each one in turn, chat to the artists and see if there is anything in their work that may influence my future creativity.
Sometimes its a colour, a line of stitch or the way the work has been displayed.
Artists at The Festival of Quilts
If you want to see textile artists or do a bit of Celebrity Spotting then this is the show for you.
It’s the perfect opportunity for me to buy signed books and collect workshop information for my textiles groups at home.
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| Kaffe Fasset and Bandon Mably on the Cotton Patch Stand |
Kaffe Fasset was signing his new book, surrounded by his fabrics on the Cotton Patch stand.
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| Sue Chapman |
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| Hilary Beattie |
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| The live studio of Committed to Cloth |
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| Linda Kemshall |
One Last Look
Toward the end of the day, the crowds are smaller, the coach parties have left and there’s a little more space to stand back and see the quilts. This is when I like to whizz around and have one last look at the quilts before leaving.
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| A last look at the quilts before leaving |
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| At half past five we had to leave…… |
It was an absolutely fantastic day, my feet were killing me, which is the sign of a very good day!
More blog posts to follow on the Festival of Quilts.
I’ll add a number of posts about the show, each with a different flavour.
Are you going to the next Festival of Quilts? Comment below and let me know. I might bump into you!