Yesterday I took the train to Birmingham to spend the day at Festival of Quilts and what a day I had! It was a long day but a full one, as not only had I planned to take plenty of time to look around the exhibitions and stands, but I’d also booked tickets for an afternoon lecture with Kaffe Fassett and the evening fashion show; Wearable art from around the world.
Here is a small glimpse of my day viewing the exhibition quilts and tomorrow I’ll share some of the stands I saw including the Virtual Studio, I’ll also write about the Kaffe Fassett lecture I attended which was the highlight of my day.
Crossroads: A Middle Eastern Festival
This exhibition is a ‘preview’ of a display that will be shown at the Festival of Quilts next year and features work from quilters who either live or have lived in the Middle East. There were several standout pieces from this exhibition, I have chosen just a couple here that I particularly liked but I can’t wait to see the full show at next year’s show.
In the eyes of a donkey by Christine Plowman, 2009
In the eyes of a donkey, detail
Mirhab by Hossam al Farouk, 2013
In the Spotlight from the Quilters’ Guild: Underground
I was very drawn to the Quilters’ Guild exhibition as it reminded me of my recent trip to London and the London Transport Museum. I’m fascinated by the artwork that has been used for London Underground posters and this collection of quilts was a pleasure to view. All of the pieces chosen for this exhibition show the emerging talent of the ‘rising stars’ from the Guild’s regions.
Mind the Gap by Stephanie Crawford
Der Dah Whoosh by Linda Onions
What’s your line? by Fiona Macaulay Davies
Subterranean Souls by Dot Carter
U is for Underground by Johanna Gardner
Mandy Pattullo: Thread and Thrift
The selection from Mandy Pattullo was my favourite of all the exhibitions. Mandy is a textile artist and teacher from Northumberland who refashions and reuses old quilts into new patchwork. I love these new pieces she has created from these worn and used quilts, especially the clothes pieces which have been embellished with appliqué and embroidery.
Blue and White Quilted Dress, 2010
Strippy Quilted Skirt, 2010
Red Diamonds Quilted Skirt, 2012
Patchwork Quilted Skirt, 2012
Stable Girl detail, 2010
The Festival of Quilts finishes tomorrow at the NEC in Birmingham, I would highly recommend a visit, even if you can just go for just the last day. I managed to fit in a lot in just 6 hours but I could have easily spent a few days enjoying all of the exhibitions, stands and demonstrations.
WoW! Fabulous stuff. Thanks for sharing these Sarah :) Kx
You’re welcome Kylie, there was so much more I could have written about though, the show was brilliant this year! :)