Festival of Quilts

Traditionalists were seen shaking their heads at the contemporary attempt, but Laura’s piece was one of the stand-out quilts of the festival. Winner of the Quilters’ Challenge award.

Laura Kemshall, Wolverhampton
Hand piecing, appliqué, drawing and painting with free motion quilting and digital quilting/embroidery Photograph: Rob Kennard

Everyone loved the Doctor Who quilt though, made for Margaret’s grandson for a Christmas present.

Margaret Gale, Peterborough
Friends and Foes
Block appliquéd with Doctor Who characters drawn from comics and television Photograph: Rob Kennard

This group attempt was another piece that got the ladies chatting.

Tasen Quiltelag
A tribute to the Beatles
Used a number of different techniques Photograph: Rob Kennard

East London’s pearly queen was another grand group effort. The piece features several small quilts depicting life in the capital.

The Greenhill Centre
E. London
Digital photography and machine and hand embroidery Photograph: Rob Kennard

Jellied eels, anyone?

The Greenhill Centre
E. London
Digital photography and machine and hand embroidery Photograph: Rob Kennard

There was even a piece celebrating the Higgs Boson.

Rosemary Hufton, Reigate
Large Hadron Collider
Compilation of impressions and newsprint about the Cern experiment; using laminated paper pieced with screen-printed, hand-dyed and computer-printed fabrics. Photograph: Rob Kennard

Things got topical in the contemporary section, with the financial crisis represented in patchwork.

Bea Galler, Luenen, Germany
Financial Crisis - Friendship End with the Money!
Block patchwork, embellishments, quilted with package string Photograph: Rob Kennard

Alongside the more novel stuff was a massive gallery of contemporary pieces. How can anyone say that this stuff isn’t art?

Adelheid Gubser, Cornol, Switzerland
Energy
Hand appliqué, black on white cotton satin, hand-quilted, additional forms in hand echo quilting Photograph: Rob Kennard

The 3D pieces were excellent too.

Valerie Huggins, London
The Rest is Lies
Commercially printed fabrics. Machine appliqué and quilting Photograph: Rob Kennard

However, while the contemporary stuff is brilliant, it’s impossible not be impressed by the more traditional pieces …

Rita Bos-van Keulen and Emily Tate
Every Colour is Welcome
Top made on a sewing machine using every scrap from the maker’s cupboard Photograph: Rob Kennard

… and even more by the entries to the Young Quilters’ award.

Harry Lyons, Congleton
Inspiration: The lion was late for the party. He leads the parade and plays with a pearl.
Young quilters award, third place Photograph: Rob Kennard