Applique Quilts with an English country theme
Appliqué Quilts, especially Baltimore Album Quilts are always ‘show-stoppers’ at Quilt events. Inspired by these quilts I have created a range of designs which give an English twist to this American quilt tradition. Through my workshops and lectures, I have discovered that many quilters (and would be quilters) are also intrigued by the Baltimore Album Quilts and want to learn more about Hand Appliqué. Not all quilts need to be speed stitched and its very relaxing to create something ‘by hand’.
Check out the Gallery page to see some of my quilts and About Shirley to find out more.
My book the 'The Applique Garden' proved to be a great favourite for appliqué lovers. It is full of techniques and tips to help you master hand applique. Sadly the book is now out of print but the good news is that I am now working on a new one to be published later in 2012.
Here are some photos of my travels in the past few years and the wonderful quilters I have met en route!
Leaving snow bound Uk I received a warm welcome from Mercy and Jim Savage, my generous hosts during my stay in Miami, Florida. The Ocean Waves Guild celebrated its 25th Anniversary in January 2010 and I was invited as the Guest Speaker at the anniversary luncheon. This was a great honour and it was wonderful to meet such an enthusiastic group of quilters at this special occasion. To mark the event, members were invited to make a quilt on the theme of '25'. A small group of members decided to make 25 charity quilts - a tremendous achievement and a true reflection of the guild's founding vision of friendship, service and love of all things 'Quilt'. I was able to meet many of the members at the workshops I taught during my visit where we learnt some new applique techniques and dimensional flowers. Maybe some of my English flowers do not grow in Florida but in fabric they will survive! However I am envious of the lush tropical vegetation and exotic flowers, not to mention the blue skies I found in Miami and the Florida Keys. Inspiration for future designs perhaps?
Demonstrating ideas for dimensional flowers at the Ocean Waves, Saturday Workshop.
A happy group of stitchers in Mercy Savage's (2nd left) well equiped, spacious workroom. 'Summetime' was the chosen one day class project where we learnt about the mysteries of overlays, 'fussy cutting', unit applique, padded applique, rose shading and tiny yo-yo flowers etc....... but we all kept smiling! Seriously, it was a lot of fun if a little intense and I look forward to seeing some photos of completed projects (no pressure!!)
Something new for 2009!
Poolside stitching and relaxing at Le Vieux Monastere
Le Vieux Monastere in South West France was the splendid location for a Hand Appliqué course I tutored September 5 - 11 2009. Our hosts, Graham and Christine Doves call these breaks 'French Treats' and that's exactly what they are. Besides daily workshops there were trips to Saintes ( where we found a quilt shop!) and Cognac as well as a visit to a nearby chateau. We called in on a local cognac producer and the tasting was held in a beautiful old building bedecked with a rampant passion flower. Inspiration for an appliqué design?
Accommodation was in very well furnished cottages and delicious meals were cooked by Christine. So students had plenty of time to learn, stitch, explore and relax in beautiful surroundings and in great company.
The next quilting course at Le Vieux Monstere will be in June 2010 when Sandi Lush will be the tutor for her speciality - Hand Quilting.
For further information visit www.levieuxmonastere.com
Margaret, Martine and Sara busy in class
BOOK SIGNING!
I gave a short presentation illustrated with examples of my quilts at The Village Quilter, Mount Holly, New Jersey on Saturday Feb 7th 2009. It was wonderful to share some of my quilts and tips with enthusiastic customers. Although a small shop it has a great stock of fabrics and notions. Susan di Bartolo and her staff gave a great welcome.
Demonstrating some of the finer points of hand appliqué!
Susan and I surrounded by some of the beautiful shop quilt samples
Trying to buy in the USA?
These shops may be able to help
Pennington Quilt Works NJ (6097374321) (www.penningtonquilts.com)
Cottage Quilts (www.cottage-quilts.com).
Quilt Mercantile, 215 Highway 69 North, Celeste Texas 75423 (quiltmercantile215@msn.com)
Shiisa Quilts, 2536 W Industrial Park Dr, Suite 5, Bloomington IN 47404 www.shiisaquilts.com
Looking for classes in the USA?
The annual Elly Sienkiewicz Appliqué Academy ® held in February in Williamsburg is a very special event for all appliqué enthusiasts. Here are the designs which were stitched with enthusiasm by my wonderful students in 2009. Patterns for the designs are now available so do please contact me if you would like more information as they are not available in the normal way through the Pattern Section on the website.
Wildflower Basket (New version)
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Summertime
I have made this block into a bordered wall quilt and the pattern contains full instructions for making up the complete quilt. (See photo above of workshop in Miami). If you would like to order the pattern. (Price £6.50/$10) please e-mail
Spring Glade
The Patterns page has details of the Country Pleasure pattern range. The good news is that I now have Paypal facilities so I can accept international orders. Patterns and books can also be ordered direct from me. Just e-mail me with your requests if you prefer not to use Paypal. In addition there are shops (including on-line) which stock some of my patterns and the book. See the Links Page for details. If you have any problems in ordering patterns or my book The Applique Garden, please e-mail me at shirley@shirleybloomfield.co.uk
SPECIAL OFFER!
International orders for three or more patterns qualify for an extra pattern free . Place your order in the normal way but - e-mail me with your choice of extra free pattern (or leave the choice to me) so you don't get charged.
Some of my workshop travels in the past!
Wildflower baskets abound in sunny Châteauponsac at La Maison du Patchwork, June 2006!
Wildflower Baskets proudly displayed by my students at
The Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy (Williamsburg, VA 2009). We all had a wonderful time at this truly unique event for lovers of hand appliqué.
Jan Crane, owner of Pennington Quilt Works, New Jersey, looks on as I prepare for my lecture and book signing at the shop, Feb 2007.
Coffee break with a group in Dooks, Ireland October 2006
Good luck with all your appliqué projects!
Shirley Bloomfield |
