Christmas Quiltalong and Kilham Quilters Show

My friend QuiltSue will be hosting the latest Christmas Quiltalong on Saturday but unfortunately I won't be able to join in as I have to go to work. I decided to get ahead and start a project today - a Christmas version of the noughts and crosses cushion I saw demonstrated last week. Here's my progress so far: 4 crosses and one nought! I'm really enjoying this and I'll try to finish by the weekend.

I am also starting a couple of projects for Nel Whatmore this week in preparation for her display at the Festival of Quilts. I can't believe how lucky I am to be paid to make quilts - what a perfect job! Nel is also featured in Homestyle Sewing magazine this month and she has a competition to win £100 worth of prizes. Find out more by visiting her blog.

On Sunday I went out to visit Kilham Quilters 'Stitchcraft' show in the lovely Kilham Church.

What a treat it was! Here are just a few of the photos I took for inspiration:

There was an amazing display of work and not only quilts but embroidery and other needlecrafts too. The church was buzzing with visitors and there were sales tables, teas and cakes to temp us. Even the husbands (including mine) were impressed! This was my favourite, although it was hard to choose. It is hand sewn and composed of beautiful brightly coloured blocks:

Hubby pointed this one out:

There were all sorts of gems tucked away in every nook and cranny. Hexagons were featured in several:

 I remember seeing a pattern for a quilt similar to the one above in a magazine several years ago and loved it so much I kept the pattern with the intention of making it - I'll have to dig it out again because this one is stunning!

The last photo shows an antique quilt found by a quilter in her mother's possessions after her death. It still has the backing papers attached which were cut from letters, envelopes and a wedding invitation. What a wonderful piece of family history.

Here are a few more pics from the show:

The brown and cream quilt also has an interesting history. It was found inside a car in a breakers yard covered in oil and soaking wet before it was rescued. The rescuer has done a brilliant job of cleaning it up.

I just love local group quilt shows like this. Many people just don't know the existence of  the wealth of talent around them as quilters are, by and large, a secret army stitching away out of sight. Quilters are also such friendly and generous people. All profits from the show are going to support Kilham Church and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Well done Kilham Quilters!