Workshops at FoQ, UK

[Hannelore N.]

I guess I'm a 'Workshop Tart'. I just can't resist them. I only started quilting in 2002, and so I have a lot of catching up to do. So, this year was especially busy, because on top of what I had booked for myself I inherited one workshop from a friend whose mother wasn't able to come, and one ticket for a lecture from another friend who went home early. So, here goes (sorry, long!):

3 hour workshop with Frieda Anderson, cutting and fusing a picture with leaves, using her beuatiful hand-dyed fabric. This was a lot of fun. No ruler, no sewing. I walked away with a piece I like. It now needs sandwiching, quilting, etc. I'll definitely use this technique again for anything 'arty'. Frieda was an excellent teacher.

90 minutes about how to use jelly roles with a very enthusiastic lady from Ireland (runs The Fennel Shed), Gabrielle Grant. This was a design demonstration. Watching her play with shapes that were cut from a jelly roll, got everybodys brain cells working and coming up with possible layouts for quilts using these rolls.

3 hour workshop with Amy Butler: This was great fun. I had been wondering if it would be worth it, because the materials list was long and the stuff on it expensive, but I walked away with one almost finished cushion cover and enough materials to make another one at home. Most of you will know how to do this, but it was new to me: I learned how to sew in a zip. I was very impressed by Amy. Her preparation was superb. She had a sample for every step of the process of making these cushion covers, and each step had notes pinned to it so she didn't forget to mention this, that, and another. I also heard from friends that the lecture she gave was brilliant.

Full day workshop with Pauline Barnes: We started with a 36x36 quilt sandwich and designed our own quilting and embellishments. Once the whole piece was done, a pattern was used to cut out pieces and turn this unique quilted fabric into a large and very attractive bag.

Lecture with Yoshiko Jinzenji: If you haven't seen her work, then go and look for it. It's amazing! Her work will leave future generations speechless, I'm sure.

90 minutes with Pam Neeve: Fast and furious little workshop making a small bag that stands up by itself, so you could use it for reels of cotton, make-up, whatever. A lot of the preparation had been done, like cutting out the fabric pieces, so it was easy to finish the bag. I kept showing off my 'wee bag' to friends for the rest of the day.

I'll let you know when I have managed to put pictures of all my brilliant pieces somewhere.

That's it for this year. Next years dates for FoQ are 19th to 22nd of August. I have booked my hotel already.

Lorchen

[Pam D.]

Lorchen, You obviously had a great time. I look forward to seeing the finished articles. I didn't get to FOQ this year, but maybe we can get together next August. Pam

[Pam D.]

Looks like you had a great time. Super opportunity to do workshops withou having to drag your machine along. I only manage three as my sessions on the Little gems stand limited me. Did Ghost Images with Pat archibald, a machined book cover with Edwina Mackinnon and Shibori Dyeing with Janice Gunner. All very worthwhile.

Maggi