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A California Quilter Crosses the Pond: Part 2–A Feast of Stitching Inspiration (+ Giveaway)


The jet lag may be history, but I’m still bubbling with inspiration from my recent “holiday” in the UK. In addition to the Autumn Quilt Festival Malvern, which I shared in my Tuesday post, the trip provided a feast of ideas for future stitching projects. Sunday saw us off to London with our hosts Neil and Chris Porter.


Off to London, via Paddington Station!

Off to London, via Paddington Station!


Of course, we took tons of photos, including the expected . . .


The gates of Buckingham Palace

The gates of Buckingham Palace



Big Ben towering over the Houses of Parliament

Big Ben towering over the Houses of Parliament


. . . but there was plenty of the unexpected, too. Look here, look there–ideas for stitching everywhere! We hadn’t even left the station before the show began. The gorgeous archways and metalwork of Paddington Station were rife with potential for applique and quilting.


Paddington Station

Paddington Station


Once on the street, the show continued.


Wouldn't this make a great quilting or border design?

Wouldn’t this make a great quilting or border design?


And then, of course, the museums . . .


More inspiring metalwork in the Victoria & Albert Museum

More inspiring metalwork in the Victoria & Albert Museum



I can see the beginnings of a Modern Quilt in these stained glass windows at the V&A.

I can see the beginnings of a Modern Quilt in these stained glass windows at the V&A.



Medallion inspiration; one of many beautiful mosaic floors at the V&A. Note the tiny nine patches.

Medallion inspiration; one of many beautiful mosaic floors at the V&A. Note the tiny nine patches.



Here's another.

Here’s another.



Looking for a border?

Looking for a border?



How about this one?

How about this one?



There's patchwork inspiration in the floors at the V&A as well.

There’s patchwork inspiration in the floors at the V&A as well.



More from the V&A

More from the V&A



Another border idea

Another border idea


Later in the week, we ventured out deep into the Cotswolds, for a day at Sudeley Castle, (final home and resting place of Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII) and another through the Mendips for visit to the historic–and exquisite–Wells Cathedral.


Medieval ruins on the site of Sudeley

Medieval ruins on the site of Sudeley



Reflecting pool at Sudeley, near the chapel housing the tomb of Katherine Parr

Reflecting pool at Sudeley, near the chapel housing the tomb of Katherine Parr



Wells Cathedral, west view

Wells Cathedral, west view



Vicars' Close, Wells

Vicars’ Close, Wells


There was lots to inspire at both . . .


The incredible vaulted ceiling at the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral

The incredible vaulted ceiling at the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral



Worn gray cobblestones in a grassy green grid; more Modern Quilt inspiration?

Worn gray cobblestones in a grassy green grid; more Modern Quilt inspiration?



Late flowers bloom in the gardens at Sudeley

Late flowers bloom in the gardens at Sudeley



Recreation of a Roman mosaic on the Sudeley grounds

Recreation of a Roman mosaic on the Sudeley grounds



More patchwork floors to inspire, this one at Sudeley

More patchwork floors to inspire, this one at Sudeley


When it comes to the relationship between tile floors and quilts, I couldn’t have had a better guide than my hostess, Chris Porter. Chris has made dozens (hundreds?) of quilts based on the decorative floor tiles not only of the UK, but throughout Europe as well.


Chris with her quilt Venetian Celebration (104" x 104"), inspired by the floor tiles of St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice

Chris with her quilt Venetian Celebration (104″ x 104″), inspired by the floor tiles of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice



She has also written a number of books on the subject, the first of which–originally published as Quilt Designs from Decorative Floor Tiles–has recently been re-released in paperback with a new cover and new title, Quilts Beneath Your Feet.The book includes complete instructions for ten quilts in both “traditional” and alternative colorways, along with a Block and Border Library so that you can create your own tile-inspired designs. Here are a few of the beautiful project quilts.


Turning the Corner by Christine Porter; inspired by floor tiles in a chemist shop (pharmacy) in the Lake District.

Turning the Corner by Christine Porter; inspired by floor tiles in a chemist shop (pharmacy) in the Lake District.



Terracotta Flower Garden (34 1/2" x 34 1/2") made by Christine Porter; inspired by floor tiles in the parish church in Kendal, UK

Terracotta Flower Garden (34 1/2″ x 34 1/2″) made by Christine Porter; inspired by floor tiles in the parish church in Kendal, UK



Lightning Strike (40" x 60") made by Christine Porter; inspired by the floor tiles in Bristol Cathedral

Lightning Strike (40″ x 60″) made by Christine Porter; inspired by the floor tiles in Bristol Cathedral



Turn of the Season (57" x 70") made by Christine Porter; inspired by the floor tiles in All Saints Church, Bristol

Turn of the Season (57″ x 70″) made by Christine Porter; inspired by the floor tiles in All Saints Church, Bristol



Scottish Fantasia (40" x 40") made by Christine Porter; inspired by floor tiles in St. Anderw's Catherdral, Inverness, Scotland

Scottish Fantasia (40″ x 40″) made by Christine Porter; inspired by floor tiles in St. Anderw’s Catherdral, Inverness, Scotland


Now for the GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment telling us the most inspiring place you’ve ever visited by noon (PDT), Monday, November 2, and you’ll be eligible to receive a copy of Chris’s book, Quilts Beneath Your Feet. Don’t delay! Laura will announce the winner in her Tuesday, November 3 post.

One final note before I sign off. Laura, Jennifer, Pati, and I would like to thank all of our loyal readers who voted for us in the 2013 Craftsy Blogger Awards competition. Although we weren’t among the winners in the final tally, we appreciate your support and hope you’ll continue to visit us regularly here at See How We Sew. You can see the list of winners by clicking here. Congratulations all!

That’s it for now. ‘Til next time, happy stitching!

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