A California Quilter Crosses the Pond: Part 2–A Feast of Stitching Inspiration (+ Giveaway)
- Admin
- Nov 1, 2013
- 3 min read
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!
Of course, we took tons of photos, including the expected . . .
The gates of Buckingham Palace
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
Once on the street, the show continued.
Wouldn’t this make a great quilting or border design?
And then, of course, the museums . . .
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.
Medallion inspiration; one of many beautiful mosaic floors at the V&A. Note the tiny nine patches.
Here’s another.
Looking for a border?
How about this one?
There’s patchwork inspiration in the floors at the V&A as well.
More from the V&A
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
Reflecting pool at Sudeley, near the chapel housing the tomb of Katherine Parr
Wells Cathedral, west view
Vicars’ Close, Wells
There was lots to inspire at both . . .
The incredible vaulted ceiling at the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral
Worn gray cobblestones in a grassy green grid; more Modern Quilt inspiration?
Late flowers bloom in the gardens at Sudeley
Recreation of a Roman mosaic on the Sudeley grounds
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
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.
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
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
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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