Inspiration: Mandy Patullo in Popular Patchwork

Thread and Thrift Red Star by Mandy Pattullo

The latest edition of Popular Patchwork (February 2014) goes on sale today and includes my feature on the quilter, Mandy Pattullo. 

Mandy’s work in her gallery at last summer’s Festival of Quilts had really impressed me and it was a pleasure to find out more about it.  Reflecting on it, having mentioned improvisational quilting in my last post, I think Mandy’s work falls very definitely in this category, along with fantastic use of recycling.  She is not jumping on the trendy vintage/recycling bandwagon; it is something she obviously passionately believes in and has practiced for many years.  She is involved in running vintage fairs and this is where she sources her fabric and old over-loved quilts, as well as at auctions etc.  Working intuitively, she refashions them into these beautiful works of art.  On-trend at the moment, but not trendy; you can see the skill and zeal behind them.  Her embroidery/quilting is lovely and delicate, truly enhancing her fabrics.

If you don’t know Mandy’s work, check out her website. It really is inspirational.

Out & About: Good things from the Festival of Quilts

Going to the Festival of Quilts has many attractions.  Firstly, of course, there are the quilts.  Then there is the joy of meeting up with other quilters you have met in the past, such as Ruth Singer or Olga Prins, who explained to me that I had misunderstood her technique in an article I had written last year about the European Art Quilts, which she runs and which, excitingly, is going to have another exhibition soon.  Her actual way of getting colour onto fabric is even more involved and fascinating.  In addition to stitchers you already know, it is great to discover new people.  This time, I met with Mary Fisher, Mandy Pattullo and Lucie Summers, all of whom I’m hoping to write about soon for Popular Patchwork.  They were all really inspirational. 

Another (unspoken) benefit for me is a couple of days off from being ‘mum’ and I enjoy that freedom to be me rather than having to parent and remember to be good!

Finally, there is the huge attraction of all the traders, with their multi-coloured, tempting wares.  What did I succumb to this year?

Some of my students use these dye based paints and I loved the intensity of colour they gave, so I really want to try them for myself.

 

I bought this jelly roll for an article I’m writing for Popular Patchwork and have in fact stitched it already.  It is now awaiting quilting.

 

These fat quarters are for use on my hexagon quilt, which is progressing rather slower than I first thought (isn’t that always the case?!)

I want to find some more ways of adding imagery to my fabrics and thought that these could be a good way of adding details.

 

I’m making a quilt as a wedding present for our niece, Lucy and these 10in squares from the Cotton Patch are now part of the plan.

 

This fabric was bought to be the backing of some linen cushion covers and I’ve run them up already.

Finally, I was sorely tempted and unable to resist temptation I bought some goodies from 21^st Century Yarns.  I would like to try something a bit different to my normal with them and get back to some hand stitching.

That’s lots of plans... we’ll see how they develop!