The annual open Quilt Show was held over the August Bank Holiday weekend this year in the beautiful RHS associate Gardens.
Despite the change in weather, many quilters wrapped up and went to see the 44 amazing quilts hung around the gardens.
The quilts were split into two categories – one was entirely open and the other had the theme of “The Sea”. The 29 quilts that were in the open section covered so many themes – traditional to modern, hand pieced, machine pieced, hand quilted, appliquéd – but they were all beautifully crafted. The 15 quilts in the Sea category also covered all disciplines. These quilts had the added challenge of a size restriction, though this actually encouraged some new quilters to “give it a go – how hard can a 2’ quilt be?” The lady who posed that question won!
In reverse order the winners In the Sea category, 3rd place went to quilt number 9 “Seaside Landscape” by Shelia Philips – a unique design of a hidden cove. Quilt number 6 “Sashiko Koi Carp” came 2nd and was a fine example of Sashiko stitching. As mentioned earlier, quilt number 14 “Rockpool” won 1st place.
For the open competition, quilt 29 “Welcome Home” by Lorraine Baldwin won the 3rd prize. Barbara Atkinson won 2nd place with quilt number 1 “Summer Days” Quilt number 26 “Over the Rainbow” by Rose Thorn won. Apparently , you had to be there to hear the squeal of delight from Rose when she realised it was her!
They are opening the challenge to you all for 2019! The theme for the small quilts (2’ x 2’) will be “Celebration”. If this is not for you, or you prefer to do something bigger, they will also have a nonthemed section. The event will be held over the August Bank Holiday Weekend again – 24th, 25th and 26th August 2019
Here’s a selection of some of the other quilts, to give you an idea of how beautiful they were
