About Vendulka
Vendulka Battais is an award winning textile artist, tutor and half of the couple running textile studio OliVen in the heart of Suffolk.
Vendulka started her creative journey making clothes from remnants with her mum in the Czech Republic. She learned simple patchwork when she moved to the UK and was looking for a new hobby. From squares and triangles, Vendulka’s work evolved into quilting, embroidery, and circular patterns inspired by mandalas and dreamcatchers.
It was this growing passion which led her to start her own patchwork and quilting shop with her partner, Olivier, on the Isle of Wight in 2011. It’s called OliVen. In 2015, they moved family and shop to the village of Monks Eleigh in Suffolk.
Vendulka loves to make patchwork quilts, teach patchwork in the shop, travel to teach groups and demonstrate at shows.
Somehow she found the time to publish a wonderful book, Cathedral Windows – New Views, and win the Best in Show Award at Festival of Quilts 2021. This is what the judges had to say about the work: “a wonderful collaboration of design and workmanship. We loved the variety of feathers and their balance of glorious colour. A masterclass in the stitching of an intricate Mandala, together with precise use of the glitter liner medium.”
Signature Technique
Bringing embroidery into quilting
Top Tips
- Glittery and metallic paint on fabric brings a project to life – especially in the dark!
- Create an enhanced 3D effect on Cathedral windows with folded patchwork, padding, and a new colour twist.
- Combine different elements such as machine quilting and hand embroidery. It’s a joy to work on and the result is stunning.
Videos
Patterns
Posts
Busy Busy Busy
Ann from Dorset has been very very busy and she's shared some photos with us of the delightful projects she's been working on. (Clockwise from top left) Ann's successful first try at this technique for her first grandchild. (if you want to learn how to make raggy edge quilts - check out our workshop with Gail Penberthy) Christmas fun using foam for the first time - a fabulous addition to any Christmas table, I'm sure you'll agree.
Birthday present
Lyn wrote to us today to share this lovely table runner that she has just finished. It only took her two days to complete and just needs a label on the back then it is ready to be given to her friend for her birthday on Tuesday. What a gorgeous piece it is and a lovely idea for a present.
Bumbleberries charity quilt
Here is the finished (top!) for the charity quilt Valerie was making with the Lewis & Irene Bumblerries fabrics - note the design change for the borders! Want to make one yourself - click here for the video and the free workshop notes.