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
Quilt as you Go option
What do you do if the quilt becomes too big to manage? Well quilt as you go is an option - and both Valerie and Carolyn Forster have methods you might like to try: Valerie uses the machine and Carolyn works by hand: Here is the comment from Heather - I have also just re-watched your video on how to join a quilt as you go project using the machine instead of hand sewing.
Filming Day with Fran Rose.
We were busy yesterday filming with Fran Rose who is passionate about beading; got several workshops filmed as well as details of her new books and kits – so keep an eye on the shop. Picture taken by Matt Bigwood.
Momentum charity quilt day
A bunch of generous ladies joined Valerie to make quilts for this very worthwhile (local) charity that supports children with life threatening illnesses and their families. We were also joined by Fabian (who is currently undergoing treatment) and his mum and sister and here is Fabian snuggling under the quilt that he made. To learn more about Momentum click here and Momentum was awarded with the Kingston Business Excellence Award for 'Commitment to the Community'.