14 February 2008

Quilting Retreat

Six of us went to Villavin Farm near Holsworthy, Devon to "test drive" the new workshop owned by Jo. She has been running 3 self catering cottages as well as a quilting business, Villavin Crafts and the workshop and shop have only just been constructed. Having looked at the website this evening I have noticed that there's photos of our efforts in the workshop already!

We had a lovely journey from Wimborne down to Holsworthy and the 2 cottages that we used (one of them in the first pic) had first class facilities and were really warm and comfortable in the cold February evenings.

In the second pic there is a view of the workshop with Donna setting up her machine. The view is out into the garden where a couple of days there were chickens and ducks wandering around.

The third photo shows the shop area with a lovely big Welsh Dresser decorating the end wall. The add to the fabrics being displayed there are a lot of little knick-knacks arranged here and there.

I made a quilt (which isn't yet finished) and also a quilt-as-you-go bag, which is in the fourth picture. The quilt was from a pattern called Nick of Time and I hadn't expected to make quite such a dark quilt but it all seemed to go well. Promise to finish of and blog later.


Whilst we were there Judy from British Patchwork and Quilting magazine came to interview Jo and an article will appear in the May edition of the magazine.

A wonderful time was had by all and we would have made any excuse to stay longer. With this unseasonal spring like weather there was no chance of being snowed in!! Hope I can get away to do something like this again; nice to have a large slice of time to do nothing but sewing!