Reflections by Threaded Together

October 27, 2026

The Threaded Together group of quilters displayed some of their work at the Newark Quilt Show this year, and it’s interesting to see how their group came together during lockdown and how they have continued to grow and support each other; their virtual workshops developing over time into friendships. They continue to meet as a group through residential holidays, face to face catchups and online, as they started.

They say they are ‘Threaded Together by experience, inspiration and friendship’ and that’s great, but not unusual amongst crafters.

The quilts they displayed in Newark were all quite different, but all equally amazing.

I could have spent way longer than I did looking at this small but absolutely packed quilt titled ‘Stories of Childhood’ - it’s an eclectic celebration of vintage textiles, embroidered family heirlooms and woodblock printing combined to help the maker remember their favourite childhood tales. I loved it and there was much included that I remembered from my childhood - and the rhyme above - which I’d forgotten about until now, and I did have a chuckle to myself at the memories which came flooding back.

I did warn you that they were all quite different and this is a complete step change isn’t it? This one aims to evoke the hush that follows a celebration with scattered memories, softened emotions and the dimming glow of the once bright lights.

REFLECTIONS - AFTER THE PARTY, JACKIE GOULDING

And even if you didn’t know that, it’s a great study of colour isn’t it?

This next one is based on a photo the maker took of two ladies selling scarves and hats which uses silks and ribbons for the background as a representation of the prolific colours on that trip to Mexico.

STREET SELLERS OF SAN CRISTOBAL, ANNE FARNELL

There’s less colour in this one, but I was drawn to the skies and the poems on the cliffs. They are the cliffs at Saltdean and the quilt is a reflection on the life of a dear friend of the maker named Cliff.

This next quilt is a reflection on a month-long trip to India with the images based on photographs taken - it is very India, and it makes me want to go back to see and experience more of this fascinating country.

I’m itching to get back to my sewing machine, and the many (and ever increasing) projects I have in mind and planned, soon hopefully, soon.

Exploring colours and rhythms in embroidery

October 20, 2026

One of my favourite parts of the show in Harrogate was the Embroiderers Guild section which we only discovered by chance, and late in the day. This year I know I’ll be looking for it much earlier and as we have more time at the show this time round I think I’ll be able to make that work, and still see everything there is to see.

But anyway, this gallery was the Embroiderers Guild Challenge for its members, asking them to dig deep and explore ‘colour’ and ‘rhythm’ and it made for a bright and interesting gallery. I’m sharing my favourites which I keenly snapped in this post - but in my keenness and awe I don’t appear to have snapped the creators for any of these, so this post also comes with apologies to those creators. I will pay better attention at the show this year!

EMBROIDERERS GUILD MEMBER CHALLENGE - COLOUR AND RHYTHM

They’re all amazing, and I’d be hard pressed to choose just one as my favourite piece - but I’m keen to know which one(s) caught your eye?

Dark side of the bloom

October 19, 2026

* I was invited to this year’s Gardeners’ World Live preview and provided with a pair of tickets for the show, therefore all my posts will be marked as 'Ad’ though as usual my views and opinions are very much my own.

This is a garden for music lovers, and was designed by Antony Massie who admitted to once being ‘a moody teenager with smudged eyeliner, a guitar in hard and dreams of becoming a global rock star, not a gardener.” He also said that his 18 year old self on hearing that he’d fall in love with plants would probably turn up the volume, and laugh.

But his younger self’s loss is our gain as this garden is fabulous, using deep purples and moody foliage (and at least one of those was another band wasn’t it?) and a winding path in the shape of a bass clef are more nods to the music the designer loves.

His garden reimagines the pace he might have designed as an aspiring rock star - dark, dramatic and full of creative energy. Enjoy!

Isn’t it a delightful space?

* With thanks to Gardeners’ World for once again inviting me to Gardeners’ World Live, it was another great show! I’ll be sharing more from my visit to this year’s show throughout the year - I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.