Ann's Creative Cushions and Quilts

Handmade in the heart of Wales

Based in the beautiful Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells which is set in the stunningly picturesque countryside of the heart of Wales, the sample range of cushions and quilts which are featured below are the personal creations of Ann Griffiths, a truly traditional and experienced craft worker who designs, assembles and finishes each of her unique quilts entirely by hand.

A 43 year old mother of four that has over 15 years experience within the Arts and Crafts movement she has recently achieved a recognised teaching qualification in her chosen subject of Patchwork and Quilting, in order that she can fully pass on her skills and experience to the next generation of quilt-makers and art workers.

Over the past two years Ann has undertaken a number of small-scale teaching courses for those that wish to learn about the craft itself and the practical skills involved in the production of patchwork and quilts. These courses have been held within a dedicated workshop at Ann’s home in Llandrindod and have generally enabled her students to achieve a greater personal understanding of the practical applications and  design aspects involved with the subject, allowing them to produce their own work in a truly personal, but highly professional mAnnr.  

ANTIQUE	AUTUMN	BUTTERFLY	CHINA BLUE	CUSHIONS

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CRAFT:

Patchwork and quilt-making in their earliest forms were generally born out of necessity, rather than art and reflected a time when fabrics were expensive and personal incomes were extremely low. For those families that lived on or below the poverty line, the reuse and recycling of clothing materials was an integral part of their daily lives. The growth of the craft within rural communities was particularly marked and has been regarded by many as a manifestation of the isolation and need experienced by early settlers particularly.   

Items of clothing that were no longer suitable for their original purpose, were often transformed into alternative household or personal items, that might still serve a useful purpose and at the same time limit any sort of unwarranted expenditure which might deplete their meagre resources. Scraps of fabric and reclaimed clothing were often exchanged between individual patch-workers and quilt-makers, offering them a greater variety of textiles, both in terms of colours and fabric type.

During the early 19^th Century, the actual choice of material colours was extremely limited, but was offset by the extensive range of print patterns that existed at the time. Most of the mainly white cloth was adorned with either thin stripes or popular logos which reflected commonplace objects, such as horse’s heads or horseshoes.

Because these materials were generally off-cuts or scraps there was very little likelihood that any two pieces of work would be exactly alike. Although quilt-making occasionally has recurrent themes, such as Jacobs Ladder or Log Cabin etc, normally each quilt will be unique, given that it has been made using the makers own imagination, material and preferences.

It is this individuality and independent creativity that is at the heart of the craft, the knowledge that whatever is created will never be reproduced in exactly the same way again. This might also explain the tendency for quilts to be handed down from one generation to the next as family heirlooms and in doing so creating a family bond that can often last forever.   

DAFFODILS	EPPYNT	JACOBS LADDER	JIMS DELIGHT	LOG CABIN

WORKSHOP CONTENT:

As the course title suggests, this is an introduction to patchwork and quilting which is aimed squarely at the beginner. Our aim is to teach students the basic manual skills required and to develop their wider understanding of the craft itself.

Although at first glance it might not be apparent, but our patchwork and quilting course can also help to improve and expand your basic motor skills, whilst at the same time helping to reinforce your basic levels of numeracy and literacy.

The core objectives of the 5 day workshop is to teach students how to measure and make accurate paper templates and to cover them with fabric in order to produce quilt blocks. The first project for students will be to produce a patchwork cushion. (All of the materials required for this particular project will be supplied by the group tutor at a standard cost of £7 per student)

Following the completion of this particular task, students will then spend the remainder of the course learning a variety of related skills and techniques, including;

·          Fusible web appliqué method

·          Basic Embroidery

·          Transfer of pattern using light box to produce a picture

·          Understanding fabric texture & value

·          Structuring a quilt

·          Help & advice on sourcing materials *

·          Experimenting with patchwork types

·          Basic machine strip piecing

At the conclusion of the course, students should have developed the basic skills required to plan, design and manufacture their own personal quilt projects. They should also have a good working knowledge of assembling, backing and binding a quilt. Additionally, students should also have an understanding of fabric preparation, types and uses of wadding, machine quilting, as well as the techniques involved with English Piecing.

PANSY'S	ROSES	STRAWBERRY	TERRACOTTA	WELSH CRAFTS

Please Note: If you would like further information about Ann's Cushions and Quilts, the range, their prices or dates of future workshops, please contact Ann directly at p.adamec@talk21.com quoting "Quilt Enquiry" in the subject line 

To see a much wider selection of Anne's quilts please CLICK HERE

DOES YOUR LAND OR PROPERTY CONTAIN HIDDEN, LOST OR UNDISCOVERED TREASURES? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Produced and maintained by Phillip E Jones @ Mobile 07756 693258 Text: 07914 189032

Mail Contact: 3 Riverside Park, Sealand, Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 2JR