On the 1st  June 2015 some of Seaham Harbour U3A patchwork group visited the Quilting museum to see an exhibition ‘Ancestral Gifts’. We are lucky to live near enough to visit this exhibition which is only to be shown in York in the UK at this time until 5th September 2015.

The internationally renowned designer Kaffe Fassett selected quilts from the Quilters Guild Collection, some from 1800-1900’s, to inspire him to produce new works of art based on the old quilts in his own style and using vibrant prints.

His colour co-ordination was amazing using bold bright patterns.

The nice thing, we all agreed on, was that his work was inspirational; his designs were we thought “doable” with basic quilting skills and using well known block designs. Not to Kaffe’s high standard, but we all have to start somewhere.

The lessons we learnt were to try colour co-ordination in a way we had not thought of prior to our visit. Such as vibrant greens with bright purple and oranges and yellows with clashing bold patterns and clashing borders.

Hence we came away with inspiration and a poorer bank balance, some of us having purchased books on his work and fat quarters of his amazing fabrics. The only problem to the day was deciding which material to buy.

Unfortunately the museum in its current location is to close later this year.

But ladies there is to be one more exhibition of Quilt Art to visit later in the year.

Anyone coming with me !!!

by Oonah Hackett

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