Hi Cherise
I can understand how you feel as my b g/f lives in Scotland & I had to bring her the rotary cutter & mat when she started quilting. She had a difficult time finding fabrics again I came to the rescue by finding & sending whatever she needed. She did find a retreat & met some nice quilters but they were scattered all over Northern Scotland & Northern England. So just keep tuned to this site & you will have all the quilting pals you need.
Serena

Bev:
Almost 20 years ago, my DH & I moved to a small, rural town. I had only been quilting for a little more than a year. Someone asked me to teach a strip quilting class through a community education program. I was scared to death, because I did not feel qualified. Now we have a fabulous guild and I still teach classes. Maybe you could get some others started like I did. Just a side note - I used to be very shy - not any more!!! Especially when we get talking about quilting!

I am mainly self-taught as far as all the needle arts, and I recommend reading as much as you can- magazines, books, internet sites (this one being my favorite by far). I have learned so much from the tutorials that abound on the internet. Bookmark the ones you like best and return to them often. There are many useful links posted here by our wonderful forum members. Try them out! You will feel so inspired!

Bev, where are you in Uk, there are hundreds of thousands of us, but we hide quite well. The first place to look is evening classes in local schools, even if it is indirect, ie soft furnishing or whatever. Also in the magazines there are always lists of exhibitions taking place so there may be one within driving distance of you at some point.

I am in Hampshire and am not a guild member at the moment, but do love belonging to the board here, it has really expanded my quilting.

Dear friend, you certainly aren't alone! One way to interest other people in quilting in your area may be to give a beautifully quilted gift to a neighbor or relative. When they see the results of your work, they may be bitten by the same bug that has bitten all of us. The English are steeped in wonderful traditions, and you might help expand a "new" quilting tradition. I think a "quilting tea" sounds lovely.

Bev, invite a friend for a spot of tea. And by chance be working on a quilt. When your freind come in ask her if you could finish a few of your stitches. Then put the quilt aside. This will open the door to tell them how you became so enthusiastic with quilting. First plant the seed and then watch it grow. Have the friend over at difference stages, so she can see your work. Do not mention any about the quilt until she does. Make sure she see it when you finish it. I bet if you left the room she will not be able to resisted from touching it. Do not push, let her curiosity take over.
:wink:

Do any of your friends/acquaintances sew clothing? They may be interested in expanding their hobby. If you can't find anyone locally - don't feel too bad, because you have the QB quilting world at your beck and call.

You have us!

Is there a way you can post something somewhere asking if there are any quilters looking to get together?

Hi,
Thank you for your lovely reply and quilting is such a rewarding and busy thing to do it keeps you going and at the end of it you have produced a beautiful quilt and it does make you feel proud of yourself.
Happy quilting

Hi Bev, whereabouts in the UK are you?

Thank you ever so much for that knowledge of Birmingham quilting i never knew this and i will be going to this it does sound right up my street and i know i will be in my element lol

Hi There,
That is what people say to me its always things like {why do you waste your money on fabric and cottons etc it gets me so mad so i know how you felt there but i am glad to hear you have found some freinds who have the quilting bug it makes it all worth while and it must be great for people to actually say good things about quilting in person to you
Happy Quilting

Hi There,
I totally agree with you this website and forum is fantastic there are so many friendly people on here with so much info and pictures of beautiful quilts it makes my day finish perfect when i come onto this website
Happy Quilting

Lol a bit of Yorkshire tang there pmsl
Happy Quilting

Bev - you have my FULL SYMPATHY!!!

I started quilting at 9, in rural Bedfordshire and I have grown up with this 'problem'!

You are right about difficulties getting fabrics etc - but I have found over the years, that there are more quilters than you think! Maybe not in your village but probably not SO FAR away!

Do you drive? If so - may I suggest that you drive into just one or two quilters guild or Embroiderers guild meetings - you only have to go once or twice (I really DO know how hard it can be to drive miles for these things!) Once you are there, you are SURE to meet someone nearer to home and then you will at least have a buddy!!

If not - PM me anytime and I will be happy to be an Over the Irish Sea quilting buddy via email!!

PB

While I was visiting Franch (Paris) I went to Montmartre I went down a street that was full of fabric. I bought only 1 meter of fabric but it was a great experience.

Hello Bev, I'm in South Yorkshire ...its good to see another member of the forum from the UK! I don't know of any quilting groups around where I live either but I have joined a sewing group where a couple of ladies like to quilt! The trouble is that I dont like hand quilting so I usually stick to my embroidery! (I'm learning to do stumpwork embroidery at the moment)
I suggest that you try to find a local sewing group to start with...I'm sure that you'll find a couple of quilters amongst the members!

Good luck

Karen xx

Hi Bev. Welcome! I hope you can find some local quilters. I too had quilted alone for the past 4 years. I didn't really feel I wanted to join a guild so just plugged along learning all I could from books, TV shows, and this board especially. Well, it just so happens that last New Years Eve I was at a neighborhood party and while speaking to a neighbor discovered she quilted. She and I decided to get together to quilt and she invited several other neighbors that she knew quilted or wanted to learn. We now are starting to get together as a group once a month or so. It's amazing to me that all this time I had a group of inspired quilters right in my back yard. :-)

I am amazed that you feel like this! There is a thriving quilting community in the UK which I am happy to be part of. There are many UK members of this Forum. Even if you live in deepest darkest Uk, there are many shops that will send you samples and then you can buy fabric. There is a quilt show somewhere in the Uk at least every few months - and those are just the large national kinds. Have you tried the local quilting Guild? Your mobile library for adverts? Nowhere in the Uk is far from anywhere else by comparison with the US so you could maybe treat yourself to to trip to a large town or show?

Bev, On page 15 there is a post re the NEC in Birmingham from 18th to 22nd of August 2010. If you are interested we will try to arrange a meeting place nearer the time.

Hi,
Thanks very very kind of you i would simply love that as the USA has beautiful fabric and much more choice to choose from
Happy Quilting

Thank you ever so much for that link
Happy quilting

Thank you for the link i have bookmarked this link and will be taking a look shortly sis you say you have ordered from this online store? and where they ok with dleivery etc?
Happy quilting

I'm sure there are quilters in England because every year I see dozens of ladies in Paducah at the quilt show who come over with a tour. Their nametag shows the cities they live in and they seem to be from all over the area, big cities and small towns alike. Keep looking. You are bound to find some near you. Good luck.

Thank you for your kind reply i live in Staffordshire and i am afraid i do not drive and i am quiet shy, throughout the day i have my quilting this keeps me going i have felt alone in my work until i found this website and forum i have had so many very helpful replies and very kind words sent to me so now i no longer feel so isolated with my quilting.
The info that has been suggested is brilliant and so helpful as well i want to thank you wonderful people for being such a helpful and kind friends.
My quilting is my savour and is always there whether rain or shine lol

Thats very kind of you,,thank you

Thank you for the info i never knew this exististed i will be going to this event it sounds wonderful and i know i will be in my element being there thank you for your kind offer
Happy Quilting

Hi Bev welcome from Montana. I have an aunt bev who lives is the UK somewhere. She went back home when her husband died. I miss her. It will be nice talking to you Bev. Theresse

Hi Bev - don't feel so isolated - there are plenty of us around. Unfortunately as I'm in N Ireland I'm not near you, but do check out magazines - I recommend Popular Patchwork - for lists of what's going on in the UK. PM me anytime and we can keep in touch.

Welcome from Maksi. Glad you've joined this board!

There is a shop in Staffordshire and they also give classes and workshops. There is also a guild in your area. This is the link of the store. http://www.abakhan.co.uk/

There a 2 more stores with classes or workshops in the area were you live but I didn't get eny revieuws of them.

http://angiequilts.blogspot.com/2010...ilt-class.html also a quiltclass in staffordshire/uk she has a nice blog too!

Take care.

I've found some more for you/

The British Quilters Guild is also in Staffordshire.
Region 11
Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, West Midlands
http://www.quiltersguild.org.uk/inde...=109&region=11

FIND A GROUP - LIST
Find a Group > Staffordshire
No. * Group Name Town/City Details
1 Mad Cat Quilters WOLVERHAMPTON [More...]
2 Staffordshire Patchworkers & Quilters STONE [More...]
3 Wombourne Quilters NR WOLVERHAMPTON [More...]
And here is the link of this:http://www.quiltersdomain.co.uk/findList.asp?t=1&c=63

North Staffordshire Guild of Craftsmen
http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/craf...ef=3035&page=3

sorry wrong link this one is bette"r: http://www.nsgc.co.uk/index.html





* indicates sorted column

I went down to Trentham Gardens to a quilt show a couple of weeks ago (that is pretty close to you I think) I put a few photos on here if you want to have a look!

If there's another one in the future perhaps we could meet up for a cup of tea?

Karen xx

Hi Bev,

I go to the NEC alone.... but I an never lonley! Quilters are a kind, happy and chatty breed that will talk to all around. The NEC is wonderful and you really will enjoy every minute. Also the display of quilts is awe inspiring, feeds the imagination and revitalises your quilting instincts!

Hugs

Caroline

quilting may not be big, but I know embroidery is. there are several guilds. A friend who is no longer around was very activite in the embroidery guild and went all over England giving lectures and demonstrations to various groups. Searching out an embroidery guild may lead you to people who are also interested in quilting.

Look for a local LDS church. I'll bet you there's a group of quilters there. Many Mormon ladies are great quilters. You've got a super bunch of quilters here, too, who are all there for you, so you aren't alone, even in rural England. You're as close as the keyboard.

[quote=bev195000]I live in the UK and i simply love my quilting i did visit NY USA quiet a lot and during this period some one taught me the basic quilting skills and from then on i am quilt mad but over here England people do not seem interesting in quilting ...

Here in the U.S. we used to believe that patchwork quiltmaking was a craft that was created by us. But now we've learned that actually some of the pilgrim ladies brought over handmade quilts when they came. I think you'd find a history of quiltmaking right there where you live. Maybe all the women just aren't as interested in it as you are, but I'll bet you can find a few. Enough to make a tiny quilting bee. Why don't yuou try running a small classified notice in your local newspaper. Even if your paper is a very small press and is only published once a week, try it. You could say something like, "Local lady enjoys learning the art of quiltmaking. Anyone care to join her for pleasant times and shared lessons?" You might be happily surprised. 8-)

u need to open quilting store, no competion, start new trend.

Welcome Bev. We would enjoy seeing some of your work, completed or not. I enjoy seeing what everyone else is doing.

I was in England in 2008 and was amazed at how few quilting or even fabric stores there were. I don't know why that is so, but you're right, Bev. I was surprised because I too thought quilting was invented in England. Think of all those gowns the ladies of Elizabethan times wore.
I did eventually find one in Suffolk: Quilters Haven in High Street, Suffolk. I bought a kit there made by makower uk, in Oxfordshire. www.makoweruk.com. (Haven't started it yet).
Things are not a lot better here but just a bit, I'd say.
Hang in there. There's lots of friends to be found on the Board.