On Sunday, I taught the "Japanese Circles and Squares" workshop at The Royal Hotel, Bridlington, where we had a very productive day. Fiona (who owns and runs the Royal with her husband Tim) is a quilter, so she knows what we like and need for a good workshop - lots of space to work, a comfortable place to sew in a friendly environment and someone else sorting out lunch and afternoon tea (Martin the chef came in specially to do a delicious buffet lunch for us, and there was cake for tea, if anyone had any room left). You can see one of Fiona's quilts on the conservatory wall, through the window. They are gradually taking over the hotel, as she is planning quilted wallhangings for the stairway and has started making some chic throws in batiks and neutrals for the new lounge. Several quilts are already displayed here and there along the landings.
We took over the large dining room, where a stained glass window behind these friends looks like they had been busy with some bias tape earlier!
Lunch in the conservatory, with Fiona's Mariner's Compass quilt in the background again. She said this was her first quilt - an ambitious design for a first quilt but skilfully made, with beautiful points on the central compass design.
This colourway had a feeling of the seaside, so appropriate as we were only a few steps from the beach. I had a quick mooch around by the new "bathing huts" before the workshop, where the aqua blue and pink combination has been used in the hard landscaping around a paddling pool, in a modern take on 1930s seaside style. These fabrics captured those colours perfectly.
The bright yellows and strong purples in this fabric selection were daring and worked out very well - this design can take any amount of contrast you like. The blocks reminded me of my purple, aubergine, black and lime green workshop sample.
Two quilters brought their cutting mats and rulers in these beautiful bags, enlarged and adapted to suit the various sizes and shapes of their own rulers, based on the Quilter's Briefcase from "21 Terrific Patchwork Bags". The pockets inside the bags were individually embroidered with computerised designs in an array of patterns (some of those would make fantastic circle motifs for "Japanese Circles and Squares" too).
I'm looking forward to going back in April, when I will be teaching a residential sashiko course and a sashiko day workshop, and there may be a possibility of doing the Super Strips workshop around that time too. EDIT - I will be teaching Super Strips on Saturday 9th April. The following information is from the hotel's website.
Sashiko with Susan Briscoe - 1 day Course
Sunday 10th April 2011
Sashiko Furoshiki
The furoshiki is a traditional gift wrapping cloth which will measure approximately 1 metre square. It makes an unusual tablecloth, quilt centre or can be cut up to make four cushion panels.
· Explore three ways of marking sashiko: · Making and using a paper pattern · Using a ruler and template · And marking a kamon family crest using traditional Chaco transfer paper · Plus - Stitching the patterns using an "invisible" method to start and stop.
Sashiko was often used to reinforce the corners of furoshiki and to identify the owner via the crest.
Price includes morning coffee & biscuits on arrival, buffet Lunch & afternoon tea & cake.
Amazing value for only £30 per person.
Sashiko with Susan Briscoe
Monday 11th April 3 Nights
Discover Sashiko
Explore traditional Japanese stitching. Learn how to mark and stitch sashiko, and never need to buy a pre-printed panel again! . We will make a series of small samples (suitable for coasters, cards, cushion centres etc.) with the option of beginning a larger project.
Price includes full board, morning coffee & afternoon tea.
£199 per person sharing a twin/double room. £229 for single occupancy. Non Quilting partners welcome. £50 reduction of tariff.
You can contact Fiona re bookings here.
3 comments:
Thanks Susan, I really enjoyed the workshop. My squares are all ready for joining when I've finished jiggling them round into a pleasing order. I'll definitely make this one again and wouldn't hesitate in joining another of your workshops - especially at the Royal where we were treated to all that lovely food.
My screen isn't displaying the link for bookings, can you check that please? I'd like to come and start a furoshiki.
Thanks Lynne - looking forward to seeing those blocks finished. Keep an eye on what's happening re April!
Sally, the link is working OK for me - it doesn't link to a booking form though, just straight through to the contact page for the hotel. Does that help?
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