This week we welcome Shropshire Quilter Glenys Knight.
How long have you been quilting?
I started quilting at Anca in Radbrook with Anne and Catherine in January 2011 and joined Shropshire Quilters the same month. During 2012 I helped Jan Heaney with the library and in 2013 followed Judith Brooks organising the workshops until 2017.
A 'Stained Glass' quilt completed after attending a three day retreat with Gail Lawther
Do you still have your first quilt?
I still have my first quilt which was my attempt at log cabin. I was proud to have finished it but on reflection it was full of errors. The blocks didn’t match and I don’t think I had mastered a ¼ inch seam. I have never done a log cabin block since – perhaps this should be a challenge for 2021!
Do you have a favourite fabric style or colour?
Looking through my stash the colour palette is predominately purple/pink and blue, but if I see any bright fabric like a magpie I am drawn to it. A moment to ask myself can I justify the purchase? Yes? Then buy it! When we are on holiday I like to visit fabric shops and purchase fabric that reflects the country we are visiting. My husband Peter, encouraging me to make sure I have got enough (Can you ever have enough fabric?).
A scrap quilt, made for a friend, in Glenys's favourite colours
What's your essential notion or tool?
I have just purchased a Clover leather thimble – what luxury whilst hand quilting.
Can you share a top tip/online resource?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and have a go at new things – I have found fellow quilters very generous sharing their knowledge and you can surprise yourself at what you can achieve.
A quilt made for the Neonatal Unit
Can you recommend a book?
When I am looking for inspiration I go to Deborah O’Hare Small Art Quilts Exploration in Paint and Stitch (2018). Deborah’s book certainly gets my grey cells working and jogs my memory as to what I had learnt on her workshop.
Glenys's favourite book
Two more Neonatal quilts which explore English Paper Piecing and Rail Fence blocks
Have you had any quilting disasters?
I haven’t had any disasters as such but I have had challenging experiences. April 2011 the SQ workshop was Stack and Whack led by Diane at Castle Court Quilter. What had I taken on after three months of quilting, it took me six years to complete the blocks and quilt with help and encouragement from members of Country Quilters at Alberbury.
Do you have a favourite quilt block?
When I joined SQ I was told never to throw away fabric scraps, so my favourite block is made up of fabric strips either in 6 ½ or 9 ½ blocks and then joined.
A charity quilt made by Glenys with scrap strips
Thank you Glenys, its been lovely to get to know you better!
And we'd really LOVE to get to know all of our talented membership: if you'd like to share your quilting story please send an email to info@shropshirequilters.org for the Q&A sheet.
Visit again next Friday to meet another quilter...
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