The Edinburgh Quilting Collective

24/03/2020

https://www.artrefuge.org.uk/coronaquilt-gallery

AN ART REFUGE PROJECT Art Refuge is offering art as a thread to connect us with each other and offer hope and ways of coping through the coronavirus.

08/07/2019

Our bee quilt is coming along beautifully. There's some lovely embroidery in this one and more to come.🐝🐝🌷🌹

02/06/2019

I'm not a knitter but this is a lovely example of folks using their craft skills to help their community. These Shetland knitters are raising money for an MRI scanner so that islanders don't have to travel all the way to Aberdeen for their scans. Knitters from across the globe have got involved too.

Thousands of pounds have been raised for the Shetland MRI scanner appeal thanks to a knitting campaign which has attracted interest from across the world.

27/04/2019

I went along to a talk on the kimono & fashion sustainability at Museum of Scotland today. Really interesting look at the Museum's collection of kimonos as well as a more in-depth presentation by Lynn Wilson on sustainable fashion and the circular economy. I came away with two things to ponder. Firstly, who made my clothes? What does it mean when it says "Made in Taiwan/Romania/wherever" on the label - are the people behind the label being treated & paid fairly, where are the materials sourced? Secondly, craft skills are slowly dying out so if you know how to sew on a button or fix a hem, teach your family & friends. Next time they buy some fast fashion from Primark (we've all done it!) and a button comes loose, rather than throw it away because "it only cost £5", they can sew the button back. Finally, look out for the Museum's upcoming exhibition on diversity on the catwalk....sounds like it will be worth a visit.

06/04/2019

Two art forms, both involving the use of needles, but seemingly worlds apart. But no more. Embroidery, a classical art that you are more likely to associate with your grandma, has combined with the tattoo scene to create beautiful, folky designs that are both unique and traditional at the same time.

06/04/2019

I went along to see the Scottish Samplers at the Museum of Scotland (on until 21st Apr). Some lovely pieces, particularly impressive when you think they were often created by school children! Good to see what is often dismissed as "just" craftwork getting the recognition it deserves. The historical aspects are interesting too.

Embroidered Stories: Scottish Samplers will showcase a small selection of embroideries drawn from over 500 Scottish samplers in the collection of Leslie Durst – an American with a passion for Scotland.

24/03/2019

Oooh la la! This looks like absolute heaven if you're in Paris. In fact, I am tempted to go to Paris just to visit this haberdashery.

Photographers like myself “live for” the small discoveries that are hidden in plain sight. One such place is tucked away in the 2nd arrondissment between the Palais Royal and the Opéra Garnier. Situated at 14 Rue Monsigny are two shops called Ultramod. Step inside la mercerie and you will feel ...

16/03/2019

Who knew that Edinburgh's most famous crime writer was a lover of tapestry? This looks like a good exhibition at Inverleith House at the Botanics, on until the end of May.

LIKE writing, weaving is an exacting, solitary art form, and one where the completed picture is only revealed when the final work is done.

10/03/2019

We saw some fabulous quilts at the Creative Craft Show today. The photos really don't do justice to the hard work. I've tried to capture the name of the quilter in the photos. The beautiful tumbling blocks quilt was a gold medal winner by Deborah Pearce.

02/03/2019

In this article Clare Hunter describes the value of sewing as both an individual and group project. I like being part of a group working on a joint project as I can learn from other more experienced crafters. And of course there's the accompanying chat which ranges from politics to fashion to what to watch next on Netflix ☺️.

How absorbing your concentration in needlework relieves inner turmoil. By Clare Hunter

03/02/2019

We did a little day trip to the new V&A Dundee to see the Scottish Design Relay which included this beautiful work from Shetland. The goal of the Design Relay was to engage young people with their local heritage and bring their own skills and ideas to the design process. Great day out!

28/01/2019

We've been working on the "Bee Quilt" and it's coming together nicely but I think a few more embroidered bees are required🐝🐝