Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of setting up my humble little shop at the Blue Mountains Quilters Exhibition. This is a superb Quilt Show run by the Blue Mountains Guild Committee alongside a huge volunteer group of quilters, their families, and friends.
The Blue Mountains Quilt Guild is a long-standing group based in the Blue Mountains and have held many quilt shows, all of which showcase a wealth of talent and creativity from its members. The guild donates profits from the show to a local women’s refuge center, whom they also have a community quilt program with and have donated approximately 250 quilts to since 2018.
Each show the Guild invite a feature quilter to fill the stage with quilts and projects from their life’s work. This year it was the lovely Anni Downs of Hatched and Patch. Anni is one of the sweetest quilters you will meet, and her cute and whimsical quilts embody her friendliness, as well as her love and joy for Applique, English Paper Piecing and Quilt making.
Shown here is the Raffle quilt that was made by members of the guild and designed by Anni Downs exclusively for them.
Below is a video of Anni’s quilts and projects on display.
Below is a little slide show of my favourite quilts from the show.
Bin Chicken by Annette Zapatero 
Bin Chicken by Annette Zapatero 
Bin Chicken by Annette Zapatero 
Bows in a Spot by Bronwyn English 
Caution Curves Ahead by Ruth Pattingale 
Caution Curves Ahead by Ruth Pattingale 
Dreseden Plate by Melannie Elkan 
French Mosaic Quilt-by Dale Ritson 
Gorgeous 1930s by Judy Barlow 
Gorgeous 1930s by Judy Barlow 
Grandmothers flower garden by Robyn Callaghan 
Grandmothers flower garden by Robyn Callaghan 
Hexagon Love by Susan Reinhard 
Hexagon Love by Susan Reinhard 
Hexagon Love by Susan Reinhard 
Jewell Medallion by Daphne Paag 
Jewell Medallion by Daphne Paag 
Jewell Medallion by Daphne Paag 
Let it Bloom by Lorraine Titcume 
Let it Bloom by Lorraine Titcume 
Mums Flower Garden by Jo Harrison 
Mums Flower Garden by Jo Harrison 
My Caswell Quilt by Susan Caswell 
My Caswell Quilt by Susan Caswell 
Mystery Mosaic by Joan Hart 
Nearly Insane by Jacqui Lindsay 
Nearly Insane by Jacqui Lindsay 
Tranquil Garden by Moyra Sanderson 
Under the Arches by Lorraine Downey 
Under the Arches by Lorraine Downey
It is always a joy for me to get out and about with my stall at quilt shows and craft fairs. As an online business run entirely by little old me, it is easy to feel disconnected from my customers, even with the wonders of social media. It is so lovely to be able to meet, chat and help customers with their EPP questions, hear about what they’re working on and inspire them with my samples and curated fabrics and threads.
I was very happy with my stall set up for the show. The guild gave me a lovely space in which to set up in. I wasn’t too sure what I was going to need display wise and so I bought absolutely everything with me! I almost didn’t bring my shelves or the green ladder, but I am so glad that I did. I ended up using all my display equipment to create my own little walk-in shop space.
I really enjoy setting up my stall, taking my time to set things out in my collection of baskets and containers, decorating with my faux flowers and hanging up my projects. For just a short time I feel like a real ‘shop’ owner, and I revel in getting up, leaving my house and studio to go and work in my ‘shop’ for a day. Of course, I know I am a real shop owner, but an online shop has such a different dynamic and feel to a bricks and mortar shop that you work in and invite customers into. I can’t wait for the day when I can finally open my dream bricks and mortar store!
Of course, I didn’t go away empty handed and picked up a few goodies for myself and some lovely fabric to add to my stash! From Hatched and Patched I bought some fabrics and the pretty metal flower bouquet. From Fortunes and Fairies, I got some more pretty fabrics including some Poppy Cotton and old Tilda. From Forage I got these lovely whimsical Dutch fabrics that have fairies, flowers, and animals. Lastly, I picked up some lovely vintage pieces from Patchwork Fun.
The Blue Mountains Quilters meet on the first Saturday of the month, 10am to 3pm at Lawson Anglican Church Hall and welcome visitors and guests. Now that I have weekends free again, I’m hoping to be able to get to more meetings.
You can next find me at Craft Alive Hawkesbury, 21st to 23rd June, until then I will see you here on my blog, over at my YouTube channel, popping into your inbox and of course on socials.
Happy Stitching Friend
Miss Leela x
