Here’s the 2nd part of my mini series – Reflections on Festival of Quilts.  You can find part 1 here

Today, Thursday 30th July, Festival of Quilts 2026 opened.  The Hanging Team got all the quilts in the right places on the Tuesday, and the Judging Team got all the quilts judged on the Wednesday.  Today was all about me getting my practical work for my Judging Course completed.  And if you fancy following my example and enrolling for this course, starting in November 2026, you can find out more here

My morning was spent completing the practical exercise – you may have seen people walking the floor wearing pink sashes – these are the trainee judges, looking at a variety of quilts. 

Then after that I spent time taking photos of quilts and the show so that I can write my report.  I also did a little bit of shopping, this time buying some lovely metallic fibre from Alysn Midgelow-Marsden    and some foils etc from Kim Thittichai so that I can continue my work exploring metals and hot textiles within patchwork and quilting. 

The breadth of techniques and materials I have investigated as part of this course is phenomenal!  It has certainly nudged me outside of my comfort zone – actually, not so much nudging, as sometimes pushing me off a precipice!  But the landings were soft!

I stopped by Designed by Sam, in the Art in Action “corridor”.  Although I did my City & Guilds Creative Sketchbooks course with Gillian Cooper, Sam was a very supportive and nurturing person to me then (as indeed was Gillian) and I am thrilled that she has now taken over from Gillian and is delivering the course (and other C&G courses) in her own name, while Gillian pursues other adventures.  You can find out about Sam here and see what Gillian is up to here.

I also had a (little!) look at the winning quilts.  The standard is exceptional – again.  I spotted many that were well worth a second, third and even fourth look – and a few more!  I will  share a longer post soon when I have had time to download all my photos.  But for now here’s just a taste.  One of my favourites is this one in the category new to Festival of Quilts 2026 – Original Design.  It is a rather splendid depiction of motorcycles and motorcycle parts by Tomoko Ota called Artistic Rides,

Artistic Rides by Tomoko Ota – Winner – Original Design

The other I want to share with you today is the winner for Excellence in Hand Quilting, one of the Overlay awards.  This is Penguins all Around by Sue Sherman – a name that is getting to be very well recognised at Festival of Quilts and other quilt shows!  This is a miniature and is truly delightful.  Piecing, painting and hand quilting – and penguins too!  Scrummy!

Penguins all Around by Sue Sherman, Winner Excellence in Handquilting Overlay Award

One of my absolute favourite things about going to Festival of Quilts 2026 (and every other year!) is the fact that I get to meet up with people that I only see once a year.  These are people that I first met in my role of Festival of Quilts Officer (how many years ago??).  There’s always so many hellos, and hugs, and coffees – quilting friends are the best!  I am so grateful for the friends who I have met through The Guild, and if you are reading this, you know who you are!

I did plan to go for a swim after I got back to the hotel, but I made the mistake of lying down on my bed for 5 minutes (just to rest my feet, you understand!) and somehow managed to shut my eyes!  And then it was time to eat!  Maybe I will fit in a swim tomorrow.

But I did have a lovely relaxing bath – so that was almost the same as a swim!

Well, my hair is dry after my bath and my hairwash, so I reckon it’s time for me to head to my lovely comfy bed, and get a good night’s sleep before I head back to the show in the morning.