Sylvia Priest - webmaster and quilter
@sylviapriest
Sylvia Priest - webmaster and quilter
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giniscanlan wrote a new post, Mad as a March Hare! 8 years, 2 months ago
There’s nothing nicer on these cold, dark evenings than snuggling up on the sofa, under a quilt, in front of an open fire with a good book. Or in my case, Kindle. I struggle to hand sew in poor light, so this time o…

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Christine Hutchins wrote a new post, Quilting As Therapy 8 years, 3 months ago
WARNING: Some people may find one of the pieces pictured a little disturbing – but don’t let that stop you from reading the blog and the explanation of the work!
Like many people, I have suffered with dep…

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I found this very interesting because I believe that quilting (or any other craft for that matter) is therapy, but maybe for slightly different reasons than yours.
I too have suffered from depression several times over my life. When my husband was suffering with cancer I was a beadworker (still am on occasion – I had not discovered quilting then!) and had been attending a regular class. When he was well enough, my husband would almost push me out of the door to go to my class – simply because he could see that the two hours I spent there took my mind away from what we were living through. When I thought it through, I came to the conclusion that, if you are concentrating on making something, you cannot be concentrating on your troubles, whatever they are. Crafting kept me sane after he died.
I know that I am not good at sitting doing nothing – indeed it can make anxiety set in. If I get to that stage (as I did the other week – I had been trying to set up the craft room and had been telling myself I didn’t have room for sewing) I MUST sew. It doesn’t matter what it is – hand or machine, patchwork or wholecloth – but I need to do something. So I set up a folding table in my lounge (I live on my own so don’t have to worry about getting in anyone else’s way!) and pieced a throw together. I just need to quilt it now!
We all do what we need to do. Happy quilting and thank you for sharing. xx-
You are absolutely right Cheryl – any type of crafting can be a form of therapy. I know that if I am not feeling great, time spent in my sewing room can help to make me feel better, and it doesn’t matter what I am making. I am lucky, in that I can spend time more evenings doing some form of crafting – be it quilting, embroidery or crocheting. Crafting is therapy by itself. The two quilts I’ve showed have been specific responses to specific times – but my quilts don’t always take this sort of form. It just so happens that my experiences prompted a very personal and creative response, in an attempt to deal with what I was experiencing – trying to make sense of it all. Thank you for sharing your story – I know that getting out to my quilting group is essential – as it gives me a chance to meet up with friends, and get away from it all.
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Abigail Sheridan de Graaff recommended the post Using Pinterest to Support Your Quilting 8 years, 3 months ago
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Victoria Peat wrote a new post, Using Pinterest to Support Your Quilting 8 years, 3 months ago
Have you used Pinterest before? It’s such a great tool for quilting, I promise!
If you’ve not ventured into the world of pinterest before then it really is worth a look. Pinterest is a visual bookmarking tool that…

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This has already taught me things I didn’t know!
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Oh fabulous! Pinterest is such a valuable tool. I do spend too much time looking at all of the lovely things though!
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I love Pinterest! Great place for inspiration and filing ideas. A useful blog for those who haven’t yet found this amazing tool!
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Thanks Ingrid. I must admit I go through phases of spending FAR too much time browsing all of the wonderful things out there!
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Louisa recommended the post BOMs-Are they for you? 8 years, 3 months ago
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Christine Hutchins wrote a new post, Sunshine Frolics – BOM from Villavin 8 years, 3 months ago
Some of you will be familiar with the Block of the Month (or BOM), and others will not be. For quite a few years I didn’t give them any thought at all, but about 10 years ago I saw a quilt that I liked and wanted t…

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I love Abbie Searle’s Mystery Quilt .. a BOM with a secret .. that’s availabe in our online shop and one I am taking part in. Waiting each month for the surprise to arrive is something to look forward to. All in all I think it’s worth the investment, either BOM or Mystery, and even after only one block I have learnt so much from it too.
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AbbieAnne wrote a new post, Mystery Block 2 & Dragonfly 3 now available……….and STUFF!!! 8 years, 3 months ago
Hi Everybody!!
I hope you’re all well?……
……..there’s too much of this coughing lark going on for my liking, I’ve been laid up with bugs! I had to cancel going to the Duxford Show before the weather had ev…

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Louisa recommended the post Carol Munro AKA The Quilting Procrastinator 8 years, 3 months ago
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Christine Hutchins and
Joanna Hendy are now friends 8 years, 3 months ago
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Abigail Sheridan de Graaff recommended the post Carol Munro AKA The Quilting Procrastinator 8 years, 3 months ago
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Val Brooks wrote a new post, Tales from Val's Blog Cabin – March 2018 8 years, 3 months ago
Free Motion Quilting – NOT as daunting as I first thought
I remember at the beginning of this passion, I asked the question ‘What’s the difference between Patchwork and Quilting?’ and I know it’s a question…
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Elizabeth Goldsworthy wrote a new post, Perseus 8 years, 3 months ago
Before I begin let me first tell you that I first published this as a how to/this is how I did it document on the UKQU Facebook group approximately 2 years or so ago. I had some great feedback at the time and then…

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UKQU Admin Team wrote a new post, Celtic Blessings Cushions 8 years, 3 months ago

We are constantly inspired by nature. Celtic spirituality is earthed in…
UKQU Admin Team wrote a new post, Spindrift Quilt Pattern 8 years, 3 months ago

A mist of salty sea spray blown on the coastal summer breeze. Choppy…
Abigail Sheridan de Graaff recommended the post Well you have a man amongst you now…….. 8 years, 3 months ago
Nina wrote a new post, Feeling eggcited – FPP egg pattern and discount code 8 years, 3 months ago
This blog post has two parts; both equally amazing if I may say so myself… There is an egg FPP pattern and a discount code for some lovely fabrics to use when making the eggs.
I really enjoyed creating the p…

UKQU Admin Team wrote a new post, Gutermann Circus Play Mat and Bag 8 years, 3 months ago


Another charming addition to the Gutermann Circus range is this heart…
UKQU Admin Team wrote a new post, Gutermann Circus Baby Ball 8 years, 3 months ago

This adorable design by Gutermann, is the perfect for any child, with…
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8 years, 2 months ago
Oh that’s lovely…must get time to make one of these
8 years, 2 months ago
I love Hares! This is on my to-do list