When I got into the hall it wasn't very full so I went straight to the quilts - other visitors were shopping - so I could have a good look without having to dodge around people. There were a reasonable number of competition entries on show with categories ranging from Bed Quilts to Wearable Art, but the back room wasn't used and there were a lot of Feature Displays covering diverse topics - all of which were very interesting

My favourite Feature Display was by Gillian Travis who had a wonderful display of small quilts called "Journeys in Stitch", depicting her travels to South Africa, India, Israel, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Europe and Jordan over several years. I particularly liked the 12 small quilts of South African women, each one made with African fabric.

There were a lot of whole cloth-type, machine embroidered quilts - to me not at all exciting, although very well made. The larger quilts were mostly traditional in style with a few modern ones - with the use of bright colours and big patterns with "space". I can't remember seeing a quilt with a "Best in Show" rosette but the one that had three purple rosettes for different categories was a colourful double-wedding ring quilt made by an Irish woman for her daughter's wedding. It was very nice, with swirling stems of flowers around the borders. There was nothing that wowed me.  

The usual traders were in attendance, all overloaded with fabric and accessories, and I had to buy some fabric, of course - not a lot - it will come in handy some day!  

A quick trip - I was home just after 1.00 pm. I didn't go to Sandown last year but it seemed smaller than the last time I went and, to be honest, not very exciting, and with similar exhibits to those I remember from my previous visits. Next year? Maybe.

................. and the views of another member ....................

I usually go to Sandown with Hannah but as she was away I decided to go on the tram and train. I got there at bout 10.40 and decided to make my way down the traders to the back of the hall where all the quilts were, looking for a match for some fabric that I had run out of.  

The number of quilts seemed smaller than usual and there were no displays in the small room at the back, the displays by various well known quilters and quilt groups were in the main hall with the other quilts.  

On the whole there were not any of the more traditional quilts that had the “wow” factor for me but I really like the work of Gillian Travis and the display that was inspired by her travels to Uzbekistan, India, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, South Africa, Europe, Israel and Jordan was lovely. The display by Cabot Quilters was interesting as well, Christine Porter found a bolt of fabric in a remote quilt shop in Canada which had the Hoffman Colour Palette of 360 on it. She cut up a piece into 60 strips and gave 3 swatches to 20 participants and asked them to make a quilt 18 x 40 to hang vertically. Like Jackie I could not find “Best in Show” but I agree the Double Wedding Ring was beautiful.  

After a look round the rest of the traders I managed to match my fabric at Doughtys and also bought some fat quarters at Fabrics Galore, as you do! 

A very hot trip home on train and tram and I was home about 4.00 

Would I go again, I am not sure.