Lullingstone Quilt Show - by Kate E

I arrived at Lullingstone Castle for the Quilters Guild Region 2 Annual Exhibition revelling as always in the drive from Eynsford over the ford, through the water meadows, under the old viaduct, past the Mosaic and eventually arriving at the Gatehouse. (It’s an outing in itself!)

My morning duty as a steward didn’t start until 10:30 which gave me plenty of time to see the traders setting out their wares and to decide what I would be going back to buy in my lunchbreak. I also had plenty of time to look at the many beautiful quilts in detail before the visitors started to arrive. There was some fabulous work by the Master Quilter Course candidates who have just finished their studies. A really interesting group display of personal memories of loved ones which incorporated old textiles, photos and memorabilia, gave me lots of inspiration for things to do with the drawerful of embroidered linen my mother left me. An intriguing modern design which after a lot of head scratching and discussion we eventually decided was a very clever homage to Bruce Springsteen.

Fewer quilts on display this year perhaps indicative that people are resuming their lives after the pandemic and fewer traders but the quality of traders and exhibits shone through. 

Friday was not the best day weatherwise and the afternoon was very quiet but hopefully the weekend improved.