AFTER THE STORM.

This art quilt title seems a good place to start this, my first post of 2025, after the weather we have been experiencing here on the South Wales coast.

The idea for this piece, came to me while taking a walk on the beach after a storm.

My plan had been to make a graphic interpretation of the beach, with simple shapes and minimal stitching.

I began working on it November 2021, before the above mentioned walk. However, once I had seen all the flotsam and jetsam strewn across the now calm beach, I realised that the simple plan was out of the window.

THE DETAILS:

I used a combination of machine and hand stitch.

I added these ‘stream’ lines coming off the sea to add more movement and to help the eye travel around the quilt.

The embroidered motifs were stitched before I put on a backing.

The rocks are needle turned applique.

The bulk of the quilting has been done with a stab stitch.

I used a polycotton for the faced binding and backing.

As you can see, not all of the stitching I have done comes through backing.

As I am not entering this into any competitions that is fine by me. I am all about what is easier for me and more importantly my hands.

It felt good to finally get this one finished in 2024. Let me know below about any thing you got off the UFO pile.

I shared more of my process for this, and other makes, with the members of Fabric Paint Stitch. It is an ever growing resource of videos on fabric painting, making and new for this year is the stand alone workshop Patchwork Landscapes. The cost to join is just £6 per month and you are welcome to sign up to take the workshop, while having a look around and what else is on offer. If it’s not for you it’s easy to cancel your subscription. I am extremely grateful for the support that the membership gives me.

Many people have suffered from extreme weather last year and now in 2025. My hope is that you can all stay safe, and that you can use your creativity to help you through the rough days.