Sorrento (BC) 2012

I’m a bad blogger. I readily admit it. Work takes precedence, and unfortunately, my work has nothing to do with quilting. And this week I actually took a day off work so I could celebrate my 25th anniversary with my partner. It was sweet, but now I’m playing catch up.

Not much time at the sewing machine, but I hope to make up for that this weekend. Until then, I’ve been asked to pass along some information about the upcoming annual Quilt Week (Apr. 15-20) in beautiful Sorrento - I’ve been there so I know! (My picture below, taken from my cousin-in-law’s backyard in Blind Bay, just outside of Sorrento.)

The Pleasures of Quilting and Fibre

In April each year there is a gathering of enthusiastic quilters and fibre artists at Sorrento Centre, where they meet to work on a new project or technique and share their love of textiles. This year there are three workshops for the participants to choose from:

Lynn Knox from Vernon will be teaching "Stars by the Lake", a beautiful traditional quilt in four fabrics. Lynn is well-known throughout the Okanagan as an engaging teacher who will delight you with her good humour and great quilting tips ... and who is also known for her great desserts!

Dianne Jansson will be leading a workshop where the participants will arrive knowing only that they need to bring certain fabrics . . . Dianne has created a "Mystery Quilt" called "Summer Gardens" which will be unveiled as the quilters work from one step to the next in the construction, without knowing exactly what it will look like until its completion at the end of the week. Dianne Jansson is a very experienced and beloved quilting instructor whose warm encouragement and attention to detail is appreciated by all who have taken her courses.

For those who like to think outside the box, Blind Bay quilter Kathy Kinsella will be teaching "Swatch, Stitch & Stash" a workshop focusing on a variety of fibre art techniques. Participants will learn to make their own unique fabric, create machine wrapped cords and sticks, fibre art beads, silk fusion, needle felting and thread lace. There will be flexibility in the samples created ... and they will be made in a format that will allow them to be compiled into a delightful journal that will be enjoyed for its esthetics as well as its value as a reference tool. This workshop will appeal to those who are itching to dip their toes in the fibre art pond as well as those who are already paddling. Kathy excels in encouraging her students to "let go and have fun" creating unique art quilts.

This year the Quilt Week participants will check-in on April 15 and depart on April 20th, after experiencing four days of instruction and creativity. This fun-filled event is a retreat format with delicious meals, comfortable private rooms and lots of space to spread out to create a masterpiece. Registration is limited in each workshop so you are encouraged to register as soon as possible by phone (250-675-2421) or by checking out the course information and registration at www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca.

Until next time,