Jane Austen Whitecroft Tour 2019

I have pre-release information about the next wonderful Whitecroft Jane Austen tour, which will take place 1 - 11 September 2019.  There is a tab at the top of my blog page to link you to the Whitecroft website.  Their website is currently under redesign and will be launched with the full information about the tour soon.  You can request a full itinerary now and submit an expression of interest before it goes online by emailing here.

I have been privileged to accompany two of these amazing tours and I am very excited to be joining the third tour with Helen Bertram and Jane Tapley.

The itinerary includes many gorgeous locations associated with The Life and Times of Jane Austen.  You do not have to be an Austen fanatic to enjoy this bespoke tour, however. If you are interested in textiles, history, architecture, art, literature, embroidery, fashion, food, scenery and great company, you will not be disappointed.  We have had a couple of gentlemen on tour and they have also enjoyed it very much.

Here are some my memorable highlights from previous tours.

Of course seeing the Jane Austen quilt on display in her home at Chawton.

Winchester Cathedral, final resting place of Jane Austen.

Montacute, with its magnificent gardens and collection of samplers.

Chavenage, filming location for the recent Poldark series.

Stunning Sudeley Castle with fabulous gardens and collections of treasures.

Chawton House Library, closely connected to the Austen family and now a repository for the works of female authors.

The delightful village of Lacock, film set for many historic productions.

A visit to the amazing medieval cathedral at Wells to see the incredible stone carvings and the ecclesiastical tapestries and vestments.

We will stay in the magnificent Georgian city of Bath for ten nights.

We will have a delightful lunch in the Pump Rooms.

We will visit the beautiful Fashion Museum which displays exquisite historic garments on life size models.

We will tour stunning Number 1 Royal Crescent to see how the wealthy (and their servants) lived in Georgian England.

We will visit the gorgeous American Museum in Bath to see their extensive collection of antique quilts and furniture.

I will also conduct a one day workshop to learn some of my hand appliqué techniques.

Our final evening features an exclusive tour and dinner in the famous Roman Baths.

Looking back over all my photos fills me with wonderful memories and excitement for the next tour.

If you would like a copy of the detailed itinerary please email me here or contact Helen Bertram at Whitecroft Traditional Tours.

Some more lovely quilts

I love to receive photos from my students of their finished quilts.  Sometimes I do not get to see them in real life, so please keep them coming.

This is Margaret's' magnificent "Longbourne".  I absolutely love the red and blue together.

This is a photo sent to me by Jan in Queensland, who made my "Winchester" Quilt from my Quilters Companion DVD and pattern.  Looks amazing.

Here is a great finish by Dianne in class at Lyn's Fine Needlework.  She has been working on "Millefiori" for some time.  All done now and looks fantastic.

More "Hartfield" Beauties at The Stitchers Cupboard

Two more classes this week featuring some wonderful work being achieved by my students on their "Hartfield" quilts.

A number of ladies are up to the elongated hexagon border so we had lots of goodies to lay out and arrange in order.

These very pretty ones are by Karen.

These are by Jenny.

These are by Glynnis.

These are by Jennie.

These amazing ones are by Jenny (just realised I have lots of Jennys in class!). Gorgeous jewel colours which really pop on the black background.

This is progress so far on Jenny's centre.  Amazing.

This is Glynnis' lovely centre.

This is Glynne's beautiful centre (hi Glynne).

This Centre with complete elongated hexie borders is by Robyn.  Fabulous.

Robyn has started putting together the octagons for the outside blocks.

This is Jennie's centre laid out.  Love it.

This is Jan's lovely centre.

On a different note, Chris began her journey to make "Netherfield". 

A big week.

Magnificent versions of "Hartfield"

Yesterday's class at The Stitchers Cupboard in Camden was filled with big reveals of all the progress made on "Hartfield" centres!  Wow.  Fabulous work girls!  

Several ladies were on their machines piecing sections of appliqué on to their centres.  One such was Lyn, who despite having a lovely trip to Europe for my Jane Austen tour, has done heaps of sewing on "Hartfield".  Lots amazing with vintage purple borders.

She has also made several of the outside blocks.

Kerry joked "that is not purple, take a look at this one"!  Ha ha.  Very bright and gorgeous blocks.

This is Mooneen's stunning centre including the elongated hexagon borders.  Wow!  Mooneen also joined me on the Jane Austen tour.  Super woman sewing.

Julie added several more borders to her lovely centre.  Getting bigger Julie!  Yay.

Here is Sue's lovely centre.

This is Jennie's gorgeous centre and her rows of fabulous elongated hexagons in progress.

Love the fussy cutting!

Thanks for a great class ladies, love your work!  Katrina x

Hobbysew Classes This Week

Back to my three regular classes at Hobbysew Kings Park on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday in the first week of every month.  It was great to see all of my ladies again and catch up with what they have been doing.  Some said they also took a holiday from sewing.  Lol.

Anne has made huge progress on her beautiful version of "Meryton", all blocks made, just the top row to stitch on and borders.  Fabulous!

Here is Christine with the lovely fresh and pretty version of "Now and Zen" she has made for her grand daughter.  All finished.

Christine is an excellent cook and cake decorator.  Here are the delicious cup cakes she made for the class to welcome me home.  Thanks Christine.

Wendy has been working on her gorgeous "Hartfield" centre.  Love it.

Dru was making hexies for her "Wentworth".

Lesley has almost completed one quarter of the appliqué in the centre of her "Rosings".  I always loved this design.

This is Pat's beautiful soft version of "Hartfield".  She has done lots since I saw it last.  Beautiful!

This is Kerrie's centre for "Hartfield", also gorgeous.

Thanks for a great week Hobbysew.  I have a couple of spots available in Thursday Jane Austen Quilt day, if you are free.