Lilian Hedley's North Country Whole Cloth Quilting: Strippys and Tupenny Feathers

Lilian Hedley lives in Durham in the North of England. She is regarded as one of the finest creators of hand stitched whole cloth (single fabric) quilts. In this video interview with Lilian and tutorial, we learn about the history of North Country quilting as well as the production of 'commercial' style quilts that often featured Strippys and Tupenny Feathers. A rare glimpse into the work of one of the finest whole cloth quilters in the world.
A student of Amy Emms, one of the greatest quilters in the United Kingdom, Lilian credits a series of workshops and teaching experiences for the development of her quilts.
"...1984 was when I first met Amy Emms, I had done a three day workshop at "The Shipley Gallery" Gateshead and the talk was all about when Amy did the workshops, alas for me she had retired. Later that year I did meet her at Frosterly, she did craft fairs to raise funds for the village hall. I had her all to myself for an hour due to very bad weather. She showed me how to draw feathers and patiently answered all my questions. Just watching her quilt was such a treat, at the end of the afternoon which I spent watching and listening to her she asked me for my address and phone number, then said "when you start teaching yourself", I said oh “no I won't be teaching”.
But in fact teaching is where Lilian ended up.
"...I started teaching for the local authority in 1985 (wholecloth). It’s not generally known away from the North East of England, just how much Patchwork I also teach. I have lost track of how many patchwork quilts I have made over the years, my family have some but charities got most of them."
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To learn more about Lilian, please visit her website. www.lilian-hedl...
Filmed at the NEC Birmingham Festival of Quilts and in County York, England. Thanks to Creative Exhibitions, Ltd., London, for sponsorship of this film project.

[@selina1950]

What a lovely lady thank you so much you have inspired me and how easy you made the feathers. How I wish I could get a cuppa and sit and blether with you. Lots of lovely stories. 😊

[@angelapennock2639]

Lovely to see a Durham Quilt being made. I used to make these with my great grandmother and grandmother in Seaham back in the 1960s

[@suehorn4182]

Wonderful insight ❤️

[@SB-xh8gy]

I love this!! My Grandma did this kind of quilting. I am so happy to try this. Thank you so much.

[@kavey8369]

A real pleasure to watch. Lilian is very talented - a real master craftswoman.

[@cherylfoster8734]

Just wonderful, what a talent you possess, you make it look so easy. I do hope this tradition will carry on.

[@isnessinfinite2550]

Thank you for this video! Lilian is wonderful and one of my role models in the quilting world.

[@jackiesoanes5519]

Thoroughly enjoyable thank you

[@Kirstin7258]

This is brilliant - thanks so much!