Tuesday, September 26, 2006

A few more show quilts





The quilt show last Saturday had several categories or themes - basically members of the group had at different times been given a theme or topic to work round.

One of these themes was Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a Victorian engineer of some renown whose work can be found around the south west of England. 2006 is the bicentenary of his birth.

These three small quilts were, in my humble opinion, the most impressive of the 15 or 20 quilts in this category

I especially picked the train one for Nigel it commemorates Brunel's GWR - Great Western Railway (or in train buff speak (like DH) 'God's Wonderful Railway).

The sunset quilt depicts Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge which spans the Avon Gorge on the edge of Bristol

The other one is a more general depiction of his many areas of expertise and the stitching was absolutely exquisite

You can see two of these quilts got rosettes

Bristol which is about 45-50 miles from here is a Brunel hot spot, as well as the bridge at Clifton, the docks in Bristol house his SS Great Britain - one of the first iron ships and the Bristol Temple Meads railway station is also his work

Brunel was a truly Great Briton

9 comments:

Melanie said...

It always amazes me, the talent of some people....and their vision. Hey I give it my best shot, but these people bring art to a different level. It's something to be appreciated.

Kate North said...

So, I wonder if GWR is what they are referring to when they say that Duck is a Great Western Engine (in the Thomas books - an ouevre with which I am more familiar than I ever thought I'd be...) Personally, I prefer the sunset bridge quilt, though...

Hedgehog said...

What an unusual and creative 'theme'! Thanks for the mini-bio, too!

The Calico Cat said...

How funny - My dad is a railroad fanatic too. :o)

Lois R. said...

Beautiful quilts. And thanks for the history lesson!

His Office, My Studio said...

My son would love the train quilt. What great ideas quilters have.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh these quilts are so great! I love how people can make quilts look so real!

Simonetta said...

Beautiful quilts, must have been a beautiful show!!!

Ferret said...

I love the bridge, thank you for sharing the pictures.