It’s always good to write my blog and spend a few minutes reflecting on my latest trip before I get organised for the next one.

For a week or so I feel like I have NBF’s (new best friends). Social media allows me the chance to keep in touch in the future.

Last year I met Madalena whilst in Prague, she attended one of my workshops in Prague and again we met at the FOQ in Birmingham.

She asked if I would be interested in teaching in Poland. Of course I said yes, as Poland has a tradition of wearing some beautiful folk costumes and I particularly like the paper cuts. If I was going to go to do some teaching then it seemed sensible to add on a couple of extra days to see a bit of Poland.

This week has been a full on very busy week, with beautiful hot and sunny weather (apart from my day in Lodz)  and I feel really inspired.

I really need to spend some time in my studio but I have a trip to France coming up soon (I’m not complaining)

Patchwork and Quilting in Poland as a hobby is new and the Polish Patchwork Association was only recently formed – it felt exciting to be at the beginning, everyone had some much enthusiasm.

I arrived and was taken to an exhibition of one of the members Anna Slawinska

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There were lots of people present – it was good to see so much interest.

Here is a photo of 3 pieces I really liked. They are laid down, covered with net and then stitched over.

Next day I was interviewed by Krystyna who writing an article for a Polish woman’s magazine. She was really interested in the social aspects of quilting, the stories of how quilting has brought women together and how much fun we have. Later I taught 30 life style journalists who worked in various magazines in the city. They were being entertained by Fiskars. We had a fabulous lunch and I did enjoy listening to what else the company makes and where the scissors are made etc.

The 4″ orange handled scissors are my favourite scissors – all my interchange appliqué quilts are made with these scissors.

I was given another pair of orange handled scissors to add to my collection.

I was staying in the middle of Warsaw, the weather was beautiful so after teaching I wandered through the city taking many photos.

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We visited the Ethnographic museum, although I enjoyed it I was disappointed as there are few costumes on show, and no decent books to buy. However I did manage to buy a few books at other museums later in the week.

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One of the highlights of my trip was judging the Let’s Go Folk patchwork competition.

I normally avoid judging as I find I am too subjective but this was a pleasure.

There were 4 judges, it was so lovely to meet Marianne who has written 2 books. Lenka brought me one when she met up with me in Birmingham. I now own the other one! I was pleased to see we both liked the same quilts and we all agreed on the winning quilts.

Here are a few and I’m really sorry but I dont have the names of all the makers. Polish names are quite hard to remember.

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I loved the first prize and it has reminded me of the cynotype printing I did many years ago. I made cushions with images of my boys on them – it must be 15 years ago. I need to find my teaching samples and teach it again.

My teaching days went well, teaching with an interpreter can be hard but Lenka and I made a good team

I had drawn a pattern for the Warsaw Town Houses Project from pictures that I found on google.

I will post some of the students work in another post

Saturday night was the Night of the Museums when many museums stay open all night but we didn’t go to any other museums as after a full days teaching and the opening night of the Lets Go Folk exhibition it was a long day.

The next day we set off early to Zalipe. I have seen images of the village on Facebook etc and I really wanted to go. First we visited Tarnow. It has a large Romany population and has a few wooden churches in the town

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I loved Zalipe. The quality of the painting was far better than I expected and there are many houses that are painted. They are quite spread out so it is better if you have a car. If you are ever near Krakow I would recommend a visit.

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We then went on to stay with a friend who I met many years ago, she lives for a few months of the year just outside of Krakow, and the rest in Hebden Bridge. Monday is never a good day to visit museums as they are generally closed but it was good to wander the city.

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I absolutely loved the interior of the church of St Francisco. The stained glass and the painting are fabulous.

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With another sunny day it seems a shame to go into the museum. I was disappointed with the ethnographic museum in Warsaw but the one in Krakow made up for it. Well presented with some beautiful costumes.

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The stained glass museum was interesting to see in their traditional workshop they work in the same way as many of us who make quilts.

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I said goodbye and took a train to Lodz (pronounced Woodge) I wanted to go there as it is referred to as the Manchester of Poland, and has an interesting past.

There were several good exhibitions on in the museum of Textiles and others in the Ethnographic museum. Just a shame it rained a lot during the day.

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My bags were stuffed full of new books and a few souvenirs and with hundreds of new photos I need to get some new quilts made, just need to stop teaching and spend some time at home in my studio.

Another very successful trip, good friends made and most of all, it was good to be in the company of some enthusiastic talented quilters eager to learn more.

4 Comments. Leave new

  • Anne Bruntlett
    26th May 2017 9:04 am

    Love the nativity sets with all the glitz. Could imagine some foil and cellophane upcycling here!

    Reply
  • So enthusiastic post on your visit to Poland. I am so happy to read it.
    It was a pleasure to meet you, know your passion and also acknowledge the hints and tips – tones of thanks Gillian!
    Feel free to visit Poland again, any time 🙂

    Reply
  • Julie Konrad-Kosicki
    27th May 2017 5:13 am

    It was a pleasure to host you and Lenka and be treated to an impromptu viewing of your quilts. My students and Cafe members are still talking about them. They were bowled over! I really enjoyed our days in Krakow especially the beautiful Wyspański decorated St Francis church and the Ethnographic museum. I,too,have been to Zalipie and loved the decorated houses. I look forward to meeting again on Polish soil, my adopted country through marriage which I adore. You have inspired me especially with your free machine demonstration in the Bernina shop.

    Reply
  • I love Krakow but there are many other beautiful cities in Poland like for example Warsaw. Polish capital is one of the most interesting places in the country. There are many corners to visit, but as I know, and lot of people go there, when they have health problems.
    In places like the American Clinic, and part of Medicover Hospital, they can take care of many diseases.

    Reply

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