Get to know The Guild better by meeting our talented members! We have interesting and inspiring members all over the country doing amazing sewing and we want you to be able to share their work.

Meet Guild member Florence Knapp.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on a miniature version of the full-sized quilt pattern that appears in my newly published book, Flossie Teacakes Guide to English Paper Piecing. The central medallion contains 200 pieces and at its reduced scale measures 5.5” in diameter. Wrapping the papers was horribly tricky, but sewing it together has been easier than I anticipated.

What is your favourite quilt that you’ve ever made?

Inspired by older quilts that seem to mix so many different substrates with confidence, I’ve been working on a wall hanging recently that uses silks, shot cottons and regular quilting cotton. I’m really enjoying the mix of textures and the way the light plays with them. It’s not finished yet, but I think it may end up being a favourite.

Who are your quilting heroes?

I’m not sure a quilt hero fits neatly into one category for me, so for colour use, @tarafaughnan and @KaffeFassettStudio; for innovation and vision, the late Lucy Boston, who was so much more than just the Patchwork of the Crosses she’s best-known for; for tactility and texture, @wholeclothstudio; for mind-boggling quilting skills, @wiley_pamela; for completing incredible long-term projects, @lorena_in_syd; and for making beautiful quilts with meaning, the Guild’s very own @plainstitchdeb.

Can you recommend a good quilting read?

The Patchworks of Lucy Boston, written by her daughter-in-law Diana Boston, is one of my favourite books about quilt making. It’s not a pattern book, more a book about Lucy’s quilt-making process and the interesting life she led, accompanied by beautiful photos of her work.

What do you love about The Guild?

Being a member of the Guild feels like an active investment in our country’s quilt heritage. The work the Guild does in maintaining and conserving a body of work that reflects Britain’s quilt-making history feels something worth supporting.

For your chance to win one of three copies of Florence’s sell-out new book, Flossie Teacakes Guide to English Paper Piecing, please enter your details here and use the comment box to answer the question ‘what is your favourite English Paper Piecing shape?’. Entries close midnight on 8 August 2018. (Edit – competition now closed).

We are asking Members to tell us a bit about their sewing life using five simple questions. At the end of the interview each member suggests another to interview. This way we hope to bring you a wide range of makers from all corners of The Guild over the next weeks and months. If you know an inspiring quilter who we should feature, get in touch digital@quiltersguild.org.uk and we’ll send out a copy of our questionnaire.