The Magic of Wales

Discover the charm, history, and artistry of Welsh quilting

Discover the charm, history, and artistry of Welsh quilting alongside renowned quilt collector Jen Jones. Sew the beautiful Spiral Star Quilt inspired by centuries of Welsh patchwork, and hand quilting.

Overview

About this Workshop

Travel through the rolling countryside of Wales and uncover the stories behind some of the world’s most distinctive quilts in one of our first-ever workshops. Guided by Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh, you’ll explore historic Welsh patchworks, wholecloth quilts, and textile traditions through exclusive visits to the Welsh Quilt Centre, the National Wool Museum, textile makers, artist Valériane Leblond, and collectors who are preserving this remarkable heritage. Throughout the journey, you’ll learn to make the Welsh-inspired Spiral Star Quilt, with tips and tricks on cutting and construction using flying geese and half square triangles. Filled with cultural discoveries, textile history, inspiring guest artists, and practical instruction, this workshop offers a memorable journey into the heart of Wales and the enduring magic of its quilting traditions.

Highlights
Piecing
Hand-Quilting
Knife-Edge Binding
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Tutorial and Project Files

Stitching the Spiral Star Quilt

Below you’ll find a video and two PDF’s with comprehensive information on how to prepare for your Spiral Star Quilt.

Chaptered video - pause, rewind, and stich along

Project Resources

Everything you need to complete the project, all in one place.
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Prep Video
Watch this prep video for information of how to prepare to stitch your Spiral Star Quilt
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1205720255
fas fa-file-pdf
Quilting Templates
This document contains a list of quilting templates for inspiration.
https://quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/20231019001729/Quiltfolk-Wales-PatternMagic-Of-Wales-Spiral-Star-Templates.pdf
fas fa-file-pdf
Instructions
This document contains the instructions to construct your Spiral Star Quilt
https://quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/20231019001826/Qf-Workshop-MagicOfWales-Instructions-2.pdf
The Episodes

Episode Guide

We’ve taken our long-form documentary and crafted it into a 12-part episodic series — part travelogue, part museum tour, part intimate maker portrait. Each episode shines a light on a different corner of Wales’s stitching story.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204328649
01

A Welsh Brew with Jen Jones & Hazel Newman

Meet and discover the works of Jen Jones in her cottage over a lovely Welsh brew.

0:18:12
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204333320
02

Welsh Patchwork at The Welsh Quilt Centre

Join Welsh quilt collector Jen Jones, alongside Jenni and Kay, on a tour of her 2021 exhibition at the Welsh Quilt Centre.

0:36:14
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204459840
03

A Tour of “How Do You Do?” at The Welsh Quilt Centre

Explore the How Do You Do? exhibit at The Welsh Quilt Centre.

0:12:53
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204330418
04

Life in Wales with Stuart Evans

Meet Stuart Evans, former curator at the Ceredigion Museum as he discusses life in Wales.

0:09:25
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204459841
05

Wrexham Tailor's Quilt

Discover the most well-known patchworks produced in Wales.

0:14:28
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204327697
06

A History of Welsh Quilts

Visit St. Fagens Museum to discover and discuss the history of Welsh quilting.

0:09:27
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204332251
07

Painting Welsh Patchworks with Valériane Leblond

Meet Valériane Leblond, author and illustrator as she explores how she uses quilts in her work.

0:12:58
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204329247
08

At Home with Mary Jenkins

Visit the home of quilter and author Mary Jenkins, where she discusses the inspiration behind her work and collection.

0:20:02
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204329036
09

All About Welsh Flannel

Meet Raymond Jones, a historic Welsh flannel weaver and owner of Melin Teifi.

0:06:41
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204329895
10

Improv Quilting with Nicholas Ball

Sit down with Welsh quilter and author Nicholas Ball in his home as he takes us through his methods and inspiration.

0:15:06
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204332201
11

Making Welsh Cakes with Nicholas Ball

Nicholas Ball teaches Jenni and Kay how to make real Welsh cakes.

0:08:51
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1204332872
12

Spiral Star Inspiration

Explore the inspiration behind the quilt design for this workshop at The Welsh Quilt Centre.

0:04:42
Extras

More to Explore

Food & Drink

Bara Brith & Welsh Cakes

Recipe

Bara Brith Recipe

Ingredients
  • 425g (3 and 3/4 cups) self-raising flour (self-rising flour)
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 180g (3/4 cup) soft brown sugar
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 500g (approx. 4 cups) mixed dried fruits
  • Zest of one orange
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 300ml (1 and 1/3 cups) hot black tea
  • Butter for greasing

 

Method
  1. Put the dried fruit into a large bowl and cover it with hot tea; leave it to soak overnight.
  2. The next day, mix the sugar, egg, orange zest, and honey. Add the mixture to the soaked fruit and stir.
  3. Preheat the oven to 160C (375F or gas mark 3). Grease and line a 900g (about 8 x 4 x 3 inches) loaf tin with parchment paper.
  4. Sift the flour and mixed spice and add it to the wet mixture. Beat until combined.
  5. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 1 ¼ hours.
  6. The loaf should be well risen, golden in colour, and firm to the touch. (Poke it with a skewer and return it to the oven if it doesn’t come out clean.)
  7. Baste the top with honey and allow the loaf to cool on a wire rack.
  8. Serve sliced with butter and enjoy!
Recipe

Welsh Cakes Recipe

Ingredients
  • 225g (1 and 3/4 cups) plain flour (all-purpose flour)
  • 85g (1/2 cup) caster sugar (castor / superfine / baker’s sugar)
  • 1/2 tsp mixed spice 
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 100g (7 tablespoons) butter, cut into small pieces
  • 50g (1/3 cup) currants or sultanas (raisins)
  • 1 egg beaten
  • Splash of milk
  • A pinch of salt
Method

The second recipe is for delicious Welsh cakes, which are best enjoyed warm with butter. Check out the Day 1 recording (around 02:09:20) to learn how to make these delicious treats with instruction from our quilting friend Nicholas Ball (@quiltsfromtheattic). 

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Questions

Have a question for Jenni and Kay? Use the form below to submit a question and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Workshop Preview

The Magic of Wales

A Welsh Brew with Jen Jones & Hazel Newman
Project Resource

Prep Video

Watch this prep video for information of how to prepare to stitch your Spiral Star Quilt
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    Magic of Wales

    beginner
    4 hr 19 min
    13
     Lessons

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