Lisa Watson Blog
Much excitement at quilt towers since I have been contacted by Wildside productions, http://www.wildsideproductions.co.uk/ (who create documentaries for the Spanish Ministery of Education) to participate in a programme they are filming on start up businesses. That’s English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5wHwtZQ6hU is a language teaching programme, similar in content to our educational OU programmes and will be aired on Spains TV2 http://www.rtve.es/television/la-2-directo/. Filming is on 18th September and I cannot wait!
My granny who is now 95 loves Spain and in true ex pat Brit style, along with my grandfather spent the winter months of their retirement in a finca near Alicante. So if I’m lost in translation, I shall ask my Granny, (or my kids) to translate for me when the show is aired.
Incidentally, Wildside Productions found me via a guest blog post I wrote for Blue Orchid http://www.blueorchid.co.uk/2014/07/a-quilt-will-warm-your-body-and-comfort-your-soul/ which goes to show blogging is good for you and your business.
Read MoreOOhhh the excitment, I am collaborating with The Great British Banjo Company (who make a Shackleton banjo) and am stitching some Shackleton Quilts.
You might recall my previous post;
https://www.quiltsbylisawatson.co.uk/manly-or-girly-whats-a-quilt-to-be/
Why make a quilt of course! Following lots of discussion the final fabrics have been chosen and next week we start stitching. Huzzah. Look forward to hard wearing corduroy matched with utilitarian fabrics from totally British Ian Mankin; http://www.ianmankin.co.uk/, coupled with yes it’s my fav; Harris Tweed
http://thegreatbritishbanjoblog.com/
Read Morehttps://folksy.com/shops/stitchpics
To buy our distinctive gentleman explorer quilt The Shackleton please visit click http://theshackleton.bigcartel.com/product/the-shackleton-gentleman-explorer-quilt
Since starting my quilt business I have been advised by the fabulous Stuart Ridgeway at Blue Orchid (UK business start up and growth agency). Earlier this month I was asked to contribute to the Blue Orchid blog writing about my quilts; http://www.blueorchid.co.uk/2014/07/a-quilt-will-warm-your-body-and-comfort-your-soul/
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Gosh, I am featured in two lush publications this month; Totally Tweed in the Scottish Field and again in The English Home
have a look see at; http://www.scottishfield.co.uk/ & http://www.theenglishhome.co.uk/home
Read MoreHappy to have my shop re-opened on Etsy. Since Etsy is an American website, and America has a rich tradition of quilting it’s ideal to sell my quilts here; https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/QuiltsbyLisaWatson
And here’s a reminder of the 5 fabulous British made Harris Tweed and sumptuous velvet quilts and 2 sweet summer cotton quilts that are currently for sale;
Of course, you can still also buy my quilts on folksy, the British based website too; https://folksy.com/shops/stitchpics
Read MoreManly?
Girly?
Manly or Girly, what’s a quilt to be? I only ask, as yesterday was Father’s Day and last week I attended the inspiring & invigorating Meet the Manufacturer event organised by the impressive Kate Hills from Make it British. From Grande Dames of British Manufacturing and I’m not just talking about Mary Portas here (although I’m told her presentation as anticipated hit a bullseye for the Make it British target mark) through to start ups like Quilts by Lisa Watson, we were brought together by our passion for Best of British.
I met some fascinating people and found out about some brilliant British businesses. Two businesses that stood out with strong manly brands were;
&
The Great British Banjo Company…which is now;
I met the charming CEOs of both these companys and amidst the amiable chatter I was led to musing, how manly (or girly) my British Made Harris Tweed and luxurious velvet quilts are?
One side of my quilts are stitched in a traditional strip style of quilt made of Tweed. Harris Tweed is a robust hardwearing woollen fabric which lasts. However, check closely and the flecks in the weave include a rainbow of colours. The other side of my quilts combine luxurious velvet and distinctly British printed fabrics. Who can resist the feel of velvet and it’s a wee bit less stratchy to touch than say army issue blankets. Prints can be subjective, but I know many Renaissance men who rock a liberty print shirt. Quilts have always been fantastic at recycling materials, telling a story and bringing communities together in the great tradition of the sewing bee. Yes, the majority of quilters, both grass root and professional makers are female, however there is also an acknowledged tradition among the services of soldiers quilting and sailors knitting to alleviate the boredom, way way back in the day before social media.
My tongue is cheek point is in the 21st century metrosexual males are in touch with the feminine, whilst in the great tradition of our male British heroes, are also comfortable in their own skins.
Manly or Girly, what’s a quilt to be? It doesn’t matter! What matters is that Quilts by Lisa Watson are 100% British made, using fabulous fabrics, colours and textures and you are guaranteed a distinctly unique quilt that is made to last and will just grow better with age, as even more of your stories are interwoven into its fabrics.
Check out these great manly British brands;
http://www.privatewhitevc.com/
http://thegreatbritishbanjocompany.com/
To buy British, look no further than;
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I wanted to extend my range of quilts and provide an lighter cotton quilt, ideal to keep any nighttime chills at bay, while have the perfect combination of summer patterns; seaside stripes or English rose to brighten up your bed, sofa, deckchair, loveseat, swing or veranda!
Read MoreAnd this is my new quilt; fabulous colour and textile combinations with Harris Tweed Hebrides stitched in a traditional quilt strip style on one side, vivid yellow British velvet surrounded by Bukhotta fabric by Tinsmiths on the other, all piped and quilted with shimmering gun metal buttons. Delicious. Now you have to decide where it looks best…
Peter Caines is the website genius behind my new look website; http://www.pchelpforyou.co.uk/
Jo Bradbury is my star photographer; http://www.jobradbury.co.uk/
Read MoreOn Sunday 26th March, I will be taking my distinctly British, hand made and truly unique quilts, cushions and more to Altrincham Market .
See you there x