The Hand Sewing and Quilting Retreat Design
Created exclusively by Heather Jones
Novelist Jane Austen often stayed at Goodnestone after her brother married into the family and it is reputed to have inspired her best-loved novel, Pride and Prejudice. A skilled needlewoman, Jane along with her mother and sister Cassandra hand-stitched a coverlet with a central diamond motif surrounded by 249 smaller diamonds joined by spotted sashing.
Drawing for inspiration on the Austen family coverlet, quilter Heather has designed an exclusive improvisational quilt project for this retreat. The contemporary design around the large, central diamond motif finishes at roughly 28” square and featuring 9 blocks with sashing around the edges. Depending on your level of skill, the size or complexity of your chosen design, you may prefer to focus on hand stitching the quilt top during the week. More experienced quilters may find they are able to complete their quilt project including hand stitching the batting and backing. Heather’s tuition includes full instructions for completing the project at home.
