I have previously remarked upon the City & Guilds online patchwork and quilting course that I undertook with Linda and Laura Kemshall of Design Matters (see: 21 October, 15 April and 17 April). Following the release of Linda and Laura’s new book*, several people have asked me for more information about the City & Guilds course.
First of all, I should highlight that I completed the 7822-10 course which is pitched at an introductory level. I was so excited when I discovered this course was available back in 2002. Up until that point, I was self-taught and was working through books and magazines in a very ad hoc fashion. Work and other commitments meant that I was not in a position to attend quilt shop classes so this course was ideal for my circumstances. Things I liked about the course include:
- being able to work in your own time at your own pace in your own home;
- Linda and Laura, despite being on the other side of the world were very responsive, thoughtful and encouraging;
- the structured syllabus addressed techniques and activities that I might otherwise have skipped over;
- scope to “take it further” if a particular segment appealed;
- emerging with a formal qualification; and
- the emphasis on contemporary quiltmaking.
As an enthusiastic beginner, I found this course suited my needs and it reinforced my desire to further explore contemporary quiltmaking. There are more advanced City & Guilds patchwork and quilting courses available. As I haven’t undertaken these Level 2 and 3 courses, I cannot comment with any authority but I do have reservations about whether these programs offer good value for more experienced and confident quiltmakers. I’d be interested to hear the views of others. (Helen has written about her C&G experience on the Twelve by Twelve blog.)
*Both Diane and Caity have written book reviews on The Painted Quilt.