Another of the exhibitions at this year’s Newark Quilt Show was the Journal Quilt Challenge, where quilters make two A4 size quilts based on the theme for the year, which for 2025 was Improv Quilting.

And for small quilts, there’s a lot of work in these - and there were plenty of entries, way more than I can show in a single post, so I’ve chosen my favourites to include here.

The show notes advise that ‘Improv patchwork & quilting is very ‘on trend’ at the moment but some quilters may be hesitant to try something new without the safety net of rules’ - but then again, that goes for a lot of things in life doesn’t it?

For me the standout entry was the two collages by Joan Weston - not only the subject matter, but also the materials used - fabrics, papers, newspaper extracts as well as stitching and the final products.

The top quilt, which remember is just A4 sized, is a collage of fabrics, papers, newspaper extract and stitching representing the invasion of Ukraine and Zelensky’s moving response channelling Churchill’s speech decades earlier. The second represents the destruction of the cities in Ukraine using newspaper cuttings, photographs and stitching. The stitches show the winter weather suffered by homeless people, bombs and the bloodshed.

No matter what your views on the subject matter, both pieces are incredibly detailed and the amount of work in such a small piece is mind blowing, and totally amazing - and definitely fits into the Improv Quilting category.

Other quilters took a more traditional approach playing with more recognisable quilting shapes and designs - you’ll no doubt recognise some of those which have been given the improv treatment.

UPS & DOWNS AND GOING IN CIRCLES, HANNAH CARLISLE

IMPROV 8-POINTED STAR AND IMPROV QUADRANGLES, RUTH CASE

Other quilters took a less structured approach and used the materials, colours, shapes and stitching to represent a wide array of topics - from migraines and recovery, to cities and nature.

IMPRESSIONS OF NICE: I AND II, JULIET WEST

JUST WINGING IT I AND II, SHEENA ROBERTS

And then there was the completely wacky - and I say this full of admiration - the riot of colours, approaches and textures was equally as amazing.

WEIRD WILD WORLD AND WILD WEIRD WOLRD, MARY WATTS

STRANGE WORLDS AND LIFT OFF, HOPKIN REES

It’s also clear that these small quilts are equally as addictive as their larger versions - and I’m sure aren’t significantly less work either. The second inclusion by Hopkin Rees above was also reassuringly honest, and demonstrates that many crafters continue to be unhappy with their work. The Cyclops and String Adagio quilts were originally pieced and appliquéd but unhappy with the effect they ‘over sewed each separate fabric piece with vibrant stitch painting’ resulting in blocks of solid colour - the end result is particularly stunning I think.

These final two did raise a smile, which was the maker’s intention, though while I bet they were fun to make and are instantly recognisable, I think I’ll stick with the real thing!