Seasonal Gift Guide from House of Quinn
It is that time of year when the festive period is fast approaching and with it the annual conundrum of what to gift friends and loved ones. The act; and subsequent art of giving, has been a ritual that has been with us since pre-Roman times and is an act that has been shared with communities in Britain since the Neolithic age.
A sprig of Mistletoe shared by the Druidic Orders of the British Isles at the beginning of each new year was offered to their communities as a token of good fortune for the year to come. The Romans exchanged gifts known as strenae, in honour of the Goddess Strenia, honouring good health and physical wellbeing.
For communities throughout history, gifting has been an act of celebrating connection, and community and as a way to bring people together. Today we sometimes can get a little carried away, but a small token or gift can be a wonderful way to share a connection with others and as an act of appreciation for one another.
Sometimes, (especially in my household) the act of giving can cause great anxiety when we are trying to find the perfect gift that says “I think about you, I acknowledge you and I pay interest in your passions and interests”. I know from experience that gifting has brought on many worrying moments during celebrations, holidays and anniversaries, for fear of not wanting to get it wrong or let someone down or gift them something they would not like. The always daunting task should be one of joy and excitement.
If you are here and reading this, you are probably a like-minded person who may be looking for some gift ideas that would suit other, like-minded people during this festive season. Here are a few sources for gift suggestions and inspiration that may be helpful in a last-minute hunt for that perfect present.
The Gift of Learning
Gifting an experience or event is always a wonderful way to share not only a thoughtful gesture but also a future date to look forward to later in the year.
Creative Textile Workshops with Ray Stitch, London.
In the new year, I will be teaching two types of workshops on multiple dates, hosted at Ray Stitch, London. You can join us for an Abstract Applique workshop or learn the art of informal curved patchwork. Both are full-day workshops hosted within the wonderful store and sewing room setting of Ray Stitch.
£180 from Ray Stitch London
Online Quilting workshops with create academy
Share the gift of online learning with my contemporary quilting course from Create Academy. Learn from the comfort of your own home, in your own time and at your own pace. You can even watch it with a friend.
Modern Quilting: A Contemporary Guide to Quilting by Hand
Pick up a copy of my book, Modern Quilting from all good bookstores as well as online book retailers. Purchasing your copy from bookshop.org also supports independent and local bookshops at the same time, and we do love our indie bookstores.
£18.99 Bookshop.org
two day quilting retreats on the kent coast
If you would like to get away for some restorative seaside air and a relaxing getaway. I offer a two day creative quilting reatreat at the beautiful Kindred House in Margate, Kent. You can stay in the house or join us for teh two day workshops. Accomodation, breakfast and lunch are provided as well as two days of learning in the wonderful town of Margate.
£280 - £480 at Kindred House
Last Minute Art Guide
You can find a selection of available works from galleries, stores and stockists this festive period.
M.A.H Gallery
You can find a selection of my work at M.A.H Gallery including this piece. Hal II, mono printed fabric collage framed in a beautiful walnut frame.
£950 M.A.H Gallery
Original Painting from Partnership Editions
Discover my collection of mixed media paintings and textiles collages from Partnership Editions.
"The Lithomancer is a collection of painted collages and textiles works that explores ideas around collecting objects and the meaning we project onto inanimate things. How the placement of these objects may provide answers to questions through their connection, formation and pattern. Thinking about the objects relationship to the owner, their origins and the space they are assembled within."
from £320 Partnership Editions
Door Panels from Mad Atelier
Daras - Meaning ‘door’ in Cornish - [Pronounced Dar - IS], inspired by traditional Portières, they provide an inviting transition between spaces. Invoking a den-like feeling and a reminder of childhood imagination.
Each panel has been created to fit perfectly within a standard British door panel. Suspended from the door frame, the Daras panels act as a decorative divider or unique wall hang.
£520 Mad Atelier
For the Textiles Lover and Maker
There are some beautiful must have gifts for the textile lovers in our lives. I know I would love to receive any of these to add to my collection in the studio. Beautiful sewing gifts to cherish forever.
This Misuya Chubei new Sashiko set
This beautiful Japanese Sashiko set from Studio Masachuka. A wonderful gift to grace any good sewing kit.
£25 Studio Masachuka
Utilitarian toolboxes
This smaller, cantilevered metal workbox is made in Japan and ideal for sewing requisites, model-making components, and many other craft supplies.
£95 Labour and Wait
Shears to last a lifetime
These Sheffield made Tailors Shears are the ultimate sewing room indulgence and coveted cutting tools. Don’t even think about cutting paper with these!
£62 Merchant & Mills
Limited and Rare Vintage Fabrics
To die for, vintage fabrics and linens from The Cloth House. A wonderful selection of limited vintage stock items that once they are gone, they are gone. If you are looking for that perfect aged linen then look no further.
from £20 The Cloth House