Modern Art Quilters - Newsletter April 2026

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Poisson D'Avril? In English, we say "April Fool" - in French, (so much more classy), "Poisson(s) D'Avril" - April Fish... So, this month we think about fishiness, and also about jokes - while we think that there is much too much work in a quilt to make "jokes" there have been some good ones out there. And, who are we to tell you what to make? And, also, in the interest of making your brain work hard, Illusions. A few years ago we (actually HB) set a challenge for Modern Quilt of "Fooling The Eye" and the resulting quilts came up with us to the SECC in Glasgow a short moment before the Great Pause... It was noticeable that the quilts appealed equally to men and women, but the men stood much longer than we expected, and in awe. And several took up quilting as a result... This is A Result of course. HB went on to make a whole series of 3D illusion quilts in her inimitable style, HH prefers the Impossible, see below for an example and a link to a pattern... Helen Howes and AitchBee Contact us direct on newsletter@modernartquilters.co.uk Why not forward this message to your quilty friends who might enjoy our ramblings. They can CLICK HERE to go straight to our newsletter sign up page. HEADER IMAGE: Detail from HB's NEGATIVE SPACE - the joke? There was absolutely no negative space on the quilt at all!
Cats, cats, glorious cats! These little charmers are from HH's new pattern CHARMING CATS, available on her website now.	HB has been updating her calendar page again - see what's on the menu up to August this year. This is LONG WAY HOME - a new workshop.
Click on any picture in this Newsletter to read more. These are mostly links to external websites and blogs - have fun and enjoy looking!
	Fishy fun! These beauties are made by Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) my favourite technique (HB writes). The pattern, by JanesQuiltingRoom, is available to buy on ETSY at a very reasonable price.
	Moving away from FPP, these little fishies are made using a particular ruler from LAZY GIRL Designs, but I feel sure you could make them by improv, or by measuring and cutting. Do have a look at how designer, CAROLYN GRIFFIN, has made the tails for her fish... genius! Click on the LAZY GIRL logo at the top of the webpage and scroll down to view the fantastic range of PDF patterns available for bags and projects.
	This month we return to a favourite blog of our that we haven't pointed you to for a while, EXUBERANT COLOR. Wanda was playing with half rectangle triangles this time a couple of years ago, but there is lots more recent loveliness to see too.
	Chantal of AT THE CORNER OF SCRAP & QUILT calls these her April Fool's blocks, we think they look a little like fishes too. A great one for scrap quilts, Chantal has some interesting images on her blog, not least of which are some lovely pictures taken in nature around her home in Canada.
	Here's a chance for you to make your very own April fishes with this FREE PATTERN by HH. Combining simple improv piecing and half-square-triangles you can make a whole shoal of fishes in different sizes.
	If you like an optical illusion quilt as much as we obviously do, you will enjoy this article on the blog PUZZ CULTURE. I do warn you though, some of these images should come with a health warning - they make your eyes go funny! The image, left, shows a very clever and well known quilt called LABYRINTH WALK designed by Christopher Florence, The Guilty Quilter.
	This is HH's take on Fooling the Eye. This is called IMPOSSIBLE BOX and is a pattern available on her website. Helen has also had great success, and not a little fun, teaching this to various quilt groups around the country.
	More mind-boggling quilts! On the blog PATCHWORK POSSE, Becky has rounded up thirty quilts to trick your eyes - using colour, contrast and clever piecing to create movement and depth.
	More useful information about sewing machines. Afraid of your tension? Struggling with adjusting this (I was told never to touch mine, sigh) Advice and solutions from HH
	As HH mentioned in the editorial, HB has a whole range of patterns for 3-D illusions and impossible figures available on her website. The series now stretches to sixteen different designs, mostly based on FPP but with one or two strip pieced blocks in there too. Click on the image to see the whole series. I will be teaching a series of 3-D illusion quilts, starting this Autumn, in Oxfordshire. More details soon. Watch this space...
	If you have ever wanted to get involved with PROJECT LINUS, this could be just the opportunity you've been looking for: Suffolk Linus Sew Day Saturday 25th April 10am to 4pm Darsham Village Hall. IP17 3FA £10 including refreshments Destash Sale of assorted fabrics (mostly non-quilting) and notions, entry free To book email: suffolklinus@gmail.com Sewing machines must be PAT tested

	On the road again! And a new venue for the Quilter's Apprentice and HB - we'll be at Uttoxeter Racecourse for the British Quilt & Stitch Village in April - do call by and visit the stand to see the latest patterns and kits available. Friday 24th to Sunday 26th April 10am to 4.30pm (4pm Sunday) Uttoxeter Racecourse. ST14 8BD Click on the image for visitor information and online booking
	STITCH ART is an exhibition and sale of textile art by East Kent Textile Artists. Quilts and gifts for sale in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association 17th to 30th April - Monday to Saturday - 10am to 4pm BEACH CREATIVE Beach House Beach Street Herne Bay CT6 5TP
We are happy to publicise your exhibition or quilting event anywhere in the country, please let us know at least a month before it is due to start and provide details of venue, dates, times, a brief description, and image and a website link if you have a relevant one.

	COMING SOON is a new section of our newsletter where we will tantalise you with a future pattern and/or kit. The images won't have a link attached yet, just enjoy the nice picture. This is a detail from SPIN & WEAVE, HB's new Block of the Month which is due to start in August this year. It's a sampler quilt, but not as you know it! With blocks full of the illusion of movement and depth.

	It's all a bit fishy! This month's Pinterest Board if also called POISSON D'AVRIL. Lots of interesting images for projects and ideas
Our mailing address is:- 4, The Raveningham Centre, Beccles Road, Raveningham, Norfolk, NR14 6NU. United Kingdom

Poisson D'Avril?