Behind the Stitches: Yvonne Phennah

Join us weekly for "Behind the Stitches," our blog series where we interview quilters with 14 insightful questions. Discover their quilting journeys, inspirations, favourite techniques, and more. Explore what makes each quilter unique and find common threads in our shared passion.

Let’s start with your name, and without revealing too much about your age, could you share how long you’ve been a member of The Quilters’ Guild?

My name is Yvonne Phennah. I haven’t reached three score years yet, but I’m close. I’ve been a member of the Quilters Guild for about five years.

What inspired you to join our Guild? We'd love to hear what you enjoy most about your membership.

When I took up quilting as a hobby, I was eager to learn as much as possible. I was like a sponge; I couldn’t get enough information. I wanted to read about it and see what everyone else was doing. The Quilters Guild is a great place to start and led me down many rabbit holes where I learned so much about all the different quilting styles. As a newcomer to the world of quilting, The Guild introduced me to shows, challenges, exhibitions and competitions, which I love to enter and see other people’s entries. I believe in supporting the people who support me and my hobby, and being a member of the Quilters Guild does that. It’s a lovely, friendly community to belong to.

What region are you a member of? In your eyes, what makes your region so unique?

I’m a proud member of Region 2, encompassing Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. This expansive region offers many local groups, shows, and exhibitions to explore. One of my favourite events is the annual quilt show at Lullingstone Castle, where I eagerly volunteer to help set up and hang the quilts. It’s a joy to be part of such a vibrant community, reconnecting with familiar faces and making new acquaintances each year.

How and when did you start quilting? Was there an individual or specific event that stands out as the catalyst?

I only started quilting about five years ago. I wanted to make a quilt for my bed that I could keep, cherish, and pass on one day. I was also really interested in art quilts. And seeing all the fabulous quilts online and at shows made me want to have a go.

What was your first sewing machine?

My first sewing machine was a Brother FS30QC. I still have it, and if I need to take a sewing machine to a class or on holiday, this is the machine I take.

Are there any artists (quilters or otherwise) that you particularly admire?

I admire many quilters and have tried many styles. I particularly like Jane Sassaman, Sarah Ruiz, Yvonne Fuchs, Rosemary Hufton, Brandy Maslowski, Latifah Saafir, Verushka Zarate, and so many more.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Most of my inspiration is from nature and history, including architecture and people. I love the exotic and bold.

What are your favourite techniques and materials?

I have tried many techniques and still have many to try, but I like raw edge appliqué and hand piecing. I also love foundation paper piecing and machine piecing. I use primarily commercial quilting weight cotton or linen fabrics. I like to embellish things with fancy threads, pens, paints, and inks, and I enjoy experimenting with mixed media, including unusual threads, sequins, wool, etc.

What's your favourite quilt/alt. piece you've made and why? (We know this might be like choosing a favourite child!)

It’s very difficult to choose a favourite quilt, but if I had to, it would be an art quilt I did right at the beginning of my journey of John Wayne. It’s by no means perfect; in fact, it’s not really that good, but I learned so much from doing it, and it gave me the confidence to experiment and try new things.

What is one thing you can't live without in your quilting room/space?

One thing I can’t live without in my sewing room is my iron and starch spray. I have found that if you are trying to be precise and want a great finish, you have to prepare your fabric. I’ve just finished a quilt with loads of tiny half-square triangles, and once I’d prepared my fabric, I hardly needed to trim the blocks. I put the whole quilt top together just by finger-pressing the seams, and the points were accurate.

What is your proudest quilting moment?

My proudest quilting moment was making a quilt from Liberty fabric for my mother’s 80th birthday. She loves it and shows it to everyone who visits.

Have you ever had a project that made you want to give up quilting altogether or, at the very least, not finish it?

Yes absolutely. I get so enthusiastic about starting a new project. I love the process of design, choosing fabric, cutting, planning and sewing, but when I am about 3/4 of the way through, I quite often feel a bit jaded and get a bit bored with it. I’m already thinking of my next project and want to get started on it. I have a few unfinished projects, not many, but a few. I may revisit them one day.

Do you have any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or talks you'd like to share with everyone?

I’m a member of two quilting groups in the Region 2 area. Contemporary Quilt Surrey and East Surrey Textile Group. I had a few pieces at a recent exhibition in Caterham, and I will have some pieces at the Lullingstone Quilt Festival this year, 19th - 21st of July.

Please share any social media handles or a personal website you would like to promote

Yes, I am on Instagram. You can find me at @Yvonne.phennah