Morning Tea with May Morris...

...not literally perhaps, but almost.

Afternoon Tea with May Morris by Michele Hill

Yesterday my friend Michele Hill released her third book 'Afternoon Tea with May Morris'. 

I have known Michele for quite some time and she is one amazing lady! A talented quilter and William Morris devotee, not only has she now produced tree books of beautiful applique and quilt designs inspired by the Morris & Co legacy, she has lead tours through the UK and is at the forefront of promoting the amazing Morris & Co collection (the biggest outside the UK) housed the Art Gallery of South Australia. If you ever want to know more about William Morris or his daughter May, just ask Michele! 

With Michele Hill at the launch of her new book 'Morning Tea with May Morris'.

Yesterdays book release was held as part of the Australia's Biggest Morning tea - a fundraising event for the Australian Cancer Council, hosted by the Port Elliot Patchworkers. You can see more photo's from the event on Michele's blog.
As an embroiderer, I am rather excited that this latest book focuses on May, William's daughter.

Embroidered panel designed by May Morris, Morris & Co 1890s

May Morris was an extremely talented designer and competent embroiderer - in fact she became head of the embroidery department of Morris & Co at the age of 23. Michele's book includes an overview of May's life and there is a brilliant little online exhibition here at the Arts & Craft Museum at the Cheltenham Gallery & Museum's website if you are curious.

I am not a quilter or patchwork by any stretch of the imagination, but the way Michele puts her designs together is just fabulous and the projects in this collection are all quite manageable in size - besides, the patterns could very, very easily be used as.......embroidery patterns.

Enjoy your week,
Anna x