Sue continues family sewing tradition

Since it opened, beginners and proficient quilters have been flocking to the Quilt Shop at Fairmoor, in Morpeth, for workshops, one-to-one tuition, advice, fabrics and sewing supplies, as well as good company, cake and chat.

The Quilt Shop has been founded by talented needle-worker Sue Ross, from Longframlington.

Sue comes from a long line of gifted sewers; her mother Dorothy Hattle was a sewing teacher, while her grandfather and other family members ran a gents’ outfitters and clothes shop in Berwick called Pallisters from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Sue said: “There are so many talented quilters in the area that I thought it would be great to create a comfortable, attractive meeting place – as well as a good quilting supplies shop – where the local quilting and craft community could meet up.

“Somewhere that people of all abilities could drop in and join workshops, stock up on their sewing supplies, get advice and enjoy a chat.

“We have male and female quilters – one gentleman in his 80s joined our classes last week and teenagers join in too.

“Sometimes a group of husbands enjoy a chat on our big sofas while their wives are quilting.

“If you’re thinking of starting quilting, this is a great place to start.”

Quilting has become extremely popular over the last 10 years with research by Glasgow University concluding that the activity helps ‘cognitive, creative and emotional well-being’.

Sue agrees: “It’s sociable, because we tend to quilt in groups, and it’s relaxing and rewarding at the same time.

“It’s also creative and the sense of accomplishment when you finish a piece of work is fantastic.”