Situated on the idyllic Manor Farm in Chilcompton, a short drive from Midsomer Norton, this venue is well worth the visit at any time of year. Currently, Midsomer Quilting is hosting its annual competition exhibition. Entrants are asked to create 12x12 inch quilted squares to display on the premises from 25th November through to 19th December.

This competition - where, “if they’ve done they’re best, everyone's a winner” according to Chris, one of the innovators behind the exhibition and shop itself - has been running for twelve years. A new theme is announced annually for the challenge, and for this year, it’s ‘pastime/past times’.

The competition is open to all ages and interpretations of the subject. According to Chris, “ages range from six to eighty-six that I know of. And the eighty-six year old quilter is fantastic. In fact we had an exhibition of her work earlier this year.”

The annual event not only provides a creative outlet for participants, but also raises important funds for charity, too. Many creators offer up their designs to the secret auction held for Dorothy House. Just over half of the submissions will be available to bid on. The auction usually raises over three thousand pounds for the charity.

“This time, roughly one hundred and twenty designs have been submitted.”

“The majority of people who come here will say ‘I don’t make art quilts, I only do traditional quilting’ - triangles and what have you - but then once a year, they’re challenged to do this, and they deliver. One year we got two-hundred-and-twenty submissions...Then they go back to doing their traditional stuff.”

Chris is very proud of these exhibitions and the work that people produce for them. Midsomer Quilting has shown other works too, aside from these at the annual competition.

He says, “Earlier this year, we set up a large exhibition - one-hundred quilts made by men. We were the first to do something of it’s kind in Britain.”

Chris also spoke about the history of the shop, before giving a guided tour of the space.

“We started this business eighteen years ago and we’ve been here (in Chilcompton) for thirteen years.”

“The three of us who started this business were all teachers. None of us taught design, but it’s the best retirement possible.”

The place was buzzing with people, chatting and sipping teas and coffee - a complimentary refreshment provided to whoever may need it.

“I put out a newsletter every month to six thousand people, we’ve got customers in thirty countries. You’re seeing it busy today - we’ve got a coach trip in from Nailsea. I’m sure we’re one of the best known quilting business in Britain.”

The fact that this place is slightly off-the-beaten track, yet is full enough to create a human obstacle course, would suggest Chris’s musings are true.

Amongst the people browsing artworks adorned on display boards was Sue, a familiar face to the shop. “When this shop opened originally in the garden centre, I only popped in for a reel of thread, and there happened to be a workshop where Catherine Miller was teaching [quilting]. I said ‘I wish I could do something like that’ and Catherine asked me, ‘can you sew a quarter inch seam?’ I said ‘of course I can!’ and as a result of that conversation, I went home with a double-bed quilt I made after a few months. I’ve not stopped coming since, it’s absolutely super, you meet some lovely people. People of all walks of life, we’re all happy stitching together and making lovely new friends. It’s excellent - there’s always a welcome here in the shop.

De, one of the co-founders, added, “This shop is special. it’s a refuge; it’s lovely to talk to like-minded people. It encourages creativity and I’ve made loads of new friends through it.”

Chris finished the tour, saying “It’s brilliant working here because it’s more than a shop. It’s a community centre, people are just happy here. We know a very high proportion of the people who come in. We have ladies who use our space throughout the week, even on Sundays we’re becoming increasingly busy - I think we’re taking place of the church!

We don’t mind what they use it for, most of them are quilters but if they want to knit or do lace-making, they are welcome.”

People use a mixture of different styles of stitching and textiles to create their quilts. Some prefer to hand sew, whilst others use machine. However, the overall ambience of the shop what makes it so unique. Its sense of community and friendly approach to anyone who walks through the door - whether they’re a regular customer with expert skills or someone who originally thought that quilts were just used as an extra layer of warmth on a bed as I did - everyone appears to leave with a smile on their face and a fulfilling feeling.

The shop is open from Friday - Monday for people to visit. More information about the exhibition and business itself can be found via their website.