TEXTILE art lovers and craft guilds from across the North of England and Scotland are making a beeline for Farfield Mill, which has secured the only UK showing of a prestigious celebration of patchwork art.

The International Patchwork Exhibition - now open at the Sedbergh arts and heritage centre - features 43 selected artists from 17 countries who entered the annual Carrefour du Patchwork competition in France last September.

This colourful and richly textured showcase moves on to Italy the day after it closes in Sedbergh, and Farfield director Anne Pierson thinks that visitors will be "both surprised and inspired by what they see".

Anne told Arts: "There are certain expectations among many people when they hear the words ‘patchwork exhibition’ - a collection of traditional patchwork quilts, perhaps.

"In this exhibition, traditional techniques have been used to create what are better described as beautiful wall-hangings - some of them, from a distance, almost appear as paintings. The subject matter, the skill, the time taken to produce this inspiring collection is truly breathtaking. It’s a privilege to be able to bring to Sedbergh work from South Africa, China, Korea, as well as many European countries and this will not be the last time."

As Anne explained, Farfield Mill and Carrefour du Patchwork have established a close working relationship. The exhibition from this year's competition will be booked well in advance, and there is to be an annual Festival of Quilts with themed activities such as workshops and lectures.

The theme of last year's competition, Reflection, attracted a winning design from multimedia artist Kathryn Harmer Fox, called A Life Lived in Ink.

Kathryn told the Gazette, via Facebook, that the studio where she works, teaches and exhibits overlooks the sea, in a little coastal village near the South African town of East London. Using her sewing machine as "an oversized pencil" she draws inspiration from textures such as driftwood on the beach, unwashed wool from shorn sheep, china plates her own hands resting upon her lap, and sumptuous fabrics.

The patchwork exhibition is open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm at Farfield Mill, and groups are highly recommended to book in advance, due to popular demand.

For bookings and more details call 015396-21958 or email exhibitions@farfieldmill.org