ABOVE Kay Walsh and Jenni Smith of Jenni & Kay Create
By Patricia Belyea
ILKLEY UK The newest media duo in the quilting world is Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh of Jenni & Kay Create. Many of you know them as the hosts of Quiltfolk’s Adventure Workshops — virtual textile journeys that transport viewers around the globe.
Jenni and Kay welcomed Victoria and me into their bright studio on the edge of Ilkley Moor. Yorkshire Tea and milk were poured as we settled in for a long chat.
BELOW 1 Jenny Smith 2 Kay Walsh
The pair first met in an adult tap dance class. Later, when Jenni offered a beginner quilting course, Kay signed up. Six years on, the two joined forces to launch what has become an ever-evolving quilting enterprise.
Describing their creative partnership, they referenced Wallace and Gromit — Wallace (Jenni), the cheerful visionary forever dreaming up new ideas, and Gromit (Kay), the quieter one who capably keeps everything running.
BELOW Jenni and Kay as dolls?
One of their early successes was Jenni’s book, Quilting with Liberty Fabrics. Created in official collaboration with the famous London textile house, the book celebrates Liberty’s 145-year history decade by decade through 15 quilt projects.
BELOW 1 Kay holds Quilting with Liberty Fabrics, for which she created the extensive collection of quilt illustrations. 2 Vintage swatch book for Liberty’s Classic Tana Lawn. 3 Discovery, a Mariner’s Compass quilt inspired by the timbers salvaged from two decommissioned British Navy ships used in the construction of Liberty’s iconic London store interior.
More recently, Jenni and Kay dreamed up an entirely new concept — online textile adventures. Partnering with Quiltfolk magazine, they began producing cinematic travel experiences paired with virtual workshops.
So far, viewers have escaped to Scotland, explored Ireland, stitched in Sweden, toured Italy, celebrated in Wales, and more.
BELOW A frame from the trailer for the Quiltfolk Adventure: Iconic Ireland.
But the spotlight did not stay on Jenni and Kay for long. Almost immediately, they began enthusiastically sharing info about other quilting luminaries from northern England and Scotland.
BEYOND MEASURE
A short drive away in Todmorden, the haberdashery Beyond Measure — owned by Grace Whowell — is filled with purposeful and sometimes whimsical sewing and quilting tools.
BELOW Special notions from Beyond Measure.
GILLIAN TRAVIS
Award-winning quilter Gillian Travis lives nearby. Known for her exuberant use of bright colors and natural fabrics, Gillian is also a beloved teacher with a passion for travel.
BELOW Gillian’s book, Nordic Journeys in Stitch.
SARAH PEEL OF COOLCRAFTING
Kendal may be famous for mint cake, but for stitchers it is also home to Luna Lapin — the enchanting rabbit doll designed by Sarah Peel of CoolCrafting. Jenni confessed that sewing her own Luna was no simple task.
BELOW Jenni and her very own Luna.
SHEENA NORQUAY
From Inverness comes quilting legend Sheena Norquay, who helped establish The Quilters’ Guild and authored the first book on free-motion quilting. One detail especially delighted Jenni and Kay: Sheena meticulously records, to the minute, the time spent on every quilt project.
BELOW A frame from the Quiltfolk Adventure Scenic Scotland: Stitching the Highlands with Sheena.
NICHOLAS BALL
Jenni and Kay also raved about Welsh quilter Nicholas Ball. Jenni pulled Nicholas’ book, Use & Ornament, from the shelf to show us his fresh and liberated approach to quilt making.
BELOW Jenni shares Nicholas’ book.
Spending time with Jenni and Kay, it became clear that they are connectors — linking makers to makers and stories to places. In a craft rooted in joining pieces together, Jenni and Kay are stitching together one of the quilting community’s most vibrant networks.
BELOW See you soon at Festival of Quilts!
BONUS CONTENT
Jenni and Kay’s newest book, Menopause Makes was featured at 2025 Festival of Quilts with Aurifil’s Menopause Makes Lounge.
The tile floor pattern in the Studio bathroom flowed together like quilt blocks in patchwork. And who has a full collection of Aurifil thread above their toilet?
Jenni and Kay’s next Quiltfolk Adventure Workshop From London with Love takes you behind the scenes of Liberty London, to meet the Quilt Club seven sisters, and to visit the home of William Morris. Plus make a quilt inspired by the Liberty London shop.
From London with Love, LIVE ONLINE, June 5-6, 2026 +learn more
Patricia and Victoria traveled to the UK to scout exciting people and places for their inaugural Great UK Quilt & Textile Journey. To be on the Interested List for this Summer 2027 tour, email Victoria +here.
