Vendulka Battais: Quilting Beyond the Traditional

Discover the work of the award-winning textile artist behind OliVen, where intricate quilting, bold ideas and beautiful surface detail come together.

Vendulka Battais of OliVen discovered patchwork and quilting after taking a beginners’ class in Aberdeenshire in 2008. What began as an interest quickly developed into a passion and, over the years, Vendulka has built an impressive body of work spanning traditional patchwork, Cathedral Window techniques, free-motion quilting, embroidery and contemporary textile art. Her work frequently explores symbolism, sacred geometry and personal meaning, resulting in quilts and textile hangings that invite you to look beyond the stitching and discover the story within.

Vendulka’s quilts have been exhibited both in the UK and internationally and have received recognition at major quilting events. One of her best-known pieces is Our Ladies, created in collaboration with her husband Olivier, which was awarded Best in Show at The Festival of Quilts in 2021. Their work combines detailed quilting with unusual surface treatments, including metallic and glitter paints, giving the finished pieces a distinctive depth and character.

We’re delighted to have Vendulka’s quilts on display at this year’s show. Take the opportunity to see the stitching, texture and detail for yourself and discover how far quilting can be taken when traditional skills are combined with contemporary ideas and a willingness to experiment.