This morning we had a brilliant meeting, with a record number of attendees. Thank you to members of “other” branches of the IPS who attended, I hope you enjoyed your visit “down South”!

The highlight of our meeting was the talk by our visitor Judith Hollies, from Belfast. Judith spoke about her personal journey from sewing on a treadle machine for many years, making clothes and other items, followed by doing a City & Guilds course in patchwork and quilting, and finally to teaching and having her own premises to teach in.

This introduction was followed by Judith’s extensive Show & Tell of the many items she has made in different fabrics, many of which are repurposed. Vintage sheets, denim, tweed and many other fabrics are used, and the explanations of the specific techniques used for each showed Judith’s expertise and experience. The talk was very much enjoyed, and many of us felt inspired to give our “non-patchwork” fabrics a try in a future project. On behalf of everyone, thank you Judith!!

If anyone wants to know more about Judith and her work, find her website at https://justjude-designs.com/ or look her up on social media:

• https://www.facebook.com/justjudebelfast/ (Facebook)
• https://www.instagram.com/justjudebelfast/ (Instagram)
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmeL4QuorlTXzUChudJEnQ (YouTube)

Other links can also be found on her website, as well as (free) tutorials and patterns.

During the meeting other companies/websites also got a mention:

• Judith used patterns from Emmaline Bags (https://emmalinebags.com/) and Noodlehead (https://noodle-head.com/) for some of her bags
• Irish linen was sourced from Baird McNutt (https://www.bairdmcnuttirishlinen.com/)
• The penguin toy was made from a pattern by Purlsoho (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/01/08/mollys-sketchbook-the-purl-bee-penguin/)

Our own members have also been active, and have sent these pictures of their own work:

Assumpta made this quilt top from a pattern from quilts.com found on Pinterest:

She also made this “Trip around the World” quilt which has just come back after Mary worked her quilting magic on it:

Colette made these journal quilts, “Curves and Discord”::

Moya sent this picture of an Easter altar cloth that she made for her Mom’s parish:

And finally, Sandra finished this wall hanging “Against the Current” which was made following a “sew-along” organised by Nicholas Ball on Instagram (@quiltsfromtheattic) making improvised fish. It was a great way to make it up as I went along, and trying a facing on non-straight edges:

Next month we will have a visit from Frances Gamble from New Zealand, so mark your diaries for the 8th of May.