We had great craic at our AGM this Saturday, as we celebrated the Branch’s achievements over the past few months and welcomed some new blood onto the committee to help plan for the coming months.

After the business of the AGM, our own Sheila Devereux gave us a real treat as she talked us through some of her work. The vast majority of Sheila’s work is hand pieced and hand quilted, and we marvelled at the breadth of styles and techniques used. Here is a taste of her beautiful work…

If that wasn’t enough inspiration, we also had a fabulous Show and Tell from some of our very talented members…

1 to 4 Clare Newell first showed us a wonderful hand pieced quilt with fussy cut details, then a fresh 4-Patch number and finally a trio of pieces, which started with a Variable Star Quilt and ended in a very snazzily patchwork-embellished denim jacket.

5 Dorann Loehr showed off some small pieces, showing her quilting journey.

6 and 7 Tracy Wardle brought in her bed-quilt-in-progress based on the Broken Dishes block and a completed Christmas table runner….stealing a march on the festive season!

8 and 9 Brand new member Simona Damerell dazzled us with a fabulous appliqué quilt and a little floral (stained glass window?) wall-hanging as well as a Gypsy Wife quilt top (not pictured), which I definitely need find out more about.

10 Michelle McGinley brought in a number of cheerful quilts made for charity, using fabrics provided by Hilary O’Kelly. Hilary will be getting these quilts to their new homes soon – well done Michelle and Hilary!

11 Next we saw Mary Barry’s Variable Star and Pinwheel quilt – some really cute fabrics here, including one with colourful tins of tuna!

12 Eilís Watson showed us a fabulously colourful quilt featuring a foundation paper pieced John Deer tractor – pattern available on Etsy!

13 Finally, Heidi Wischniewski brought in a beautiful Snail Trail quilt, replendent in mauve and pink – what a way to finish!

It really was a great meeting, many thanks to all who attended. Thanks to Moya Geraghty of Patchwork Plus, who brought the shop with lots of goodies for us to treat ourselves to – because we’re worth it!

Our next meeting is on Saturday 13th of May, usual time, usual place. Our shop will be The Sewing Shed and our Speaker will be Sarah Noonan. Sarah will also be giving an afternoon workshop on designing FPP blocks – contact us to book a place.