The new season of meeting began with a real bang yesterday with the first meeting of the new committee. As the yearly memberships were taken, we welcomed several new members as well as a large group of returning members who enjoyed a great morning of catch-up’s coffee and cake.

Gerardine Cahill from Giddy Goat Patchwork created a buzz with her lovely collection of fabrics, patterns and kits in her pop-up shop and gave an inspiring talk about her workshops and the array of classes, kits and products she has to offer at her studio near Limerick.

Members shared in a collection of used books that were on offer for a donation to charity as well as a raffle and the society library.

There has been a great deal of activity over the summer with the evidence revealed in the Show and Tell. A wonderful array of work was on display. We were pleased to congratulate all the southern branch members who participated in exhibitions over the summer particularly those who won various categories at the All-Ireland Quilt Competition at the Tinahely Show. Tracy Wardle won 1^st in the wall hanging class and overall Best in Show. We were particularly delighted to see today the winning exhibits by Eilís Watson 3^rd place Wall Hanging (Guitar) and Heidi Wischniewski in the Large Quilt category for her Japanese quilt. Other work on display for the show and tell included two colourful, twin baby quilts by Michelle Linehan and a fantastic shadow quilt using Kaffe Fassett fabric by Cora Quinlan.