Our new year started today with a lovely meeting, even if it had to be online.
We had Suzanne Pass give us a personal tour of last month’s Festival of Quilts. Lots of photos of quilts and much background information. Suzanne sent four quilts to the show which were very personal to her, and they looked wonderful.
There were also a few photos sent in for our Show & Tell:
Assumpta made this quilt for a friend’s son who had a baby girl in Australia
Suzanne Pass showed these blocks which was a block of the month pattern in the Midwest branch
Colette is participating in a journal quilt course and showed these three recent quilts
Lastly, Tracy announced that she will be having a Row-by-Row sampler class, which will start in October. Anyone interested can find more details on her website, or contact her directly (or contact us and we’ll pass you on):
We will be announcing our plans for the coming months to our members by email. Information on renewals will be sent, as well as plans for future meetings.
Anyone who would like to (re-)join the Irish Patchwork Society can contact us for information (see About Us page or find us on Facebook). You can also leave a comment here so we can respond to you (comments will not automatically be published so they will not appear publicly if they are not meant to). You can also find more information on the Society’s main website at https://irishpatchworksociety.wildapricot.org/.
This morning we had our last meeting for the summer and everyone was in good spirits.
All members should now have received your fat quarter (get in touch if you haven’t), and hopefully it will inspire some projects to keep us busy over the coming months.
We are planning a sewing meeting (socially distanced) outside in the Regional Park in Ballincollig. We hope some of you may join us there to work on your own hand project, or to help with sewing bindings to some of the quilts of the “Keep Well” project. We hope to be in touch with details (and directions) about this in a few weeks time, and dependent on the weather of course.
Also, a reminder that the national AGM for the IPS will be held on Saturday 19 June online. Check your emails for details and to register. This is the opportunity for all members to find out what is going on at national level and to make your voice heard if there is anything you want to discuss.
We do not know yet what September will look like regarding meetings, so we will be in contact about that nearer the time.
Below some lovely work that was shared with us from Tracy, Assumpta and Sandra. Wishing you all a lovely summer!
Thank you to all who joined us for today’s meeting. We were happy to welcome Frances Gamble from New Zealand for a talk on how she documents her work.
After a false start caused by me (twice!! – I’ve sat on my hands the rest of the time), Frances treated us to a lovely talk. She showed us how she keeps track of how projects are made (pattern, fabrics, and all kind of information). Of course this included lots of photos of her quilts and other makes, which was most inspiring. In preparation for the talk she had gone through her older records as well, and found it most interesting to see how her style has changed over time, too.
Another inspiring theme was Frances’ use of textiles like old table clothes or embroidered blocks into her quilts. Sometimes they were used as a frame around the label, other times as blocks in a quilt, or as pieces into the back.
We all came away with ideas and inspiration. And in discussion it was concluded that it is never too late to start keeping a record of your own, even if it is just to look back on what you’ve made, or to easily find that pattern that you want to make again.
Colette send us some photos of her quilts to share:
Our next meeting will be on Saturday 12 June, so be on the lookout for the link in your emails a few days before that.
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:
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.
We had a wonderful meeting yesterday, thank you to those who joined us for it!
First Anne Marie Horan visited us to outline changes that the Executive propose to make to the constitution of the IPS to make it more logically organised, and to remove duplications. All members will be sent the proposed changes by email (or by post if they do not have email), and there will be a vote organised.
Then Mary Palmer outlined a project that is organised by the Quilter’s Guild of Ireland, with support from the government’s Keep Well campaign via the DCCI. The theme of the project is “Home”: The idea is that people make blocks on the theme of home (house, trees, or paths & gardens) and send them to the QGI, they will then make them into quilts. The quilts will be used to benefit women’s shelters and mental health services. They have asked that people use batiks if possible, but if they don’t have those they can use whatever they have to hand. Everyone who takes part will have their name go into a draw (once for each block) and they will be raffling 50 prizes in honour of the Design and Crafts Council’s 50th anniversary. Because so many children are taking part, a special junior raffle will be held for them. The aim is to get the blocks sent in by the end of the month.
For more information you can contact Mary, or contact us and we will pass on the info.
Last month we challenged everyone to show us their (oldest) UFO (unfinished object), and at this meeting we had quite a few shown. It was great to hear how we ended up not finishing these projects, and when and where they were started. There was encouragement for some projects to call them finished right now. And other projects were suddenly back in favour to be finished after having been hidden away for a long time. I think the oldest project was from the late 1980s…! And one of us admitted to have thrown out some projects that were never going to get finished!
Of course, there were some recent projects to show as well, see photos at the end of this post.
After this, we had a lovely chat and a lively discussion about quilting, the society and the branch. If you want to join our meeting online next month, look out for our emails (check your spam/social folder if you don’t find it, or contact us to ask about it or to find out about other ways to stay in touch). It is possible to attend from a computer/laptop/phone or tablet, and as was discussed yesterday, someone without camera or microphone was still enjoying the experience (and was able to join the discussion using the chat function…).
Next month we will have a speaker from Northern Ireland. Jude (Judith Hollies) is a prolific quilter and sewist, and a teacher both online and (when possible) in person. Find out more on her website: Just Jude Designs or if you like find her on Facebook or Instagram. We will have more details on her visit when we announce next month’s meeting.
Lastly, of course, a post should have photos!
Tracy’s not quite finished quilt.Tracy made this for the Cork Textiles Network “comfort” challenge
Marie showed several project in various states of being finished (or not even started, but planned):
Marie showed also this finished quilt
Colette made these three blocks as part of a year-long block of the month
Colette also finished this machine appliqué quilt after a class with Tracy
Bernie had this as an unfinished quilt, but finished it in the past few weeks
Assumpta made this top recently, light borders are planned for it
It was lovely to see everyone at the meeting this morning. Thanks go to Tracy Watson, who gave a wonderful talk. She spoke about making a series of quilts for an exhibition in The Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon (Co. Clare) a few years ago. Starting with how she came to make quilts for an exhibition, she spoke of her inspiration, photos, samples and sketchbooks. Showing lots of photos of her quilts she spoke of the colour choices, curved piecing, trapunto, couching and quilting. Afterwards more explanations followed, especially on the techniques she used. A very inspiring talk, the only disappointment being that we can’t touch the quilts through our screens, or even see their texture close up…! We will have to invite Tracy again when we are able to meet in person once more…
Frances McCarthy showed us some older projects that were never finished, and there was much discussion about how long ago they may have been started. There was some discussion on old projects and why they weren’t finished. So next month’s challenge is to show your old(est) UFO (quilt top, blocks, etc.) at our next meeting. It will be great to see that (probably) all of us have unfinished items that did not get finished for one reason or another… Please send photos in advance so we can make a little slide show!
This month Tracy Wardle sent us a photo of a quilt she made from the instructions for the 2020 Mystery Quilt by Mary Palmer. About 40 mystery quilts were made in the IPS, all very different due to the colour choices. Tracy chose a dark background:
For anyone who would like to do their own version of this mystery (though no longer a complete mystery now you’ve seen this photo…), the instructions can still be found on the IPS website, under Resources – 2020 Patterns. You will need to log into the site since this part of the site is only visible to members.
Some weeks ago Colette Carey sent us some photos, too. The first two are baby quilts made for her two granddaughters born in 2020:
She also sent photos of two small journal quilts, that which were completed in an ongoing course with Nikki Foley:
Our next meeting will be held on 13 March. It would be great if we could receive photos of your finished projects, and of your (old) unfinished quilts, in advance of the meeting. We will gather them in a slide show for the meeting.
Look out for the link which will be emailed as usual. A reminder will be posted nearer the time, here and on our Facebook page, too.
This morning we held another remote meeting via Zoom. It was lovely to see you all, the chat definitely a welcome distraction.
We had some lovely quilts shown to the camera during the meeting. Frances shared a photo of a lovely split nine patch (also called disappearing nine patch) baby quilt which was sent off recently for an eight month old to enjoy:
Tracy announced that she is starting classes via Zoom, and she showed a sample that she made for one of the classes. The orange peels are raw edge appliqué from batik fabrics:
Marie showed a finished Hawaiian style appliqué mini quilt, which was started at a Southern Branch workshop. As she says: “It was my first attempt at appliqué. I enjoyed doing it but not sure I will do any more. I am more a machine piecer and quilter”:
Marie also sent us photos of some Christmas projects she has been working on recently. The Christmas tree is a panel from Pennsylvania a few years ago. She is hand sewing it with glittery thread and has just the top and bottom rows to do:
The Christmas table runner was done in a bit of a hurry before Christmas . Should really have done a bit more to it but ran out of steam:
“And lastly my twelve days of Christmas wall hanging. I enjoyed making it even if it took me twelve years to complete . It got started then it was put to one side, busy, then moved house, country, it was in a box , need I say more……”:
Chat varied from our Christmases to a space model Frances had made, and from currently famous Kerryman Donie O’Sullivan to temperature blankets…
As I said above, Tracy Wardle is starting classes online, she is offering several one-off and 4-6 weeks series of classes in the coming months. Do get in contact with her to find out more or to book, her contact details are on the Helpful Links page (or send us an email and we pass on your info to her).
Next meeting will be on the second Saturday in February (the 13th), we hope to see you there! In the mean time, don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions or suggestions… and keep sewing!
This morning we met online at our festive meeting. We even had a visit from Santa Assumpta… Thank you, Assumpta for making the effort, even if it was warm!
There were a good few Christmas related quilts shown on screen, and sewing plans mentioned for during Christmas. Several of us are making or planning to make Mary Palmer’s mystery quilt, we look forward to seeing what they will look like…
Frances had selected a few quiz questions from Christmas quilt quizzes set by Ann Prendergast in previous years, and we had a go at an online quiz which was much fun.
We showed the photos that were sent to us for Show & Tell as a slide show, and we could talk about them which was brilliant!
Below the show and tell photos for everyone to see:
Tracy says: I got the bug for making postcards from an IPS challenge a couple of years ago and this year I’ve been making loads of Christmas present postcards – these are the only ones I remembered to photograph. Quick, simple and so cute. I love them.
She also made yoga bags as presents: I adapted a pattern I found online and made these snazzy yoga mat bags as Christmas gifts for family members who took up yoga during Lockdown.
The last photo from Tracy is of the advent calendar she made for her son and his wife: I based the tree design on our old family Advent calendar and embroidered each pocket with a design by or inspired by Barri Sue Gaudet – a lot of work! I started work on it in September….and they even got it in time for 1st December. I’m really happy with it and I think they are too.
You can find more about the designer Barri Sue Gaudet at her website bareroots.com.
Heidi send us the pictures below:
The first two quilts are made from jelly rolls: Mary suggested that the Sunday quilters group do a project with a jellyroll and that was my end result.
This is her cat quilt. We showed this quilt in progress a few months back, and it is now finished. Do you see the paw “prints” and fish bones in the detail image below?
Lastly, Heidi sent us a photo of her finished tweed appliqué quilt:
Have a happy Christmas, everyone, and we are already making plans for our meetings in the new year. We will let you know details nearer the time.
There was an enthusiastic group at our virtual meeting this morning, thank you to those who managed to join us!
The conversation quickly turned to online mystery quilts and quilt-alongs, so I’ve made a small list of some that were mentioned and some that I found:
You should have received instruction emails from the IPS about the mystery quilt by Mary Palmer. The instructions can also be found under “resources – 2020 patterns” at the IPS website (login required)
Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt is about to start soon, supplies have been announced. It is called Grassy Creek, and all posts will be on that page as they come available.
Fat quarter Shop has a free Block-a-Week for 38 weeks called Sewcialites to which several designers contribute.
Alaska Rainbow Quilt-Along by Edita Sitar on laundrybasketquilts.com. The link goes to the first post, all posts can be found by clicking the tag “Alaska Rainbow QA”.
Nikki Foley of the Sewing Shed came in to give us a short talk. She told us how sewing has been a saviour through tough times in her life. She explained how that has given her the energy and drive to work so hard at what she does now and why that means so much to her. She followed it by a photo tutorial for easy Christmas table mats. If you want to make the table mats, find the tutorial on the Sewing Shed website at: Christmas table mats from a star bundle.
This afternoon Nikki was going to open her new shop, too (virtually of course). If you’d like to see, you can find The Sewing Shed on Facebook or Instagram, and there is also a website (10% discount until tomorrow 12PM)
Our next visitor was Mary Murphy who some of you may remember from her visit to us in 2018. Mary makes stitched portraits, and is now involved in a new arts collective/art gallery in Carrigaline. She showed us the space and some of the art work, as well as the craft and design work they are displaying. For anyone interested to know more, have a look at Mary’s website, or visit the Owenabue Arts Collective site.
Then it was time to talk quilts again. Cathy showed us what she is working on: A self-designed quilt with different stars which is all hand pieced and is presently being quilted.
Tracy had recently received paper pieces for an “Ice Cream Soda Quilt” and showed off the first “blossom” she made. She also showed the embroidered pockets for a bespoke advent calendar for her son and his wife.
Joanna showed a lovely quilt she is working on and wants to make bigger.
And I held up my just-quilted log cabin quilt to the camera…
Our next meeting will be on 12 December from 11:00 AM, and it will be a festive one, so find your Christmas hat, and have a mince pie ready! We hope to organise a quiz/treasure hunt for that. It will also be an opportunity to show off your Christmas makes, and wish each other the best for the season, of course. We will be sending the link for the meeting to up-to-date members only, so please get your renewals sorted…!
Sorry for the lack of pictures so far, to make up here is a short Show and Tell from the photos I received by email:
Siobhan made this log cabin from denim:
Assumpta made paper pieced Santas. They were supposed to be a runner but she made them into individual hanging ones instead:
Tracy Wardle says: “Here’s my offering for this month. I’ve called it “Sweet Like Chocolate” as it was made using mainly fabric from a Moda collection called Double Chocolat. I’ve included a shot of the back as well as the front and also a close up of part of the front. It is quilted on my home sewing machine”:
Eilís Watson made the colourful quilt below. The pattern is ‘Paradise Pinwheels’ by Laura Coons. It uses a jelly roll with background fabric:
This morning we met online for our monthly branch meeting. Thank you to those who managed to join us, it was so lovely to see you all!
After a general catch up, Nicky Foley of the Sewing Shed took her phone camera around her shop. From fabrics to threads, and from notions of all kinds to patterns. As well as that the Sewing Shed has a dedicated workshop for up to 5 people, all separated by screens into individual work stations to comply with regulations.
Nicky told us she will be moving premises at the end of the month. She will be closer to the village, be on the ground floor, and have her own parking. Improvements to the website are also planned. Find the Sewing Shed’s website at: https://www.thesewingshed.ie/
This was followed by Mary Palmer showing us some of her work. In a very varied talk she showed us recent and older work, modern and more traditionally inspired work, and collaborative work. There were photos from her travels to Uzbekistan, prize-winning quilts, quilting she has done for others, and seasonally inspired work based on the drunkard’s path block and much more. If you are not very familiar with her work, some images can be found on her website gallery: http://www.marimudesigns.com/?page_id=73
Someone asked about where to obtain linen fabrics after seeing one of Mary’s quilts including linen fabrics. After the meeting Bernie sent us details of a shop she has visited that sells linen fabrics:
As a sign of the times, we briefly spoke of masks, and Mary showed us an image of a fascinating beaked mask in the style plague doctors reputedly wore. I found it online, if you are interested there are even instructions (HERE), though whether it makes a practical mask I leave you to decide…
Not quite a mask, but Frances shared this image with us:
Finally, I am ending this post with some photos of your makes that I got sent via our email:
Bernadette Keniry made this quilt. She says: this lap quilt was an UFO and travelled to three homes before being grounded.
Also by Bernadette this crochet cape. It was made from an Interweave pattern, lots of patience was required:
Noreen Brazier
Hilary O’Kelly recently made this quilt for her grandson Tiernan. He chose the fabrics himself, many came from his aunt Kate, which gives the quilt extra special meaning.
Tracy Wardle sends us these pictures. She says: I haven’t finished any quilts this month but I have WIP’s. I’ve been working on another UFO this month and the photo is of the backing, which I’m piecing at the moment. The other thing I’m working on is an Advent calendar for my son and his wife. I can’t wait to show you the finished article but for now here’s a pic of my current favourite pocket.
Moya Geraghty has also send us some pictures. She is doing a block of the month called Superbloom by Laundry Basket Quilts. Picture of the quilt and the first block. Anybody interested in taking part contact her at patchworkplus[at]gmail.com.
Below a picture of a messenger bag made at one of her workshops.
Eilís Watson is making a kaleidoscope quilt (not together yet) using the striped fabric below:
Well, that is all for today. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend, and if you do any sewing in the coming weeks share your photo with us next month. We hope to host another online meeting then, too.
Southern Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society 