While I’ve been put the finishing touches on August 2016’s block, I’ve also spent some time over the summer updating our YouTube Channel to include all of the slideshows from our 2015 Block of the Month.
Be sure you take a moment to subscribe to the channel to be notified when we post a new video!
On Sunday, July 17th, I had the pleasure of attending the Irish Patchwork Society National Exhibition, “Evolution.”
What an amazing exhibition!
Two exhibitions were running in the space when I visited. One was “Distance,” a collection of quilts from Austria, Latvia and Ireland.
Below is a slideshow of all of the quilts in this part of the exhibition:
Next, I walked through the IPS National Exhibition, “Evolution.”
Below, is a slideshow of all of the quilts involved.
Congratulations to all those who participated. I hope you had the chance to see the quilts in person, the photographs did not do the exhibition justice!
Congratulations to all of the Southern Branch members who participated as well!
You are invited to the opening of two Textile Exhibitions in The Mitchel Hall on Spike Island on Thursday the 26th of May 2016.
“Devil in a Dress” is by Kevin Dinan and “Freedom “ the 2nd Irish Quilters’ Showcase exhibition features quilters from all over Ireland.
A boat will leave from Kennedy Pier, Cobh at 1pm and return at 3pm.
Spike Island will be closed the week starting the 30th of May and will reopen on the 6th of June.
The exhibitions will run until the 13th of June.
Please rsvp Paula (087 7699200 astrocatty@yahoo.co.uk) so that we will know numbers for the boat.
Thanks to Susan for writing this recap for me in my absence:
There was a good buzz in the air today. Everyone was in good humour.
Our meeting started with Joanna welcoming everyone in Erin’s absence. We have a new committee and it is hoped that we can find out from members what would be liked in future meetings and that we would talk more about it at June’s meeting.
Joanna thanked Anne Marie of Kilbora Quilts for joining us at our meeting and wished her well in the future after closing her shop.
We were reminded that those wishing to submit a quilt for the National Exhibition should liaise with Joanna who will make sure they are delivered on time.
Other upcoming exhibitions were also announced including one in Bishopstown Library and Spike Island.
Executive news was given by Joanna as she is now the rep for the branch. The national AGM will take place on the 1st October in Kilkenny.
The librarians have asked that all library books out be returned by June’s meeting so that a stock take can take place over the summer break.
Mary Palmer gave a demo on binding with mitred corners and one strip binding. It was very well received.
Anne Marie gave a demo on free motion quilting rulers. It is a new way of doing free motion quilting with the aid of specific rulers and a special foot for the machine. This was very interesting and a lot was learned by us all.
Show and Tell:
Mary Palmer – Japanese and batik fabrics. Quilt for her daughter
Joanna Harrington – A charity quilt made by Evelyn Montague
Frances Mc Carthy – 1720 map of cork unfinished was a workshop given by Ailbhe
Fionnula Creed – sampler quilt to test the star block for a wedding quilt
Finishing quilts from before
Carpenters Wheel
The bag carrying the quilts was made good number of years previous. All by Bernie Kelly
Two Quilts for Crumlin
Mystery quilt designed by Mary Palmer from a few years back
And “Think outside squares” quilt top good for beginners, all by Mary O’Connor
Jar Quilt by Anne Moloney
and Anne Moloney’s quilt she did with her daughter.
Frances McCarthy – Fat quarter quilt from a Canadian themed charm pack
Here’s a slideshow from all of the photographs taken by Susan:
After a bit of a break, our Back to Basics video series has returned!
Have you ever wondered why your quilt blocks have come out short, despite accurate measurements of your cutting? It may be that your quarter inch seam is not a quarter inch!
This video outlines a simple test you can perform with some fabric scraps.
Fabric scraps should measure 2.5 inches wide, length does not matter. Sew your three scraps together, and the middle piece should measure exactly 2 inches wide!
On April 9, we met for our monthly meeting.
It was a very good meeting, full of lively discussion!
One topic discussed was our Library. Since it is not an option to store the books at the church, options were discussed to decrease the physical labor for our amazing librarians to bring the library to meetings. The next committee will focus on making the library the best it can be and an excellent resource for members. (We’ll be putting a post on the website with the list of the titles we have in the library in the upcoming month.)
Jane gave her Chair’s report, followed by Ann’s Treasurer’s report.
Olive gave an Executive Representative’s report as well. Highlights of her report included the discussion of plans for the IPS gallery at the Knitting and Stitching Show, the National Exhibition, the National AGM in October, and the creation of a Young IPS website by Paula Rafferty.
Also discussed was the EQA Diversity in Europe Exhibition. This is an opportunity for our branch to nominate a quilt to be exhibited in the European Quilt Association Diversity in Europe Gallery at the Festival of Quilts 2016. For more information, there is a short article on page 8 in the latest newsletter.
Our branch is to nominate a quilt by May 31st, so bring your quilt for consideration to our next meeting!
Also during our AGM, we formed a small subcommittee in order to draft a motion for the National AGM happening on October 1, 2016 in Kilkenny.
We also had some new committee members step forward. Assumpta Lydon, Eileen Mangan and Joanna Harrington will be joining Ann Prendergast, Susan Garde, and Erin Case for the next year.
Following the AGM, Erin gave a presentation on Zippered Patchwork bags:
You can download the the instructions for the bag here.
After that, we had our fantastic Show and Tell!
Susan showed off her Block of the Month Quilt Top:
Stephanie showed off a block she made using Lynne Edwards Sampler Blocks:
Then Fionnuala showed us a baby quilt she made which also included a matching Christmas stocking:
Then Tracy showed us a Kissing Fish quilt:
A baby quilt:
and a pillow cover made from a Mariner’s Compass:
Assumpta showed us a quilt she made using some Tumbler blocks:
Siobhan showed us her quilt:
followed by Joanna’s Log cabin quilt:
and disappearing nine patch:
Mary showed us her quilt made for a motorcycling friend:
Frances showed us a quilt for Effy:
Eilís then showed us a quilt made using inserting 1 inch strips:
and Anne showed us some of her quilts made during workshops:
Here’s some snapshots from the meeting:
We’ll see you on May 14th for our next meeting!
Here’s our second video for the Back to Basics series.
In the video below, you’ll see how to thread a Juki 2010-Q sewing machine.
Not sure how to thread yours? Check out your owners manual!
Time to post another set of instructions from our Block of the Month! This month is June’s block, the X-Plus block!
This block has been one of my favourites to construct! Perfect for using scraps!
Take a look at our Pinterest board to see quilts made from this block:
At our November meeting, Jane issued our 2015 Christmas Challenge!
Some fabrics were provided, but don’t worry if you weren’t able to attend the meeting! It will be easy to participate!
Three circles were provided to members cut out of assorted Christmas themed fabrics. Their diameters were 5 inches, 3 inches and 2 inches. Didn’t get any fabric from the meeting? No problem! Just measure some of the objects around your home to use for a template.
Your challenge is to use at least two different sizes of the circles to create any sort of Christmas themed project.
Some ideas include a tree skirt, stocking, mug rug, mini quilt, large quilt, ornament and a table centrepiece.
How about a Santa ornament?
I’ve been scouring Pinterest for our branch to create a board to inspire you!
Find our challenge board here.
Good Luck!
Southern Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society 