The next meeting will take place this coming Saturday 12 October. For those of you that have signed up for sewing machine servicing this will take place durring the meeting. Patchwork Plus will be our guest shop and there will be lots to discuss as well as the show and tell so bring along your work for all to see. Cakes and snacks will be greatly appreciated and enjoyed if you can bring some to share with tea and coffee.
September 2024 Summary
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 1st in the wall hanging class and overall Best in Show. We were particularly delighted to see today the winning exhibits by Eilís Watson 3rd 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.
Renew Your Irish Patchwork Society Membership at the Saturday Meeting
It’s that time of year again. Members can renew at the meeting this Saturday, 14 September. A years membership is €50 so still great value. Please note that we are only able to accept cash on the day for membership.
Alternatively you can pay online or by post by using the link https://irishpatchworksociety.wildapricot.org/membership
What’s coming up
Autumn is nearly upon us and preparations are in full swing for the first meeting back after the summer break. We have an exciting programme planned for the coming months all the way to our Christmas extravaganza.
Our September meeting will take place on Saturday 14 September at Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork from 10:00 to 12:30. Eircode T12 CA34. At this meeting yearly membership can be purchased at a cost of €50 either by cash on the day or by visiting the IPS national website at https://irishpatchworksociety.wildapricot.org/membership Members can enjoy a range of benefits including discounts and access to member only content online as well as receiving the IPS magazine.
Fees for each meeting remain at €4 of members and €8 for non-members.
At September’s meeting we will be joined by Geraldine from Giddy Goat Patchwork who will bring her fabulous pop-up shop and give members a talk.
12th October is the following meeting when the annual sewing machine service day will take place. If you would like to have your machine services during the day, please complete the sign up form that will be available at the September meeting. Patchwork Plus will be the shop.
9th November will be an open meeting where members will be demonstrating various techniques. Following the success of last year’s fabric swap and sale this will again happen in November.
7th December is a date to keep in your diary when a very special seasonal meeting will take place with lots of fun with Lismore Quilts being on site with a selection of Christmas fabric. Following the meeting there will be a festive themed workshop.
Sew a busy time ahead and don’t forget, if you can come to a meeting then bring along any projects that you have been working on for the Show and Tell.
Happy Stitching.
June 2024 Summary
The sun shone brightly in Cork this morning for our final meeting of the year. A great crowd gathered to celebrate, chat, encourage and exchange quilting ideas over coffee and as usual a lovely selection of cakes.
Nikki Foley of The Sewing Shed, Kerry, joined us with a selection of fabric and notions from her shop including some fabulous novelty fabrics and some great end of bolt bundle bags.
Nikki also gave an enthralling talk about her sewing life and the roots of her passion for needle and thread. The variety of the work that she brought to show was breathtaking with a huge range of techniques and designs. From simple block work to developing art quilts for exhibitions and everything in between. From traditional cotton to organza, glitter, felt and wool she has incorporated them all into her quilting. And has experimented with rust and tea dying to produce unique pieces. Her love of old suitcases has led her to fill them with samples quilts each one with different techniques, designs and fabric. They are a true treasure chest for a quilter.
There was a display of the branch quilt challenge entitled “Cork is a wonderful City”, which were judged by Nikki and will be displayed next week at the National AGM at Cork International Hotel.
Outgoing Chairperson Ann Pendergrast thanked the members for their support during her time as chair and wished the incoming committee every success in the coming year.
The first meeting of the new year will be held on Saturday 14 September.
May 2024 Summary
A warm day with warm friends was had on Saturday when we meet for our monthly meeting.
Lismore quilts brought a wonderful selection of fabric for the pop-up shop. There was a new range of very pretty fat quarters and lots of jellyrolls and layer cakes. There was also some discount fabrics amongst the bolts so something for everyone.
Our own Tracy Wardle of Trace Designs gave a fascinating talk on the origins and history of pockets. How they developed as a separate part of woman’s apparel which were a treasured way of self-expression, not just a utilitarian item. Through to the pocket being incorporated into garments. We also learnt about the different methods of construction and embellishment, The different fabrics used and the variety of shapes and sizes. It made us consider the importance of an often-overlooked part of clothing.
There were also a vivid array of members works displayed during show and tell showing a glimpse of the talent of our members.
Our last meeting before the summer will be on Saturday 8th June where we will be joined by Nikki Foley from The Sewing Shed. The following week (14-16 June), will see Cork hosting the National AGM at Cork International Airport.
Dates for your diary
4 May 2024 – Southern Branch Meeting. Sacred Heart Church Hall, Western Road, Cork. Guest Speaker: Tracy Wardle. Shop: Lismore Quilts
8 June 2024 – Southern Branch Meeting. Sacred Heart Church Hall, Western Road, Cork. Guest Speaker: Nikki Foley. Shop: The Sewing Shed
14-16 June 2024 National AGM hosted by Southern Branch. Cork International Hotel, Cork Airport Business Park, Cork Airport.
April 2024 Summary
There was a real buzz at this month’s meeting as a good crowd gathered to look back at some of the highlights of the past year and begin to plan for the year ahead.
Patchwork Plus were the pop-up shop and were, as always on hand with a great range of fabric and notions.
There was an animated slideshow of a selection of quilts that members have displayed over the last 12 months, both in Show and Tell and at our exhibition. There was no guest speaker this month as time was taken for the AGM.
The Show and Tell this month included not just quilts but wall hangings, cushions, fabric baskets, an Ipad pouch, and an ingenious fabric card stand. A great reminder that it’s not all about bedcovers!
It’s full steam ahead now for a sewing summer including the southern branch welcoming members from across the country as Cork hosts the National AGM in June.
NOTE: Next months meeting on the earlier date of Saturday 4 May.
March 2024 Summary
Another busy month for the Southern IPS quilters with the monthly meeting taking place on 9th March.
The guest speaker this month was Christine from The Irish Quilter. She showed some of her collection of work and gave a workshop on quilting with freezer paper following the meeting. The Irish Quilter was also the guest shop with a lovely array of fabric and notions.
As always a fantastic display was given by members for the show and tell.
Our next meeting will take place on Saturday 13 April 2024. This meeting will be followed by the AGM.
February 2024 Summary
Another wonderful meeting took place on 10th February, with an enthusiastic crowd in attendance. Patchwork Plus provided the pop-up shop, which is always well stocked with irresistible sewing treats. The talk was provided by one of the Southern Branches members, Cathy Davis. Cathy shared a taste of her talent and showed us the variety of her skill with a selection of wonderful quilts. Show and Tell is always a treat with an array of work on display.
Our next meeting will take place on 9th March 2024.
Southern Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society 
