Last saturday’s meeting was a fantastic way to welcome in the warm weather and round off this years quilting. A good crowd gathered to celebrate all that has been acheived over the last few months and to prepare for the projects ahead for the summer.

There was an array of work on display for the show and tell with alot of members sharing mulitple items. After the show and tell members where treated to a first for IPS southern with a fashion show. Many of the participant of Clare Newell’s recent quilted jacket workshop gave a cat walk parade of their finished garments. It was a walking rainbow of patterns and design all acheived using a pain sweatshirt as a base.

The pop up shop was brought to us by Nikki Foley at The Sewing Shed. Following show and tell Nikki gave a very interesting talk with her sister Gail Smith. They discussed their common sewing and crafting history and the collaborations they have taken part in.

Nikki’s showed her Block of the month titled Irish Dresser and Nikki explained the history of the Dresser as being a gift from a groom to his new wife and formed the “heart of the home.” The dressers was a hugely important peice of equipment for the home, creating essential storage space for treassured tableware whist supplying a cosy home in the bottom cupboards for roosting chickens to lay their eggs, which could then be served direct to the table. More details of the BOM can be found at https://www.thesewingshed.ie/products/irish-dresser-quilt-block-of-the-month

Nikki very kindly shared her pattern “Storm at Sea” with members and challenged us to try it out over the summer.

Our next meeting will take place in September but in the mean time we wish you all a wonderful stitchy summer.

The Irish Patchwork Society’s Southern branch recent meeting was a resounding success, drawing a fantastic crowd of over 50 members. It was especially heartwarming to welcome some new faces to the group for the first time. These newcomers were in for a treat, experiencing firsthand the vibrant and supportive community that the IPS fosters. The energy in the room was palpable, with members sharing projects, exchanging tips, and simply enjoying the company of fellow quilting enthusiasts.

New members and seasoned quilters alike were captivated by a fascinating presentation by Tomomi McElwee. Tomomi, of Slaney Quilting Studio. She brought along a stunning collection of her quilts, showcasing her unique approach to working with shape and colour. Her quilts weren’t just beautiful; they told stories. Tomomi’s ability to develop a narrative through her designs truly inspired the audience, offering fresh perspectives and creative inspiration. It was a privilege to see her work up close and learn about her creative process.

The creativity continued with the show and tell segment. Members displayed a wonderful array of their own projects, demonstrating the diverse range of styles and techniques being explored within the group. From intricate piecing to innovative use of colour and texture, the talent was truly impressive. For the new attendees, it was a fantastic introduction to the possibilities of patchwork and quilting.

A special thanks also goes out to Tomomi McElwee’s Slaney Quilting Studio for her wonderful pop-up shop. The diverse selection of fabrics proved a huge hit, providing inspiration and materials for quilters of all skill levels. From vibrant prints to subtle textures, there was something to tempt every taste and project.

Join us for our next meeting on March 8th. Clare Newell will be our guest speaker, and Patchwork Plus will provide the pop-up shop. We look forward to seeing you there!

The ice and snow of the past week had melted allowing many of us to gather for our first meeting of the year and a warming welcome was received by all.

It was interesting to find out how little, or how much, members had been able sew over the Christmas period and I think we are all happy to look forward to a productive year ahead.

Moya from Patchwork Plus hosted the pop-up shop, and as always had a lovely selection. She also gave a very informative talk detailing some of the different needles and pins that are available and some of the best brand. She then went on to discuss the different types of batting, discovering the difference in quality, weight and overall affect when quilted was really helpful.

Show and tell as always saw a wide range of work, including a hexagonal quilt made by Heidi from scraps of tweed. Jane O’Brien made a wonderful quilt with silk, Tracy Wardle’s robin cushion was exquisite, and Cathy Davis showed a wonderful reversible sashiko bag.

Patchwork Plus are hosting a big clearance sale this month. From 20^th to 27^th January there will be lots of bargains to be had. The shop is open by appointment only so please call to arrange a visit on 087 7986972 or email patchworkplus@gmail.com

Our next meeting will take place on 8^th February, all welcome.