Hello everyone,

We hope you all had a lovely summer enjoying the warm weather and the many social events in Belfast. Now is the time to clean your sewing machines, fill your bobbins and heighten your creativity.

Our 2026 – 27 NIPG season is about to begin. Looking forward to seeing you at our first meeting on Saturday 5th September in THE SCOUT HALL  at Crawfordsburn. 

At our first meeting, we’d love it if you could bring a friend or two: young; not so young; whatever gender; interested in crafts, but not yet a quilter. We’d like people to see what we’re all about. No guest fees at our first meeting.

What’s On

Rosalind and Jackie have been (and are) working hard to produce a full and varied programme. You’ll find a preliminary version on the website. 

Apart from our usual meetings, we have the away weekend in October in Drumalis House, Larne;  The Knitting and Stitching Show at the Eikon Centre in November. Not forgetting the Hands Across the Border (HATB) in March,  being hosted by ourselves, and being hung  in The Linen Centre,  Lisburn. [Check out the NIPG website for more information on HATB].

To highlight HATB, and to demystify creating a unique piece for the exhibition:  at our first meeting two members will demonstrate their personal journeys,  in how they prepare to create their pieces. We’re hoping this will be interesting and informative, and may prompt input from other members on their paths. 

PeacePlus

The committee members involved in the  application for a grant from PeacePlus, have had a number of meetings throughout the summer.. You may remember Martha brought this project to our attention  at the May meeting. Members wholeheartedly agreed it should be of great benefit to us all. A huge amount of intense work in association with IPS  has been input to the application process.

Martha Cromie, Chair Stepping Down

Unfortunately due to health issues Martha has tendered her resignation from the post of Chair.  While we are saddened that she has had to take this action, we would like to extend our thanks on your behalf to Martha,  for all the hard work and dedication she has put in to the position of Chair. Martha has been brimming with ideas and her dearest wish, which she was working hard to achieve,  is to see the NIPG grow and be a welcoming resource for all Quilters in Northern Ireland and beyond. Her enthusiasm ha been infectious and indefatigable.  Martha remains a valuable member of the Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild.

Retreat Residential in Drumalis

Within the next few days, you’ll be getting an email from Mary giving you all the details about our weekend.

(Another innovation for NIPG, initiated  by Martha and guided by her.)

Membership RenewalsYes, it’s that time again. It has been  agreed to increase the fees to £40.00, mainly to cover the extra costs incurred as we have to use The Scout Hall. .
You’ll find the Membership form attached Details on how to pay are on the website and on the attached form.  If possible, Bank Transfer is the easiest method, making the administration more streamlined. 

Please continue to support your guild. It is a place for friendship, for learning and developing our stitching skills.

See you on 5th September in the Scout Hall, Crawfordsburn. 10 for 10:30 start. 

Any queries/ questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Esme and Mary