Next Meeting Saturday 3rd October in the Hall at the Folk & Transport Museum
Ulster Folk Museum 153 Bangor Road Cultra Co Down BT18 OEU
Speakers: Catherine Hamilton & Margaret Lee Topic: Heritage Stiching
Afternoon Workshop: Based on 1831 National Schools Needlework Class for Girls. Accompanied by Story Telling
Margaret and Catherine are excellent story tellers and experienced sewers in many different elements: without doubt this is going to be entertaining. The programme Rosalind and Jackie have put together has something for everyone, but in particular this Talk & Workshop should appeal to the child in us with the story telling and the nostalgia in investigating what girls in 1831 learned.
Library Sale at the Next Meeting [3rd October]
Over the years, NIPG has purchased a sizable collection of books, augmented by kind donations. Sadly, the day has come when a collection of books is too difficult to maintain, particularly when NIPG is no longer permanently in the Cultra venue. In fact throughout this coming season we are Cultra only for our October meeting. Therefore, access to the book collection is difficult.
Therefore, at our October meeting, we shall be selling off all the books. As has been said 300 plus, including some magazines.
Huge thanks to Esme and Anne French who spent time examining the collection, dividing them into sections and pricing them accordingly. £1, £2 and £3. Some are quite old and most include techniques which have been superseded by modern quilting methods.
We shall be there from 9:45, so you can arrive early to help set up and be first for the sale. The sale will continue after the talk and before the workshop.
It really is going to be a busy morning, so we ask that you be patient and I’m sure there’ll be no ‘hats at dawn’ if people want the same book.
Membership Renewal Membership is £40 for twelve months from September to the end of August. Check here for more information https://northernirelandpatchworkguild.com/membership/
Charity 26 – 27 Macmillan Cancer
Our previous Chair, Martha has chosen this charity for our 2026 – 27 season. Monies will be raised throughout the season.
Previous Meeting on Saturday 5th September at the Scout Hall
Our first meeting of the 26 27 season was led by Esme in the Scout Hall, Crawfordsburn.
Here’s a short summary of the morning from Esme:-After signing up for membership, and enjoying a cuppa and chat, the meeting began,,Announcements over. We had a time to spend on fun and games. With the help of
superb volunteers; four of whom took on the challenge of turning toilet rolls, into recognisable items- bows, plates or toys. Another four used spoons and chopsticks to get wadding into tubs.
The aim of all the fun, was to show the benefits of working together – and they did a really good job. Also, to show how much pleasure and what great results you get, when we work together. This is a reflection on how our Guild operates, with everyone contributing what they can, for the enjoyment of all.
The morning continued with three members demonstrating how they approached a quilting project. In this case, HATB, showing the prep, the lead up, the colours and the making. The talks provided lots of information and provoked food for thought.All in all a great start to the season.”
Esme presented everything with such fun and enthusiasm that everyone joined in. Don’t you wish you had been there. Esme, you’re a genius with these games. Maybe it should be a new Committee position.?
Knitting & Stitching Eikon Exhibition Centre, from 12th – 15th November 2026. [Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Halftown Rd, Lisburn,BT27 5RF]
Martha initiated our affiliation with Knitting and Stitching last year, with Lynda McCleery taking the lead going forward. Lynda already has a few ideas, which she is putting into practice. She has ordered up promo items and is encouraging members to bring small items to decorate the stand. ready to put into motion.
Here is a photograph of our stand last year, and includes the Raffle Quilt donated by Yvonne McKee, hanging on the left hand side. It was won by Anne Thompson, though Heather Irwin.
Hands Across the Border – 2027 is being organised by NIPG
Check here for more information https://northernirelandpatchworkguild.com/hands-across-the-border-2027/
Theme: ‘Through the Looking Glass’ Size of quilt: the perimeter of the exhibit should be 24 inches square, including edging.
Deadline for submission: 22nd February 2027. This may seem a long way away, but time has a habit of accelerating. What we’re saying is not to be complacent.
Any queries, questions, suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are especially keen to hear about local patchwork exhibitions or sales!
