Welcome.
Spring is coming…..I counted three yellow and four crocus flowers in my garden yesterday and today there are more than a dozen.

Spring makes me think of planning journeys and on Saturday 6th February we will welcome Greta Fitchett with her talk `Traveller’s Tales`, delivered via Zoom.
“TRAVELLERS TALES : Come along on a journey to places such as Venice, Hong Kong, Morocco, Turkey and Spain, as well as local UK travel – places that have inspired quilts, wallhangings and themed Journal Quilts.”
Looking further into the future. Deborah [NIPG President] and I had a Zoom talk with representatives from the Irish Patchwork Society (IPS) about `Hands Across the Border` 2021.
The `Hands Across the Border` exhibitions, a joint venture by NIPG and IPS [Irish Patchwork Society] are held every other year and 2021 will celebrate 30 years of our association. It was sparked off all those years ago by making use of funding for cross-border initiatives at that time. It is the turn of IPS to host the opening in the year that they are also celebrating their 40years.
So here is a synopsis of the essential details- full rules and entry form will be available here on the NIPG website.
TITLE; ` Hanging Together Again`
SIZE; 30inches wide 40inches long ( all quilts are to be the same size)
DEADLINE for submission:- 1st July 2021 (no late entries as they need to be photographed for the catalogue.)
OPEN ONLY to NI Patchwork Guild members [& Irish Patchwork Society].
NOT ACCEPTED :- glass fronted / framed / mounted quilts / quilts made from kits / workshop samples.
ACCEPTED:– Original work only. The work should have been completed within the last 2 years.
The work should NOT have been previously exhibited.
Quilts are not for sale during the exhibition and only available for collection at the end, which is anticipated to be up to one year after the opening.
By entering a quilt you agree to have it photographed for publicity purposes and the exhibition catalogue.
For more details about labelling, hanging sleeve and packaging please see HERE
I would encourage everyone to think about making a quilt for `HATB`. Examples from the 2019 and 2017 exhibitions are available to view on NIPG website.
It would be really great to have a good showing from NIPG in recognition of 30 years.
The title` Hanging Together Again¬ gives plenty of scope for the imagination.
My challenge now is to find a NI gallery for the exhibition some time after August 2021!!
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday 6th February some time after 10.00.
Meanwhile, stay safe and carry on quilting
Anne Hardcastle
Here are a few images from the 2009 Hands Across the Border, opened in Dublin by then President Mary McAleese.



