Welcome to Alysn Midgelow-Marsden, Textile artist who joins us on Nov 3rd.

IMPORTANT!

Our next meeting and the afternoon workshop- Saturday 3rd November – will be in St. John’s, Orangefield Parish Church, on the Castlereagh Road in Belfast.  10:00 for 10:30 start.

Sunday workshop will take place in Knock Golf Club   Council Room and we are grateful to them for accomodating us on short notice.

Here’s a  message from our Chair, Paula:

To all members,

I was on holidays last week and got an email to say no power or water at the museum this weekend  

So there are further changes to the venues 

Saturday as I think you all know is at ST JOHN’S on the Castlereagh  road Belfast BT56AB also the 

workshop in the after noon [possibly  a few places left ]

Sunday will be at Knock Golf Club 657 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast,  BT4 3NT

I am a long time member and they  kindly offered me the council room for our workshop. They are not charging us. 

So all going to the workshop where possible bring your own iron, iron mat or board. If possible bring a bag which can be taped to the table to catch threads, and keep the room as clean as possible.

If you have an extension lead can you bring also.  Tea and coffee can be bought from the kitchen, I can also organise sandwiches for lunch or you may choose from  the lunch menu.

Total numbers for this workshop will be twelve, so I think there are a very few places left.

NO GOLF GEAR NEEDED OR CALLS OF FOUR !!!

Alysn Midgelow-Marsden who will be delivering the workshops, is an exciting talent working within fine art textiles. Here’s what she says:

 

My artworks include outdoor sculptural works, wearable art and installation in addition to work for walls in domestic and professional settings.

A scientific background, a continuing interest in the natural environment is often combined with a fascination about the traditions of widely differing cultures, times and connections to or shared human existence are core to my practice.

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Crown Jewels Gone Mad – Alysn Midgelow-Marsden

Lots more to discover about her and what is needed for the workshops in the  Workshops and Requirements  section of this website.

 

More News

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The “In Print” Contemporary Quilt exhibition in the Curve, Bangor Library, finished on Oct 30th.

Here’s a wonderful photo from The Spectator of the Opening Night. The inimitable Mary Peters with our own Irene MacWilliams and Margaret McCrory.

 

 

World of Colour

 

 

 

The Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild has an exhibition is next up in the Curve, Bangor Libry.

A stunning exhibition from the NIPG (even if we say so ourselves!)

A splash of colour to brighten up the dark November days.

You have the whole of November to view it – library hours only.

 

 

Jenny Hayne

delivered the October workshop, and here’s44181443_1890284624369980_7750503540602175488_n a stunning cushion cover made  by Jan, our

Exhibitions organiser, at that workshop.

Report from our photographer Brian: “Jenny Haynes gave a wonderful presentation on her Quilt designs. First she gave us a potted biography to explain how she arrived where she now is career wise then she explained her philosophy of exploration and innovation and introduced her templates with the improvements she has invented and implemented then the highlights of the various quilts she has designed and sewn using them. A most interesting and impressive display. “

 

 

November and December Meetings 

Paula, our Chair says:

Christmas meeting we will have a flower arrangement  demonstration and the ballet will be £2 and three members  shall win one of the arrangements. Also bring a bottle bag that you have made. You will not take your own home,  but will be given one home with you no exchanges unless you are given your own back!

January we will have a 1/2 day workshop stencilling on velvet with the remaining paint from last years workshop 

Our 40th Season begins on Sat 1st Sept

Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 15.16.37 (1)When a very, very, very young Deborah Baillie decided to start a quilting guild, little did she realise how big it would grow. Nor could she have realised how popular it would be, becoming Northern Ireland’s largest patchwork Guild. That was 40 years ago and on Saturday September 1st 2018, Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild begin their 40th year.

The NIPG are indebited to Deborah and thank her,  not least for all her hard work,  but also the dedication and passion she has brought to patchwork in Northern Ireland.

In honour of this auspicious anniversary, the committee led by our Chair, Paula Ellis, has been planning some exciting events for the forthcoming year.

A few words from our Chair, Paula Ellis 

This is a very exciting Guild year ahead of us, with a very varied program of workshops and speakers, including KAFFE FASSSETS visit with a workshop and lecture.

2019 is the Guilds 40th Anniversary so I hope you will all enjoy and celebrate together our special year.

There will be a table for membership, a table for workshops, and a table for booking Kaffe Fassett.

The charity this year is Parkinsons  –  a very worthy charity .

Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday bright eyed.

Paula 

Here’s what’s happening on Saturday 1st September:

  •  Judith Hollies will have her  pop-up shop Just Jude Designs 

    Judith Hollies

     & will be giving a talk to the Guild on scrap-busting.

Judith is a regular contributor to several UK quilting magazines (Love Patchwork & Quilting, Quilt Now, Sewing World, Popular Patchwork, British Patchwork & Quilting & Pretty Patches).

A designer who writes and sells her own patterns. Judith’s philosophy is  to inspire & nurture creativity in others,  for which in turn she feels blessed and inspired.  She believes that within our increasingly stressful and busy culture, unleashing your creativity is mindfulness.

Though Judith is no stranger to the NIPG, you will have a chance once again to see her on Saturday and perhaps purchase one of her excellent patterns. It is also possible to purchase them online at her shop, or through Etsy and Craftsy.

  • Members will be able to renew their membership. £ 30.00.  New members welcome too. 

Not everyone has online access, but if you do and if you have print facilities, it would be much appreciated, if you could print the form and bring it with you. Form available here. 

  • Members will be able to book workshops.

Please note: A £ 10.00 deposit is required for workshops.  Payment in full at the next meeting (non-refundable, except in exceptional micircumstances).

See also: Workshop Requirements.

This is an extra special event organised to celebrate our 40th Anniversary.

Kaffe Fassett needs no introduction to quilters (or indeed to knitters). 

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Typical Kaffe Fassett Quilt

 

  • Tickets for the lecture and/or workshop will be offered initially to Members Only. 

 

  • Lecture in the Ulster Museum costs £ 15.00 for Members & £20 for non-Members, non-refundable.

 

 

  • Collection of quilts for our first exhibition of the year

Those who have completed their quilts for our first exhibition of the year, will be able bring them along to the September Meeting.  The exhibition is entitled: “Wonderful World of Colour” and is to be exhibited in November at the Curve Gallery, Bangor library

Quilt size – no more than 36″ square. Not forgetting the usual things – hanging sleeve, pole and labelled bag.  Here’s link to the entry form which should be printed and completed to accompany each entry: Entry Form for the Curve Exhibition

Delighted to have any finished quilts at the September meeting, otherwise bring them in October. Quilts do need to be collected as early as possible to facilitate cataloguing. 

Visitors Welcome

The first Saturday is always busy. It’s great to catch up with everyone after the long summer, and as individuals, we will do our best to look out for new people, and give them the welcome we would expect to receive ourselves.

It is daunting coming to a place for the first time, but you may not be the only new person.  So, don’t be shy.  Be brave, go up and talk to people. Tell them who you are, where you’re from and why you’re there.

In particular our first day, on September 1st will be exceptionally busy day and  it really won’t be possible for a  committee member to take you under their wing,  but please know that you are welcome and that we do look forward to getting to know you.

Crafting Live Belfast. Titanic Exhibition Centre. Thurs 26th April to Sat 28th April

Crafting Live Belfast 

The Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild will be present at the Crafting Live Show in the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Our stand shall be displaying work produced by our members on the theme ‘Dive into your Stash!’

Our Chair, Paula Ellis came up with the theme, which has been enthusiastically embraced by our members. ‘It’s going to be the best small exhibition ever.’

Please come along and introduce yourselves. We would love to chat with you and answer any questions.

Previous Exhibition Stand 

 

The show itself is open from Thursday 26 April until Saturday 28 April, and is open 10am-5pm on Thursday and Friday, and 10am-4pm on Saturday. Your entrance ticket gets you in all 3 days of the show if you feel like making a weekend of it.

 

 

Over the duration of the show Crafting Live are promoting a vast range of exhibitors stocking stamps, dies, decoupage, fabric, wool, ribbon, beads and much more. You can stock up on all of your craft essentials, as well as finding inspiration from brand new products, whilst meeting your favourite TV crafters. There are also refreshment options and areas to have a much needed sit down after all that shopping!

If you visit the Crafting Live Website, Crafting Live are promising that  every advance ticket purchased is eligible for a FREE GIFT* worth £15 – just collect yours at the show. Plus every guest will get a £5 voucher** to spend with our sponsors Create & Craft.

Visit the Crafting Live website for more information

 

Christmas 2017 at the NI Patchwork Guild

Santa Claus honoured our Guild with a visit on Saturday 2nd December, which made a good day great.

It’s the child within us who greets Santa with enthusiasm and smiles.

It was our own esteemed Man Friday and Quilter, Brian McKenna who fulfilled the role.

Photos of the Christmas Baubles may be found here.

 

Members crafted tree decorations from felt, beads and fabric to create a stunning display. Santa Brian patiently wrapped them all and then redistributed them to the NIPG members.

Jingle Bells Quilting all the way

 

Mince pies were consumed and everyone was encouraged to sing  a particular  version of Jingle Bells. The one depicted here is similar to that which we sang, but if anyone would like to send in the actual words we could put them up here.

 

 

 

Dec2-Dec- 20170912A delightful display of glass ornaments was the first thing you saw when entering the hall.

 

This was accompanied by an intriguing talk from Anne Marie Nelson and her partner about glass making. A great variety of questions were put to them.  All in all, very interesting indeed.

Dec2-Dec- 20170910

 

 

 

A link  to their website will follow.

 

Open the box and out pops a sewing machine!

            NIPG 2015–16 Season Kicks off with …

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Image from Quilting Treasures. (http://www.quiltingtreasures.com/shop/product/church-ladies-quilt/)

here-come-the-girls-25th-birthday-bonanza-lst160266

Last year we opened our 2014-15 season with our very own members. Our Guild is packed with industrious and talented people  and we wanted an opportunity to highlight some of our members’ pieces. We left it entirely up to each speaker as to what they want to ‘share’  within a ten to fifteen minute slot.

‘Here come the girls’, this year’s theme…. intriguing!

Last year it was “Favourite Things”.  The four people who stepped up were Esme Edwards, Anne James, Paula Ellis and Helen Heron. It was absolutely fantastic, one of our  best meetings!

Esme Edward's Treasured Machine with Box
Esme Edward’s Treasured Machine with the Magical Box in the background.

Esme Edwards, began by placing  a funny wee black box on the table, puzzling us all at what it contained. What was her favourite thing? Having started her talk by revealing some of her history with sewing and in particular patchwork, we were wondering what could be in this little box. To our delight, she opened the box to reveal the most gorgeous sewing machine. One which she has until recently, used regularly.

How to follow Esme’s opening? Anne James, our present Chairperson, bravely stood forth and enchanted everyone with her manipulated fabric piece, which she had constructed for her City and Guilds.

Manipulated Fabric Piece by Anne James

Detail of Manipulated Fabric by Anne James

We were on a roll – how could our meeting get any better?

Paula Ellis Commissioned Piece
Paula Ellis’s Cushion, depicting Lucky, a special commission.

However, Paula Ellis captivated everyone before she even spoke with her gorgeous cushions.  The variety and skill which she used to create them, had everyone listening to every word and trying to take it all in to replicate at home. The cushion which had been commissioned by proud pet owners, was beautiful.

[After the meeting there were demands that Paula give us a workshop on creating these adorable cushions.

You asked, we answered!

Paula is taking an all day workshop on Sunday 8th November.

Launch of exhibition in Linen Hall
Helen Heron and Michael Longley at the Linen Hall Library for the launch of Helen’s exhibition.

Lastly, and by no means least, Helen Heron treated everyone to a riveting talk, on how she came to create her  piece which celebrating renowned poet, Michael Longley’s poem ‘The Leveret’ written for his grandson.

Helen Heron
Helen Heron’s piece based on Michael Longley’s ‘The Leveret’. With Brenda Powers, Anne James and Angela McCormick

Helen Heron
Helen Heron’s piece based on Michael Longley’s ‘The Leveret’. With Angela McCormick, Helen Heron and Adrienne

Helen Heron
Helen Heron’s piece based on Michael Longley’s ‘The Leveret’.

Hand pieced and hand quilted by Helen Heron

Helen Heron's handpieced appliqued cushion

Helen Heron’s handpieced appliqued cushion

That was a glimpse into last year….

This year is a mystery, so you’ve got to be there to experience it.