Patchwork and Quilting
This group was started in October 2004. Up to 10 of us meet usually on the third Monday of each month, between 2 and 4pm. We meet all through the year and continue to meet in our homes, as that is where all the bits and pieces and books are readily available.
We cater for all abilities. Over the past few years we have worked on many techniques and block designs and we are continually challenged to improve both our skills and our designs. We have just completed a single quilt which we used as a practice piece and on which we all did our bit. We have also made about a dozen quilts for Project Linus UK which is a charity aiming to provide comfort to sick, bereaved or deprived children through comfort blankets (and quilts). We now aim to make such quilts in each new design we try as it is a real group project and a worthwhile cause. Recently one such attempt resulted in three quilts as we got carried away and produced so many blocks. In addition we work on our own projects and learn a lot from each other and the mistakes we make, often turning these into design features!
We started with the traditional patchwork using paper templates and hand sewing, and moved through to more modern techniques using cutting boards and the machine and even some hand appliqué, and Japanese folded patchwork. The possibilities are endless and we enjoy each new challenge and have fun doing it.
Janet Scotton, August 2008.