Written by Anne Carter
Megan Barley was the speaker at Beartown P’s and Q’s meeting on 13th May. Megan is the coordinator of Region 13 of The Quilters’ Guild of The British Isles and she talked about that role and also her travels. She brought along some of her large quilt collection for us to admire.
On Sunday, 18th May, a coach trip to the Quilts’ UK exhibition at Malvern Showgrounds was organized by Doreen Parsons and Christine Davidson. Leaving Congleton at 8 a.m. and picking up more quilters and friends in Sandbach at 8.30 a.m., members enjoyed the many exhibits and fabric traders before leaving Malvern at 4 p.m.
On 27th May, there was a talk via zoom by Alex Kingswell, a textile artist whose quilts have been displayed in Coventry Cathedral. Her designs are abstract and vibrantly colourful, based on stained glass windows.
The Quilters’ Guild suitcase collection “Predominantly Blue” was displayed at Quiltfest at Astley Hall in Chorley, earlier in the year. Since then it has been a travelling collection seen by quilting groups throughout the country. On 10th June it was the turn of Beartown P’s and Q’s. The challenge, to coincide with the 45th sapphire anniversary of The Quilters’ Guild, was for members to make a 12” square, fabric quilt. There were 60 in total, all very different techniques and subjects but all, predominantly blue.
The squares were spread out on tables and members discussed whether each one fulfilled the criteria of predominantly blue.
Here’s a selection to see in more detail.
On 24th June, representatives from Upton P’s and Q’s from Chester brought along dozens of their quilts for a “meet the neighbours” show and tell evening. What an inspiring and diverse collection!
In July, members from Beartown will reciprocate and visit Upton.
The last meeting before the summer break, was the Summer party on 8th July. With show and tell and tables of refreshments, the evening concluded with a “quilt beetle” dice game. Members had all brought in a gift- wrapped sewing item and they were passed around depending on the rules and throw of the dice. It was good fun and everyone went home with a different gift.
The ongoing post card challenge is well under way with those members who wanted to take part, sending a different post card to another member, based on different countries each month. So far, The Netherlands, Morocco, USA, Vietnam, Norway and Botswana have been represented. July’s challenge is to make a fabric post card based on Jamaica. See them all in 2025 postcard challenge
The group quilt, designed and coordinated by Ruth Axson and made up by members from silk fabric, has now been entered into the group category at Festival of Quilts at The N.E.C. 31st July – 3rd August. Read more about it here
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