News

Rust Collective Quilt – the Winner!

Over the last 4 months the group has been creating a silk quilt, having used rust and vinegar dying to colour the pieces of silk first.For the first session, at the end of January, Ruth Axson, the member leading this project, asked the group to bring –Ice cream container or similar2 or 3 medium size plastic bagsBits of rusty stuffFine string/old crochet thread or something of a similar weightRubber or silicone gloves for personal protectionTable Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Magic Tile Workshop

Christine Davidson led this as part of a DYOT day on February 15th 2025. Her finished example had been displayed at the group’s Ruby exhibition last year. She provided detailed instructions and individual help and support, for which the participants were really grateful for. Magic tiles involved 12 squares, numbering them carefully, making a cut, adding “grout”, rearranging the smaller pieces, re sewing to the larger piece, then making the next cut etc Everyone worked Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

That Purple Quilt!

At the 2024 Ruby Exhibition a purple quilt was on display and much admired. I asked Ruth Garner and Mary Turner to write the story behind it – The 2019 exhibition committee enjoyed working together so much that in March 2020 we got together to talk about a new group venture of creating a quilt based on the poem below, using only vintage fabrics that we would dye ourselves. Warning by Jenny Joseph When I Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Lizzie Wall’s “Two Fine Fish” Workshop

Written by Wendy Townley, Photos from Nancy Clark On Saturday 5th October 2024, at Astbury Village hall, fifteen members of Beartown Patchwork and Quilters attended a raw edge appliqué workshop by Lizzie Wall. The workshop was entitled “Two Fine Fish”, Members were shown how to cut out fish templates which were then collaged and embellished by layering them with colourful and exotic fabric, using the heat and bond application method. The embellishment could be as Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

What should I take to my first meeting?

Written by Judy Harris My first meeting of Beartown Quilters was on 10th September 2024. I set off, not quite knowing what to expect but full of trepidation and excitement. What to wear, what to take and how to get there on time – mustn’t be late for my first meeting! I knew there would be “show and tell” so do I take something and if so what? Eventually I decided to take a quilt Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Chronicle report 24th September 2024

On Tuesday 24th September the Beartown Patchwork and Quilters drew the winners for their Charity Quilt Raffle. The quilts, all lovingly crafted by the group, had been proudly displayed at their Ruby anniversary exhibition in the Town Hall, in May. The sponsors were Congleton Borough Council and Congleton Inclosure Trust.There were many prizes. All were designed, sewn and put together by the group. The first prize was a beautiful Ruby Bouquet Quilt. Other prizes included Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Eco printing

On 23rd March 2024 Maggie Pearson gave an interesting talk to Beartown members on botanical contact printing [also known as eco printing], using local leaves with natural dyes to design and create unique and sustainable hand printed designs on natural fibres. After the inspiring talk by Maggie, 6 members, Wendy, Helen, Nancy, Anne, Chris and Christine, decided a workshop to develop the discussions that arose that evening was needed. A date was agreed by all, Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Festival of Quilts – 1st to 4th August 2024

I went on the Saturday with my daughter Gwen arriving around midday. We made it through the traders hall quite quickly, taking note of stalls we wanted to return to, as for me, the important bit was viewing the quilts. How to do It? We decided to wend our ways up and down the rows. And who should I spot but Christine , Chris, Joan and Doreen having a spot of lunch – they’d been Read more

By Diana Woods, ago