News

Chronicle report May to July 24

Beartown Patchwork and Quilters have enjoyed an exciting and varied Summer programme.On 1st May they were entertained and enlightened about Eco dyeing by Maggie Pearson. She showed how leaves and flowers could be laid on top of silk as part of an eco dyeing process to be made into exquisite and unique scarves. For more information https://www.bymaggienaturally.co.uk/about On 21st May the meeting was entitled “It’s grim up North!” This was a suitcase collection of quilts Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Travels with my sketch book

Talk by Mike Fitchett on 4th June 24 A fascinating talk of how his urban sketches became wonderful quilts. He used coloured paper to work out the layout, emphasizing light and shade, then the material pieces were appliqued on by his wife, also a talented quilt maker and textile artist. Simple quilting was used to emphasize, sea, fields, sky, brickwork etc The group was totally awestruck by the finished works of art! The dramatic triptych Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Chronicle report March and April 24

On Tuesday 5th March Christine Davidson and Ruth Garner introduced the group to a collection of small quilts entitled ” The Handbag Collection“. These miniature quilts were laid out on table for everyone to peruse, and comment on aspects of technique, contrast, finishing, favourite and least favourite. All were amazing and promoted lively discussion. The meeting on 19th March was led by Chris Flatman who instructed members on the making of a beautiful applique butterfly Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Tips, tricks and Tools

A talk by Lis Binns on November 7th 2023 During Lis’ entertaining talk, the group were given many useful sewing tips based on her experience and expertise of making many quilts over the years. Her talk was humorous and informative, including what to do when things go wrong or don’t go to plan. Lis also provided a copy of her booklet (Download link at bottom of page). She concluded that the ultimate tool was usually Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Chronicle report November 23 to February 24

Beartown P’s and Q’s met on 7th November for a talk by Lis Binns who entertained us with her Tips, Tricks and Tools talk. The group were given many useful sewing tips based on her experience and expertise of making many quilts over the years. Her talk was humorous and informative, including what to do when things go wrong or don’t go to plan. She concluded that the ultimate tool was usually a glass of Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Chronicle report September & October 2023

The Beartown Patchworker and Quilters Autumn programme began with a Sew and chat and a Show and tell. Members showed quilts they had made for Care Leavers and some that had been made for a “Shoe box challenge”. The meeting on the 26th September provided an update on plans being made for the groups Ruby Anniversary Quilt Show at the Town hall next year. On 10th October a founder member Evelyn Holt talked about how Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

Ruby exhibition raffle prizes

The raffle was drawn on September 24th 2024. All funds raised were for a local charity ” Ruby’s” which aims at “helping special families shine”. The winners were from Congleton and as far afield as Birmingham and Manchester. A total of £2000 was raised and donated to “Ruby’s”. The charity was set up to help children and their families, in the local area, with special educational needs and disabilities. Two representatives from the charity- Sue Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

The Ruby Exhibition is getting close!

The members of the Ruby Exhibition Committee have been hard at work, ensuring that every detail is planned for the upcoming exhibition on June 28th and 29th in Congleton Town Hall. They recently visited the town hall to finalise the event’s requirements and the committee has now carefully mapped out the floor plan, strategically arranging the space to showcase the exquisite quilts created by the group’s members. Each quilt tells a story, reflecting the passion Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

How much does it cost to make a double quilt? The Beartown Buckeye Beauty costings

The 2019 exhibition committee decided to cost the Buckeye Beauty raffle quilt to demonstrate the real expense in producing a quality quilt, which for many, becomes a treasured heirloom. Fabric: For this colourful quilt we purchased fabric totaling £120.00 and although this includes the pieced top and binding we did add extras from our scrap boxes. Wadding was an additional £28.00.Total cost of Fabric £ 148.00 Travel Costs: Trips to purchase fabric and to the Read more

By Diana Woods, ago

The mini exhibition at St Peter’s church

Written by Donna Hanmer Beartown Patchwork and Quilters held a mini exhibition at St Peter’s Church in Congleton on Saturday 21st October, to share their amazing and varied creations with the public. The exhibition featured some of the quilts that the group members made as part of a Round Robin or “Shoebox Challenge”, a fun and charitable project that they carried out over last winter. A couple had been enlarged into Q4CL quilt ( for Read more

By Diana Woods, ago