Author: Cat Nichol

At our recent meeting, some lovely work was shown. There are more details about some of the items in our quarterly newsletter which can be found using the link above. There are also some useful links as well as information about future events.

Our recent meeting was a little different from usual. After the business and the raffles, we were treated to a very interesting talk by Janet Clare, acclaimed quilter , designer and teacher, ably assisted by her husband Tony, her business partner.

The title of the talk - "She believed she could so she did" - illustrates Janet's approach which is summed up by "you can do anything if you put your mind to it". Wearing her signature Artisan Apron (a bestseller), Janet took us through the journey of her quilting business, from finding time to work whilst running a busy household through to writing books and designing fabric for Moda. Every aspect of the talk was illustrated by a beautiful quilt, photos of some of which can be seen below.

The accompanying stall gave us an opportunity to browse Janet's patterns, books and fabrics designed for Moda. The colour palette was in the blues/creams/grays spectrum, the colours with which she designs for Moda, other designers having their own colour ranges. Many of us took the chance to treat ourselves!

Thank you to Janet for a very enjoyable evening! We can now look forward to a workshop tutored by her next March.

Some MSQ business: The newsletter will now be produced 4 times a year instead of the current 12. We now have photos of quilts from Show and Tell on the website so this will avoid repetition and lessen the burden on Caroline, who does such a splendid job producing our newsletter.

The NEC trip on August 4th is going ahead because we have paired up with Basingstoke Creative Stitchers to make it viable. Pick up with be in Chieveley.

At our recent meeting we had a discussion about our next exhibition. This is likely to be in 2027, although no final decision has been made. We agreed that we will revisit the idea next year - more details in our newsletter, link above.

The workshop on June 3rd mainly devoted to padded jackets was a great day enjoyed by all. We look forward to seeing the finished articles in due course.

Our next meeting on June 28th will be a talk "She Believed She Could so She Did" by popular quilter Janet Clare - no Show and Tell this month. Non-members are welcome for a payment of £10. There will be a sales table too.

August 4th Festival of Quilts - places still available. Please sign up as soon as possible to ensure the trip is financially viable. Open to non-members.

Geraldine gave a very interesting talk and demonstration of Log Cabin quilts.

Here is some of the work shown at the May Meeting.

At our April meeting we listened to a very interesting talk by Lillian King, the Berkshire co-ordinator from Project Linus. More information about Linus Quilts with photos of some of the quilts Lillian brought along can be found in our newsletter. Access this by clicking on the link in the Newsletters tab above. Project Linus has a website where you can access even more details about the charitable organisation.

If you want to donate a quilt, please contact Lillian or let us know via our email address, marketsquarequilters.co.uk

It was announced that August's meeting on the 23rd in addition to being our summer social would also be an opportunity to Bring and Buy.

The Coronation Quilt project led by Caroline is taking shape. Some lovely redwork crown blocks were handed in at the meeting. Members were also able to take kits, prepared by Caroline, in order to make the complementary blocks. More details in the newsletter.

Here are some of the quilts shown at the meeting:

At the March meeting, members showed the work they had done at the recent Seminole Patchwork Workshop at Chieveley Village Hall. We look forward to seeing some finished pieces in due course.

You can read about the workshop and see some photographs of work in progress in our latest newsletter. Follow the link above to the Newsletter.

At the meeting, members began the Coronation Quilt, a joint project led by Caroline, to commemorate the King's Coronation in May.

Here is some of the work shown at the meeting.

Back in St Francis' Hall, 32 members enjoyed an evening of inspirational work, tea and a talk by Jan Honey, of which more below. You can also find our latest newsletter using the link in the Newsletters tab above.

In the newsletter you can read about our meetings, workshops and outings to the Malverns' Quily show in May and the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in August. There is also a full report of Jan Honey's talk on Shashiko, Kantha and Boro.

Here is some of the inspirational work shown at the meeting.

Jan gave a very interesting and well prepared talk on Shasiko, Kantha and Boro. You can read about her talk in the newsletter, but below you will find some photos of some of the samples she showed us. It is hard to believe that she only began to explore these techniques in October last year. She is becoming a real expert!

Please follow the link in the Newsletters tab above to see our latest newsletter. Details in the newsletter about our programme for the year as well as planned trips to the Malverns Quilt Show on May 19th and the Festival of Quilts at the NEC on August 4th.

The February meeting on the 22nd will be held at St Francis Church Hall in Wash Common, our usual venue. The heating is now fixed.

It was good to meet up again in January after our December meeting was cancelled due to lack of heating in the St Francis Hall. Chieveley Village hall was our temporary venue. Here is some of the work shown during the evening

In our latest newsletter (which can be found by clicking on the tab above) you can read an exhibition review as well as discovering some of our plans for 2023.

These include:

Drunkards Path Blocks; Shibori demonstration; UFOs (Unfinished objects); Log Cabin and variations, as well as making a Patchwork Jacket .

We are also planning various Saturday SOS workshops, the first on March 18th being on Seminole Patchwork. This is to be held at Chieveley Village Hall, RG20 8TE.

Kirsty showed a beautiful cushion made through an online workshop with Stitched Up by Samantha.

Please follow the link to the November 2022 Newsletter

You can find photographs of our October Quilt Exhibition by clicking on the link to the right or on the bar above. There is also a report of the exhibition on Newburytoday.co.uk and on the Newbury Weekly News Facebook page.