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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.

A colourful 5x5x5 patch quilt by Mary W
A beautiful picture of Hampstead Marshall gates by Gayle W
A lovely art quilt by Sonia showing different techniques
Two cat quilts by Sarah
Many tiny pieces make up this impressive art quilt by Geraldine
Quilted jacket by Cat made for her sister
Impressive large quilt made from a kit entitled "William" showcasing William Morris Fabrics. Made by Sue and quilted by Meg at New Threads
One of the UFOs shown at the meeting, made by Sue
Janet Clare's apron pattern purchased at the last meeting, made by Cat for her granddaughter
A bright premmie quilt by Sue
Another premmie quilt made by Sue, made from fabrics from the group's suitcase

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.

Stall full of goodies and Janet's business partner Tony
Janet in her signature apron showing us her ideas book
Alphabet dress up doll quilt
Quilt showing the appliqué wildflowers, which were freebies from Janet if you signed up to her newsletter
A beautiful sampler quilt, illustrating Janet's Moda colour palette
Another beautiful quilt using the same palette

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.

A quilt with appliquéd sheep made for her new granddaughter by Cat. Adapted by a design from Janet Stone
Bag made from hand-printed fabric by Jean
A Shashiko panel made by Judith
Rita's wall-hanging "Angels with Attitude"
Jean's small quilt made from Click Clack flower blocks
Jean's Camden bag
Jan C's log cabin inspired quilt made in Canada
Jan C's large quilt using fabrics from New Zealand which was long-arm quilted at New Threads
Pat Bu's foundation pieced and hand quilted quilt made with Liberty fabrics
Premmie quilt by Janice
More premmie quiltes
Log Cabin by Geraldine to illustrate her talk

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:

A small quilt by Mary demonstrating Drunkard's Path
Sarah T's colourful quilt which she had long arm quilted, also Drunkard's Path
Julie's large scrap quilt designed by Gourmet Quilter using the "Quilt as you go" method
Another Drunkard's Path quilt with appliqué circles designed and made by Cat and entitled "Bubbles"
Penny's black and white quilt
A yellow quilt, also by Penny
Linda's Seminole cushion
Another Seminole cushion by Linda
Striking premmie quilt by Judith
Another premmie quilt by Judith
A premmie quilt by Tina
Another one by Tina
Janice's premmie quilt
Sue's premmie quilt

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.

A bargello quilt which Penny began on a retreat.
Penny has also made some bags for breast pumps from the pattern Sue sent out recently. These will go to the North Hampshire Hospital.
Two lovely Premmie quilts made by Jan
Following Jan's talk last month, Mary had been inspired to finish this sashiko mat.
A large quilt made by Gail. Called "Orient Express" because it was quick to complete, it features Japanese fabrics.

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.

Maureen made this lovely hand appliquéd and quilted quilt which was a Bramble Patch kit.
Rita's quilt "The Simple Life" , designed by Annie Downs
Geraldine's quilt made from a New Threads kit using the fabrics of May Morris, the daughter of William Morris.
Geraldine's quilted printed panel
Tina's quilt "Cake Mix" designed by Anne Baxter
Julie W's bargello quilt
Sarah's amazing quilt "100 Blocks in 100 Days" which she long arm quilted.
Detail from Sarah's quilt
Geraldine's drunkard's path premmie quilt
Tina's quilt "Sweet Shop" designed by Anne Baxter

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

Autumnal quilt designed by Cat and made for a friend
Pauline's embellished cushion with curved piecing
Mary's quilted clock based round a frisbee
Kirsty's beautiful English Paper Pieced quilt, hand pieced and machine quilted. The design is called "Ice Cream Soda".
Sue C's batik fabric bag
A premmie quilt donated by Janice
One of 2 premmie quilts donated by Gail
Sarah's kantha stitched cushion
Sarah's mixed media collage for a wall, made on a course.

Our latest newsletter can be found by following the link the Newsletters tab above.

The next meeting at St Francis, our usual venue in Wash Common, will feature Kantha, shashiko and boro demonstations - more details in the newsletter.

Also in this month's newsletter, details about the Sew on Saturday programme and our outings to the Malverns Quilts Show on May 19th and the NEC Festival of Quilts on August 7th

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.

Our December Meeting will be on December 14th and we will be having our Christmas social, with a quiz as well as nice things to eat and drink.

Please bring a contribution for the Food Bank.

Show and Tell this month will be items with a Christmas theme, made at any time.

UPDATE
Unfortunately our December meeting is cancelled due to the breakdown of the heating in the hall.